Harbeth Compact 7s vs. Pioneer's $129 speakers


I’m not going to claim they are the equals of my Harbeth Compact 7ES-3s, but the $129 Andrew Jones-designed speakers by Pioneer (SP-BS22-LR) are quite remarkable. My point in posting is not really to compare them with my Harbeths, but to make the following observation:

>>I’m becoming convinced that modestly priced components that are very good at doing a few things you care about very much can offer satisfaction far beyond any expectations based on price.<<

That’s the case with the Pioneer speakers, which I believe now have a list price of $159.

I listen almost exclusively to classical music and chamber music, in particular. These Pioneer speakers have a way of presenting string quartets, piano trios and similar ensembles with a truly remarkable sense of realism. The few things I care about more than any others include the timbres and textures of unamplified instruments (i.e., the woodiness of a cello, the rosiny sweet gruffness of a violin) as well as rendition of the recording venue’s ambiance. The Pioneer speakers do these things extremely well.

They have earned quite a bit of commentary and praise since their introduction. Needless to say, they don’t do as many things as well as the Harbeths (nearly 25 times their price), but I find that for me, the above observation rings true. The tone colors, textures and spaciousness that the Pioneers get so right, despite other imperfections, give them the ability to reward me far in excess of the expectations I had for them.

Andrew Jones, of course, is the designer of Pioneer’s megabuck TAD speakers, and I think it’s especially admirable that he took on the challenge of designing speakers at the very opposite end of the cost spectrum. I’m not about to sell my Harbeths, but I really don’t feel significantly shortchanged when I replace them with the Pioneers from time to time.

-Bob
hesson11
Guys, if you're looking for these at your local place and they're out of stock, you can get them from Pioneer directly. if you think these are great, you ought to hear they floor standing version. jaw droppppping! no affilitation.

jorge
"The Pioneer speakers are so inexpensive, it would be interesting to get five or six pairs and stack them on their sides (on 12-18" speaker stands) to see how they'd work as a low cost line array. That should expand the dynamic range by about 18 dB"

Hi Johnnyb53,

Have you tried this? I was thinking the same thing when I recently read about them and their price. I did a search in google and found this tread. :-)

See this video: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UiYjNfKyxNw

I wonder how stacked P3ESR's would sound? I love a sealed box...

redwineaudio

I didn't realize loved a sealed box until I first heard ATCs. Now, whenever I see a ported monitor I assume it might sound a bit boomy or cheap by comparison.

But for the price, I am fascinated by these Pioneers which I have always wanted to try.

Also, wondering how they might sound stacked.

Does anyone have any experience stacking monitors as found in redwineaudio's youtube link?

What configuration would you recommend? What do you put between the boxes?

Thank you
I've not heard the Pioneers, but I'd like to. I have sealed ATC SCM20SL and they're great. I'm expecting a set of Neumann KH310A any time now. As far as vacuum cleaners go, I own a Dyson and I'll never buy another. It clogs easily and doesn't work on my area rugs. It basically sucks - no wait -it doesn't suck.
I have now tried the latest version of the floor standing Pioneers with good results.

In summary, I am not selling my ATC monitors or Magenplanars just yet, but pleasant and fun to listen to with a wide variety of music. And decent imaging as well.

I assume Mr Jones has put similar effort into voicing and matching his subwoofer, the Pioneer SW-8MK2?

If so, wondering how one or even a pair added to the bookshelf or floor standing Pioneers might sound?

If a new "giant killer" thinking about that for my Xmas stocking.

Also, noting the Pioneers are also sold in a "home theatre" configuration, what about skipping the center channel but just buying 5 of the tall floor standing models and 2 subs for a 5.1 surround sound set up?