Pioneer CS-88A Speakers

[JHS2RT]

FB--stood for Free Beat

 

[centsless]

What is the significance of the FB mark? My Poineers have it, and I couldn't think of anything the letters stood for...

"F.B."('Free Beating')PROCESS CONE PAPER.

The brown cone paper is different from conventional cone papers.It is composed of long and short,thick and thin fibers,that are beaten,not cut.The pulp itself is made from specially selected plant and animal fibers, then processed through PIONEER's Free Beating System.The result of this new technology is a cone paper that is lighter,stronger than any other.It provides a rich,powerful bass tone,clear mids,improved damping,lower distortion and the ability to handle high input signals.

(taken from PIONEER CS-99A Brochure)

 

[JHS2RT]

Thanks for expounding on that.....

 

[.dr5]

..any one hear the Pioneer CS-E400 ? opinions?

 

[gizzyman47]

bought a pair locally for $20 in mint condition. Refoamed the four tweeters myself. have around $60 invested in them. If I sell them on Ebay I'll recoup and then some. Ran into a pair of pioneers cs-77a and a pair of cs-99a at a pawn shop. The owner claimed that they came in with the original boxes but he threw them out! I bought both pairs. $85 for the 77a's and $65 for the 99a's. The 99a's had damaged mids but I knew I could find replacements online, which I did. Glad I bought the 99a's seeing what people are getting for these! I actually like the 99a enough to hang on to them. The others I will flip sooner or later.

 

[Locobreth]

The fb stamp is a good point. There was a process they used making the paper that is actually kinda interesting. Long and short fibers, specially chosen plant fibers , hand beating. I don't know how much is just advertising but they did make it interesting. Also , and this is not really directed at anyone here but post after post all over you guys are finding amazing prices. I run into some decent stuff at times ( even a blind squirrel ya know). But for the most part I do the eBay thing and a few other places. Sometimes people are awful tough on others that are paying eBay prices and I get it but these are realistic market value prices that if someone wants something particular there gonna pay. Just ease up on em a lil. We all want that $3000 carver for $10 but it ain't usually reality. Peace.

 

[icenine]

I just found a pair in good condition FB cones on woofer for $55.

That is what they were worth to the SA

They are worth whatever price a person is willing to sell them to a buyer willing to pay.
There must be some rich oligarchs overseas(lol joke) who think these are worth the money. There some people here who think they are mediocre. You have to sell and buy accordingly.

 

[Locobreth]

Absolutely. I'm looking at a pair now that's at seventy but I can drive a cpl hours to pick them up. Plus he's selling a reciever I want too so it's a win win. Well over $100 in shipping saved. I've never heard them but I've heard enough good to make them worthwhile at a decent price. I just hate when we get in these multiple threads that's turns into one person after another that paid less and less for the same thing. All the while seeming to belittle the first person for buying them on eBay. I often wonder which ones are just saying they paid almost nothing just to out do the last. You can pretty much tell the regulars that are sincere. Hey if someone wants to pay $500 for a $200 reciever that's ok. It's about the music and if there after the sound they want so be it.

 

[icenine]

Absolutely. I'm looking at a pair now that's at seventy but I can drive a cpl hours to pick them up. Plus he's selling a reciever I want too so it's a win win. Well over $100 in shipping saved. I've never heard them but I've heard enough good to make them worthwhile at a decent price. I just hate when we get in these multiple threads that's turns into one person after another that paid less and less for the same thing. All the while seeming to belittle the first person for buying them on eBay. I often wonder which ones are just saying they paid almost nothing just to out do the last. You can pretty much tell the regulars that are sincere. Hey if someone wants to pay $500 for a $200 reciever that's ok. It's about the music and if there after the sound they want so be it.

I was not looking for the CS-99As when I saw them....they had just been put out by the staff and one of guys who I say hello to when I go in told me about them. So to me it was not a huge score as it would be to someone who had really been searching for a pair.
The way I see it is if you really desire something badly just pay the ebay price and do not waste gas money looking for a score that might not happen. Do not worry about what others may say.
I know I could probably make $400 on them if I sold them on Ebay but that requires more work on my part...packing,shipping,etc. So I expect more money. If I sold them at a garage sale I would expect less of course. The guying jonesing for a set of CS-99As will not be driving down my street most likely...especially on the day I have my garage sale.

 

[thomo57]

Sold a pair on ebay last week for buy it now $150 and they were in immaculate condition.
Tweeters refoamed.
They lasted less than 10 minutes:sigh:

I was listing a set of Kefs immediately after and thought I'd go back and change the Pioneers to auction but they had sold:sigh:

So I'd say more than $150 Australian dollars:scratch2:

 

[Locobreth]

I'm at my limit on the ones I'm after now. Actually a little over at $200 but yet again I let an auction get personal. . There is two days left so I'm curious how far it will go without me. Most of the thrifts and especially the goodwills around here (45 min west of Philly) are picked through in the back room. Nothing good usually makes it to the floor.

 

[MarcoEsc]

I just picked up four of them in really nice shape; clean, complete and with manuals and warranty cards for $20. Of course they can use a bit of foam work on the tweeters, but best $5 speaker yet!

 

[markshan]

I agree, random components should not be that desirable. Only complete set - cabinets and lattice grills a must! As a collector, I need a complete, original, non-abused, non-modified set.

That should increase the parts value. I think the real issue with these is that every pair has the same problem, tweeter surrounds. I should think there would be a fine market for an original, functional tweeter.

 

[rwartner]

We've had discussions on "FB" some drivers have the stamp others don't, can even have mixture on same speaker. Nobody is sure why not all have stamp. Could be different factories, different times etc. The drivers are the same, just some no stamp.

 

[Brad Muller]

Sell those suckers and get some sweet speakers!

 

[Gabe Kish Sr]

Unfortunately, none of the above responses actually address the original question - what is the price of CS-88A (if in very good condition).

The answer is on eBay. The last top three sales show that the current market value is between $400-600 (with shipping, not mint, $400 pair is probably only in average condition).

Actually, you could derive the market value from AK responses too, just multiply these $15-30 by 20 and you get $300-600 which is about right.



I agree, random components should not be that desirable. Only complete set - cabinets and lattice grills a must! As a collector, I need a complete, original, non-abused, non-modified set.

It's absolutely apparent what their "value" is right now (February of 2022) by looking on Ebay or Etsy, or whatever, and see what they are going for now. Do people overinflate value as equated by demand? yeah, sure but that's basic economics baby, supply and demand. It's apparent that maybe there is a new crop of young folk ( I consider anybody under 50 young) that are tired of the crap that's being sold today as "mid-level stereo equipment" and are looking back to the classics.

 

[Gabe Kish Sr]

 

[Gabe Kish Sr]

A friend GAVE ME these beauties. His mother had them since they were new. Beautiful little old Italian lady. I met her years ago. She has good taste. I've read what some people have said about them being "boomy" but jeez, if you have alla this equipment and don't have a decent equalizer what kinda snob are you?