Pioneer SP-BS22-LR, the real deal or hype?
- Thread starter 89grand
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I just ordered and got in a pair of SP-FS52s... the floor standing brother to the ones in the title of this thread.
We set them up (hooked up to a Marantz SR4023 receiver and Creek CD player), put on Pink Floyd DSOTM on CD...
... my partner and I just looked at each other, in disbelief. These things just get it done. The balance was nice, and the bass- while it didn't go extremely low, the bass it had was substantial and well-controlled- very impressive.
If there's a nit to pick, the tweeter was a little "ringy"- but even that seems to be getting better as the speaker plays for a while (ostensibly "breaking in")...
The cabinets are decent looking- a little prone to vibration, but not bad, especially for the price.
Overall- HUGE value, compared to anything around $300 a pair- ESPECIALLY given that it's a true full-range floor-standing speaker. Where else are you going to find anything even close for the price, new?
Regards,
Gordon.
We set them up (hooked up to a Marantz SR4023 receiver and Creek CD player), put on Pink Floyd DSOTM on CD...
... my partner and I just looked at each other, in disbelief. These things just get it done. The balance was nice, and the bass- while it didn't go extremely low, the bass it had was substantial and well-controlled- very impressive.
If there's a nit to pick, the tweeter was a little "ringy"- but even that seems to be getting better as the speaker plays for a while (ostensibly "breaking in")...
The cabinets are decent looking- a little prone to vibration, but not bad, especially for the price.
Overall- HUGE value, compared to anything around $300 a pair- ESPECIALLY given that it's a true full-range floor-standing speaker. Where else are you going to find anything even close for the price, new?
Regards,
Gordon.
Tom Bombadil
AK Member
Here is what seems like a very fair-minded review of the SP-FS52 speakers:
http://hometheaterreview.com/pioneer-sp-fs52-floor-standing-loudspeaker-reviewed/
"It's at this point in the review, given everything you've read, that you're expecting me to say that the $129.99 SP-FS52 are as good as (name your multi-thousand dollar speaker here). Well, as pleased as I am with the SP-FS52s, they're not going to upset loudspeakers costing $1,000 or more per pair. But those in the sub-$1,000 range should definitely take note. I feel that the SP-FS52 competes very favorably with the likes of Paradigm's new Monitor 7 loudspeaker at $898 a pair. Other worthy opponents include Aperion Audio's Intimus 4C ($275/ea) and possibly even the 6T ($695 each). Even HSU Research's fabulous monitor loudspeaker, the HB-1 MK2 at $298 per pair, would be in the crosshairs of the SP-FS52. I'm not saying that the SP-FS52 is the outright winner in any of these comparisons, but it is definitely in the same class when judging only sound quality. In terms of build quality and finish, all of the aforementioned options will destroy the Pioneer SP-FS52, especially the Aperion and Paradigm offerings, but then again, they don't cost $129.99, either. "
[edit: According to the Hsu website, the horn-loaded HB-1 MK2 monitors are $318/pr.]
http://hometheaterreview.com/pioneer-sp-fs52-floor-standing-loudspeaker-reviewed/
"It's at this point in the review, given everything you've read, that you're expecting me to say that the $129.99 SP-FS52 are as good as (name your multi-thousand dollar speaker here). Well, as pleased as I am with the SP-FS52s, they're not going to upset loudspeakers costing $1,000 or more per pair. But those in the sub-$1,000 range should definitely take note. I feel that the SP-FS52 competes very favorably with the likes of Paradigm's new Monitor 7 loudspeaker at $898 a pair. Other worthy opponents include Aperion Audio's Intimus 4C ($275/ea) and possibly even the 6T ($695 each). Even HSU Research's fabulous monitor loudspeaker, the HB-1 MK2 at $298 per pair, would be in the crosshairs of the SP-FS52. I'm not saying that the SP-FS52 is the outright winner in any of these comparisons, but it is definitely in the same class when judging only sound quality. In terms of build quality and finish, all of the aforementioned options will destroy the Pioneer SP-FS52, especially the Aperion and Paradigm offerings, but then again, they don't cost $129.99, either. "
[edit: According to the Hsu website, the horn-loaded HB-1 MK2 monitors are $318/pr.]
