For 2012, Pioneer Electronics introduced a second generation Andrew Jones Designed home theater speakers, which start at $520 for a complete 5.1 package. The new system include bookshelf speakers, floorstanding speakers, a center channel speaker and a subwoofer for both 7.1-channel home theater and 2-channel music listening. Andrew redesigned the speakers for higher accuracy and smoother response to better handle everything from the most subtle music passages to the demands of multichannel movie soundtracks.
New woofers for the bookshelf and floorstanding speakers were redesigned to feature many improvements including a vented pole piece, increased sensitivity, and a new structured surface cone. The structured surface woofer (SSW) provides both enhanced cone strength for better bass dynamics while also smoothing the response for more accurate midrange presentation.
The tweeters were also completely modified using oversized magnets and new domes for enhanced efficiency and response. A new custom-designed wave guide is used to control sound direction, optimizing on- and off-axis response to produce a more consistent sound throughout the listening space.
The new speakers continue the same high-value philosophy as their predecessors by using a sophisticated crossover network with six high-quality components to generate more precise frequency division and driver matching, establishing a more realistic audio output. This approach differs from other speakers in the market in the same price range, which often use fewer components to cut costs.
Additionally, the new line maintains exceptional build quality through the use of the same RF molded cabinet construction technique used in the previous models. The enclosure reduces vibration and ringing, adding to improved sound reproduction.
The new line of speakers feature a detachable grill, rounded at the top and bottom. Pioneer also reduced the size of the SP-C22 center channel speaker for additional set-up flexibility, allowing it to fit in more spaces while maintaining performance. The floorstanding speakers were made three inches taller in order to obtain better high frequency dispersion at a seated ear-level so listeners can enjoy better imaging and staging.
About Andrew Jones
Andrew Jones has been designing speakers for 30 years and has worked for some of the world's finest loudspeaker companies. Jones serves dual roles as the director of engineering for Technical Audio Devices (TAD), a leading manufacturer of quality loudspeakers for professional and general consumer markets, as well as chief speaker engineer for Pioneer, designing both the best and the best value speaker products.
Price, Availability and Specifications
Pioneer's 2012 Andrew Jones speakers will be available in July 2012 at the following prices:
| SP-BS22-LR | SP-C22 | SP-FS52 | SW-8MK2 | |||||
| Speaker Type | Bookshelf | Center Speaker | Floor-standing | Subwoofer | ||||
| Cabinet Shape | Curved | Curved | Curved | Square | ||||
| Tweeter Size and Type | 1″ Soft Dome | 1″ Soft Dome | 1″ Soft Dome | n/a | ||||
| Woofer Size and Type | 4″ SSW | Dual 4″ SSW” | Triple 5 1/4″ SSW” | 8″ Paper | ||||
| Crossover | 6 element | 6 element | 8 element | – | ||||
| Speaker Terminals | Gold 5-Way | Gold 5-Way | Gold 5-Way | – | ||||
| Frequency Range | 55 Hz- 20 kHz | 55 Hz- 20 kHz | 40 Hz- 20 kHz | 38 Hz- 150 kHz | ||||
| Nominal Impedance | 6 Ohms | 6 Ohms | 6 Ohms | – | ||||
| Max Input Power | 80 Watts | 90 Watts | 130 Watts | – | ||||
| Sensitivity (2.83 Volts) | 84dB | 88dB | 87dB | – | ||||
| Crossover Frequency | 3 kHz | 3 kHz | 250 Hz & 3 kHz | |||||
| Magnetically Shielded | No | Yes | No | No | ||||
| Dimensions (WxHxD) | 7 1/8″x 12 9/16″x 8 7/16″ | 18 1/8″x 7 1/8″x 8 7/16″ | 8 7/8″ x 35 3/16″ x 10 5/8″ | 12 3/16″x 14 3/16″x 12 3/16″ | ||||
| Weight | 9 lbs 2 oz | 13 lbs 7 oz | 25 lbs 13 oz | 20 lbs 4 oz | ||||
| SRP | $129.99 | $99.99 | $129.99 (each) | $159.99 |
