Once fed properly, the transformation is startling.

The engineering inside the CS-787 reflects the "East Coast" sound influence—warm, rich, and room-filling—despite Pioneer being a Japanese firm.

If you are shopping for a used pair (which is the only way to get them), you need to know the weak spots.

The CS-787 is a three-way, four-driver loudspeaker system. While specific production years vary slightly depending on the region, these units were prominent in the mid-to-late 1970s.

The year was 1984, and for Leo, the world was measured in decibels and wood grain. He had spent three months’ salary on them: a pair of Pioneer CS-787