When it launched, the AVJ-X5 heralded an image change for Aiwa. And it's certainly a change for the better; under the tutelage of parent company Sony, this system offers stylish looks at an affordable price.

The main unit boasts chrome and silver styling, and the front panel has a tapered design that echoes the look of the distinctive, elliptical speaker package. The subwoofer, meanwhile, has to be one of the funkiest we've seen - you'll want to leave it on show rather than place it out of sight.

The AVJ-X5 is equipped to handle both Dolby Digital and DTS soundtracks, and there's also Dolby Pro-Logic II. There's Super Audio CD or DVD-Audio playback, however - a slight shame considering this is one of the most expensive systems in this roundup. But it does have a karaoke facility, with a mike input on the front to turn it into a PA system to entertain your friends after a few beers! Perhaps this gives away which age group Aiwa is aiming the AVJ-X5 at...

Another slight disappointment comes with the connections - there are no component video outputs for flicker-free progressive scan images to your flatscreen. Still, there is a Scart socket to take goodquality RGB (and lesser composite video) picture signals to a TV, and an additional set of inputs for connecting to external sources (like a games console).

The Aiwa's on-screen menus are easy to use, and can tailor the system exactly to your tastes. They're actually the same menus as used on Sony's systems and DVD players, and we cannot fault their ease of use.

Picture-wise, it's clear that the AVJ-X5 comes from good stock. The first thing that struck us during a run-through of Spider-Man 2 via the RGB Scart was the colour reproduction; everything, from Spidey's costume to Kirsten Dunst's hair, looked vibrant but believable, and skin tones were natural. What's more, we spotted subtle details in dark and/or complex scenes that are sometimes masked by lesser systems at this sort of price.