DSS-9's back in rotation, and NEVER leaving again.

[Copa1934]

They've been "packed" for years, due to move after move. In their place were JBL L65's, and while they held me over, I did not truly realize what I was missing till last night. I switched out the speakers yesterday and the immediate difference was inescapable. This will sound cold as ice, but the JBL's produced "sound" while the Pioneer's produced Music, glorious beautiful music.

Link to my DSS-9 rehab post: https://audiokarma.org/forums/index.php?threads/pioneer-dss9-in-the-house.645059/

If you've followed any of my posts, the DSS-9's had a very rough start. My post explains the whole event, from damaged in shipping to fully functional and room filling music.

The DSS-9, simply put, trounce the JBL. Mind you, my JBL's are all original, as are the DSS-9's. The DSS-9 demolish the JBL's in bottom end, no question, especially at low volume listening. It's tighter and with far more authority. Then you move into the mids, the clarity of vocals and instruments is amazing. And the highs, they don't scream at you. Cymbals and chimes sound so beautiful and natural. One very distinct difference is the brushes on the snare. The JBL's it was non existent on some recordings, while they were "there" with the Pioneers. Then there was the "openness", the sound stage, the depth. Just about everything sounded like new, fresh, pleasurable.

So often we must rely on memory, what we "thought" or "felt" something sounded like, but when you do a fresh swap out, you're not working from memory, you just listened to the former speakers. That sound is totally fresh in your mind.

I could not be happier, in fact I was laughing and crying with joy. Music is back in the house and it's wonderful.

Thank you for taking a moment to read my post. Have a good one.

 

[stereofanboy]

I'm not surprised.

...but when you do a fresh swap out, you're not working from memory...

Well...let's just say much more recent memory. Memory is still making an important contribution and fresh memory is more reliable than stale memory for this sort of thing.

 

[Copa1934]

I'm not surprised.



Well...let's just say much more recent memory. Memory is still making an important contribution and fresh memory is more reliable than stale memory for this sort of thing.

True that.

 

[absolve2525]

I can't wait to get my pair hooked up again either. I agree, amazing speakers! I recapped them a couple years ago, but had to store them in an extra room while my shoulder healed from surgery. I've been listening to Klipsch KLF30s in the meantime, which are no slouch. What are you powering yours with?

They've been "packed" for years, due to move after move. In their place were JBL L65's, and while they held me over, I did not truly realize what I was missing till last night. I switched out the speakers yesterday and the immediate difference was inescapable. This will sound cold as ice, but the JBL's produced "sound" while the Pioneer's produced Music, glorious beautiful music.

Link to my DSS-9 rehab post: https://audiokarma.org/forums/index.php?threads/pioneer-dss9-in-the-house.645059/

If you've followed any of my posts, the DSS-9's had a very rough start. My post explains the whole event, from damaged in shipping to fully functional and room filling music.

The DSS-9, simply put, trounce the JBL. Mind you, my JBL's are all original, as are the DSS-9's. The DSS-9 demolish the JBL's in bottom end, no question, especially at low volume listening. It's tighter and with far more authority. Then you move into the mids, the clarity of vocals and instruments is amazing. And the highs, they don't scream at you. Cymbals and chimes sound so beautiful and natural. One very distinct difference is the brushes on the snare. The JBL's it was non existent on some recordings, while they were "there" with the Pioneers. Then there was the "openness", the sound stage, the depth. Just about everything sounded like new, fresh, pleasurable.

So often we must rely on memory, what we "thought" or "felt" something sounded like, but when you do a fresh swap out, you're not working from memory, you just listened to the former speakers. That sound is totally fresh in your mind.

I could not be happier, in fact I was laughing and crying with joy. Music is back in the house and it's wonderful.

Thank you for taking a moment to read my post. Have a good one.

 

[Copa1934]

I can't wait to get my pair hooked up again either. I agree, amazing speakers! I recapped them a couple years ago, but had to store them in an extra room while my shoulder healed from surgery. I've been listening to Klipsch KLF30s in the meantime, which are no slouch. What are you powering yours with?

Yamaha RX-V1700. For music I use "Pure Direct" so no manipulation of the audio. I've also had to dial it back, these speakers are so bloody efficient. The home theater experience went up multiple notches as well. Been nothing but positive.

