Garage sale score today! Pioneer CS

CH46E
CH46E Posts: 3,591
in Vintage Speakers
On my way home from work I see a garage sale in front of a local business and see some large speakers. I make a u turn and head over. Front the distance I see what might be some ribbon tweeters.

Sure enough, Pioneer CS-903 with twin ribbons in each speaker. And they are clean. I ask how much and she says "how much you want to pay?". I said $20.00 she said deal!. Low and behold I see many on the bay selling for $250 up to $500 plus shipping.

I think the contacts for the button need a deoxit cleaning. Highs are super crisp. Bass is pretty weak though.

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  • stretchl
    stretchl Posts: 1,334
    Twenty. Bucks. Good for you!
    “Anti-intellectualism has been a constant thread winding its way through our political and cultural life, nurtured by the false notion that democracy means that 'my ignorance is just as good as your knowledge.'”
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  • oldrocker
    oldrocker Posts: 2,590
    Congrats, they look really clean.
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  • verb
    verb Posts: 10,176
    What a steal! They look minty! @Viking64 alert!
    Basement: Polk SDA SRS 1.2tl's, Cary SLP-05 Pre with ultimate upgrade,McIntosh MCD301 CD/SACD player, Northstar Designs Excelsio DAC, Cambridge 851N streamer, McIntosh MC300 Amp, Silnote Morpheus Ref2, Series2 Digital Cables, Silnote Morpheus Ref2 Series2 XLR's, Furman 15PFi Power Conditioner, Pangea Power Cables, MIT Shotgun S3 IC's, MIT Shotgun S1 Bi-Wire speaker cables
    Office: PC, EAR Acute CD Player, EAR 834L Pre, Northstar Designs Intenso DAC, Antique Sound Labs AV8 Monoblocks, Denon UDR-F10 Cassette, Acoustic Technologies Classic FR Speakers, SVS SB12 Plus sub, MIT AVt2 speaker cables, IFI Purifier2, AQ Cinnamon USB cable, Groneberg Quatro Reference IC's
    Spare Room: Dayens Ampino Integrated Amp, Tjoeb 99 tube CD player (modified Marantz CD-38), Analysis Plus Oval 9's, Zu Jumpers, AudioEngine B1 Streamer, Klipsch RB-61 v2, SVS PB1000 sub, Blue Jeans RCA IC's, Shunyata Hydra 8 Power Conditioner
    Living Room: Peachtree Nova Integrated, Cambridge CXN v2 Streamer, Rotel RCD-1072 CD player, Furman 15PFi Power Conditioner, Polk RT265 In Wall Speakers, Polk DSW Pro 660wi sub
    Garage #1: Cambridge Audio 640A Integrated Amp, Project Box-E BT Streamer, Polk Tsi200 Bookies, Douglas Speaker Cables, Shunyata Power Conditioner
    Garage #2: Cambridge Audio EVO150 Integrated Amplifier, Polk L200's, Analysis Plus Silver Oval 2 Speaker Cables, IC's TBD.
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  • mlistens03
    mlistens03 Posts: 2,767
    They look sweet!
    I got my own score today too... :)
    Enjoy!
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  • CH46E
    CH46E Posts: 3,591
    Certainly not "mint". But "minty" sounds about right! >:)

    I really like the highs on them but vocals and bass or pretty flat and boring. I already have them on Ebay.
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  • CH46E
    CH46E Posts: 3,591
    mlistens03 wrote: »
    They look sweet!
    I got my own score today too... :)
    Enjoy!

    What did you score?
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  • mlistens03
    mlistens03 Posts: 2,767
    CH46E wrote: »
    mlistens03 wrote: »
    They look sweet!
    I got my own score today too... :)
    Enjoy!

    What did you score?

    Boston Acoustics VR 2s, and a PV500 sub. $53, all really clean. :)
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  • CH46E
    CH46E Posts: 3,591
    edited November 2018
    mlistens03 wrote: »
    CH46E wrote: »
    mlistens03 wrote: »
    They look sweet!
    I got my own score today too... :)
    Enjoy!

    What did you score?

    Boston Acoustics VR 2s, and a PV500 sub. $53, all really clean. :)

    Man, you got some of these for $53? They look awesome! How do they sound?

    49ub15xv56v0.jpg


    I only scooped these Pioneers up to re-sale and add to my audio funds. If they don't sell I'll part them out and keep the ribbons for a DIY project.
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  • mlistens03
    mlistens03 Posts: 2,767
    They sound really awesome. I expected to re-sell them, but listening to them now, they are incredible, with a nice sound stage, very balanced sound, solid lows, clear, crisp, but not fatiguing highs, very nice midrange. It’s all done so well.
    I think the cherry finish is much prettier, but the black finish I got is still very nice. :)
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  • Tony M
    Tony M Posts: 11,151
    edited November 2018
    Congrats on your fine!!!

    Here's mine.
    The picture looks worse than it really is. The spots are scratches on the lens of my camera and the clutter is just a minute or three in the way of pulling them out.

    These were mint cond. too when I bought them. They do sound pretty darn good. The guy ROCKED them pretty good when I went to buy them. I'm going to look for better picture but I think mine are the same model# by the looks of things.

