Aiwa CA-DW365

Second from the top in Aiwa's line of detachable speaker boomboxes, the DW635 can do double duty as a budget second stereo at home and a power portable music box on the road. The CA-DW635's most unique feature is a front-loading CD player that's just like you'll find on a typical component piece. It's much more reliable (and fun to open and close!) than the top loaders found on lower-end boxes. Aiwa claims its Q Surround provides the illusion of having rear-surround speakers, but don't expect to be looking over your shoulder. The CD can handle 30 tracks in its program memory and will automatically link to the cassette deck (for recording tapes) with a touch of a button. The tuner is digital, which gives you better reception and allows you to program preset stations. Because the cassette decks aren't full-logic, you can't control them via the included remote. The 635 does have a bass boost, and Aiwa says its Super T-bass boost circuit is specifically engineered for improving smaller speakers' bass response.