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Pioneer S-1EX Loudspeaker

As a fan of TAD loudspeakers – but not in the proper tax-bracket – I am curious about Andrew Jones’ design for the Pioneer brand – the Pioneer S-1EX floor stander (which is essentially a baby TAD with the Pioneer logo). Does anyone have any experience with this speaker see here
2chnlben
2chnlben OP
595 posts
 
Zeal:

Have you tried experimenting with the amount of toe-in (both away from and toward the listening position) as well as the amount of rake (the way the speaker leans forward or backward - which affects the direction the tweeter fires; either directly at or above the level of your ears)...?

What exactly do you not like about the current sound; too thin, too boomy, not resolving enough, sound-staging issues...?
zeal's avatar
zeal
174 posts
 
I have them toed in but not all the way and I put some rubber and cork footers under the back legs of the speaker. I wish that 5th foot was a little longer as I put the cork flats that came with the speakers under that too. It sounds very good but I think it could sound better.
emailists
923 posts
 
Have you tried toeing in the speakers so the drivers axis cross well in front of you? That is Andrew Jones' suggestion of how the TAD's should be set up. When the focus is right the concentric drivers should present a holographic image that comes a bit forward as opposed to imaging behind the speakers, is highly focused with great inner detail, but shouldn't be "dry".

I never heard the Pioneer's but some people hear the TAD as sounding a bit "bright," and I totally understand that description.

However when I had the TAD's and used to listen to them directly after hearing un-amplified live music from up close (as opposed to from the audience) I found the speakers presented a balance very close to the real thing, which in some instances can sound forward and detailed. But I never heard any of the magnesium mid range models, just the beryllium, so I can't speak as to their tonality.
2chnlben OP
595 posts
 
Thanks Emailists.

I have read about Andrew Jones' recommendations to cross the axis in front of the listening position. I haven't gotten around to trying this yet, but I plan to. I really like having the image come from behind the speakers since that is what I am accustom to, but I will try it both ways.

I will say that the S-2ex's are surprisingly close to the excellent CR-1's (as hard as that may be to fathom...). My dealer has both set up in the same room on the same system. Obviously, the CR-1's are better, but they are also about five-and-a-half times the cost.
zeal's avatar
zeal
174 posts
 
If I were to toe in my S3-EX in my 16.5 by 14 foot room, I would hardly see the front of the speakers. I have them toed in so the axis cross is right where I'm sitting. As far as Tad speakers being bright, they were just a bit bright when I got them new, however the more I listened the warmer they got.
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