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Abstract
Big: The Pioneer SP-PK21BS, a package of five speakers and a subwoofer, are a big-time value even at its $399 retail price. These are old-time speakers whose aesthetics we'll classify as shabby chic. Technologically, they're the brain work of Andrew Jones, the former chief designer at KEF and Infinity, and now chieftain of Pioneer's TAD Reference speaker series that tops out at $60,000-plus.
Audio-video receiver: This one's easy. Find one for less than $200 by Denon, Yamaha or Pioneer. Techbargains found Denon's AVR-1612, a 2011 model (retail: $350), for $199.99, free shipping and a $25 gift card, at Crutchfield.com. Sold.
Harman Kardon's Soundsticks (retail: $160), a three-piece multimedia speaker whose otherworldly looks by iPod designer Jonathan Ive landed it in New York's Museum of Modern Art, were being sold by the company on eBay for $99.99, refurbished. Klipsch's Reference One headphones (retail: $180) were $79 at Buy .com.