Pioneer SP-FS52 vs Infinity Primus P363

[j_garcia]

I was going to say something to the same effect - most likely the curved cabinet really does help in this case. I can't really judge the BS22 vs P163 in the same realm as the BS22 is also a smaller cabinet than the P163, so it would tend to have less resonance even if it were flat, but it is very obvious that the BS22 cabinet, despite being light, is very solid.

 

[lsiberian]

You should look at and test these speakers side-by-side.

First off, you would see how much larger the panels of the Infinity speakers are. Infinity = 16.8 x 12 x 43 inches. Pioneer = 10.6 x 8.9 x 35.2 inches. In percent less in each direction - 58.5 X 34.8 X 22.2 percent. And that does not consider that the pioneers are only 5" across in the back (thanks to the curvature).

Second you would see the curved cabinets of the pioneers. Having watched the video interview of Andrew Jones, he talks about how happy he was when they realized they had such high volume that they could manufacture the curved cabinet for next to nothing over straight cabinets. The curvature makes the cabinets much more rigid along the height direction.

For me, the Infinity goes sloppy at volume. The Pioneer stays tight. I believe any speaker could always use more bracing (short of reducing internal volume too much), but I really don't think you would gain much by adding bracing to the Pioneer. It has been established that adding bracing to the Infinity will make significant improvements.

The Infinity has always been a good recommendation for the cost, but you should check out the Pioneer. There may be other points to argue for the Infinity, but I can assure you that resonance is not one of them.

Honestly I don't like the finish. It's just not my cup of tea, but neither is the Primus finish. My favorite low cost speaker is probably the Energy CF-30, but curved cabinets actually help out the tweeter most. The tear drop does good things for a tweeter. Obviously this gives it's tweeter a monster edge over the Primus.

I'm not sure how much it really helps with resonance since I've never seen an experiment comparing the two, but a smaller speaker obviously has an edge, but I'm not sure it's a huge edge, but I'm not arguing against the Pioneers. Which seems to be the read folks are getting. They are excellent speakers especially given the price.

 

[j_garcia]

I don't like the finish on them either, but appearance wise, I like the Infinitys much more.

 

[the machine]

Thanks again for everyone elses input. I'd like to make this clear too, I will get the center and bookshelves, so the BS22 vs the p163, the 163s are much larger.

I'm really leaning toward the Infinity because I really dislike the look of the Pioneers. If you had to rate on a scale of 1-10 with Pioneers being the 10, since most here say that the tweeter is miles ahead of the Infinity, where would you rate the Infinity's? Unfortunately I can't just go and listen to them because BB doesn't carry them.

If I had to base the looks of them, with Infinity being a 10 (since I like the look of them) I would rate the Pioneers at a 4. I really don't like the look of them at all, so I would really need a huge difference in SQ to make it worth it to me. If the SQ is that much better, and I can get a 5.0 for $450 I will likely go with the Pioneers, because it will be a few $100 cheaper than the Infinity.

 

[j_garcia]

I don't find the Pioneers so unattractive that I would trade the sound for the looks. I'll take sound quality over appearance likely in 9 out of 10 situations, and certainly in this case.

(P163 vs BS22) Midrange wise, they are quite close in performance, but the tweeter is definitely a big differentiation. For bass extension, I don't know that it is relevant if they are to be crossed with a sub, but when each is played full range and pushed hard, the BS22 held its composure and the P163 did not.

Infinity also offers the P153 which would be closer in size to the BS22, but I doubt it will be a considerably different story.

 

[the machine]

Actually I miscalculated, I think the Pioneer's will be 360$ if BB will price match tiger direct for the fs52, bs22 and c22. If I went with Infinity, 117 each for p363, 199 for the center and 85 each for the rears, putting it around 600$. It's not worth 240$ to be a bit more pleasing to the eye, especially if the Pioneer's sound better.

Gonna throw a wrench in the mix here for a future upgrade. HSU HB-1 MK2. Is it better than the FS52 all around? If they had a tower to match I would just save up and purchase all HSU stuff. Seems to be the best quality mid range equipment for the price.

I will pair the HSU STF-2 sub with any setup I go with, because I'm def not getting an 8" woofer. Been there done that.

 

[lsiberian]

I will throw another wrench. You could always opt for a pair of speakers rather than a set.

2 great speakers beat out 5 decent ones in my opinion.

 

[j_garcia]

Gonna throw a wrench in the mix here for a future upgrade. HSU HB-1 MK2. Is it better than the FS52 all around? If they had a tower to match I would just save up and purchase all HSU stuff. Seems to be the best quality mid range equipment for the price.

That's a potentially large can of worms there. If the MkIIs are still horns, you are talking about a completely different animal suited to a somewhat different taste. In other words, they will likely sound very different than these two.

 

[the machine]

Thanks for the info on the HSU, i suppose I need to hear horns first before considering them. I do not believe I have ever heard them.