 

[tarior]

I know I could Google it, but are those a Locanthi design?

 

[Copa1934]

Not to my knowledge. He did do the HPM, which visually have a lot in common with well know JBL speakers, like the L100's. The DSS share more with the TAD line than anything else, like the Beryllium drivers.

 

[tarior]

My history is a bit fuzzy, but I was under the impression that he was a driving force in the creation/ evolution of TAD as a competitor to JBL. I might be wrong though.

 

[Copa1934]

My history is a bit fuzzy, but I was under the impression that he was a driving force in the creation/ evolution of TAD as a competitor to JBL. I might be wrong though.

According to Wiki, after the HPM stint he became deeply involved in Compact Disc development. I wasn't able to find a connection to TAD. Maybe a deeper dive? LOL

 

[blademan13]

I picked up a pair of DSS-7’s a couple years ago for a song. In excellent shape with the exception of needing new surrounds. Sadly I have not yet got around to replacing them as I have heard about the fragile woofers and am a bit gun shy.

 

[absolve2525]

I picked up a pair of DSS-7’s a couple years ago for a song. In excellent shape with the exception of needing new surrounds. Sadly I have not yet got around to replacing them as I have heard about the fragile woofers and am a bit gun shy.

I have a set of DSS-7 also. They're excellent speakers! I've refoamed a few sets of the graphite cones. They're not horribly fragile unless they're struck by something. That whole series, including the DSS-5, sound great.

 

[rmeade]

I have a pair of the DSS-5 that I picked up for a song. I carefully re-foamed the woofer, without damage. They re out of rotation for the moment.

 

[doctorolds]

They've been "packed" for years, due to move after move. In their place were JBL L65's, and while they held me over, I did not truly realize what I was missing till last night. I switched out the speakers yesterday and the immediate difference was inescapable. This will sound cold as ice, but the JBL's produced "sound" while the Pioneer's produced Music, glorious beautiful music.

Link to my DSS-9 rehab post: https://audiokarma.org/forums/index.php?threads/pioneer-dss9-in-the-house.645059/

If you've followed any of my posts, the DSS-9's had a very rough start. My post explains the whole event, from damaged in shipping to fully functional and room filling music.

The DSS-9, simply put, trounce the JBL. Mind you, my JBL's are all original, as are the DSS-9's. The DSS-9 demolish the JBL's in bottom end, no question, especially at low volume listening. It's tighter and with far more authority. Then you move into the mids, the clarity of vocals and instruments is amazing. And the highs, they don't scream at you. Cymbals and chimes sound so beautiful and natural. One very distinct difference is the brushes on the snare. The JBL's it was non existent on some recordings, while they were "there" with the Pioneers. Then there was the "openness", the sound stage, the depth. Just about everything sounded like new, fresh, pleasurable.

So often we must rely on memory, what we "thought" or "felt" something sounded like, but when you do a fresh swap out, you're not working from memory, you just listened to the former speakers. That sound is totally fresh in your mind.

I could not be happier, in fact I was laughing and crying with joy. Music is back in the house and it's wonderful.

Thank you for taking a moment to read my post. Have a good one.

It's so good to hear that you are able to enjoy a great pair of speakers you put your time and effort into, not the first though.

Wish I had a pair!

 

[blademan13]

I have a set of DSS-7 also. They're excellent speakers! I've refoamed a few sets of the graphite cones. They're not horribly fragile unless they're struck by something. That whole series, including the DSS-5, sound great.

Did you use specific surrounds? Seems as though correct surrounds are available, just not sure where to source?

 

[Copa1934]

If you haven't read my original post where I revamped mine, I used rubber surrounds. I was able to source a set and they have been awesome. I'll likely never have to replace them again, in my lifetime anyway. Just get the measurements down, cone diameter and frame diameter. You need at least 3/16" undersize from the cone lip and roughly the same "contact" area on the frame. You won't be able to use the standard foam glue, it won't work well with rubber. I use MWA CC-8 rubber adhesive.

 

[absolve2525]

Did you use specific surrounds? Seems as though correct surrounds are available, just not sure where to source?

Unfortunately, it's been forever and I don't remember. I had my DSS9s done professionally with rubber surrounds. I recommend the rubber ones like Copa suggests also. I did refoam my DSS-7s with actual foam. I don't think it was anything too out of the ordinary, size or angle wise.