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A. Jones Pioneer -22 vs -52

tomlinmgt

tomlinmgt

Lunatic Member
The 22's, to me, seem a set a speakers worth having around. They remind me of Vandersteens in that most everyone who hears them has practically nothing but praise for them. If they indeed have the neutral presentation, natural tonality and ability to throw up a respectable sound stage like evryone is saying, I think they'd make a great reference tool for not a lot of dough. Oh, and I really like the part about them being new. But the 22's big brother, the 52, sure is callin' my name. I'm wondering if the 52 is everything the 22 is, but more of it. But I know a bigger model doesnt necessarily mean better. And I can't find many testimonials on them and zero professional reviews (maybe one abbreviated one from Cnet or some such). Anybody here have any experience with the 52's and 22's?
 
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Thanks SLP. Yeah, I got through about the first dozen of those user reviews (novellas) and realized they're not all for the -52. Not sure how many of those 188 reviews I'll have to read before I find someone who has spent time with -22's and -52's, but my eyes are already glazing over after that first dozen.
 
I only own the 22's, but I read a lot about both before I bought them, and it's an almost universal thought that the 22's actually sound better. I can't recall right now where I saw them both tested, but the 22's measured better as well.

To me, they are the speaker bargain of the decade if not longer. They have equaled or bettered many speakers I've had in my house. I like messing with other speakers, but if I was told I had to live with these until they crapped out, I wouldn't be that bummed out really.
 
For what it's worth, I had the pleasure of Andrew Jones demoing the line for me last year at CEDIA.

The SP-BS22-LR, while they're just as bass-shy as you'd expect and fall apart at high volume, are remarkably good-sounding speakers by any measure. Factor in that you can buy them new for less than $100 per pair, and they're just silly.

The SP-FS52 tower speakers didn't impress me. Still no low bass, of course, but the low end that was there, to me, sounded bloated. They don't pull off the same balancing act as their smaller siblings, and, honestly, their development strikes me as a bit of an afterthought.

Having recently worked with Pioneer, I've got a raft of complaints about the company and their product line. "Adrift" sums up my impressions. That said, they've picked a winner in Andrew Jones. He's warm, enthusiastic, and an excellent brand ambassador. The budget bookshelf speakers he's designed for Pioneer are an outstanding achievement. Nearly anybody can create a kilobuck speaker that sounds decent. To put out speakers like these at a real entry-level price point is unheard of.
 
I've been pondering purchasing some 22s to see how they compare with my 41s, the larger bookshelves from Jones' first budget series.
 
winters860 said:
For what it's worth, I had the pleasure of Andrew Jones demoing the line for me last year at CEDIA.

The SP-BS22-LR, while they're just as bass-shy as you'd expect and fall apart at high volume, are remarkably good-sounding speakers by any measure. Factor in that you can buy them new for less than $100 per pair, and they're just silly.

The SP-FS52 tower speakers didn't impress me. Still no low bass, of course, but the low end that was there, to me, sounded bloated. They don't pull off the same balancing act as their smaller siblings, and, honestly, their development strikes me as a bit of an afterthought.

Having recently worked with Pioneer, I've got a raft of complaints about the company and their product line. "Adrift" sums up my impressions. That said, they've picked a winner in Andrew Jones. He's warm, enthusiastic, and an excellent brand ambassador. The budget bookshelf speakers he's designed for Pioneer are an outstanding achievement. Nearly anybody can create a kilobuck speaker that sounds decent. To put out speakers like these at a real entry-level price point is unheard of.
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Thank you!
 
89grand said:
I only own the 22's, but I read a lot about both before I bought them, and it's an almost universal thought that the 22's actually sound better. I can't recall right now where I saw them both tested, but the 22's measured better as well.

To me, they are the speaker bargain of the decade if not longer. They have equaled or bettered many speakers I've had in my house. I like messing with other speakers, but if I was told I had to live with these until they crapped out, I wouldn't be that bummed out really.
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I read that you picked up a pair but haven't been following your experience with them, Steve. Have you been using them with your distributed bass rig?
 
tomlinmgt said:
I read that you picked up a pair but haven't been following your experience with them, Steve. Have you been using them with your distributed bass rig?
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These are primarily used in my computer setup, and that setup has two powered subs, not quite distributed bass, but still 2 subs. The sounds cards digital Toslink out goes to a h/k AVR 330 that is acting as my DAC and subwoofer controller. The h/k's preamp outs go to a cheap and small Little Bear P1 hybrid tube preamp and from there to a 7wpc SMSL t-amp the drives the Pioneers. It's pretty much a near field setup and that amp drives the speakers to more than loud enough levels, even though the 85db sensitivity (Stereophile measured them at 86db) rating might suggest otherwise.

I had them in my main system last night, and I have three subs in there. That system uses a Pioneer VSX-1121-K as a DAC and sub controller, then it feeds another Little Bear P1, and then to a little SMSL SA-98E which is a class D amp with about 40-50wpc. I couldn't quit listening to it, and stayed up several hours later than I should have. I tried them both running full range and with a 80hz high pass, and didn't hear much difference between the two settings so I left the 80hz crossover on since I was running them at quite high volume levels, just to be safe. I have to say, I've run these with both a 150 and 200wpc SS amp too, and I've never heard the Pioneers complain even running wide open with no high pass. They get a lot louder than they look like they should be capable of. Power compression never seemed to be a factor at the levels I've listened to them at, and I don't normally listen at polite back ground levels either. Not concert loud I guess, but loud.

