I've run into a few of those in my time with this hobby. Those guys itching to sell, then when you try and close the deal, they get all antsy, like you're really doing them a disservice.
Yeah, I know the type. Good luck.
Pioneer S-T500 Speakers
- Thread starter kydog
- Start date
I've run into a few of those in my time with this hobby. Those guys itching to sell, then when you try and close the deal, they get all antsy, like you're really doing them a disservice.
Yeah, I know the type. Good luck.
With the Carver M500t and C1 pre they sound deep but they look like $&!# with the varnish(?) somebody smeared on. I used isopropyl, mineral spirits and acetone and got a small area clean....they're really big speakers.
For the experts, are these the poorer cousin of the TZ line? Cheaper cabs and simpler crossover using the same drivers?
For the experts, are these the poorer cousin of the TZ line? Cheaper cabs and simpler crossover using the same drivers?
Diesel66
Active Member
Buy the 100’s. They are equally as nice as the 500’s and 300’s. I have them all. Great line of speakers.
Cheers
Diesel66
Active Member
They are not the “poor” cousin. Exact same speaker with a different badge marketed to a different end user. TZ had veneer ST vinyl. Except my 500 Reciever a quality automotive grade paint job
Woofer, T500.
Woofer, TZ-7. This is the similar sized speaker from the ElitE line. I’ve had a long discussion with one of the Cali engineers who worked on the project at the time. There are many differences, from the grade and thickness of the materials used in the cabinet construction, the crossovers and lastly, the drivers as evidenced here. Woofers seen, but the tweeter dome and mid driver material is more exotic.
Woofer, TZ-7. This is the similar sized speaker from the ElitE line. I’ve had a long discussion with one of the Cali engineers who worked on the project at the time. There are many differences, from the grade and thickness of the materials used in the cabinet construction, the crossovers and lastly, the drivers as evidenced here. Woofers seen, but the tweeter dome and mid driver material is more exotic.
Diesel66
Active Member
I stand corrected and am guilty of repeating what the previous/original owner told me. His family owned the HiFi shoppe in their town. Thanks for the information and I do appreciate “accurate” information. I do stand by statement, that the T 500 ARE not the poor cousin of the TZ7. They are simply too good to be referred to as “cousin”. Brother maybe, but certainly not cousin.
Not poor at all. They’re an excellent set of speakers, and for what they can be had for today, it’s a no hesitation buy order.
scoloheros
Super Member
I have the baby version as somebody else said they do here, S-T300. They seemed lightweight and cheap to me but thought I couldn't lose for the price. When I hooked them up, I was pleasantly surprised. I bet T-500 sound pretty good.
K3vin
New Member
Hi, new to the forum here and I have an opportunity to pick up (what the seller says) is mint condition Pioneer S-T500. He listed them for $200 and I offered $150 and he responded that he would accept that offer. As others have said here, not much info out there on these speakers. Any input on this would be appreciated. Thanks everyone.
For that price you gotta give them a try, if you can give the rear firing woofers some room in your setup I think you'll be a happy owner.
They *look* like rack system speakers so your system cred will suffer but I liked mine while I had them.
K3vin
New Member
Thank you. I'm scheduled to pick them up today and he did send me some pictures and by the looks of them, they do indeed look to be in mint condition.
mr.muddles
Super Member
I saw that posting for them and they do indeed look to be in fantastic condition. I think they are great speakers and you'll like them a lot! As @milo63 said you may need to experiment with placement to get the bass dialed in but I don't think it's that difficult. I think everything gets a bit more balanced the more power and volume you give them and the highs and mids are smooth enough to where you can listen to them pretty loud for long periods without listening fatigue. I have the TZ-7, S-T500, and S-T300 and think its one of the best values out there if you can find them as they don't tend to sell for much.
mr.muddles
Super Member
I've not taken apart my TZ-7 but I am curious about the claim that the material in the tweeters and midrange is different as they appear identical to me. I thought it was just the midrange in the TZ-9 that was different with the graphite composite or whatever. One day I will look inside I guess and take pictures and compare. The woofers do have a different frame from the S-T500.
K3vin
New Member
Thank you guys for the input. I went ahead and made the purchase. I was able to hear them before buying and they indeed do sound fantastic. They are in mint condition. I'm pretty stoked. I have another question in regards to them as I am very new to audio equipment. What receiver would you recommend using with these speakers? He had an old Harmon Kardon avr30 that he said would work well. I know there are many options out there, just looking for some general guidance without spending a large amount.
mr.muddles
Super Member
I guess that depends on how much you are wanting to spend. I tend to think its best to have more power but others will disagree. Are you planning on using them strictly for music or for home theater and movies as well?
There are a lot of great top of the line receivers from Sony and Yamaha that came out in the late 90s and early 00s that you can get for cheap with a little patience one might pop up locally. e.g., Sony STR-DA777ES, DA5ES, etc Or Yamaha DSP-A1. If you aren't so interested in home theater you could focus on a nice 2 ch. stereo -- I would recommend at least 100 wpc. A nice integrated amplifier would also be good something from maybe Denon. There's too many choices available so you will need to narrow down your criteria and what you are looking for.
Glad you like the speakers!
Something big, the best bang/buck is old pre HDMI AV receivers (don't buy unless they have the remote). I'm partial to Yamaha RX-V series with at least 100wpc (RX-V2300 is my keeper).
Looks like a deal, remote included?
