As long as I'm ranting about stuffing loudspeaker cabinets with multiple drivers and complicated crossovers, I thought I'd include one of the most collectible, yet mediocre-sounding speakers I've come across - the 3-way, 6-driver Pioneer CS99A. These are magnificent-looking speakers with emerald cloth folded beneath intricate lattice grills, laminated walnut cabinets, and the drivers - paper and wool fiber - inviting, warm, cozy. I've read that these have a 5-way crossover and I've also read that they have a 3-way crossover - any info to clear this up would be helpful. - Update - Anonymous commented and confirmed a 5-way crossover. Thanks!How did they sound? Not so great. They were fine, and perhaps I could have given them a more objective review had I not been lured in by their looks and the sheer number and size of the drivers. I had a similar experience talking to a girl at a bar many years ago, but that's another story for another day. Maybe it's just me, but I can't seem to get a satisfying amount of bass from Pioneer speakers. Prove me wrong - please - send me in your picks for Pioneer speakers that provided the same THUMP as JBL. I'd like to be proven wrong on this one.
If you have any photos or stories about your Pioneer CS99A speakers, please leave a comment or email me.
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These Pioneer CS99A's are 5-way speakers not 3-way speakers. They are laminated WALNUT not REAL OAK. And they have dual 3-way crossovers. They sound great unless you listen to RAP or HIPHOP which isn't really Music. I bought four of these CS99A's in 1974 and still listen to them every day. They sound as crisp & clear & full of solid bass as they did when they were new.
ReplyDeleteBought mine in Guam in 1971 and still have them. Need to connect them and enjoy again. They are fantastic sounding speakers!!!
DeleteThere is plenty to criticize the lattice Pioneer line for, especially those below the 63DX and 99A, (which is where I draw the line), but once I read "THUMP" and JBL, your credibility for critiquing vintage speakers sort of went out the window with me. Personally, I've never owned a pair of 99A's, but I am very familiar with them and I do own their big brother equivalent, a pair of CS63DX's, which are also a 5-way speaker produced in the same series as the 99A, except the DX's have larger enclosures and the best bass response of all the lattice speakers as a result. However I wouldn't use the word THUMP, as that is a word I personally indicative of extremely accentuated bass, the kind that makes cars rattle like the trunk lid is going to fall off, that seems only to serve the purpose of boosting one's ego, and it's the kind of bass that thank God you'll never get from a vintage Pioneer speaker.
ReplyDeleteWell I have to agree with the original poster. I purchased a new pair of the CS 99A speakers in the early 70's. Teamed them up with a Crown amp & preamp and a Thorens turntable. I was expecting great things...never happened. The bass was flabby, the mids recessed and the highs were not very detailed. It was very difficult to be able to pick out the various instruments. Everything just became "smooshed" together. The delicacy of the triangle never made its way out of the speakers. There was also a certain background noise that introduced itself during quiet passages. I already had JBL L100's and was expecting the 5-way Pioneers to blow away the 3-way JBL's. Not so, the L100's were everything that the Pioneer's weren't. Well, tried to work with the CS 99A's for about a year, even switched to Mac gear because I thought the Crown gear was possibly too bright for the speakers, nothing changed. I finally sold the Pioneers and purchased another set of L100's. Now that was a nice combo, 4 L100's being driven with a MC2105 amp and a Mac preamp.
ReplyDeleteYou do realize, of course, that speakers cannot, by themselves, introduce background noise...right?
DeleteHow can you expect bass out of a big woofer stuck in a small box with a portion. Noise could come from the crossover network. I agree hard to beat a 100. These big woofer small box speakers of the 70's are somewhat of a joke. I have a pair of sp7500x's that I am going to make larger boxes for and hear what that sounds like.
DeleteHow much would one of these sell for in almost perfect condition today?
ReplyDeleteA conservative estimate, in today's market for a pair of CS99As in mint condition is $300. May go for as high as $400 to a collector.
ReplyDeletecheck ebay, there's a pair that went for 818.00 just recently.
ReplyDeleteWow, I just picked up a very, very good looking pair of the CS-99a's on Craigslist for $150.00. I'm going to keep an eye out for more of these. I had no idea that they had this kind of value. :>)
ReplyDeletei have 4 of them (CS-99 A) in excellent condition. I am asking $500 .00 for all them. Email me at : myprovider@yaho.com if you are interested on the.
