[steve k]

I was wondering if they are for real after reading Stereophile's glowing reviews or if Stereophile is slumming it as a result of all the criticism of covering super expensive gear.  Sounds like a lot of speaker for $150.
steve

[neobop]

I didn't hear these speakers, but it's not surprising.
http://www.pioneerelectronics.com/ephox/StaticFiles/PUSA/Files/SP-BS41-LR.pdf

They look like a whole lot of speaker for the money. Pioneer has a division called TAD that makes "state of the art" components. These might be killer:
http://tad-labs.com/en/consumer/reference_one/concept.html

neo

[hesson11]

I picked up a pair of their little brothers, the SP-BS21-LRs, at Best Buy last weekend for $79. They are, indeed, for real. The best thing about them is that they don't do anything wrong in a major way. My only real criticisms are that they have a bit of a sandpapery quality to high-pitched violins and trumpets, and they exhibit a bit of a boxy, cupped-hands effect in the lower mids. As you'd expect at this size/price, they are somewhat inefficient and limited in dynamic range, but they get instrumental tone colors pretty much right, and that's what matters most to me, being a classical listener. These are a huge accomplishment for Andrew Jones, in my opinion.
-Bob

[steve k]

That's interesting since both models share the same tweeter. "Sandpapery highs" and honky mids weren't what I was expecting after reading the glowing review in Stereophile. I was expecting a bit of hyperbole though, so I'll have to get over to BB and give them a listen myself. Thanks for your input Bob.
steve