Pioneer Andrew Jones SP-PK52FS review

[j_garcia]

Hello all,

I'm new to the forums and I was wondering if someone could help me with a question about these speakers. Yes, I know the first answer is go listen to them, but I'm visiting family for the next week or so, so obviously I cannot listen to them in the proper environment, and I just find it impossible to listen to them very critically in a Best Buy type environment too much outside noise, receiver issues, etc.

I currently have a KEF setup with iq1 mains, iq2 center and iq8's for surround. I know I'd be making a step down at least in price point in going with these Pioneers, but the KEF's are just missing something for me. They are incredible for classical music, never listened to it before but I find myself often going to the classical channel on digital cable and listening, but for most other music my response is not bad, but shouldn't I be getting better?

The reason I say something is missing is that I moved in the fall and it took me a bit before I set up the speakers and I still haven't set up the surrounds. So either I'm incredibly lazy or somewhere in my mind I'm dissatisfied. I figure that means either I'm not happy with the speakers, the receiver a Harman Kardon avr247 which is rated at 50 watts per channel, or I'm just not as interested in good quality audio as I think I am, obviously it can't be the last possibility.

I guess my question is are these speakers that good or is it they are good for the price? I also do not have much in the way of experience with towers, most of my friends are happy enough with the sound from a TV or a a HTIB. At the price point of these speakers I do not see much reason to not go with the towers up front and the bookshelves for surround.

I know I also need a sub and a more powerful one, I have a JBL 12 inch can't remember the line somewhere in my parents house it was just too big for my last apartment, so I'll give that one a try before I look into a new sub.

To make a long story short, does anyone have an opinion on these being worthwhile for a take home trial based on what I already have?

Thank you in advance,

Jim

Let me start at the bottom YES, you partly already answered your own question: pick up a pair and try them out at this price. BB has a 30 day return window (not sure about restocking charge). Maybe start with the BS22s? My impression of these speakers so far is that they do sound very good; far better than they probably should for the price. Are they the best thing since sliced bread? No, not really. Are they going to improve on the IQs? I think only you can decide that.

As for the KEFs, that's a tough one. I've heard the IQ1s and to be honest, I wasn't blown away by them. I liked them and heard them with some nice gear in a listening room with my own CD, but they didn't make me really want them. I am a fan of KEF speakers too. They seemed rather picky about placement and sort of had a narrow sweet spot, at least in that room (large). So, perhaps a bit of time spent playing with placement may help you enjoy them more? They probably could do with a bit more power than that, but the 247 is still not a slouch in terms of power despite that seemingly low power rating (honest rating).

 

[Irishman]

Let me start at the bottom YES, you partly already answered your own question: pick up a pair and try them out at this price. BB has a 30 day return window (not sure about restocking charge).

No restocking fees.

 

[Jimz711]

Thank you for the response. I've had the iq's for a while and have moved them all over, even without trying, I should have hit the sweet spot by accident by now. I went to listen to the Pioneer's at bb today, but they were using an insignia receiver and of course other customers around make it hard to really hear. I certainly did not notice anything that would eliminate them, especially at the price point. I also did not hear as much from the low range as would be expected from 3 5 inch woofers. I did just notice a nice sale on JBL studio series at New Egg unfortunately they would need to be shipped as I simply cannot find anyone near me that has them even finding reviews for them is difficult.

I was also wondering if anyone has had an issue using the towers with the center on the Pioneer speakers because the woofers are different sizes? I've always shied away from having different sizes up front for fear the center would be overwhelmed during some movies.

I know the Harman is a good receiver and the wattage is true, but I'm trying to find a reason why I do not like the KEF's as much as I feel I should.

 

[zieglj01]

I went to listen to the Pioneer's at bb today, but they were using an insignia receiver and of course other customers around make it hard to really hear. I certainly did not notice anything that would eliminate them, especially at the price point. I also did not hear as much from the low range as would be expected from 3 5 inch woofers. I did just notice a nice sale on JBL studio series at New Egg unfortunately they would need to be shipped as I simply cannot find anyone near me that has them even finding reviews for them is difficult.

