Aiwa CS 250 V (1983)
A portable stereo cassette recorder with 4-band radio and Dynamic Super Loudness, built for rich sound in a compact form.
Overview
The Aiwa CS 250 V is a portable stereo cassette recorder with multi-band radio receiver, made by Aiwa Co. Ltd. of Tokyo and introduced in 1983. It combines FM, short wave, medium wave, and long wave reception with stereo playback and recording, powered by either AC line or six D-cell batteries. Known for its four-driver speaker system and rare-for-the-era aux input, it was designed to deliver full-range sound from a plastic-bodied chassis. Owners praise it as a “great little unit” with “good sound” and a distinctive aesthetic, often noting the effectiveness of its DSL (Dynamic Super Loudness) feature.
Specifications
| Wave Bands | FM (UKW), Short Wave (KW), Medium Wave (MW), Long Wave (LW) |
| Frequency Ranges (Radio) | UKW: 87.5 – 108 MHz; KW: 5.9 – 18 MHz; MW: 530 – 1605 kHz; LW: 150 – 285 kHz |
| Power Output | 7 W |
| Loudspeakers | 4 speakers / Ø 12 cm (4.7 inch) |
| Speaker Drivers | 10 cm woofers and 2 cm tweeters |
| Tape Wow and Flutter | 0.08% |
| Tape Frequency Response | 40 Hz to 15 kHz (using Metal tape) |
| Power Source | Line / Batteries / 50–60 Hz, 110–120 V or 220–240 V; 6 × 1.5 V (D-cell) |
| Dimensions (W×H×D) | 478 × 159 × 139 mm (18.8 × 6.3 × 5.5 inch) |
| Weight | 3.2 kg (7 lb 0.8 oz) |
| Material | Plastics |
| Main Principle | Superheterodyne |
| Number of Semiconductors | 18 |
Design
The CS 250 V features Aiwa’s Dynamic Super Loudness (DSL), a bass and treble enhancement circuit that improves perceived sound quality at lower volumes. The speakers are housed in a one-piece box with four drivers—two 10 cm woofers and two 2 cm tweeters—arranged in a two-way configuration. An aux input is included, a rare feature for portable audio devices of this era.
Market
One listing on Bazos Czechia priced a CS-250 at CZK 1,300 in February 2026. Forum users report the “tape deck not working” as a common issue, with belt replacement and head cleaning likely required for restoration.
eBay Listings
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