Multistage Wiener filters (MWF) represent a component of the MWF as an un-normalized vector of filter coefficients within a finite impulse response (FIR) filter in a manner that avoids reliance on the 2-norm operation of the un-normalized vector of coefficients. The 2-norm operation can be replaced by less expensive operations performed elsewhere in the MWF. Preferably the filter adds only a few additional addition, subtraction and multiplication operations to compensate for the elimination of the square root and the division operations used for the 2-norm operation. As a result, it is possible to eliminate all or nearly all of the square rod and arithmetic division operations of at least some implementations of the MWF.