Stand alone without a sub, they'll be limited in the lowest bass, but the bass it has it good considering a 4" woofer. Most budget speakers have a bloated upper bass to give the impression of low bass, these don't, they sound well balanced in frequency across the spectrum, minus the very lowest bass of course. I noticed earlier it was mentioned they fall apart at high volume levels. I'm not sure what's loud to some people, but I felt they were very composed at levels that exceeded what they look like they'd be capable of.
 
tomlinmgt said:
The 22's, to me, seem a set a speakers worth having around. They remind me of Vandersteens in that most everyone who hears them has practically nothing but praise for them. If they indeed have the neutral presentation, natural tonality and ability to throw up a respectable sound stage like evryone is saying, I think they'd make a great reference tool for not a lot of dough. Oh, and I really like the part about them being new. But the 22's big brother, the 52, sure is callin' my name. I'm wondering if the 52 is everything the 22 is, but more of it. But I know a bigger model doesnt necessarily mean better. And I can't find many testimonials on them and zero professional reviews (maybe one abbreviated one from Cnet or some such). Anybody here have any experience with the 52's and 22's?
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... said the guy with a house full of humongous TOTL speakers. :D

How would you guys label the 22's in terms of a sound-signature? What would you compare it to, sonically-speaking (or "speakering" in this case)?
 
at this price im very tempted to grab a pair. i'd like to compare them to my mission mx1's.

also just a heads up, Best Buy has them on sale for $90.99 free shipping
 
Wow, $90.99...I'm thinking about getting another set at that price.

I paid $99 and thought that was a great price. Everyone should own a set at $91.
 
i just got back from picking up a pair. best buy is a block away. so far, theyre are pretty good. they need to break in probably. they sound about as good as the mission mx1's, which is another sub 200$ hero speaker.
they are voiced a little differently. not sure where and how yet, since i've only had them hooked up for about 8 minutes.

the good part is, the salesman hahahaha. oh man. starts off telling me he's an audiophile, then gives me the definition. then he told me the pioneers weren't worth it. i said what do you mean? he said well listen to these polks taht are only 10 dollars more, they sound way better. he turns them on and all i heard was bloated mid bass and mids. anyways, he seemed disappointed when i said yeah i'll take the pioneers.

i liked his excitement, but i didn't like him telling me right off the bat what was better. to me a salesman should let the cutsomer here it all they want. then talk to them about what they liked didn't like about each offering and go from there but i digress.

so far, nice clear vocals and upper end. not quite as present down low as my missions, but the missions had a 5.25 inch driver.
 
nrap said:
i just got back from picking up a pair. best buy is a block away. so far, theyre are pretty good. they need to break in probably. they sound about as good as the mission mx1's, which is another sub 200$ hero speaker.
they are voiced a little differently. not sure where and how yet, since i've only had them hooked up for about 8 minutes.

the good part is, the salesman hahahaha. oh man. starts off telling me he's an audiophile, then gives me the definition. then he told me the pioneers weren't worth it. i said what do you mean? he said well listen to these polks taht are only 10 dollars more, they sound way better. he turns them on and all i heard was bloated mid bass and mids. anyways, he seemed disappointed when i said yeah i'll take the pioneers.

i liked his excitement, but i didn't like him telling me right off the bat what was better. to me a salesman should let the cutsomer here it all they want. then talk to them about what they liked didn't like about each offering and go from there but i digress.

so far, nice clear vocals and upper end. not quite as present down low as my missions, but the missions had a 5.25 inch driver.
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While the salesman may have been full of himself it's quite possible he does prefer the Polks. We can't all like the same things. That said, I'd love a pair of those Pioneers for my computer system except I have other bookshelf speakers not being used as it is.

cubdog
 
cubdog said:
While the salesman may have been full of himself it's quite possible he does prefer the Polks. We can't all like the same things. That said, I'd love a pair of those Pioneers for my computer system except I have other bookshelf speakers not being used as it is.

cubdog
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good point. that really was probably the case. we all have different tastes. and its not his fault the typical best buy only carries limited amounts of stuff and most of it being bad. theyre "good system" was a pair of klipsch icon kf 26's with a sub.

these really do sound pretty darn good. the mids and highs are surprisingly clean, clear and crisp. imaging is just ok, but its there. not sure what all you can ask for at that price. also, while the missions are smaller yet heavier, with a more sturdy feel, these pioneers seem less boxy with less resonance. maybe thats just the 4inch driver vs the 5.25.

everybody's opinion of loud differs, along with listening spaces. and they do kind of fall apart at very loud volumes. but fall apart isn't the way i'd describe it. the tweeter just keeps up while the 4 inch driver starts to lag behind. im gonna run them with my yamaha a s500 in a bit. right now theyre doing time with the 2245.
 
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