Pioneer Andrew Jones SP-PK52FS review

[afterlife2]

^^^lol meant that to be in the sale thread. Sorry.

 

[RogerThornhill]

No matter what I decide about the 52FS, I'm thinking the Pioneer SP-BS22 would make nice PC speakers. The size is right. I'd like to use my old T-Amp to power them.

 

[Jimz711]

I have only used the bookshelves as surrounds, but I've seen quite a few comments on forums from people that prefer the bookshelves to the towers.

 

[sbr100]

Sp-pk52fs

I have decided to go with the Pioneer SP-PK52FS and the Pioneer center channel and sell my Klipsch VF-36 towers and the Klipsch VC-25 center channel.These were sold by Best Buy (they have since been discontinued with a replaced with a newer model)

I was wondering if anyone could give me any thoughts or possible comparisons....The Klipsch speakers arent bad but seriously lack mid-range. They retailed at the time for 1k a piar but you can now get them far cheaper....

Thoughts anyone????

 

[hyghwayman]

I started out with only the bookshelves and center due to lack of $$, they sounded really good but ultimately I wanted more. When I added the towers to the mix it was like I got a sub too, deep bass, fuller, richer sound was noticed right away.

I recently auditioned some bookshelf speakers out in the wilds that literally blew my mind but the cost for two of them was about 10x more that I have in my entire system.

 

[GFOViedo]

I started out with only the bookshelves and center due to lack of $$, they sounded really good but ultimately I wanted more. When I added the towers to the mix it was like I got a sub too, deep bass, fuller, richer sound was noticed right away.

I recently auditioned some bookshelf speakers out in the wilds that literally blew my mind but the cost for two of them was about 10x more that I have in my entire system.

The Pioneers Phase 2, and Polk Audio Monitor series are excellent budget home theater, but for you to pay top $$ for better speakers.

 

[RogerThornhill]

I have only used the bookshelves as surrounds, but I've seen quite a few comments on forums from people that prefer the bookshelves to the towers.

Yeah. I was leaning that way myself. I think I like the BS22 better than the FS52. IMO, the BS22 require a sub for music.

There's a large thread over at Audio Circle on the BS22, I can link to it if that is allowed. Andrew Jones himself has some posts in it. Some of the posters mention they like the BS22 better.

 

[hyghwayman]

There's a large thread over at Audio Circle on the BS22, I can link to it if that is allowed. Andrew Jones himself has some posts in it. Some of the posters mention they like the BS22 better.

please do, can't find the conversation

 

[RogerThornhill]

Click me..Pioneer SP-BS22-LR speakers are really nice.

 

[Jimz711]

Pioneers on sale at Amazon. Towers 87.49 each, center 69.99, bookshelves 90.99.

 

[TTnoob]

Hey all, brand new to the forums and to the home theater world in general, but I want to get my girlfriend a turntable setup for Christmas this year. Starting from scratch, I hope to keep the total budget around $800-900. Like many of the posters here, I place a high emphasis on "high value, entry level" stuff. I have decided on the debut carbon TT for sure, and I am leaning towards a pair of the Pioneer FS52 speakers, as they seem to be a hard value to beat in my price range. That puts me at ~$600 so far. I am very open to other opinions, but with all my research so far I am pretty confident in these choices.

The thing I really need advice on is the integrated amplifier or receiver. I was all set to buy the Pioneer Elite A20 integrated amplifier for $250, based primarily on this article where he outlines a quality budget system: TAD's Andrew Jones Designs Surprising Sounding Budget Speakers For Pioneer (Pricing corrected) | Analog Planet. However, there doesn't seem to be a way to connect a subwoofer to the A20 at a later date, something that many reviews of the fs52 say is essential for good bass. It also seems very "limited" in its capabilities, and I wonder if I'm better off starting with something that's a little more flexible for when I will undoubtedly want to upgrade the system in the future (or connect to an HDTV etc).

I only have a basic understanding of power requirements, but I am also worried that the A20 will not be sufficient to power the fs52's. I was reading that ideally you want an amplifier to match the highest ratings on the speakers. The A20 is 50W for each channel (at 4 ohms) and 30W for each channel (8 ohms), the fs52's have a maximum input power of 130W. I don't totally understand this, but will the A20 vastly underpower the fs52's? Or will my untrained ear not be able to notice the shortfall?

The other receivers I have researched are the Yamaha AS500 ($400, 85W x 2) and the Harmon Kardon 3390 80W ($310, 80W x 2). They are a little more than I wanted to spend (especially the Yamaha) but I am willing to splurge if it results in a noticeably better end product.

Any thoughts? Any and all opinions are greatly appreciated! I'm sure you guys get tired of answering beginner's questions but I would be very grateful, it's a little overwhelming to jump into such a detailed hobby. Thanks!!

 

[ahblaza]

I picked up a pair of the BS22s last night at Amazon for $70 delivered with my rewards points, now I have the 52s, 22s and 41s and none are being used, why do I come here, it always cost me $$$$$$.

