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Best of the inexpensive Kabuki...

ChopperChas

ChopperChas

Super Member
I will admit.... I like how Kabuki speakers look. I even like how some of them sound. I'm curious about what's the best sounding kabuki, the coolest-looking kabuki, or the most unique kabuki speakers out there.

Right now I've got a nice pair of Pioneer CS-922A's, which look really sweet with the grills off and have a nerdtacular LED level meter on them... but sound rather shitty. (little bass due to small cabinets and 16" woofers)

I'm really curious what kabuki speakers have love from the AK crowd :)

Charles.
 
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I like the Pioneer CS-901. The originator of the term Kabuki from what I understand.

I also liked the Sansui SP-3000 and SP-5000.
 
I had a few sets of the big hi powered kabuki.I remember in conversation here someone said that of the big 125 wpc receivers would turn them to dust.Quite the contrary.A Luxman R-117 (160wpc) paired with a set of Kenwood KL888x(260 wpc) and for loud rock I was blown away on how loud those went without even breaking a sweat.This was my first listen to what powerful home stereo could do.I no longer have the kabuki because I didn't like the way they sounded at lower levels but I was pretty impressed what those speakers could do that day.
 
I 2nd the Kenwood KL 888d , still own a mint pair & will not part with them. They can take lots of power and Sound good doing it. My ears say they were made for CD's and digital reproduction more so than their intended analog use, Even at lower listening levels. They sound better than ok when paried with my Yamaha CR 840 & Pioneer SA 7800 integrated amp.
 
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I got my pair of KL-555A for 50 bucks,but they're not all that kabuki to me,vintage yes indeed,especially with the Kenwood lattice grills,but the drivers & driver layout is'nt really all that fancy as it is with what most would consider to be a kabuki speaker.

Same deal with my Teac LS-30,vintage yeah,kabuki not so much,heck the grills are'nt even removable on 'em,but only 5 bucks for these,so WTH grabbed them anyways.

And my Kenwood LS-408b,those are'nt remotely kabuki,those are pretty classy speakers in my book,though for 150 bucks they were a steal,and they sound superb.

I'd probably need a more precise definition of what's to be considered "inexpensive" to comment further....

Bret P.
 
I think the epitome of "Kabuki" for many folks are the Pioneer CS99A's... 5 drivers in too small a cabinet for the size of the woofer. Modest crossover that generally has not aged well (caps drying out). No acoustic dampening, etc...

However, the real downfall of these speakers is that they were sold as "wife friendly". "Look Honey, we can just use than as end tables on the couch and no one will be the wiser" ... That position with the big woofer closely bounded to a usually soft surface (floor/rug) and no corner loading has lead meny to write them off as useless.

Get into them and recap with poly film caps and replace the woofer cap with a paper/oil power cap. Add a loose but complete fill of acoustic dampening spun Dacron, and drive them with enough power (for overhead & instantaneous high current signals). AND, mostly get them up off the floor and into the corners and they will wake right up :D
 
The Sansui SPX-7900 will blow your house down. They sound even better when you use a good EQ with them. They have real wood grills also. They are around the size of a Boston A-100, IIRC.

pics from the interwebs. :D
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I have CS 907 and 903 and I think they sound really good. Yes they can be very very loud but putting clean wattage in them even at low volumes they sound good. They are being pushed by a pioneer spec 2 with sg 9500 with sr 303 reverb and Rg1 Dynamic processor, Tx 9500ii tuner and SA 8500ii. A
 
jbebout67 said:
I have CS 907 and 903 and I think they sound really good. Yes they can be very very loud but putting clean wattage in them even at low volumes they sound good. They are being pushed by a pioneer spec 2 with sg 9500 with sr 303 reverb and Rg1 Dynamic processor, Tx 9500ii tuner and SA 8500ii. A
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I have a complete system NOS purchase consisting of an SA800 Technics receiver, JBL L166 Horizons, a Miracord turntable and a Pioneer RG-1 dynamic processor. I am only familiar with using an equalizer on my speakers in the past and wonder about the dynamic processor. Is it more useful for giving punch to the output and emphasize certain ranges maybe more quickly? Does it add any distortion to the sound? Is it more useful at louder outputs? Really ignorant on this one.
 
Kenwood KL-777A, good speaker, low dollar. Parts are plentiful. Cloth woofer surround can go stiff.
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Sansui SP2500’s are frankly incredible once properly restored. Recap them, clean the pots, treat the surrounds with DOT 3, and place them on low angled stands facing outwards, with preferably an equal distance between the speakers and the side walls. The soundstage is both massive, and yet extremely precise. Absolute sleepers, these are.



Jmattiii said:
I have a complete system NOS purchase consisting of an SA800 Technics receiver, JBL L166 Horizons, a Miracord turntable and a Pioneer RG-1 dynamic processor. I am only familiar with using an equalizer on my speakers in the past and wonder about the dynamic processor. Is it more useful for giving punch to the output and emphasize certain ranges maybe more quickly? Does it add any distortion to the sound? Is it more useful at louder outputs? Really ignorant on this one.
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I’d be inclined to say it’s just sort of a gimmick to add some semblance of dynamics to compressed material, like FM broadcasts and brickwalled albums. The brochure I found online is vague and confusing marketing at its finest-it goes straight from talking about how “modern” (1975-era) records are highly compressed, but then talks about how they also offer greater dynamic range than older recordings, and that your old stereo won’t keep up with these new records unless you use this magic box. It then throws a Hail-Mary pass and tries to sell itself as a noise gate for cutting out FM/LP/tape hiss between tracks. I’d be skeptical on how much “improvement” it yields, but it might be a fun effect to toy around with if you got it. Probably worth keeping for the aesthetic, because who doesn’t love some VU meters bouncing to the music?
 
My Sansui SP3500 speakers were a pleasant surprise. But I think they cost all they are worth.
 
hi have these Technics sb-g500
300 watts
16" woofer
cant even give the damn things away around here
i may end up just using the super tweeters for something else
but i like the colors and hate wreck em

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I have the Pioneer CS-55’s, CS-77’s & the Sansui SP-7500x. All 3 are decent speakers. The Sansui’s are the best of the bunch. The Cs-55’s are ok, sound decent with my Pioneer SX-737 & SX-700t.. The cs-77’s can handle a little more power than the 55’s and also sound good with the vintage Pioneer receivers. I’ve powered them with higher wattage amps, new and old and they sounded better. Id much prefer the Pioneer A’s as well as the Sansui sp-7500.. no x.. I’ve heard the sp-7500’s are really great speakers. The sp-7500x’s can handle a decent amount of power and have good bass & decent mids and highs. They would make a good speaker for someone new to the hobby. Same with the 77’s. The 55’s are decent at best.
 
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