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MCM_Fan
AK Subscriber
And, that's the floor standing model that sells for $129.99 EACH. With three 5 1/4" woofers, you'd expect the floor standers to have more bass and play louder, but I've red a few reviews from folks who prefer the sound of the smaller SP-FS22-LR bookshelf models. I haven't done an A/B comparison in a proper setting (the Best Buy showroom doesn't count), but I think it would be hard for the floor standing SP-FS52-LRs to beat the smaller SP-FS22-LR bookshelf models paired with a subwoofer. And as much of a bargain as the SP-FS52-LRs are at $129.99 each, I think the SP-FS22-LR at $79.99 (when you can get them at that price) are an even better deal.
Besides, I wanted these for my bedroom system, and the floor standing models are just too big and obtrusive.
tomlinmgt
Lunatic Member
I think for anyone who is serious in the audio hobby they mark a significant reference point when developing or maintaining a perspective for available performance/dollar. Especially since that seems to be the silver bullet argument for going vintage. Style or nostalgia be damned, I'm talking puting the **** to the pavement and making it happen. To me, spending some time with them is requisite if one wants to have a well rounded opinion in the budget performance audio dialogue. And I might even go as far as saying having a well rounded opinion in the performance audio dialogue, period....as they possess the fundamental components that make for a great loudspeaker design that can hardly be faulted on any reasonable level.
- Michael
Retrofan
Undergoing Marantz Detox
Got to hear both the bookshelf version and tower today at BB. I was rather impressed with both considering the price point.
They didn't sound quite as good as the Polks that were twice the price, but for the money, they are worth it. I thought the mids were a tad hazy, but then again, that's not the most conducive listening environment.
They didn't sound quite as good as the Polks that were twice the price, but for the money, they are worth it. I thought the mids were a tad hazy, but then again, that's not the most conducive listening environment.
MCM_Fan
AK Subscriber
I also listened to the Polks at Best Buy (and have experience with some much nicer Polks). The Polks are more efficient, so when switching between them at Best Buy, the louder Polks sounded better to me, too. If there was one trade off made in the design of the Pioneer SP-BS22-LR it is the low efficiency (85dB/2.83V/m), but get them home in a better environment, drive them with a decent amp, give them a few hours to break in and they really start to shine.
My first SACDs arrived yesterday. I listened to Pink Floyd Dark Side of the Moon, Fleetwood Mac Rumors and The Eagles Hotel California downstairs through my Diatone DS-73s. Unfortunately, the Steely Dan Gaucho disc would not play on my Pioneer Elite 45A. I'll move the SACD player up stairs and give it a listen with the little Pioneers this weekend.
Retrofan
Undergoing Marantz Detox
That is nice to know since I'd like to own at least one set of contemporary speakers that have bang for the buck.
Yea......it's a bit difficult getting an accurate listen in the aisle switching back and forth and it seems we had the same experience at BB. Let us know how the Pioneers sound once you give them some work.
There isn't much in there, like was said, there is some on the sides of the woofer and behind it. None on the bottom or the upper half of the enclosure. I'm assuming what's in there is sufficient. There's no bracing, but maybe an enclosure this thick and small doesn't really need it.
The wiring looks to be about 16 gauge on the woofer, and about 20 or so on the tweeter. The woofer looks fairly stout.
The wiring looks to be about 16 gauge on the woofer, and about 20 or so on the tweeter. The woofer looks fairly stout.
Attachments
cratz2
Addicted Member
I bought my pair of 21s used... the tweeter on one didn't work so I got a pretty good deal. Took the bad one apart and one of the leads was disconnected.
I lined the cabinet with Peel N Seal from Lowes and put just a little bit more dampening material in (out of another dead set of speakers)... probably about doubled or tripled it. Not sure how much of a difference either of those make as the cabinets are pretty deadened in stock form, at least compared to other speakers in a similar range.
I'll take the other one apart and do the same treatment eventually and I might throw in some slightly nicer wire in both speakers.
I was inspired so I took the three other sets of speakers that see rotation in my bedroom/office system apart to see what was up. The other three sets are Paradigm Atom v3s, Polk Monitor 30s and the Insignia NSLMT2111s or whatever they are called... the co-axial jobbies that were popular a couple years ago.
The Polks were the most impressive internally in terms of bracing and the joints between top, side, bottom, rear and front panels. They all have nice 3"x1"1x" wedges for a more robust connection and I have to think that that reduces vibration due to breaking up the flat panels. The crossovers were the least impressive of the four sets.
The Paradigms were pretty nice... nice crossovers but not particularly well braced. Lots of dampening material.
The Insignias... and I count myself a fan of them in general as they hit well above the belt for their price point though the tweeter is well rolled off... but man... they are really chintzy inside. Crossovers are decent, as are the drivers but that cabinet that looks so decent on the exterior might be the worst looking cabinet of any modern speaker. I know they are built at a low price point but wow...
Sorry to go astray. Just throwing out impressions of the Pioneers and a few speakers that some would consider to be competitors.
I lined the cabinet with Peel N Seal from Lowes and put just a little bit more dampening material in (out of another dead set of speakers)... probably about doubled or tripled it. Not sure how much of a difference either of those make as the cabinets are pretty deadened in stock form, at least compared to other speakers in a similar range.
I'll take the other one apart and do the same treatment eventually and I might throw in some slightly nicer wire in both speakers.
I was inspired so I took the three other sets of speakers that see rotation in my bedroom/office system apart to see what was up. The other three sets are Paradigm Atom v3s, Polk Monitor 30s and the Insignia NSLMT2111s or whatever they are called... the co-axial jobbies that were popular a couple years ago.
The Polks were the most impressive internally in terms of bracing and the joints between top, side, bottom, rear and front panels. They all have nice 3"x1"1x" wedges for a more robust connection and I have to think that that reduces vibration due to breaking up the flat panels. The crossovers were the least impressive of the four sets.
The Paradigms were pretty nice... nice crossovers but not particularly well braced. Lots of dampening material.
The Insignias... and I count myself a fan of them in general as they hit well above the belt for their price point though the tweeter is well rolled off... but man... they are really chintzy inside. Crossovers are decent, as are the drivers but that cabinet that looks so decent on the exterior might be the worst looking cabinet of any modern speaker. I know they are built at a low price point but wow...
Sorry to go astray. Just throwing out impressions of the Pioneers and a few speakers that some would consider to be competitors.
Hi guys! I am new to the forum and this is my first post here!!
So here is my story:
I just moved into a new place and I am looking to get myself a 2.0 system. This is a pretty small room (10x8) and I will be hooking the speaker to my computer, and obviously on a computer desk, so it will be a nearfield listening. I am sharing the house with other people and the sound isolation of this room isn't very good. I don't want to create too much excess noise with a 2.1 system that comes with a subwoofer. I am using my headphone and earphone right now and I really want to get a pair of good speaker as I can't stand long hours with headphone/earphone on my ears. I have been looking and reading reviews of different 2.0 systems and it seems the BS22 is hard to beat at this price point (well within my budget). The other 2.0 that I have in mind is the Audio Engine A2 but it sells for $200.
I am very new to this studio monitor kind of speaker, I have been using 2.1 system for computer in the past. So I have a few question I would like to ask before making any decision!
- I just went through the 7 pages on this thread and it seems like most of the BS22's are used with a TV set and none with a computer. I was wondering will the BS22 perform as well for a nearfield listening? I would say about 3 feet away.
- In order too connect the BS22 to my computer, what kind of instruments do I need? AFAIK I would need an amplifier, correct? If yes, it would be great if I can get one of that for less than $50, an affordable one!
Thanks!!
