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View Full Version : Pioneer SPEC 2 vs. SPEC 4

Socal Sam
10-01-2008, 04:55 PM
SPEC 2 (200 wpc) vs. SPEC 4 (150 wpc). The SPEC 2 is based closely on the SX-1980 and as a result sounds a lot like the 1980. Both are supremely powerful but the sound is veiled and dark. Neither are particularly musical. I suppose if you had HPM-150's, the SPEC 2 would be a good match. The SPEC 4 has dual cut core transformers and dual mono circuitry. It is noticeably lighter than the 2 and there is more empty space inside as both are built on the same size chassis. The SPEC 4 has much more detailed sound and is less a slave of the HPM line of speakers than the 2. I should explain my HPM comment. HPM speakers are bass heavy and bright so Pioneer tuned the SX receivers to sound good with HPM's so buyers would buy all Pioneer. As a result, SX receivers are rather dull sounding with non-HPM speakers. The winner is clear: SPEC 4.
BroonsBane
10-01-2008, 07:39 PM
Great! Send one over :D
Scorpion8
10-01-2008, 07:50 PM
Sounds like a good project candidate for a transformer upgrade for a SPEC 2 system and then a comparison.
Socal Sam
10-01-2008, 08:58 PM
Sounds like a good project candidate for a transformer upgrade for a SPEC 2 system and then a comparison.

That's an interesting proposition. I watched my tech work on the 4 and everything is discrete and relatively straight forward. I suppose you would have to beef everything up to handle the higher current.
Scorpion8
10-01-2008, 09:03 PM
Or find some hi-grade transformers rated the same as the originals. I'm not sure that you'd have to beef stuff up as the transformer idles and only supplies what the system demands. Improved transformers would have more "headroom" but the system discrete components wouldn't have the ability to draw more than original.
Nak_novice
11-13-2008, 01:16 PM
My HPM-1500's sounded awesome with the SX-1980 at silly power. I agree that they were bass loaded but for certain types of music they really had a presence that was difficult to fault. Perhaps a SPEC 2 and SPEC 4 would be the ultimate Pioneer set up - switchable depending on preference.

No have a Mac Amp, totally different, but not necessarily better
Socal Sam
11-13-2008, 06:08 PM
The SPEC 2 sounds a lot like the SX-1980 so I think you have that one covered. I'd try the SPEC 4 if you are looking for a different sound.