The JVC EX-A10 compact stereo system can thank an unlikely source for its great sound. The EX-A10 uses wood-cone speakers that are soaked in sake, the Japanese rice liquor. This allows the drivers to be shaped in a way that provides strength while reducing distortion. Each two-way speaker has a 3-3/16-inch sake-soaked woofer, as well as a wood-dome tweeter.

This is essentially a very small executive system, designed for offices or smaller bedrooms. The disc player is separate from the receiver, and it is compatible with DVD-Video, DVD-Audio, DVD-R/RW, DVD+R/RW, SVCD and VCD, CD, CD-R/RW and MP3, WMA and JPEG files on CD. The DVD capabilities give the EX-A10 some unexpected flexibility, even though Dolby Digital, DTS and DVD-Audio playback is limited to two-channel downmixed stereo. The EX-A10 also has an optical digital audio output, so you can send multichannel signals to an external processor such as a home theater receiver.

The EX-A10's disc player is feature-packed, and it includes a progressive scan component video output for DVD. The internal amplifier provides up to 50 watts per channel, with bi-amplification for a very pure signal. There is also a subwoofer output, so you can add a powered subwoofer to the system. The EX-A10 has a built-in clock with a three-preset timer, so this compact stereo system can even serve as a glorified alarm clock. With its many abilities and a spirited sound (pun intended), the EX-A10 would be a fine addition to an office or other refined space.

Warranty
1 year