Pioneer CS-99a

[Swenster]

Hello,

I recently acquired a pair of CS-99a Pioneer speakers. They seem to work fine but i had a couple quick questions:

1. Should I consider having them recapped? Would this improve their sound?
2. Should they be placed directly on my wood floor for best sound? I have them on low stands but other comments seem to indicate they are better on the floor. If so, should I place felt between them or something else?

Great Forum and much appreciate all the responses. I will either drive them with my recently acquired SA-8800 or my Pioneer SX950. Thank you

 

[Lavane]

Try them on stands, on the floor, tested back a bit, toed in, etc. And decide what sounds best to you. As for new caps, you may or may not notice a difference.
A lot of older and even newer speakers used and use basic general purpose electrolytic caps. After all these years they may have dried out, or the value has drifted enough to change the response some. I tend to replace case in older speakers just to make sure they will keep on sounding good.

 

[Old Guy8]

And for critical rather than casual listening, try moving your chair forward and back. Start 1/3 way in from back wall. Same with speakers 1/3 way from front wall. Experiment from there. Called the "Rule of Thirds." If you can, have speakers and chair symmetrical distances to side walls, if possible. So reflections are nearly alike. May be too far into the weeds for you? Is for many.

If not a dedicated listening room, compromise as needed.

 

[gizzyman47]

I had a pair of them. Sounded best to me on stands 10" high and tilted back. Man will they play loud and clear!

 

[Swenster]

Thanks to each for the replies. I will experiment further. I have the book get better sound and definitely am into playing around with systems and placement. I appreciate the thoughts and guidance. Great site.

 

[Bodyblue]

Tweeters at your ear level while seated are what you should be shooting for.

 

[Roadrash]

I would think that they would get a little boomy sitting directly on a wooden floor. I agree with gizzyman47 that a pair of stands 10 or 12 inches tall with a little tilt to them would be the hot setup. I put large self stick rubber cabinet door bumpers under the stands that my Altec 315s are on to isolate them from the floor, and it seemed to work pretty well.

 

[turnitup]

I recapped mine (quite the job), but they sounded SO much better after doing so. They’re good looking kabuki speakers, and worth a pretty penny, but there are so many better speakers out there for the same money. I bought mine new in 1975, and won’t part with them (sentimental attachment). I’ve got mine up on rock solid cinderblocks, and like their placement as it positions the tweeters closer to ear level. LOTS of caps in the crossover. I had to build a separate board to house them. Pricey endeavor due to the amount of caps as well...