madpioneer
Super Member
Comparison of the PIONEER CS-99 and CS-99A
The question has been raised here more then once before.What are the differences between the PIONEER CS-99 and CS-99A?
Well below is a visual cosmetic and sound review of them both.
The regular or earlier standard CS series of the CS-77,CS-88,CS-99 speakers have matte black speaker baffles.CS had small almost hidden screws to attach the grills and 'A' series had velcro at each corner of the grill so it could easly removed to showoff the 'Free Beating' drivers and veneered baffle.
Drivers in the older standard series also have a matte black color.Drivers are different and are usually arranged in different configuration and placement.I believe Alnico drivers on the standard series PIONEER's own on the 'A'.Standard CS had regular dark black foam and rubber like surrounds.The 'A' series had non rotting cloth surrounds.Earlier CS series had lower wattage ratings whereas the 'A' upgraded newer series could handle more power.
In the case of a standard CS-99 at 80 watts capability and the CS-99A at 100 watts capability.
CS-88 standard at 60 watts and CS-88A at 80 watts.Unfortunately I do not have specs on the CS-77's.
Drivers are rear installed on the baffle in the case of the regular CS and front loaded on the 'A' series.
In a nutshell PIONEER upgraded the CS speaker line with a nicer veneered front baffle and came up with new 'Free Beating' drivers to improve sound wattage capability and looks and just added an 'A' at the end of the model.The crossovers may be different and improved also?
"F.B."('Free Beating')PROCESS CONE PAPER.
The brown cone paper is different from conventional cone papers.It is composed of long and short,thick and thin fibers,that are beaten,not cut.The pulp itself is made from specially selected plant and animal fibers,(so those woofers really DO BARK! LOL)then processed through PIONEER's Free Beating System.The result of this new technology is a cone paper that is lighter,stronger than any other.It provides a rich,powerful bass tone,clear mids,improved damping,lower distortion and the ability to handle high input signals.
(taken from PIONEER CS-99A Brochure)
Wonder what ever happened to this 'F.B.' 'New Technology' it went away with this series?
The SOUND difference?
Sound really good.Good for ROCK,POP,maybe Country but not my forte.Not for everyone but a good set of speakers.Full well balanced sound even with the super tweeters.Not overwhelming highs just right.Great mids.And of course more than adequate bass response.Although I prefer the sound of my MACH I's or my CS-99A's these are still some rockin' speakers.
Well there is defintely a sound difference between the two.Although they both sound very good the 'A' series really shines thru.The sound is fuller probably due to the bigger mid drivers and of course the 'F.B.' cones.With the wattage capability higher on the 'A' you can really get them pounding.
But I have to tell you if I did not have a pair of 'A' series to compare to I would still love the older standard set.They are closely matched in sound quality but the 'A' series edges up to the finish line to take the GOLD medal a little better and the regular CS gets the SILVER medal.You cannot go wrong with either series if the price is nice!
Besides these I have only heard a pair of CS-88A's and they sound great! I cannot vouch for the regular CS-77,CS-77A,or the CS-88 because I have never had a chance to hear them.
As I have seen the 'A' series is more sought after and brings higher prices then the standard series but do not let that sway you from grabbing a pair if the price is right! Just ask Wardsweb!
The question has been raised here more then once before.What are the differences between the PIONEER CS-99 and CS-99A?
Well below is a visual cosmetic and sound review of them both.
The regular or earlier standard CS series of the CS-77,CS-88,CS-99 speakers have matte black speaker baffles.CS had small almost hidden screws to attach the grills and 'A' series had velcro at each corner of the grill so it could easly removed to showoff the 'Free Beating' drivers and veneered baffle.
Drivers in the older standard series also have a matte black color.Drivers are different and are usually arranged in different configuration and placement.I believe Alnico drivers on the standard series PIONEER's own on the 'A'.Standard CS had regular dark black foam and rubber like surrounds.The 'A' series had non rotting cloth surrounds.Earlier CS series had lower wattage ratings whereas the 'A' upgraded newer series could handle more power.
In the case of a standard CS-99 at 80 watts capability and the CS-99A at 100 watts capability.
CS-88 standard at 60 watts and CS-88A at 80 watts.Unfortunately I do not have specs on the CS-77's.
Drivers are rear installed on the baffle in the case of the regular CS and front loaded on the 'A' series.
In a nutshell PIONEER upgraded the CS speaker line with a nicer veneered front baffle and came up with new 'Free Beating' drivers to improve sound wattage capability and looks and just added an 'A' at the end of the model.The crossovers may be different and improved also?
"F.B."('Free Beating')PROCESS CONE PAPER.
The brown cone paper is different from conventional cone papers.It is composed of long and short,thick and thin fibers,that are beaten,not cut.The pulp itself is made from specially selected plant and animal fibers,(so those woofers really DO BARK! LOL)then processed through PIONEER's Free Beating System.The result of this new technology is a cone paper that is lighter,stronger than any other.It provides a rich,powerful bass tone,clear mids,improved damping,lower distortion and the ability to handle high input signals.
(taken from PIONEER CS-99A Brochure)
Wonder what ever happened to this 'F.B.' 'New Technology' it went away with this series?
The SOUND difference?
Sound really good.Good for ROCK,POP,maybe Country but not my forte.Not for everyone but a good set of speakers.Full well balanced sound even with the super tweeters.Not overwhelming highs just right.Great mids.And of course more than adequate bass response.Although I prefer the sound of my MACH I's or my CS-99A's these are still some rockin' speakers.
Well there is defintely a sound difference between the two.Although they both sound very good the 'A' series really shines thru.The sound is fuller probably due to the bigger mid drivers and of course the 'F.B.' cones.With the wattage capability higher on the 'A' you can really get them pounding.
But I have to tell you if I did not have a pair of 'A' series to compare to I would still love the older standard set.They are closely matched in sound quality but the 'A' series edges up to the finish line to take the GOLD medal a little better and the regular CS gets the SILVER medal.You cannot go wrong with either series if the price is nice!
Besides these I have only heard a pair of CS-88A's and they sound great! I cannot vouch for the regular CS-77,CS-77A,or the CS-88 because I have never had a chance to hear them.
As I have seen the 'A' series is more sought after and brings higher prices then the standard series but do not let that sway you from grabbing a pair if the price is right! Just ask Wardsweb!
Last edited:
