The boxes arrived separately. The big one was the first to arrive from California and when I opened it and finally delved through the plastic peanuts used for packing (why do so many companies insist on packing things with these damnable items that are a mess for civilians to deal with? But that's another article), I unearthed two of the prettiest little speakers I've ever seen. They are heavy, enclosed two-way systems. Actually, they measure 83/i" x 5" x 5V2", but are not shaped as a rectangular box (see the picture) and weigh about 6V2 pounds each.

As I said, I fell in love with the way they looked and debated putting them in my car (for which they are intended) or putting them in a bookshelf as a small set of extension speakers (an auxiliary use suggested by the manufacturer, Pioneer of America). Once I had finished admiring and hefting the speakers, I checked the enclosed material on them and found that they packed an equivalently hefty price tag of $249.95 for the pair. Not a ridiculous price for a pair of bookshelf speakers, I thought, but to put in the car...