DeleteMartin
keep checking ebay you pioneer nay-sayers, another pair of cs-99a's went for $700.00 just today and if you pay close attention to ebay vintage pioneer speakers are outselling all other vintage brands day in and day out. Pioneer was the #1 brand people wanted then and now.
ReplyDeleteJust because something fetches big money, doesn't mean it sounds good. The Marantz 7C preamp comes to mind. That preamp sounds like a preamp from the 60's. Lots of hiss, flat, lifeless, with limited bass. And yet, it sells for 15 to 20 times its original price. I think it has to do with someone being at a perticular place when these components were new, and that perticular item brings back memories. A lot of the stuff from the 70's goes for a lot more than they should on ebay because owning those pieces brings us back to when audio equipment was made with care by manufacturers that cared for people that cared about quality. There was pride of ownership. Consumer electronics today is all throw-away-black-plastic junk. And the high-end is too over priced for most people. You got a lot more for your money in the 70's than you do today. Of course, technology being what it is, sounds better today than it did back then.
ReplyDeleteAs far as this line of Pioneer speakers,none of them was that great. Bass,mids and highs,not real good. As far as the bass that they do have its,muddy and dull,flat sounding. I had a pair of R-700's that was a lot better sounding,but still a Pioneer. As far as these fetching big dollars on ebay,thats understandable,most things taged vintage,goes for way to much on ebay. $100.00 would be more then fair for a mint pair.
ReplyDeleteAgree with prior post. I've a pair of 99A's (~$500 in 1974); not perfect but better than much of the 'plastic junk' of today. I've also a Pioneer SX-1010 receiver from the same era-again $400 in 1974 money and still much better than some of the integrated circuit junk boxes of today. I'm sure there's some lurkers with '50's tube equipment that might consider all this junk. The opinion battle continues!
ReplyDeleteIf you get the speakers off the ground (elephant stands) you will amazed at the differance, they will come alive with a brillance and crispness that is seldom found. Matched with a computer controlled amp of at least 100 watts per channel and you will know stairway to Heaven
ReplyDeleteRight on....
DeleteI have owned my CS 99A speakers since 1976. My covering cloth is brown. These speakers are wonderful. I love the sound that comes out of them. I listen to everything from classic rock to classical. The bass is very good. I would not ruin them with rap or hip-hop. If your ear drums are not blown out they sound very good. I would almost compare them to voice of the theater speakers (which a friend has).
ReplyDeleteI have a set of 99A's I bought at Anderson AFB Guam in 1972. Sounds as good today as they did when I got them. Paid $99.00
ReplyDeleteI cannot believe you guys. I know everyone has their own likes, but compared to something like a modern Polk Tsi, these things sound amazing. I have a pair of them and they are great with any kind of music, including electronic, though I don't listen to rap (which as was stated, no music.)
ReplyDeleteThey have elaborate crossovers. If not in fine shape, sound will suffer. Why would anyone expect all of the same 40 year old speakers made for 8 years to sound the same? I have a beautiful pair I restored, (and have worked on 3 other pairs)and guess what? Not only were some electrolytic caps needed to be replaced, but the voice coil wires in both horns (both sides) had corroded through where the cardboard/glue seal they went through was. Virtually on every one of these this will happen to, it's that common. The fix is easy, and found online. to check, just disconnect the pair of tweeters(one wire pulled off one kills both) and listen to the horn alone. Nothing, if you've not repaired them. I agree, however, that even up to snuff, you do not get the really low deep bass you would expect from a 15" woofer. Vocals, thoigh are as good as any top speaker.
ReplyDeleteTalking about how something sounds is what review articles and 'experts' rave about. The only ones that do not have an agenda are the ones buying the speakers. Branding, look, recommendations, approval, peer pressure have nothing to do with how it sounds to you. You may not know the difference so why spend the money? Those that claim to know the difference usually have way too much money invested to admit sub-par performance. There are only two purposes for audio systems, re-production and re-enforcement. We are talking about re-production and who can possibly tell you how it is supposed to sound? Sound is completely objective and always depends on at least two variables (I did say at least...). Talking politics would be a walk in the park compared to convincing people about the merit of a speaker that cannot be heard.
ReplyDeleteCS-99a's are amazing speakers. And I can appreciate some good "thump" every now and then. :) You have to consider what music was popular when these speakers were designed however. They really shine with classical (especially stringed instruments) and vocals. The mid-bass is actually quite impressive but they do drop off around 60-80hz. Pair them with a good sub and you'll be blown away even with modern music (rap, metal, electronica, etc.). 15" drivers weren't always intended just for ultra lows.
