Isn't it nice when things just work? The partnership between Pioneer Electronics and speaker engineer Andrew Jones is one of those things, so the two are collaborating once again on a line of home theater and music speakers.
The first Jones-inspired speaker line debuted back in 2010 to much fanfare amongst audiophiles. Pioneer says that the 2012 lineup will include new bookshelf speakers, floorstanding speakers, a center-channel speaker and a subwoofer.
Both the bookshelf and floorstanding models promise new woofers, as well as a vented pole piece, increased sensitivity, and a new structured surface cone. The company says that the new structured surface woofer (SSW) can deliver better bass and a more accurate midrange. Other new tweaks include oversized magnets and new domes for the tweeters, and a new custom-designed waveguide.
Priced at $99.99, the SP-C22 Center Channel is smaller than its predecessor, for a more flexible setup. With the option for up to 90 watts of power, the curved cabinet packs in a 1-inch soft dome tweeter, two 4-inch SSWs, a 55Hz to 20kHz frequency response, and a sensitivity rating of 88dB.
The SP-BS22-LR Bookshelf Speaker has one 4-inch SSW, one 1-inch soft dome tweeter, a 55Hz to 20 kHz frequency response, and a sensitivity rating of 84dB. Capable of handling up to 80 watts of power, the SP-BS22-LR has an MSRP of $129.99 per pair.
Next in the line is the SP-FS52 Floorstanding Speaker. This speaker is 3 inches taller than the previous model, promising better high frequency dispersion at a seated ear-level. Other features include the 1-inch soft dome tweeter, three 5.25-inch SSWs, a 40Hz to 20kHz frequency response, and a sensitivity rating of 87dB. Promising up to 130 watts of power handling, the SP-FS52 is priced at $129.99 each.
Last in the new lineup is the SW-8MK2 Subwoofer. The 100-watt sub has an 8-inch driver, a front-facing port, and a frequency response of 38Hz to 150kHz. Pioneer has listed the sub's MSRP at $159.99.
"The first generation of Andrew Jones signature home theater speakers was received exceptionally well by our customers due to the sound quality and affordability, and we're sure this new line will excite them even more," said Chris Walker, Pioneer's director of AV marketing and product planning for the Home Electronics Division. "These new models are just as affordable, but now have even better sound quality. 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."
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