My rest of the system is McIntosh MC-1.2KW mono amps, Pass Labs XP-20 preamp, Esoteric D-03 & P-03 /dac-transport combo. Bmi Oceanic statement power cables on each piece of equipment ,5 in total.Kimber KS-3038 Biwire 8ft. speaker cables, Kimber balance xlr ks-1136 interconnects , 4 in total on each piece except on dac I use Kimber select digital.
People may think why spend so much on electronics and cables for a $8K speaker? Well I did have Sonus faber Elipsa speakers which were $20K , with this set up. Plus after listening to the S-3EX speakers you think you are listening to a +$30K type speaker.
Until I bought a pair of Pioneer S-3EX speakers. Blown away is all I can say by these 3-EX speakers. I compared side by side with the Sonus Faber Elipsa speakers in the system for weeks. And hands down the Pioneer S-3EX speakers was superior on every spectrum of listening criteria. The resolution, imaging and sound stage is so impressive, they sound like $40K speakers which I've owned in the past. The Pioneer S-3EX is so fast and accurate in the midrange and midbass it's scary great. I just love the way they sound for jazz recordings.
Now the Sonus Faber Elipsa speakers are excellent speakers, no doubt about it. But the Pioneer S-3EX speakers with the Tad drivers is better sounding than the Elipsa speakers and for a lot less money. I ended up selling my Elipsa speakers and pocketing the difference.
The Pioneer S-3EX is a very special and unique speakers. The only drawback is that they are very hard to find in dealers because they are snatched up so quick by audiophiles overseas and they brought in very few pairs into the USA. I would love to find another pair if possible but I think the secret is out already about these incredible high resoultion speakers.
