wjm@whuxj.UUCP (MITCHELL) (04/13/84)
I and several friends have also received the $250 "check" promotion that cna only be used toward the purchase of Z7000 speakers. Before you buy, remember the old Latin proverb, caveat emptor (let the buyer beware). Check out the speakers and the company that manufactures them in a reputable directory of audio equipment (I recommend the October issue of "Audio"). If you can't find that specific model number, try to compare them to speakers made by the same company with similar characteristics (number/size of drivers, cabinet size, cross-over frequencies, sensitivity, power-handling capacity) to see if the same (or a close relative) unit isn't listed under another number (sometimes companies will make a "private label" product for a specific customer - like ShopRite's house brand of frozen vegetables - which is the same as a regular unit in the manufacturer's line but with a different cover and model number). This should give you some idea of the list price (also keep in mind that a speaker that sells for $600/pair will be discounted 15% or so by most stereo stores, and more by the mail-order houses like Sound Reproduction). Be very wary if the manufacturer lists no speakers in the directory selling for anywhere near $600/pair. Generally, the only way to get an honest $600 value for $350 is to get a discontinued model or a special purchase from a reputable dealer (I've seen (and taken advantage of) some of Harvey's (in NYC) specials, for example). Caveat emptor and happy listening, Bill Mitchell Bell Communications Research, Inc. Whippany, NJ (whuxj!wjm)