Pioneer DSS-9D

dimbulb

dimbulb

New Member
I was given a pair of these speakers with rotted foams. Anyone have first-hand listening experience with these speakers and care to comment.

Are they worth refoaming and, if so, can you recommend a fellow AK'er from whom I can purchase the refoaming kits.

I'd likely to be listening to BIG BAND/JAZZ LP's through a McIntosh MX110/Dynaco ST70 system. Thanks, ED
 
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Here is a pic with some info. As far as foam, a seller named looneytune2001 on ebay sells foam, and he should/may have the correct foam. As others have said, refoaming these should be done by a professional, just make sure that you ask the right questions to the shop who you choose as far as experience with these drivers.

I have no affiliation with the seller
 

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Greetings Ed
I have a smaller version (DSS-5 with a 10" woofer). I think that it is a very good speaker. Sophisticated cross-over and dual vice coil woofer. The 9d is the top of the line; they were very expensive new and not that many were sold. Definitely try looneytune, in my case he did not have a correct foam for the 10" and told me to look elsewhere. I eventually bought a generic 10" foam. I too listen to Jazz - but through large 1979 Toshiba SS receiver.
 
dimbulb said:
...Are they worth refoaming...
Click to expand...

They are a wonderful speaker, and some will argue better than the much-loved Yamaha NS-1000 or 1000Ms, which sell for serious money.


The woofer is EXTREMELY fragile- easy to chip, crack or break- so get an expert who really knows what they're doing. These woofers are rare, and irreplaceable. But they're part of the magic of the speaker. Oh- and it's a dual voice coil woofer. Bass is powerful, controlled, and deeper than you would think from a (relatively) smaller box speaker.


If it were me, I'd have no problem spending a big chunk of change on these. They are a forgotten, fantastic speaker.
 
Unless you're an experienced refoamer, the woofers should be repaired by a professional. It won't be cheap but you won't end up with a worthless doorstop either. There are just way too many ways to f-up the PG cones and if the previous owner tried to play them with bad foams, they almost certainly have cracks that need repair.

Don't even think about playing them (except at very low volume) until they are repaired. PG cones are (as deli noted) unobtainium and if you trash 'em, game over.
 
I too got a set from a friend, but unfortunately, one of the woofer cones was totally destroyed, so I wound up parting them out.
Very sophisticated speakers (boron cone mids and beryllium ribbon tweeters!!) and the one I had running sounded very nice. But as others have said, great care needs to be taken with the polymer graphite cones to not damage them; they are extremely brittle.
 
Thanks everyone for your advice and comments. I'll make an effort to have them refoamed. There's an audio place nearby by called DALBEC AUDIO LABS. I believe they design, build, install sound systems in theaters, arenas, etc. They also advertise refoaming services. I'll have them disassemble them as well. I'll call them tomorrow and let you know how I make out. Thanks again, ED
 
Have made contact with Dalbec Audio and Rick Dalbec seems acquainted with these speakers and PG cones in particular.

I hope to get them to him this coming Friday. He will do the removable, refoaming, and re-assembly. I look forward to finally listening to them. Thanks again for your comments and advice, ED
 
I have refoamed these- IF you have a steady hand and pay close attention to detail you can do it. Cleaning the old foam mess is the worst part by far!

I personally think these to be probably Pioneer last best speaker effort! They are certainly TAD inspired. You are fortunate enough to have them for sure! Good luck with the refoam. I got my refoam kits from MSound.
DC
 
Let us know how they turn out; I was very impressed with the single one I got up and running and may have kept them if a replacement woofer wasn't unobtanium.
 
Thread Resurrection ......I just picked up a pair of these big bad boys... missing the graphite woofers ..too bad ...I've done multiple HPM 900 700 refoams.. there seems to be that looks like an Eminence woofer in its place sounds pretty darn good but I'll keep my eye out for some Watkins or Infinity DVC 12 in woofers...grills a little tattered..no biggie..drivers too nice to hide!!
 

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Picked up a pair for $500 with rotted woofer surrounds. Replaced woofers with 6ohm, dual voice coil, 30 Hz cheapies ($50 Goldwood GW-412D) which generally match originals at lower quality. Still sound fantastic if not magical. Will slowly and carefully recone originals. Have to add, rather oddly they seem to do best with vinyl, not CDs or streaming. And on some material such as Van Morrison's Astral Weeks that have very complex textures, they sound a bit muddled in the high end. But with solo quitar and combo jazz and barogue orchestras, they shine. Have not yet checked out Led Zeppeling II, but expect great things. As long as you use a 6 ohn, dual vc replacement you will get a passable result. Do not try a single vc or anything other than 6 ohm. Complete disaster. The quality matters a lot less than matching the very complex double cross over to the woofer!!! Would love to try a moden high end woofer, but it's not going to happen with these classic fantastic weirdos.
 
grindstone said:
I liked those tweeters a lot back then. Wish they were still sold.
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Yes! I have not looked closely at them, but the sound is much like good small ribbon tweeters from the 70s or 80s. Very delicate, detailed. And they could benefit from a wider sweet spot. But when the drummer whacks the hard rim of a drum or a guitar string is plucked hard, the sound is totally convincing. I have heard several little mistakes and dropped coins and other spurious noises in Astral Weeks that never came through before. Revealing as hell! I suppose the downside is that if the textures become very complex one almost hears too much.
 
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