Pioneer Speakers Really? C'mon Don get serious

[don 69]

Pioneer SP-BS22 Bookshelf speakers

OK guys, here's the deal. After reading about the little bookshelves for about 2 months, I waited for a sale at BB or Amazon. Do I have a need for these? Absolutely not. But for $90, my curiosity got the best of me. My head congestion is finally cleared up enough to where I can hear highs again. So, I thought I would see what all the hype is about.

Picked them up earlier in the week. Hooked them up about an hour ago. Still breaking in. These are some pretty small bookshelves. Cued up a Chesky recording of Sara K that I play on a regular basis on my big rigs. First my thought was, were these really only $90? Second thought was, these little bookshelves actually nail the most important of the audio spectrum pretty darn well, which is the midrange. Sara K sounds very natural. A sax cuts in and sounds almost live. This sax cut comes close to almost duplicating the big rigs at a reasonable volume. The highs are also fairly clean, but not nearly as crystal clean as the big rigs. However, the highs will not make you run from the room. They are pretty darn good. The bass: well their is some there, more than you would expect from such an inexpensive bookshelf with a 4 inch woofer. Sure the ported design helps. But don't expect chest thumps.


Next up Dave Clark, Take 5. Drums sound very natural. Alto Sax cuts in with a natural sound. Not a live sound by any means, but much more than I would expect from such a cheap speaker. Cued up a James Taylor cut. Male voice sounds good. Again, the total midrange is impressive.

Still playing, but quite surprised. If anyone is looking for a garage, small bedroom, den speaker or speakers to give to your kid as a starter system, there is no disappointment here. Just don't expect chest thumping bass or volume that will blow you against the wall. Make no mistake, this is an audio bargain not to be missed, if you have a need. Or if you are curious just like me, spend the $90 and smile as you listen to these little gems. Now, what am I going to do with these? Probably will give to Matt for a garage system for the new home he is building.

By the way, heard about these on AudioCircle. Here is the link:

http://www.audiocircle.com/index.php?topic=113182.0

They are designed by Andrew Jones of TAD fame.

Still on sale for $91 at Best Buy and thru Amazon. Guys, for only $91 dollars you cannot go wrong. Read the comments on Audiocircle if in doubt.

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[helicopter pilot doug 110]

I agree Don. Got a chance last weekend at a GTG in North Texas to hear these speakers. We were all very impressed with the sound these little speakers put out. Of course they don't have the sound of the Sunfire CRM-2's, but for the price I don't think you will find another speaker that will come close to them. Pioneer has a hit on their hands here!

[don 69]

Doug,

 

Since this post, bought another pair on sale at Fry's for $69. This pair I will keep for myself and bring to Carverfest. Not quite sure where I will set them after the fest, (thinking set up a spare bedroom system) but for $69 (free shipping and no tax), I wanted to see the reaction of some of the attendees faces when I cue up DB Take 5, SRV Pan Alley or a couple cuts of Patricia Barber. They certainly play well above their size and price. 

 

I am bringing the "Pabst Blue Ribbon Cheapskate Special system" to CF. A 35 year old Pioneer SA6700 Int. Amp picked up at a neighbor's garage sale several decades ago to pair with the little Pioneers. ($25 for int. amp) Zip cord for speaker wires and a broken down laptop missing a key or two for tunes.  

 

Cost of speakers, Pioneer Int. Amp and zip cord less than $100. Will be embarrassed by every system there. However, will still make music and should raise a few eyebrows based on cost to sound ratio.

 

He are the Little Pioneers A/B comparing to the Legacy Whisper XD's and the Dunlavy 4A's.

[kingman 662]

Don...in the quest for great sound you are living proof that more is better!!!! You have the Pioneer madness!!!!!  

[don 69]

Actually, as you know, bought the DL 4A's on a whim to compare to the Whisper XD's. One of those deals you could not pass up. I know you can relate. Been using the Plat 4's as dual CC in HTR. With my back situation, (2 prior back surgeries and needing a third) waiting on Matt and his buddy to relocate some speakers to different rooms. I can lift the little Pioneers at 8 lbs. a piece, but that is my limit. I did have Matt hook up a little PSB passive sub when I tried the little Pioneer bookshelves to see what it added which you see in the middle.

 

Matt's workload has been crazy as well as his buddy that works with him. They both lift weights thank goodness. Hope to relocate some of these monsters in the near future and get things back to normal. The 3 story home doesn't make things any easier.

 

I can sum it up as things are in a state of flux right now, to say the least and shameful. I know my listening room is starting to look like Bob C's. 

 

$69 bucks for anther set of little Pioneers, could not refuse. Light and small enough for me to take to the feast and have music in the Loft. No brainer. 

[oldtexasdog 2,456]

I concur! I bought a pair for my office system and they still surprise me with their sound. Best 90.00 I have ever spent I think. 6 Ohm load, but as I do not play at high volume, they play good with all I have tried. Inc. some low watt tube amps.

[TNRabbit 371]

Speaking of your Whispers, Don; I went to Capital AudioFest with a friend yesterday & listened to the Legacy line. VERY nice! '

 

I have to say my favorites of the show were the TIDAL audio SunRay speakers. At $154,000 per pair, they'd damn well BETTER be good....and they were!

 

I'll post some pics/video later this week.

[slbenz 110]

Next time I go to Fry's or Best Buy, I will have to check out these speakers.  Kind of reminds me of the Cambridge Soundworks Model 17s I used to use in my TCBY franchise I owned many years ago.