The Best Buy show-room is not the best way to judge the Pioneer towers - they do have some bass
and will sound better in your room.

I would make sure about the JBL 180 speakers, before buying them. There have been some complaints
about the lower midrange - and measurements tend to show this.
http://www.soundandvisionmag.com/article/review-jbl-studio-180-tower-speaker?page=0,3

 

[Jimz711]

I know it was a lousy place to demo them, but again I'm visiting family and just thought I would go to see if the hype was true and again I was not disappointed the sound was good. Of course the salesman was trying to push Klipsch.

Like I said, I hadn't found any issues with the JBL's but I hadn't looked as exhaustively as I'm beginning to now, 150/each seemed like a really good price and the one professional review I was able to find was quite positive. He claimed that the numbers do not indicate the true performance of the speaker. 180 fronts with a 120 center and two 130's for surround is under 550 shipped.

 

[zieglj01]

I know it was a lousy place to demo them, but again I'm visiting family and just thought I would go to see if the hype was true and again I was not disappointed the sound was good. Of course the salesman was trying to push Klipsch.

Like I said, I hadn't found any issues with the JBL's but I hadn't looked as exhaustively as I'm beginning to now, 150/each seemed like a really good price and the one professional review I was able to find was quite positive. He claimed that the numbers do not indicate the true performance of the speaker. 180 fronts with a 120 center and two 130's for surround is under 550 shipped.

The choice is yours - you may like the JBL.

 

[ahblaza]

The choice is yours - you may like the JBL.

I think the first move would be to make a decision, either way there is no cost (initially yes) but easily returned, so a little time and effort on the OP's part, just DO IT

 

[Jimz711]

Thank you for the advice, I'm as much looking to eliminate possibilities now as finding the one speaker I want to demo. Doesn't seem practical to try to home demo too many different speakers. I'm sure I'll try the Pioneer's once I get back home, as long as I can get bb to price match someone like Tiger Direct.

After looking at JBL's website, I couldn't find Newegg as an authorized dealer, and I really don't want to go down that road, it would be the one time I have a problem with a speaker and no warranty.

 

[Jimz711]

Just one last brand to pick some brains on, another one that I can't find anywhere near me. Boston Acoustics Classic II series. Specifically the cs260, cs26, and cs225. I know the A series looks better, but some sites are offering nice discounts on the Classic II's. Since returning them would require a 15% restocking fee, and possible return shipping any opinions? Especially in comparison to the Pioneer's which are easily picked up and demoed at home with no restocking fees so no worries there.

I see nothing else even in a reasonably higher price range that should compare to the Pioneers, except maybe Polk.

 

[j_garcia]

I see nothing else even in a reasonably higher price range that should compare to the Pioneers, except maybe Polk.

In other words, nothing The Polks in this price range aren't even worth discussion; no comparison. The nearest thing to these would be the Infinity Primus line. I have the P163s also and compared the BS22s to them briefly and didn't find the differences as great as I had thought, but the BS22s were still the better speaker.

When I listened to them at BB they had them setup with a Denon receiver, but they were also paired up with a Klipsch sub and I could not hear them by themselves. That sort of skews things, but when I got them home, they sounded better in my setup than they did in the store, as expected.

Also, don't worry about the center being overwhelmed as that should not be an issue. I haven't tried the BS22s with my XPA-3 yet, but as I mentioned, they actually had no issue being driven fairly hard for a long period (w/80hz x-over). Other than going with another tower as a center, after calibration, the matching center should be able to keep up fine

 

[ahblaza]

I couldn't have said that better myself I don't know what the OP (Jim) is waiting for, there hasn't been a hint of a negative experience with the Pio's. As far as the center is concerned, you won't know until you try it, so just do it. John I need to talk with you about the UMC-200 and the Oppo 103, I will do that privately. I eventually will have both but have to decide which I need first
Cheers Jeff

 

[zieglj01]

Just one last brand to pick some brains on, another one that I can't find anywhere near me. Boston Acoustics Classic II series. Specifically the cs260, cs26, and cs225. I know the A series looks better, but some sites are offering nice discounts on the Classic II's. Since returning them would require a 15% restocking fee, and possible return shipping any opinions? Especially in comparison to the Pioneer's which are easily picked up and demoed at home with no restocking fees so no worries there.

