KojiroTakenashi

Overall Rating
 3 of 5

Value Rating
 3 of 5

Used product for
Less than 1 month

Visitors rate this review
5.00 of 5, 2.00 votes

Price Paid:  $85.00 from Circuit City

Summary:
First and foremost, I need to tell you that I am a TRUE Audiophile on a Budget. I just can't get enough...and that's why I'm on a budget! I run myself out of money constantly trying to buy decent speakers, or giving good speakers as gifts for Christmas or Birthdays or the like. Normally I wouldn't go to Circuit City, but I saw these in the paper for cheap, and they looked alright, plus I had a gift card I got for Christmas. I know Pioneer as a respectable brand, so I listened to them as best as I could in the store, and they produced alright sound for the price. Not better than what I have now, but they were advertised magnetically shielded, which is what I need for my Multimedia setup. I haven't broken these in at all...and already there's a problem: The Magnetic shielding isn't strong enough. Now, for not being broken in, they sounded alright - they produced sound. However, they're no match for my Wharfedale Diamond 7.1s that I have as fronts - also not magnetically shielded, however FAR more compact so I have more placement options. They produced better sound than most of the offerings, and were close to the likes of Polk for sure. However...Too big, not enough shielding. If you don't need magnetic shielding, you're much better off spending your money somewhere else on something better. If you do need weak magnetic shielding, and you can find these for much, much cheaper - go for them. At an even lower price range you'll likely not be looking for much and they'll offer you the best, most solid sound.

Strengths:
Bass Response listed as down to 60 hz, which is true. Solid, nonresonant Cabinet Rubber Surrounds Attractive Cone Appearance SuperSuperCheap Clean sounding, not muddy like the rest of the price range Good Sensitivity Acceptable Mids Attractive cloth on grilles. Handles the power listed just fine Reliable

Weaknesses:
Starts rolling off FAST after 60 hz Response of 35 Hz is a JOKE. Literally they are LYING to you (to be expected). Lower Accuracy Bad Size vs Sound ratio Slightly Disappointing coming from Pioneer Spring Clip Terminals WEAK SHIELDING Wierd little cheap-looking tweeter.

Similar Products Used:
Aiwa JVC Sony (better highs, lows that are a crime to humanity)

PPG

Overall Rating
 5 of 5

Value Rating
 4 of 5

Used product for
Less than 1 month

Price Paid:  $60.00 from Circuit City

Summary:
Listening to these speakers, one could easily mistake their price to be well over 200 bucks. The highs are not bad for this price, the dispersion is really impressive, and the bass is solid. The most audible weak point is the midrange: vocals tend to sound a little distant in the mix, and brass sounds a little artificial. But what these speakers do well quite outweighs those weaknesses. I've had a pair of Optimus LX-5's for several years and I'm more impressed by the sound of these Pioneers. (The LX-5's were raved about when they were new). These speakers are a logical choice for a small room system or as surround speakers. Great job, Pioneer!

Strengths:
Bass & dispersion

Weaknesses:
Midrange

Similar Products Used:
Optimus LX-5 DCM bookshelf speakers Polk 5jr+

BruinBudddy

Overall Rating
 5 of 5

Value Rating
 5 of 5

Used product for
3 Months to 1 year

Price Paid:  $30.00 from Circuit City

Summary:
These bookshelf speakers are a great value for the price.

Strengths:
Good lows, can be extremely loud when needed, handles a good amount of sound. Great value for the price.

Weaknesses:
Not good for highs, (slight tin foil, aluminum sound to it.) Not very stylish (has a shiny cloth instead of the traditional flat material)

Similar Products Used:
Cerwin Vega, technics, KLH, and polk

Price Paid:  $40.00 from Circuit City

Summary:
oustanding speakers for hte price. I bet you all to find a better speaker for less than $50. The bass is surprisingly tight. I never found a tighter bass from a bookshelf speaker for less than $200 speakers(the Polk R20 come close but not as tight). I'm not a true audiophile, but I know how good a speaker is. these Pioneer are not highend obiviuosly for the price, but the tightness and the low would definitely draw your attention when you first hear it. The built quality and the look would make you think it is some kind of cheap Bose speakers. I was so impressive when I first heard it at home. I currently own all of these: Accoustic Energy aegis One, JBL S26, Polk R20, Polk R10, Polk RT7, Pioneer S-DF2-K, Pioneer S-DF1-K, Infinity Reference 2, Bose 901, a pair of bookshelf Alantic Tech(forgot model) and this one Pioneer S/H153B/K.I've been collecting so many less than $200 speakers and comparing those side by side. This babies stand above all in bass tightness anf lowness. the mid is just fine, and the high is not so impressive among thos I own. But for at leeast less than $120, these are great value. If you dont have more than $50 to spend for surround chanels, pick up these and you never regret.

Strengths:
low, tight and punchy bass

Weaknesses:
mid range and high range. really cheap built quality and cheap look(of couse, what do you ask for $50 speakers).

Similar Products Used:
Accoustic Energy aegis One, JBL S26, Polk R20, Polk R10, Polk RT7, Pioneer S-DF2-K, Pioneer S-DF1-K, Infinity Reference 2, Bose 901, a pair of bookshelf Alantic Tech(forgot model)