So here is my story:
I just moved into a new place and I am looking to get myself a 2.0 system. This is a pretty small room (10x8) and I will be hooking the speaker to my computer, and obviously on a computer desk, so it will be a nearfield listening. I am sharing the house with other people and the sound isolation of this room isn't very good. I don't want to create too much excess noise with a 2.1 system that comes with a subwoofer. I am using my headphone and earphone right now and I really want to get a pair of good speaker as I can't stand long hours with headphone/earphone on my ears. I have been looking and reading reviews of different 2.0 systems and it seems the BS22 is hard to beat at this price point (well within my budget). The other 2.0 that I have in mind is the Audio Engine A2 but it sells for $200.
I am very new to this studio monitor kind of speaker, I have been using 2.1 system for computer in the past. So I have a few question I would like to ask before making any decision!
- I just went through the 7 pages on this thread and it seems like most of the BS22's are used with a TV set and none with a computer. I was wondering will the BS22 perform as well for a nearfield listening? I would say about 3 feet away.
- In order too connect the BS22 to my computer, what kind of instruments do I need? AFAIK I would need an amplifier, correct? If yes, it would be great if I can get one of that for less than $50, an affordable one!
Thanks!!
cratz2
Addicted Member
Of all those speakers I mentioned in the previous post, I'd have to say the Pioneers are the least good fir near field use, but they still aren't bad. All those speakers are mostly used from about 3.5 feet but I have a futon behind me and from that distance, the a Insignias are the worst. The Polks and Paradigms are very nice from either distance but for dedicated near field use, the KRK Rocket 5s are easily the best I've used, but they sound pretty confused at 7-8 feet.
That room is 10x14, desk is on the long wall and I run the speakers full range and use a Mirage 2x8 powered sub crossed at about 60 Hz.
You will need a separate amp/receiver with the Pioneers. They are fairly inefficient. With the Paradigms or Polks, my late 90s Denon (80x2) hovers around -30 to -15 whereas with the Pioneers, I'm closer to 10-15. At -30 (which is a nice listening level with the Polks, the Pioneers are basically inaudible. If you like to listen loudly, you'll want a receiver or integrated with both quality watts and a decent quantity of watts. Having said that, I think they sound pretty darn nice at low to moderate levels. They sound impressive a higher levels, but you'll need decent power to drive them to higher levels.
That room is 10x14, desk is on the long wall and I run the speakers full range and use a Mirage 2x8 powered sub crossed at about 60 Hz.
You will need a separate amp/receiver with the Pioneers. They are fairly inefficient. With the Paradigms or Polks, my late 90s Denon (80x2) hovers around -30 to -15 whereas with the Pioneers, I'm closer to 10-15. At -30 (which is a nice listening level with the Polks, the Pioneers are basically inaudible. If you like to listen loudly, you'll want a receiver or integrated with both quality watts and a decent quantity of watts. Having said that, I think they sound pretty darn nice at low to moderate levels. They sound impressive a higher levels, but you'll need decent power to drive them to higher levels.
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I use the SP-BS22s in nearfield listening only for my computer, and I think these shine in this application. I absolutely love their nearfield performance, as long as you keep the tweeter as close to ear level as possible. I am using a $25 Lepai T-amp to drive them. Does the sound get compressed a bit at really high volumes? Of course. But nearfield, 8w or so is plenty. And these T-amps sound really clean and clear for that purpose.
I did end up getting a very small (6.5" driver) subwoofer for these. It really helps fill in that low end a lot, but without them, it's not bad. I got a garage sale special (Velodyne VA 806 - yay!) and if you have it tuned properly, subwoofers do not have to create excess noise, especially if they have a smaller driver like this one.
I absolutely love listening to music with these nearfield. While they aren't better than my main system, they make listening at my desk enjoyable enough to not miss it too much.
IBJamon
I did end up getting a very small (6.5" driver) subwoofer for these. It really helps fill in that low end a lot, but without them, it's not bad. I got a garage sale special (Velodyne VA 806 - yay!) and if you have it tuned properly, subwoofers do not have to create excess noise, especially if they have a smaller driver like this one.
I absolutely love listening to music with these nearfield. While they aren't better than my main system, they make listening at my desk enjoyable enough to not miss it too much.
IBJamon