Anyways, I'm going with the Pioneer's for now, and I found a great deal on an AVR I'm considering. Yamaha RX-a3010, 9.2 1350w. Is it overkill, or worth it for future proofing. $800 brand new.

My only concern would be damaging the speakers with something this powerful. The AVR will never be turned to full volume so I don't know if I should be concerned or not.

Thanks

 

[shadyJ]

Thanks for the info on the HSU, i suppose I need to hear horns first before considering them. I do not believe I have ever heard them.

Lol, you have heard horns before. Ever went to a movie in a theater? The sound was horns. That being said, not all horns sound alike, and Hsu's horns don't really sound like others.

 

[the machine]

Lol, you have heard horns before. Ever went to a movie in a theater? The sound was horns. That being said, not all horns sound alike, and Hsu's horns don't really sound like others.

Moive.... Theater..... ummmmmm, what is this you speak of.

Thanks for the info, any opinions on the AVR mentioned above with the Pioneer's?

 

[panteragstk]

Thanks for the info on the HSU, i suppose I need to hear horns first before considering them. I do not believe I have ever heard them.

Anyways, I'm going with the Pioneer's for now, and I found a great deal on an AVR I'm considering. Yamaha RX-a3010, 9.2 1350w. Is it overkill, or worth it for future proofing. $800 brand new.

My only concern would be damaging the speakers with something this powerful. The AVR will never be turned to full volume so I don't know if I should be concerned or not.

Thanks

When I used to be a part of the pro audio world we would correct people that say overkill on amps, and let them know that it isn't overkill, it's headroom.

 

[lsiberian]

Lol, you have heard horns before. Ever went to a movie in a theater? The sound was horns. That being said, not all horns sound alike, and Hsu's horns don't really sound like others.

They certainly won't sound the same. Though a theater could use JTRs. I mean seriously that's what I'd use.

 

[the machine]

Thanks for all the help thus far. Ok so I'm on to the last decision for the setup. I was kind of set on a HSU STF-2 sub, but I'm thinking for less than that I can get 2 BIC F-12's. How would 2 subs pair with a 5.0 setup? Would the bass overpower the 5 speakers? It will eventually be a 7.2 or 9.2 setup.

 

[the machine]

And why oh why was I not into this a few months ago so I could have picked up a Jamo Sub 650, or 2 smdh

 

[the machine]

Update

Speakers ordered, should arrive tomorrow

Tigerdirect has the speakers at the best price. After you place them all in your cart you will end up with 0$ shipping charge.

Total is was $343 and change for 2 FS52 2 BS22 and 1 C22

 

[ahblaza]

Thanks for all the help thus far. Ok so I'm on to the last decision for the setup. I was kind of set on a HSU STF-2 sub, but I'm thinking for less than that I can get 2 BIC F-12's. How would 2 subs pair with a 5.0 setup? Would the bass overpower the 5 speakers? It will eventually be a 7.2 or 9.2 setup.

Having too many subs is not an option, go for it, they will make your Pioneer's sound like giant killers.

 

[zieglj01]

Thanks for all the help thus far. Ok so I'm on to the last decision for the setup. I was kind of set on a HSU STF-2 sub, but I'm thinking for less than that I can get 2 BIC F-12's. How would 2 subs pair with a 5.0 setup? Would the bass overpower the 5 speakers? It will eventually be a 7.2 or 9.2 setup.

I would look at the JBL Studio 150P subwoofer, if you want to buy 2 of them
Newegg.com - JBL Studio 1 Series SUB150P Home Audio Speaker Each

Review
http://www.avhub.com.au/images/stories/australian-hifi/reviews/2011-05_to_12/2011-11/jbl_sub150p_subwoofer_review_lores.pdf

 

[ahblaza]

And why oh why was I not into this a few months ago so I could have picked up a Jamo Sub 650, or 2 smdh

That indeed was a sweet sub and a bargain too

 

[ahblaza]

I would look at the JBL Studio 150P subwoofer, if you want to buy 2 of them
Newegg.com - JBL Studio 1 Series SUB150P Home Audio Speaker Each

Review
http://www.avhub.com.au/images/stories/australian-hifi/reviews/2011-05_to_12/2011-11/jbl_sub150p_subwoofer_review_lores.pdf

Man Jim, what a good find @ $175, you almost have to buy that sub even if you don't need it. Might pick one up for the missus, I'm putting a little system together for her "parlour" when she has candle parties, it's the least I can do for all the damage I've done with her glass stuff prior to securing everything on the shelves in her shop when I get carried away with the XS30s playing Bass Mekanic "Quad Maximus". This sub is a real gem, what was original MSRP $900? I really like it, thanks for the find
Jim, by the way, I think you reco'd the HTD Level Three monitors, mine will be here Tuesday the 12th, will share my impressions, you got me hooked on BS's, I already have enough addictions Thanks
Cheers Jeff