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...

I then waited for the next box to arrive. It did a few days later and it contained the remainder of one of the niftiest car stereo systems I've had the pleasure to play with. Car stereo is going the way of the component system both in price and hardware. The TS-X9s (as the speakers are designated) complement an automotive stereo system from Pioneer, the KPH 9000, that consists of an AM/FM stereo tuner with cassette player, and Pioneer's model GM-40 amplifier. That's right, a tuner, amp and speakers for your VW, Seville or Fiat. In fact, the Pioneer system is one of many car stereo systems you can buy that have audio quality on a par with home systems and are priced in the same league.

I remember when a tape unit in a car was a novelty and now we've got sophisticated systems that can cost a thousand dollars or more. It seems incredible unless you live in your car, but what do these systems do for the money they set you back?

They sound damn good. In fact, they sound good whether you're in a car or running them off a 12 volt power supply in a moderately sized room. I know because I've tried it both ways.

The Pioneer system is a typical example of a high quality system, though component car stereos are available from a number of manufacturers. The units went together easily and the instructions are rather easy to follow. The KPH-9000 tuner/cassette unit is an in-dash model. That makes it relatively easy to install (if you've got a car radio or the place for one now) and relatively difficult to steal. In order to pry it out of the dash, you've got to do an awful lot of levering and bashing.

The controls on the unit are simple and straightforward. A push to turn on volume control operates the KPH-9000 and if you pull the knob out all the way, you've got a balance control. The ring surrounding it is a bass control with the ring around the tuning knob at the other end of the dial setting the treble. The normal operating condition is radio, either AM or FM depending which push-button is pressed. The 9000 has five pushbuttons: one for AM, one for FM and three that can be set for either. Muting, loudness and mono control switches are also on the dial panel. To play a tape, just insert the cassette into the slot and automatically the 9000 switches over. The cassette player has a rewind and fast forward function as well. A light indicates the tape function and another one shows you that you're receiving an FM stereo broadcast.

The GM-40 20 watt per side amp connects to the tuner/cassette player via one long cable and plug. The amp itself is a very compact unit and can be mounted under the dash (or hidden within it) or under a seat or even in the trunk, if the 7-foot cable reaches. The only place you should not put it is in front of a hot air vent.

The cables that come with the speakers are color coded and matched to the cables coming from the amp. In fact, they are terminated in male /female plugs that make speaker hookup very easy. Enough cable is included so that you could adequately space your speakers in your living room, let alone your hard-top.

I have not given you the specs on these units yet and they are remarkably respectable. The amp, of course, puts out 20 watts per channel maximum and is rated at 16 watts with a 4 ohm load. Its frequency response 15 to 40,000 Hz-3 dB with a distortion figure of not more than 0.06% at 1.5 watts with a 1,000 Hz signal. Signal-to-noise is listed at better than 80 dB.

The tuner's FM section shows a usable sensitivity figure of 12 dBf and 14.3 dBf from 50 dB of quieting. Signal -to-noise clocks in at 68 dB with capture ratio of 1.7 dB and selectivity at 74 dB (400 kHz). Stereo separation is rated at 23 dB (at 65 dBf for 1,000 Hz). Capture ratio, selectivity and separation are extremely important specs in mobile operation and Pioneer's figures live up to the promise.

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The tape player is a rather standard affair, but a few specs should be noted. The frequency response is listed at 30 to 15,000 Hz 83dB. Wow and flutter is a low 0.13% (WRMS) and signal-tonoise is shown at more than 52 dB. Again, a respectable showing for a tape player.

But the real tale is told in the hearing and not in the statistics. How does the thing sound on the road? The answer is that with Pioneer's component car stereo system you can have living room sound at Ferrari speeds. The stereo effect, somehow always enhanced in a car, is excellent and the reproduction follows suit. In fact, the reproduction rivals many home component systems in the same price category.

And price may be the name of the game here. The speakers are $250 for the pair. That leaves the KPH-9000 cassette player AM/FM stereo tuner and GM-40 amp at $299.95. Is the sound you get worth the combined price of $550? Only you can be the final judge, of course, but if you're high on music and are in your wheels a lot, the investment might well be sound.