the pioneers were designed by phil jones (acoustic energy, platinum audio, etc.) and got a big rave in stereophile, so i checked 'em out at best buy (admittedly not the optimal listening environment). they actually are very listenable, with a nice clean high end and midrange, if not the world-beaters stereophile proclaimed--sorta like the $5 wine you get a trader joes which tastes like it could be a $7 wine. nice looking and pretty well built; in the same class i'd also look at the entry level energy and mordaunt short