 

[afterlife2]

Believe me ahblaza I was tempted, but empty pockets or food? hmmmm...Hey Christmas is coming.
TTnoob get the 52's on amazon it's a no brainer. Receiver with phono and will power the 52's nicely: http://www.accessories4less.com/make-a-store/item/ONKTXNR717/Onkyo-TX-NR717-7.2-Ch-THX-Certified-Network-A/V-Receiver/1.html

 

[Cephied]

Hi everyone!

This is my first post. I signed up after reading through this entire thread over the past few days while toiling away here at work. I'm really looking forward to picking up the 5.0 surround set up. However, being in Canada, I can't locate them anywhere here, except for one store that is selling it only as a full 5.1 set up with Pioneer VSX-42(iirc) for $1499CAD. Simply ridiculous. Whereas an hour south of here in Vermont they're selling at BB for $97 per 52FS right now. Very frustrating. Doubly so as I my passport recently expired. So I'm renewing my passport and planning a trip in a few weeks so I can actually pick these up. What I'm now trying to decide on is which AVR would be best to power these for about $400USD or less. So, if you don't mind such a vague question, if any of you were looking to purchase an AVR for that price range, which would you recommend? I don't care much for streaming as I'll have it hooked up to my HTPC, Wii, Xbox and PS3. Sound quality and proper power for these speakers is my main concern at a 5.0/1 set up for now and perhaps 7.1 in the future.

Thanks to everyone who contributed to the wealth of information here on this thread. I'm sure there's been many lurkers who you've helped steer in the right direction.

Thanks,

-Cephied

(I will be getting a sub sometime down the road. Currently in a 1bdrm in large apt. building, so gonna try w/o sub initially, thx)

 

[afterlife2]

What I'm now trying to decide on is which AVR would be best to power these for about $400USD or less. So, if you don't mind such a vague question, if any of you were looking to purchase an AVR for that price range, which would you recommend?

Hi and Welcome! These looks like a nice deals:
http://www.audioholics.com/combo-pack-ebooks/yamaha-rx-v673-factory-refurbished.html?trk_msg=SVA4JSFCSLPKR8K2QET3EH3UN0&trk_contact=2IIBJVM3NCV4P57QDUCMTF0CLO&utm_source=Listrak&utm_medium=Email&utm_term=http://www.audioholics.com/combo-pack-ebooks/yamaha-rx-v673-factory-refurbished.html&utm_campaign=Yamaha+Refurbished+Receiver+Blowout

Sony Surround Sound A/V Receiver | 7.2-channel 4K A/V Receiver | STR-DH740 Review | Sony Store

 

[Cephied]

Thanks for your response, Afterlife.

Those are great deals but problem is getting anything shipped to Canada is apparently impossible. It's funny that when I was in S.Korea I could order camera equipment or whatever off of Amazon.Com from the states no problem, but they don't ship to Canada. (Politics aside, it's just odd).

So I guess I was just kinda wondering what you might recommend if you have to buy one at regular price for around $400. I would be purchasing the AVR either in the states while I'm down there for the day or here in Canada.

I was even in contact with a pioneer sales rep here, who was very nice responded very quickly, about getting the FS52's. He told me to go to the store that had them but only as the 5.1 / AVR deal for $1499.

Considering how close our $ is or has been, it's ridiculous that we end up having to pay double for something we can buy an hour away for what you US folks pay.

Thanks for the suggestions, Afterlife2. Were you ever able to replace the speakers that were destroyed in the storm?

 

[Jimz711]

Any AVR around 400 or even less will be fine with the Pioneers.

 

[afterlife2]

Thanks for your response, Afterlife.

You are welcome. You can always email those I linked and maybe they will send it to Canada? or get a friend near you in the US to receive them for you and you can pick them up. Another option is to price match on the phone with a manager with your nearest Best Buy or similar type store. I never did replace the Pioneers, but Holidays are almost here. My friends here helped me though and I am forever grateful to them. Let us know how it goes, we are here to help.

 

[j_garcia]

OK, so my speakers were stolen and I need to replace them. The thing is, I now will NOT be leaving my nice speakers at my other place to get stolen again. The quote to replace my pair of A/V-2s was higher than what my current modified versions cost me...I don't mind paying for them, but not to just be stolen again.

SO, I am now deciding between another set of BS22s (on sale right now) and a sub or just a pair of FS52s. Do the 52s have sufficient bass to be run in a large room without a sub? My A/V-2s had no problem filling the room and produced rather nice bass on their own, but the room is VERY large so a sub is necessary ultimately (just not at the moment). I previously ran the BS22s in that room and they did fine, but they were also supplemented by a sub. At the sale price though, the BS22s are cheaper than even a single 52.

 

[fuzz092888]

I don't know that it's a fair comparison, but I listened to the 52's at my local best buy and I'm not sure id run them without a sub. I remember thinking that I'd rather have the bookshelves with sub.