Get a Pioneer Music Tap AirPlay Music System for $199
Normally $399, this fancy stereo streams music over Wi-Fi from a variety of sources, including iDevices and Internet radio stations.
You probably think of Groupon as a place to score cheap restaurant deals and half-off yoga classes, but the site occasionally serves up a killer deal on gear.
To wit: For the next couple of days, Groupon has the Pioneer X-SMC3-S Music Tap AirPlay Music System for $199, plus $12.95 for shipping. Regular price: $399. (Seriously, shop around--you won't find it for a buck less than that anywhere else.)
Don't have a Groupon account yet? It's quick and easy to sign up for free. Then use the previous link to access the deal.
The X-SMC3-S is a home stereo system for folks who have moved beyond CDs. It features a dock for iPhones and iPods and supports AirPlay--Apple's wireless-streaming technology. That means you can listen to music stored not only on your iDevices, but also on your PCs.
Of course, if you do use your iDevice, you don't have to dock it; you can control the player right from the device and stream your playlists over Wi-Fi. It's not unlike a Sonos system--except that it's much cheaper.
Not invested in the Apple ecosystem? The Pioneer player can also stream music from Internet radio stations, Android phones and tablets, and anything else that's DLNA 1.5-certified.
The system sports a pair of 20-watt speakers and a 2.5-inch color LCD that displays album art, song info, and the like. I haven't seen one up close and personal, but in photos it looks mighty sweet. (If you have any firsthand experience with the X-SMC3-S, tell me about it in the comments.)
At $399, this would be too rich for my cheapskate blood. But $199? That's a pretty outstanding deal, especially if you're looking to give someone the gift of music over the holidays.