Pioneer Andrew Jones SP-PK52FS review

[afterlife2]

Price says each for the towers.

yeah I wish they were 2 for $100.00 Hey guys how about some pics of your 22's or 52's setup?

 

[j_garcia]

In this thread http://forums.audioholics.com/forums/loudspeakers/81868-pioneer-andrew-jones-sp-pk52fs-review-29.html#post944633

 

[HTKamikazee]

I'm working on my setup right now. I'll put some pics when I finish. I bought 3 52's, but, on a side note, I must confess that I was surprised by the Polk TSi300's sound. Maybe it was me, but they seemed to have a fuller sound & better soundstage. I also brought my SPL and the Polks were 3-5dB up at the same input. Maybe it eas because the Polks more separated (about 6') that the 52's (about 4'). I ended up going with the 52's but the sound of the Polks keeps going and going in my head.

 

[j_garcia]

I also brought my SPL and the Polks were 3-5dB up at the same input.

That is just a difference in sensitivity most likely. Unless level matched, you can't compare them directly the way they had them setup. My main speakers are +5dB higher sensitivity than the BS22s, so I have to adjust levels when swapping them out, and 5dB is a SIGNIFICANT difference in sensitivity.

from what I can see the 300s are 90dB and the 52FS are 87dB, so a difference for sure, but not a 5dB difference. It would be audible though.

 

[Jimz711]

I'll post some pictures soon, I had a mini flood from a leaking aquarium filter so my energy has been put into cleaning the carpet. I'm still trying to decide if I like the grill on or off look better. I'm leaning towards off, but still no decision.

Does anyone know how the sony bluray players sound with SACD's? I'm looking for a cheap way to add SACD to my system. I also saw the Pioneer BDP-150 can play them. Just seems to good to be true that you can get sound that good for under 150.

 

[j_garcia]

Does anyone know how the sony bluray players sound with SACD's? I'm looking for a cheap way to add SACD to my system. I also saw the Pioneer BDP-150 can play them. Just seems to good to be true that you can get sound that good for under 150.

"Sound that good" is a relative statement SACD does not automatically mean great sound. Do you have a collection of SACDs already? Just an FYI, some of the better SACDs out there will cost more than that player.

 

[Jimz711]

I do not have any SACD's. When looking at players, I just saw that the Sony and Pioneer support the format, and I was wondering if it's worth it. The speakers just have me enjoying music, and looking for more. Isn't that the way hobbies always work, kind of wane for a bit then you get all enthused again?

I figure since I need a new bluray player anyway, I really can't go wrong if I just try a few SACD's.

 

[j_garcia]

There are still some great SACDs out there for "normal" prices, so there's definitely no harm in going that way. Just saying that there are some discs out there that are pretty expensive these days because they are out of print and hard to get.

Is it worth it depends on what you listen to because classical and jazz are a lot easier to find on SACD as opposed to "mainstream" music. Consider a universal player that also supports DVD-Audio Yes, another way to empty the wallet.

 

[Jimz711]

Yup, if I go with a universal player, I'd have to look at an Oppo or maybe a Pioneer elite, either way I'm at least tripling the cost of my original choices. I got intrigued because Amazon is offering a 15% off certain cd's and some of the classical SACD's are part of the deal.

I'm still trying to dial in my center channel, with some dvd movies, the music gets so loud that late at night, I'm diving for the remote. I think I got it with a +2 db to the center.

 

[j_garcia]

If you don't want to spend a bunch, you can look at used Oppos too There should be a lot of 93s and 95s and also some older ones around with the new models out now. Many of the Denon models are universal as well. Sonys are not, as they do not support DVD-A.

 

[Jimz711]

I see Best Buy is having an open box sale and my local store has a Denon DBP1611UD listed at under 200. I'll have to go take a look.

These speakers may be cheap but when you add all of the other equipment they are encouraging me to get, the price is escalating quickly.

 

[j_garcia]

One piece at a time

 

[KEW]

I see Best Buy is having an open box sale and my local store has a Denon DBP1611UD listed at under 200. I'll have to go take a look.

These speakers may be cheap but when you add all of the other equipment they are encouraging me to get, the price is escalating quickly.

If "they" are the guys at Best Buy, forget them!
If "they" are us, you'll at least get solid value for your money. We try to stay in budget, but sometimes there is a sweet-spot not too far beyond that makes it worth it for us to exceed your budget!

 

[Jimz711]

One piece at a time

Although it does cost more than a dime.

Johnny Cash reference for those who didn't get it.

I think it's worth stopping into Best Buy to see how much an extended warranty costs for the Denon, seems like a good price for a universal player. It's just such a crap shoot with open box/refurbished stuff.

My problem is I haven't been paying much attention to the audio market for a few years so I've gotten behind, and now I want to get caught up all at once. To think it all restarted for me with a broken sub. The other thing is I know I'll be in this apartment for between 4-5 years so getting more expensive stuff should wait until I move somewhere long term and these Pioneer speakers really fit the bill, very good sound and price wise something if I feel I need to or want to I can justify replacing them in 5 years.

 

[KEW]

It's just such a crap shoot with open box/refurbished stuff.

I have bought 12 refurnished components (all Denon or Marantz) from A4L. Don't have a single complaint! At this point if they sell something I want, it is a done deal!

 

[Jimz711]

Maybe it's a function of where you buy it from and/or what manufacturer. I bought from Harmon and had no problem, a Sharp tv from Best Buy and it's a good thing it had the extended warranty, and after service it's been great, some Sony things from various places have died.

 

[j_garcia]

If I am not mistaken, AC4L is an authorized service center, so their refurb stuff is actually repaired by them. If you do happen to have one die, they will repair or replace it as part of their warranty. I have had zero issues with them over quite a few years as well.

 

[Jimz711]

The only thing I ever ordered from AC4L was new. Every refurb item I ever bought from a big box store has always broken in a relatively short time, the more expensive stuff I had extended warranties for so I was fine on that front, but it just makes me leery of the Denon player at Best Buy although the price is great over 100 less than AC4L, that is if they still have one in stock, I haven't had a chance to get there and won't until the weekend.

 

[Jimz711]

I ended up ordering a Pioneer BDP-150, and a bunch of SACD's from Amazon and a few from Best Buy. I figure I can get myself a universal player in the summer calling it a birthday present. The Pioneer plays SACD's probably not as well as the universal players but I'm sure they will sound better than regular CD's.

 

[j_garcia]

I ended up ordering a Pioneer BDP-150, and a bunch of SACD's from Amazon and a few from Best Buy. I figure I can get myself a universal player in the summer calling it a birthday present. The Pioneer plays SACD's probably not as well as the universal players but I'm sure they will sound better than regular CD's.

I have a BDP-65 and it has a decent enough analog section, so I am sure it will be fine. I said this already: SACD does not guarantee better sound. GIGO applies here, just as it does for any audio format. That's why I mentioned better quality discs earlier; those known to be recorded and mastered well, because that has more to do with it than the DACs or the fact that it is SACD.