Polk Audio PSW10 Powered Subwoofer – Black for $89.99 with free S&H from Amazon.com

Amazon has the Polk Audio PSW10 10-Inch Monitor Series Powered Subwoofer (Single, Black)
for $89.99 with free shipping and handling. That’s the lowest I’ve seen in the last two years (and matches a deal from November of last year). I have this subwoofer hooked up in my home theater system, and have been quite pleased with it. Check out the review from Cnet for more information.

Onkyo CS-445 CD Receiver System for $209.97 with free S&H at Amazon.com

Amazon has the Onkyo CS-445 CD Receiver System for $209.97 with free shipping and handling. That’s $40 below the next best price I could find, and about $70 less than most retailers are charging.

Polk Audio LSi9 Bookshelf Speakers (Pair, Cherry) for $599 per pair with free S&H (various sellers) (via Amazon)

Two “marketplace” sellers (via Amazon) have the Polk Audio LSi9 Bookshelf Speakers (Pair, Cherry) for $599 per pair with free shipping and handling. That beats the prior low price on these by $200 per pair.

The LSi9′s have received excellent reviews. For instance, see the Soundstage review from April 2002. The reviewer’s conclusion:

The And Now for Something Completely Different attitude has worked well for Polk Audio. They’ve hit the bull’s-eye with the LSi9. Not only is it an exceedingly refined, first-class performer, it has specific sonic qualities that make it stand out in its price class. I really liked the combination of having a punchy and lively presentation, but also having the refinement and smoothness that I expect in a top-notch speaker. This speaker jumps to life like a Spring Break party, but retains the sophistication of a black-tie dinner. This combination is something you rarely find in small speakers at any price. The LSi9 also images with precision and provides a level of robustness that is thoroughly captivating.All this adds up to a level of performance that is ear-opening — and at just a smidgen over $1000.

MartinLogan Source High-Performance Electrostatic Loudspeaker (Black) for $599 each ($1198 per pair) with free S&H at Audio Advisor (via Amazon.com)

Audio Advisor (via Amazon.com) has the MartinLogan Source High-Performance Electrostatic Loudspeaker for $599 each ($1,198 per pair) with free shipping and handling. These normally retail for $1097.50 each. There are good reviews from avguide.com and techradar.com. Best quote comes from the avguide.com review: “The Source is the most impressive hybrid loudspeaker I’ve auditioned—an astonishingly successful blend of what I once thought were essentially incompatible technologies—and, with a couple of provisos (see below), one of the two most lifelike full-range loudspeakers I’ve heard for under-$2k.” If you’re thinking about new speakers, and can afford $1,500 per pair, read the full review before buying anything else.

Cambridge Audio Azur 350A Integrated Amplifier for $349 with free S&H from either Audio Advisor or Spearit Sound (both via Amazon)

The Cambridge Audio Azur 350A Integrated Amplifier, Silver (or Cambridge Audio Azur 350A Integrated Amplifier, Black) is now available from either Audio Advisor or Spearit Sound (both via Amazon) for $349 with free shipping and handling. That’s a $100 drop from my last post on this model in the summer of 2010. You can check out the Cambridge Audio site for more on the specifications and links to reviews.

Note that the step up model Cambridge Audio Azur 550A Integrated Amplifier, Silver (or Cambridge Audio Azur 550A Integrated Amplifier, Black) is only $50 more from Audio Advisor (also via Amazon).

Boston Acoustics VS Series VS260BB Bookshelf Speaker (Black/Black) for $239.88 each ($479.76 per pair) with free S&H at Vann’s (via Amazon)

Vann’s (via Amazon) has the Boston Acoustics VS Series VS260BB Bookshelf Speaker (Black/Black) for $239.88 each ($479.76 per pair) with free shipping and handling. These originally retailed for $1,400 per pair. They received a mention on the Audiophiliac blog when they first came out in 2008.

Harman Kardon HK3390 Stereo Receiver $199 at Amazon.com

Amazon.com has the Harman Kardon HK 3390 2 x 80W Stereo Receiver for $199 with free shipping and handling.  That matches the best price I’ve seen previously (in March of this year). This is a nice entry level stereo receiver with a few features not found on competing products like front inputs and subwoofer connections. It also has a phono input for those of you still listening to your vinyl collections. This is as nice or nicer than competing models by denon or onkyo (I own receivers made by all three companies). If you’re looking for a receiver around which to build a system, you could do a lot worse…and at this price you’ll still be able to pay for those speakers you’ve been lusting after. The PSB Alpha B1′s I wrote about in an earlier post would be a nice match with this receiver.

Boston Acoustics VS Series VS336BB Floorstanding Speaker (Black/Black) for $599.88 each ($1,199.76 per pair) with free S&H at Vanns (via Amazon.com)

Vanns (via Amazon.com) has the Boston Acoustics VS Series VS336BB Floorstanding Speaker (Black/Black) for $599.88 each ($1,199.76 per pair) with free shipping and handling. That’s a drop of over $800 from my last mention of these back in March. They normally sell for $1,700 apiece ($3,400 per pair). The VS 336 is Boston Acoustics’ flagship floorstanding speaker. Check out the write-up at Home Theater Review for more information.