ReplyDeleteI have two CS 63DX for the bottoms and two CS 99a on top with a Pioneer SX1250 to drive them from jazz,blues,rock and rap. They sound amazing and I compare them to any speaker in the same price range. The CS 63DXx are the sleepers with a bass that kicks some ass like my Pioneer TT PL707 with a Shure V15 type lll with original stylus. For the money I love them. My all Pioneer gear is a real real nice system without breaking the bank. ROCK & ROLL RULES!!!
ReplyDeleteJust got a pair of CS-99a's at a garage sale for 50 bucks in almost perfect condition. Unhooked my Infinity P163 front speakers, hooked up the Pioneers. Along with rear Boston Acoustic Subsat 6 rears, a Polk Audio CS-1 Center channel, and a BIC America sub woofer, and all I have to say is the pioneers blew me away. What a HUGE difference the CS-99a's made. Amazing. If course, depending on what your listening too, sounds will differ. They're a great addition to my surround sound system. No matter what volume I listen to, the crispness of the Pioneers is amazing.
ReplyDeleteI bought mine during the 1970s (at a military PX in SEA) and still have them. If you have a good system otherwise and put on the Dave Brubeck CD featuring Jerry Mulligan and listen to Take Five they will send you into another universe
DeleteJust found a pair of the cs 99a's at a thrift store for $20..after..so many mixed reviews! I can,say,that mine sound excellent! But on some songs,the s sounds really crackle.seems to only happen with recordings that accentuate the treble. Some songs the s sounds fine,others it sounds like crap..any ideas why this would happen?
DeleteI have one pioneer cs 99 can you tell me about it thanks Greg Sonne email is blazer81gs@yahoo.com
ReplyDeleteIn Vietnam, 1972, I purchased Qty 4 CS99A Pioneer Speakers. I still have them today along with my Sansui quadraphonic amplifier / tuner all in the original boxes. In Nam' we had access to a "PACEX" catalog (which I believe stood for Pacific Exchange). Actually, still have the PACEX Catalog and Navy Exchange one also. I'm looking to get a good price and good home for them if anyone has suggestions. Thank you all! Genshijin28@yahoo.com
ReplyDeleteI wil say been buying Speakers for years and many have failed I’m fortunate to say I can buy audio at cost so I have tried many Speakers,for starters I’m a huge fan of vintage pioneer Elite and I own plenty but always had a hard time with Pioneer Speakers owned HPMS,CS777 and many others but was never happy with them today I got lucky I picked up a PR of CS99A from a sale and paid $50.00 for them ,they were covered in dust but got home cleaned them up and look brand new,now the real test came up ,hooked them to a VSX9700S and I was amazed on how good they sound and without using a sub.Have learned that we all have different ears when it comes to Speakers so we all have different taste but I will say these babies sound amazing
ReplyDeleteUpdate. I replaced my rear Boston SubSats with a pair of Klipsch XB-10s I found brand new at a garage sale for 20 bucks. Now matched with my front CS-99a's,BIC subwoofer, and Polk center channel, they sound absolutely amazing. I'm only using a Yamaha rx-v325 surround a/v receiver (70 watts rms per). The theme song to Game of Thrones absolutely sounds killer when cranked. It'll shake the walls while still being crisp and clean. I've disabled all speakers and just uses my pioneers, and WOW is all I can say. Don't believe the naysayers. They're full of BS and don't know what they're talking about. By the way, I do have both pioneers resting on 8 inch wood speaker stands so they come at you at ear level when sitting diwn.
ReplyDeleteI have a set of the CS-99a since the 70's. Some peope seem to say the bass is weak. If you turn up the volume stand in front of the speaker it feels like someone is punching you in the chest. I wouldn't call that weak bass.
ReplyDeleteMy dad owned a pair of these. All I remember was that they were as loud as bombs and were great for annoying the neighbours with Saxon's latest LP played back at top volume. Subtle they were not. They did sound a bit better when raised up off the ground (so the tweeter was no longer firing into your groin), but you lost some of the bass reinforcement. If I was using a pair of these speakers today, I'd use them with a sub to fill in the missing stuff below 60 Hz or so (a consequence of shoe-horning such a large bass driver into a small box).
ReplyDeleteI have kl888d awesome speakers I'll put up against any speakers of today keffs especially they will blow ummm away
ReplyDelete