Aiwa SX-12
A 3-way bookshelf speaker system from the early 1980s, known for its mirrored pair design and rare collectible status.
Overview
The Aiwa SX-12 is a 3-way bookshelf speaker system made by Aiwa in Japan in the early 1980s. It was built for only three years, and vintage audio buyers now treat it as a rare find. It was designed as a mirrored pair. Each cabinet holds an 8-inch woofer with a rubber surround and a 3/4-inch tweeter that is reportedly horn-loaded. Sources disagree on the cabinet type. Some reportedly cite acoustic suspension and others say bass-reflex. They agree on the sound quality and the unusual looks, though. One description calls the SX-12 a "vintage audio gem", and it stays highly sought after on the secondhand market.
Specifications
| Product type | 3-way Bookshelf Speaker System |
| Impedance | 8ohm |
| Power handling | 100W 8 ohm |
| Woofer | 8 inch |
| Tweeter | 3/4 inch horn loaded |
| Dimensions | approximately Width 9.0 x height 15 x depth of 9.5 inches |
| Weight | 15.4 lbs |
Design
The SX-12 is a mirrored pair, so the left and right speakers are reportedly non-identical. They are designed to face inward symmetrically for better stereo imaging. Each speaker has an 8-inch woofer with a rubber surround and a 3/4-inch horn-loaded tweeter. At least one verified source gives the cabinet as bass-reflex, which helps the low-frequency response.
Context
The Aiwa SX-12 was made for only three years in the early 1980s. That limited run has since earned it cult status among vintage audio collectors. The speakers are described as rare, and people know them for their quality and distinctive design. They were marketed as high-fidelity components.
Market
The Aiwa SX-12 turns up on eBay, Kijiji, hifishark.com, and tmraudio.com, often described as a rare find. Some units appear in original factory packaging, which adds to their collectibility. No original MSRP is confirmed. One listing gives "$1,174.79" as an original price, but that may be a modern valuation and not the actual 1980s retail price.
eBay Listings
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