Dayton DTA-1 Class T Digital Amplifier 15 WPC for $35 plus $5.57 S&H at Parts Express (via Amazon)

Parts Express (via Amazon Marketplace) has the Dayton DTA-1 Class T Digital Amplifier 15 WPC for $35 plus $5.57 shipping and handling. That’s $1 below my last mention of this item (back in June 2010), and 20% below the $44+ it’s been at for the past couple of months). An AC power supply is included (it also runs on AA batteries). This is an exact copy of the Sonic Impact 5066 (no longer made), which earned rave reviews and quickly sold out everywhere. This review at Stereo Times gives a good description of why it was so popular (as well as its relative strengths and weaknesses). In short, amazing sound for the price in a tiny plastic box. But at this price, why not give it a shot? I previously featured a similar model (Here’s my prior post) that is still available.

Onkyo A-5VL Integrated Amplifier for $349.95 with free S&H at B&H Photo Video (or Amazon)

B&H Photo Video has the Onkyo A-5VL Integrated Amplifier for $349.95 with free shipping and handling (Amazon has it for the same price). That’s the lowest I’ve seen for this model ($80 below my last mention of this product last October). This amp offers some interesting features, including built-in digital to analog converters (192 kHz/24-Bit Burr-Brown DACs). There’s a positive review at about.com. You can find good pictures and some details on specifications in this overview by Home Entertainment Magazine. However, note that the review at What Hi Fi? is luke warm. That said, it’s a pretty sweet looking amp, and looks even nicer with the matching CD player (Onkyo C-S5VL C-S5VL Super Audio CD/CD Player).

Polk LSi 25 Loudspeakers for $646 each ($1,292 per pair) with free S&H at 6ave (via Amazon)

The Polk Audio LSi 25 Left Channel Floorstanding Loudspeaker – Ebony (Each) and Polk Audio LSi 25 Right Channel Floorstanding Loudspeaker – Ebony (Each) are available for $646 each ($1,292 per pair) with free shipping and handling at 6ave (via Amazon). That beats the best price I’ve ever seen for a refurbished pair by over $200 (these are new).  These normally sell for $1,399 each ($2,798 per pair).   The LSi25 is Polk’s flagship floorstanding loudspeaker. This model has a nominal impedance of 4-ohms, meaning you’ll need a good amp to drive them. Physically, they are massive, weighing 91 pounds each, and standing almost 50 inches tall. A 10 inch subwoofer is built into each speaker.  NOTE:  The left and right channel speakers need to be purchased separately — don’t mistakenly buy two left or two right speakers.

Canton Ergo 620 Speaker (pair, Black) for $839.66 with free S&H at Amazon.com

Amazon.com has the Canton Ergo 620 Speaker (pair, Black) for $839.66 with free shipping and handling.  These normally retail for $1,500 a pair, and I don’t recall having previously seen a discount of this magnitude for Canton speakers. You can get a sense for the quality of these from a review by Home Theater magazine of a surround system which includes these monitor sized speakers

Boston Acoustics VR1 Black (Each) 2-Way Floorstanding Loudspeakerfor $117.64 each ($235.28 per pair) with free S&H at Amazon.com

Amazon.com has the Boston Acoustics VR1 Black (Each) 2-Way Floorstanding Loudspeaker for $117.64 with free shipping and handling ($235.28 per pair). That’s the best price I’ve seen for this model by at least $60 per pair. Although discontinued, they are from Boston Acoustic’s higher end line, and originally retailed for $600 per pair.

Polk Audio RM705 5.1 Home Theater System (Set of Six, Black) for $229.99 with free S&H at Amazon

Amazon has the Polk Audio RM705 5.1 Home Theater System (Set of Six, Black) for $229.99 with free shipping and handling. That beats my last post for this system by over $50 (back in April of 2010). I have an older, but similar model hooked up in my family room, and have been very pleased with the quality.

World Wide Stereo 25% off regularly priced receivers (including NAD)

Through July 24, World Wide Stereo is offering 25% off regularly priced receivers
Use promotional code 1262 at checkout to receive discount.
Cannot be combined with any other offer.

Coupon results in some best prices available on NAD and Denon receivers.

Expires 7/24

Infinity 3-way black Classia Series floorstanding speaker for $199.99 each ($399.98 per pair) with free S&H at Vann’s

Vann’s has the Infinity 3-way black Classia Series floorstanding speaker for $199.99 each ($399.98 per pair) with free shipping and handling. That’s a savings of $1200 per pair for a trendy speaker from a well respected company.

