PIONEER CS-G503

[MacGyver]

i have been told that anyone can make a high-end loudspeaker, and that a fine sounding, low priced loudspeaker is a true example of a manufacturer's true engineering skill. after experiencing these four-way CS-G503s, i am definitely now a believer in that. they appear to be POS rack system speakers, but don't sell them short; a sweet, well-balanced, musical sound is always the order of the day. these are damned hard to beat for the money...



http://i291.photobucket.com/albums/ll310/shaorin-chan/PIONEER/DSCF0667.jpg

http://i291.photobucket.com/albums/ll310/shaorin-chan/PIONEER/DSCF0666.jpg

[braxus]

Probably a decent speaker in its day at a decent price.

However- Not to rain on anyones parade, but I find it interesting how many old school audio enthusiasts (and by that I mean anyone older then 25-30) like big speakers that's design was not changed much since the 70s. I see this on AK a lot. I never understood it. The only reason I say this are many designs today lean towards small enclosure speakers with small woofers, 2 way, etc.

I cannot say the new speakers today are any better in the respect of the impact they make, but I do believe smaller speakers have better imaging for example and a tightness in the bass the large woofer speakers have a hard time with. And with subwoofers common today, there really isn't a need for large speakers today.

I run a large bookshelf speaker which is the best of both worlds. I find myself going to smaller and smaller speakers as time goes on, though I will be going to a floorstander next time over a bookshelf model.

Maybe its me, but I haven't heard yet an old big speaker that sounded better then what I've used. The only exception was a B&W 801 floorstander that had a 12 inch woofer in it, but the price of those things is well beyond normal.

[Marc Hugo]

I see the Pioneers and I like them - a pure, natural, high-efficiency paper cone design. My Sony SS-4400 are in the same class and I love them. Razor sharp transients, undemanding on power sources and although not the best on imaging, they are great with a bit of space and set up a more than adequate soundstage.

But I understand what you mean Braxus, which is why I also have smaller Luxman Ocean 1/Series 3 and Tannoy Profile 631.

Cheers - Marc

[lordxale]

I have a pair of CS-R571s. They're probably from about the same era as the CS-G503s, and mine are definitely of the rack variety. I wrote a post about them over at AK in a thread about the gear/speakers you'll never give up (I can't remember exactly what it's called).

They've been a long time coming, but they've got extra internal dampening, Parts Express foam seals, new Dayton caps, and floor spikes, and they'll pretty much make mincemeat of any stock rack speaker I've ever heard. They're not pretty, but they kick out the jams and they sound pretty good doing it. The midrange and tweeter look pretty close to what are on mine. My woofer is a 12" (looks like yours is, too) but it's a 4-screw frame with a plastic gasket and looks cheaper than the 503s.

Maybe some day I'll re-veneer them, but I doubt it. Part of the charm is their abused character. If I do ever get rid of them some day, it'll be back to my buddy I got them from. One of us will have them forever, since we pretty much already have, anyway. I remember these speakers (and the stereo, though it's long dead) from at least as far back as 5th grade, and now I'm 21.

The neighbors have to hate them, though. I'm driving them in my 1-br apartment with a Marantz SR-5000 (75 wpc). At this point, they've heard everything from death metal to classical to the occasional hip hop track (but NOT country!). At least I have something for (almost) everybody!

[hakka26]

Probably a decent speaker in its day at a decent price.

However- Not to rain on anyones parade, but I find it interesting how many old school audio enthusiasts (and by that I mean anyone older then 25-30) like big speakers that's design was not changed much since the 70s. I see this on AK a lot. I never understood it. The only reason I say this are many designs today lean towards small enclosure speakers with small woofers, 2 way, etc.

I cannot say the new speakers today are any better in the respect of the impact they make, but I do believe smaller speakers have better imaging for example and a tightness in the bass the large woofer speakers have a hard time with. And with subwoofers common today, there really isn't a need for large speakers today.

"I run a large bookshelf speaker which is the best of both worlds. I find myself going to smaller and smaller speakers as time goes on, though I will be going to a floorstander next time over a bookshelf model.

Maybe its me, but I haven't heard yet an old big speaker that sounded better then what I've used. The only exception was a B&W 801 floorstander that had a 12 inch woofer in it, but the price of those things is well beyond normal.

There have been many "small" boxes if I can find a pic of my Design Acoustics PS-8A or Spectrum Research I'll post a them. Let's not forget the ubiquitous Minimus 7. I really haven't listened to any of the newer small speakers but I bought a set of large Advents of someone who had shifted to NHT and a friend is into the Definitive line but I don't know which. I have a number of "big" speakers. Nothing along the line of K-Horns or Altecs but at what I have invested it would be difficult to find better.