Best Buy: Black Friday hours - Open 5AM
Alpine CDE-100 50-watt x 4 Car Stereo: $99.99
Harmony 510 Advanced Universal Remote control: $39.99
iHome Alarm Clock with iPod Dock: $39.95
Apple iPod Nano 8GB player - Black: $149.99
Bose Earbud Headphones: $89.99
Motorola S9HD Bluetooth Wireless Stereo Headphones: $49.99
Pioneer 50-watt x 4 Car Stereo with two 6.5" Speakers: $89.99
Kmart: Black Friday hours - Open at 6AM
iHome Portable iPod/MP3 Player Speaker system: $9.99
Philips 4-device Universal Remote Control: $9.99
Sony Earbud Headphones - Assorted Colors: $4.99
Wireless Gear Bluetooth Headset: $7.99
Radio Shack: Black Friday hours - Open at 5:30 AM
iLive 2.1 channel DVD/CD system with iPod Dock: $99.99
ION Profile Pro USB Turntable with Software: $79.99
ESPN GameDay Universal Remote Control: $9.99
Radio Shack NOAA Weather Cube Radio: $10.00
Sirius Radio Dock & Play Radio with Car Kit: $29.99
For the best gift ideas, check out my Top Pick Gift List for stereo and music lovers with links to compare prices.
Audiophiles and avid music lovers know the KEF name well and associate it with fine loudspeakers. The KEF iQ50 is a 2 ½-way floorstanding bass reflex speaker in the middle of the Q series line with sound that belies its small size. The iQ50s are among the best speakers I've reviewed in the sub-$1000 per pair price range and it's clear to me why serious music lovers revere KEF speakers. Neutral, uncolored and balanced are a few of the adjectives I would use to describe the iQ50 speakers. Read my full review.
Audio recording techniques and quality have greatly improved since the 1960s and 1970s when the Beatles recorded many of their hit songs. EMI Records has released remastered versions of these timeless recordings in boxed sets or individual discs. Before springing for the boxed set, I bought "A Hard Days Night" to check out the quality. Based on what I heard, I'll be buying the rest of the collection. Read my review, and if you like Beatles music, check out the remastered versions - they'll make a nice addition to your collection and make great gift ideas.
As expected, today the California Energy Commission on a unanimous vote passed strict regulations that will prohibit sales of TVs up to 58" that don't meet strict energy efficiency requirements beginning in 2011. The Commissioners say this is the easiest and cheapest way to conserve electricity. Unfortunately, this unelected commission misses the point. The main issue is how to provide enough electricity for the citizens in the state and for future needs, not to force conservation by restricting the sales of TVs. Building more power plants is the place to start. Pay attention if you value the freedom to choose which television you wish to buy and expect your legislators to use the California decision as a model for other states.
California citizens can do three things:
- Demand our state government build more power plants to meet our present and future energy needs.
- Buy 'banned televisions' online or from another state to bypass these ridiculous regulations.
- Elect representatives with some common sense that will dismantle the California Energy Commission.
The Rasmussen Reports has released a poll indicating that 66% of Americans oppose regulations and favor big screen TVs over energy conservation.
Robert Silva, About.com Guide to Home Theater has more.
