Pioneer CS-88

[MTaylor]

What is a fair price on these? $50-$100?

Also, what is the difference between the CS-##A and CS-## speakers? What does "A" signify? Does it add value?

[DENNYDOG]

I wouldn't go a whole lot over $50 to $75 unless they are in nice shape.

The A's were the newer series and had the FB know as "Free Beat" drivers. They could take a little more power and were known to sound a little better. The FB drivers also had a untreated rolled cloth surround while the earlier CS speakers had a doped accordian style surround.

As far as value goes it all depends on the condition of the speakers and who is looking at them. Typically the A's do bring a higher dollar.

[mswer]

If you do a search, someone at AK did an extensive comparison of the CS-99s to CS-99As. The general points of difference may remain helpful, even though that is a different model of speakers. In nice shape, I've seen these speakers run into the low hundred range, but I wouldn't go much higher. Now, I've not heard a pair of CS-88/As, so I'm not saying they're not good, but if you'd be paying much more than that, you'd likely be able to find another pair for cheaper.

[StarMover]

I love those great Pioneer FB drivers. Real works of art.

I've had some success refoaming the two CS-88a midrange drivers using thin foam sheeting. You won't find stock surrounds to fit them anywhere. PM me if you're interested in trying it.

[mave]

If your looking at the ones on kc-cl they look to be in pretty good shape. I thought about getting them myself it's a fair price he is asking. But I already have the 99A's and 63dx's so I didn't figure I needed these that bad. If he still has them you should go check them out I like both of my pairs of pioneers.

[MTaylor]

I'm going there after work tonight to check them out. =)

My parents have a pair of CS-99A's and they sound OK. They were using a modern Pioneer amp but I upgraded them with a vintage Sansui 1000X receiver. The sound improved, but you can't turn the volume up more than 1/4 to 1/2 and you have to really watch where the bass knob is at.

I'm actually not really impressed with the CS-99A's because I don't sense a real warmth. I guess that's where my bookshelf B&W's really shine.

I was hoping the CS-88's might be a little warmer?

[jocko_nc]

They are old and they sound old. If that makes sense. Ours have a supertweeter build-in that I am 99% percent sure came from the factory. ???. They sound fine for what they are. The sound takes you back about 30 years.

The style, however, is so sweet. The wood lattice is a beauty to behold. Both the lattice and the veneer are hearty enough that they ought to be restorable. Ours came from Goodwill with mirrors glued on top. Can anyone say "70's"? $10.00 each. My daughter plays them with an SX-780. Sweet.

Here they are after removing the mirror and a little refinishing. Note the extra tweeter, I swear Pioneer made it that way.

http://www.audiokarma.org/forums/attachment.php?attachmentid=24134&d=1156479360

jocko

[MTaylor]

Do they come originally ported?

[MTaylor]

Well, I picked these up tonight for $50.

They sound pretty good. I really didn't try to push them, I just did some casual listening and was pleasantly surprised. Pink Floyd and ZZ Top to be exact. With a Sony STR-7055, I felt that these did have a sense of warmth to them, however they are lacking clarity. They are a little muffled in the mid range. So... I did an A/B speaker combo with the B&W 601 bookshelf speakers and it really hit the spot. I like it! I'll do some more testing tomorrow, and take the grilles off to check the drivers etc. but so far that $50 was well spent. :yes:

[mave]

CONGRATS on getting the 88's.

[jocko_nc]

Yes, I believe they are all ported. In the photos, I was trying to cut the muddiness of the bass with a port plug. In the end, I left them open. There is a fine line between muddy and warm.