$10 PRICE DROP: Polk RTi4 Bookshelf Speakers (Pair) $139.99 with free S&H at J&R Music World (via Amazon)

The Polk Audio RTi4 High Performance Bookshelf/On-Wall Speakers (Pair, Black) are available for $139.99 per pair at J&R (through Amazon).  Although they were $10 lower back on April 22, this is still a great price for these speakers (I picked up a pair back in April).  These speakers were $319.95 a pair when they were introduced 5 years ago.  Robert Reina at Stereophile wrote a nice review back in October 2004, noting that: “the Polk RTi4 holds its own against all competition, and should be given careful consideration by anyone looking for speakers costing less than $500/pair.”  I’ve owned Polk speakers since 1986 (still have my original Monitor 5B’s), and bought Polk again when I outfitted by home theater system.

$20 PRICE DROP – REFURB: Marantz SR5004 7.1-channel black home theater receiver (factory renewed) for $379.97 with free S&H at OneCall.com

OneCall has the Marantz SR5004 7.1-channel black home theater receiver (factory renewed) for $379.97 with free shipping and handling. This model got a nice review from Tom’s Guide, and Marantz receivers have an excellent reputation for outstanding audio quality.

REFURB: Phoenix Gold AudioSource AMP-100 Amplifier for $64.99 with free S&H at mwave

mwave.com has the Audio Source AMP 100 for $64.99 [refurbished] with free shipping and handling. That’s the best price I’ve ever seen for this unit [albeit for a refurbished unit] by at least $15.  This is designed for use as a “Zone 2″ amplifier, typically run from a receiver with multi-room capability. However, it is also a perfectly capable amplifier for a budget music or computer setup, particularly if you aren’t attempting to hook up multiple sources at once. Check out this review from 2004 for more information. This would be ideal in an office setup hooked up to your computer or to a CD player (if you only play CDs), driving a nice set of bookshelf speakers.

Over 1,500 MP3 Albums for $5 each at Amazon.com

Amazon.com is currently running a promotion offering Over 1,500 MP3 Albums for $5 each. This offer runs through the end of May. They typically have 100 albums per month at that price, but are making a big push to sell their “cloud” music service and to highlight that they are offering better prices than iTunes for popular songs. Almost every genre is included, and a number of titles jumped out as ones I’ve had on my short list to purchase.

COUPON: Save up to 30% Storewide at WWStereo.com with coupon “TAXTIME” (expires 4/18)

Save up to 30% Storewide at WWStereo.com with coupon code “TAXTIME”
Free Shipping

Cannot be combined with any other offer. Selected items excluded from promotion. Expires 4/18/2011

Logitech Squeezebox Duet Wi-Fi Internet Radio for $201.97 with free S&H at Amazon.com

Amazon has the Logitech Squeezebox Duet Wi-Fi Internet Radio for $201.97 with free shipping and handling.  That’s the best price I’ve seen at Amazon by over $25.  This is a Cnet Editor’s Choice product.

MB Quart Alexxa S-One 3-Way 180W Floorstanding Speaker, Piano Black for $350.89 each ($701.76 per pair) with free S&H at Amazon.com

Amazon.com has the MB Quart Alexxa S-One 3-Way 180W Floorstanding Speaker, Piano Black for $350.89 each ($701.76 per pair) with free shipping and handling. That’s $100 per pair below the price posted just a few days ago.  MB Quart was originally a German speaker manufacturer, though in recent years it has become part of a larger, U.S.-based conglomerate. Reviews in English are hard to come by, but MB Quart makes available a translation of a review from Hi Fi Test magazine (original in German).

DEAL ENDED: Energy CB-5 Bookshelf Speakers (Pair,Black) for $74.99 with free S&H at Amazon.com

Amazon has the Energy CB-5 Bookshelf Speakers (Pair,Black) for $74.99 with free shipping and handling. That’s almost $20 better than my last mention of this product in late June, and the lowest price currently available (a savings of $100 under MSRP). You can check out the detailed specifications on Energy’s website. This is a relatively new model which has yet to be reviewed by any of the usual sources. However, Energy is generally regarded as producing high quality products. They are a Canadian speaker company (now owned by Klipsch) which worked with the Canadian National Research Council (NRC) in some pioneering studies which sought to determine what measurable factors people equate with a good-sounding loudspeaker. That research is incorporated into their design philosophy.

Denon DRA-697CIHD Premier AM/FM Stereo Multi-Source/Multi-Zone Stereo Receiver with HD Radioon sale for $809.09 with free S&H at Amazon.com

Amazon has the Denon DRA-697CIHD Premier AM/FM Stereo Multi-Source/Multi-Zone Stereo Receiver with HD Radio on sale for $809.09 with free shipping and handling. That’s $90 below the usual price and the first time I’ve seen this unit on sale (at least in a very long time). This model sits near the top of Denon’s line of stereo receivers (not surround sound). I’ve had my Denon stereo receiver since 1986 and it still sounds great.