Pioneer Andrew Jones SP-BS21-LR Bookshelf speakers for $42 after rebate

[Mystery]

Newegg has Pioneer SP-BS21-LR Bookshelf Loudspeakers (Pair) on sale for $69.99 - $30 rebate = $39.99. Shipping is $1.99.

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16882117405

 

[mhardy6647]

oh, fudge, man... I don't need mo' speakers...

 

[Andyman]

Nice deal.
The rebate is a prepaid Visa card, so while it isn't cash or instant, it is something pretty much universally accepted.

http://images10.newegg.com/uploadfi...g/Pioneer82-117-405_54325Jan16Jan3114KH20.pdf

 

[Yamaki]

The SP-BS22-LR's are highly regarded. I wonder how the 21's stack up.

 

[jhoyt]

The SP-BS22-LR's are highly regarded. I wonder how the 21's stack up.

Not as well. The BS41's were the darling of the first series. Andrew Jones redesigned the 21's for a reason, and hit a home run with them, as we all know.

 

[fredgarvin]

Newegg has Pioneer SP-BS21-LR Bookshelf Loudspeakers (Pair) on sale for $69.99 - $30 rebate = $39.99. Shipping is $1.99.

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16882117405

Great deal, those sound way above their price point at full retail. I use them on my desk top, they replaced the Axiom 22's. I've put them in my main system and was really surprised at how nice and balanced they sounded.

Here's a take on them and the newer bs22 model in Stereophile:

Comparisons
I no longer had the SP-BS41-LRs in house, but Pioneer provided me with samples of the SP-BS22-LR's predecessor, the SP-BS21-LR ($129.99/pair), so that I could compare Andrew Jones's design approaches. I also listened to the Wharfedale Diamond 10.1 ($350/pair) and the Epos ELS3 ($350/pair when last offered).

The older Pioneer had a very similar tonal balance to the SP-BS22-LR, but was somewhat mellower, with a bit less detail. The SP-BS21-LR's bass was just as clean, but the SP-BS22-LR went a little deeper. The newer speaker also had more refined highs, superior high-level dynamics, and a greater sense of decay.

The Wharfedale Diamond 10.1 was more warm, rich, and airy than the SP-BS22-LR, with more delicate and detailed mids and highs, but the new Pioneer bettered it in the low bass. The two speakers' dynamics were equally good.

The Epos ELS3 was a level beyond the Pioneer SP-BS22-LR in refined, delicate, and sophisticated inner detail, but its bass extension and high-level dynamics were inferior to the Pioneer's.

http://www.stereophile.com/content/pioneer-sp-bs22-lr-loudspeaker-page-2

 

[SchweinHaus]

Is the really low efficiency at 84 db a concern for a low to mid wattage system? I'm thinking of pairing them on a 40 wpc amp. I'll admit I don't know a ton about speakers and I'm curious as to whether low efficiency speakers need more wattage, or if they'd just be more detailed, but quieter? If there's a thread on speaker efficiency someone can point me to, I'd be thankful.

 

[audiomagnate]

Is the really low efficiency at 84 db a concern for a low to mid wattage system? I'm thinking of pairing them on a 40 wpc amp. I'll admit I don't know a ton about speakers and I'm curious as to whether low efficiency speakers need more wattage, or if they'd just be more detailed, but quieter? If there's a thread on speaker efficiency someone can point me to, I'd be thankful.

They will play to around 100 dB with a 40 watt receiver. If you like it loud and clean these are not a good choice.

 

[SchweinHaus]

Thanks for the help. It doesn't have to get super loud, especially because I imagine if I try to crank the volume in a console I'll start getting turntable rumble and possibly some feedback issues, but I think I'll keep looking.

 

[fredgarvin]

100 db's is loud.