Pioneer CS-99 vs. CS-99A

[jguzman21]

What are the major differences between the two models? Is the collectibility more for one than the other? I have the CS-99 not the CS-99A that I thought I did... . They sound wonderful though . With the grill on they also look like the CS-99A.
Thanks for all the help!!!!

 

[LugnutDoug]

this is just my opinion. i think cs99a's are a little brighter on the high end and a little more punch on the low end. rated at 100 watts as opposed to 80. mainly though i think 99a's are nicer looking. ive heard that the older 99's are more tube friendly than 99a's. i dont have tubes so couldnt say for sure. 99's have solid plywood cabinets though the particle board of cs99a's probably sound better. to be sure you should own a set of each. regards doug

 

[bully]

Looks can be deceiving.
They are designed completely differently. The CS-99 is a ported speaker system; the CS-99A is called an 'infinite baffle' speaker system by Pioneer (it is a tightly sealed cabinet).
They are both rather more efficient than not (the 99A was spec'd at 97dB/w/m).
When I had the CS-99A, the first receiver I had was the SX-828, with a gutsy-sweet 54 wpc. I had no problem getting clean, deep bass from the 99A. Later, I got the JR-S501, a big 120 wpc receiver. Even bigger and tighter bass (hey, the mids and highs were always right on). They sounded great with the Carver The Receiver, too. For a good part of the time I had the 99A, I also had a pair of the CS-88A, and I ran both pair together.
One other thing: the CS-88A seemed to be made of solid walnut.
I bought them from a buddy after he came back to the world.