I see nothing else even in a reasonably higher price range that should compare to the Pioneers, except maybe Polk.

If I was to look at Boston, it would be the A series and not the CS series - another line that is also good for the price,
is the HTD tower speakers - these will cost you more.

Infinity Primus is an option for you - however, I prefer the Pioneer over them - all in all, there is not much to compete
with the Pioneer phase 2 speakers at this time - for one on a tight budget, they are a solid option.

 

[Jimz711]

I can spend more, but if the Pioneers are this good, and again I liked them in store to get something noticeably better, I'd have to spend quite a bit more and when do you reach the point of diminishing returns? Plus for the next few years I'll be in an apartment where I can't exactly pump the volume.

I'm a scientist by training and part of what we do is over analyze the heck out of everything, which hopefully explains why I'm waiting.

 

[panteragstk]

I'm a scientist by training and part of what we do is over analyze the heck out of everything, which hopefully explains why I'm waiting.

Not a scientist, but EE. So I know what you mean. I've been looking for speakers for the last few years, so not exactly in a hurry. Diminishing returns depends on your value perspective. If you think you got your money's worth, you did.

 

[Jimz711]

I wasn't even in the market for new speakers until I hooked up my sub and found it was damaged during moving. Then when I started looking around at speakers I saw these Pioneers and some other brands that had fairly inexpensive towers. Since I'm in an apartment the idea of having towers for music and for late night viewing with the sub off sounded like a good plan.

I saw the Boston A250's for 120 and 350's for 200 at accessories4less, not refurbs either, the problem is they are white. Not sure how I feel about white speakers.

I think my best bet is to try to get bb to price match Tigerdirect on a Pioneer set and demo the heck out of them for 30 days. 2 towers, center, 2 book shelves is only $360 with 40 for shipping. Otherwise I can start to drive myself crazy.

If I find them lacking I can always go back to the drawing board.

I'm assuming that the Pioneer towers are on the short size to keep the price lower? Just seems odd for a speaker with 3 woofers to be shorter than many with only 2.

 

[j_garcia]

Yep. You can analyze this one, but I don't think things will change much in terms of what's been said I do understand, but I think some listening will go a long way.

 

[petabread]

Is it OK to plug the rear ports on the 52FS? I'll be having them somewhat close to the wall (6" or so), and am wondering how performance will be affected.

 

[HTKamikazee]

Anyone interested on these speakers should hurry up and get them since it appears that the hype about these speakers got to Pioneer's and Best Buy's ears because the prices just went up suddenly.


Price per speaker:

On the other hand, the price pf the surrounds are not that bad.

Price for a pair:

 

[j_garcia]

Is it OK to plug the rear ports on the 52FS? I'll be having them somewhat close to the wall (6" or so), and am wondering how performance will be affected.

I was concerned about this too since I have the BS22s about 3" from the wall and it actually does not seem to be an issue. If the port is larger on the 52s, it might be a minor issue. Giving them some toe-in may help with that though.

Anyone interested on these speakers should hurry up and get them since it appears that the hype about these speakers got to Pioneer's and Best Buy's ears because the prices just went up suddenly.

I doubt that is the reason, they are just getting them back to their "normal" price levels. Just like they were cheap around Thanksgiving and went back up right after black Friday. Still, anyone interested in them should get them now before the good prices are over though.

 

[zieglj01]

Is it OK to plug the rear ports on the 52FS? I'll be having them somewhat close to the wall (6" or so), and am wondering how performance will be affected.

I would at least aim for the 6 inches from the back wall.

Try it without the plugs - and will you have some room away from the side walls?
6 inches from the back wall, will cover the diameter of both ports per speaker.