    My LEDs work just fine. The tone controls do too also. To get to the RED LED, your ears will be telling you enough is enough already, turn it down. :D

    I gladly paid the guy 80.00 a couple of years ago. ;):p

    You need to put them on stands. B)
    I found clearer pics.

    rrxynx4nb9xs.png
    djavm6s8d5r9.png


    Most people just listen to music and watch movies. I EXPERIENCE them.
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  • CH46E
    CH46E Posts: 3,591
    Yep, they are the 903 also. I was able to zoom in and see them.
    I was really surprised by the condition of the drivers. Looks like a nylon cloth or something similar on the woofer surrounds.

    I only hooked them to my old Pioneer HTR in the living room. I will be putting them in the movie room and hooking them up to the Parasound 2250 v2 to see how they really sound. I have bricks with anti-vibration pads to lift them off the floor.

    I'm also going to clean all the contacts tomorrow.
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  • Tony M
    Tony M Posts: 11,151
    I forget what receiver the guy had to show me that they worked. But he showed me enough for me to tell him that was enough on the volume. He knew they were getting more $$$ for them on eBay or at least trying.

    I also owned the 12" woofer version set and they were pretty darn good too. An old friend bought them from me and he still has them I think. I might give him a call to see next week.

    Most people just listen to music and watch movies. I EXPERIENCE them.
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  • verb
    verb Posts: 10,176
    Tony M wrote: »
    Congrats on your fine!!!

    Here's mine.
    The picture looks worse than it really is. The spots are scratches on the lens of my camera and the clutter is just a minute or three in the way of pulling them out.

    These were mint cond. too when I bought them. They do sound pretty darn good. The guy ROCKED them pretty good when I went to buy them. I'm going to look for better picture but I think mine are the same model# by the looks of things.

    My LEDs work just fine. The tone controls do too also. To get to the RED LED, your ears will be telling you enough is enough already, turn it down. :D

    I gladly paid the guy 80.00 a couple of years ago. ;):p

    You need to put them on stands. B)
    I found clearer pics.

    rrxynx4nb9xs.png
    djavm6s8d5r9.png


    My man Tony - Are their any speakers you don't have! Jealousy here! :smile:
    Basement: Polk SDA SRS 1.2tl's, Cary SLP-05 Pre with ultimate upgrade,McIntosh MCD301 CD/SACD player, Northstar Designs Excelsio DAC, Cambridge 851N streamer, McIntosh MC300 Amp, Silnote Morpheus Ref2, Series2 Digital Cables, Silnote Morpheus Ref2 Series2 XLR's, Furman 15PFi Power Conditioner, Pangea Power Cables, MIT Shotgun S3 IC's, MIT Shotgun S1 Bi-Wire speaker cables
    Office: PC, EAR Acute CD Player, EAR 834L Pre, Northstar Designs Intenso DAC, Antique Sound Labs AV8 Monoblocks, Denon UDR-F10 Cassette, Acoustic Technologies Classic FR Speakers, SVS SB12 Plus sub, MIT AVt2 speaker cables, IFI Purifier2, AQ Cinnamon USB cable, Groneberg Quatro Reference IC's
    Spare Room: Dayens Ampino Integrated Amp, Tjoeb 99 tube CD player (modified Marantz CD-38), Analysis Plus Oval 9's, Zu Jumpers, AudioEngine B1 Streamer, Klipsch RB-61 v2, SVS PB1000 sub, Blue Jeans RCA IC's, Shunyata Hydra 8 Power Conditioner
    Living Room: Peachtree Nova Integrated, Cambridge CXN v2 Streamer, Rotel RCD-1072 CD player, Furman 15PFi Power Conditioner, Polk RT265 In Wall Speakers, Polk DSW Pro 660wi sub
    Garage #1: Cambridge Audio 640A Integrated Amp, Project Box-E BT Streamer, Polk Tsi200 Bookies, Douglas Speaker Cables, Shunyata Power Conditioner
    Garage #2: Cambridge Audio EVO150 Integrated Amplifier, Polk L200's, Analysis Plus Silver Oval 2 Speaker Cables, IC's TBD.
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  • Tony M
    Tony M Posts: 11,151
    edited November 2018
    Yea...The expensive ones. :D

    Although I did get lucky, very lucky with those Triton Ones didn't I?

    I also have those Newform Research triple towers that cost a lot more than the Triton Ones do. But I paid 300.00 for those years ago from a pawn shop. :DB)

    I've owned a ton of speakers and gear but mostly just average but once in a while I got LUCKY and got thousand dollar pr.+ speakers. Quite a few silver faced Pioneers and a Black Sansui rack system.

    I just bought my second CS1000P center, a PSW650 subwoofer and a pair of surround speakers for 150.00. The surrounds are the rt300 or something like that. They all sound great too. :D

    I'm completely out of floor space now. I have to go upward! :#:)
    Most people just listen to music and watch movies. I EXPERIENCE them.
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  • CH46E
    CH46E Posts: 3,591
    edited November 2018
    I think my best score was a LCR set of M&K S-150 's and a modded M&K MX150 sub.Or maybe it was a MX125. Got it all for $150. Right before we moved to FL from Seattle i let them go and got $1500.00 or so for the LCR and later sold the MX sub for $400.00.

    Wish I could come across another set at that price cause I'd keep them this time.
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  • Viking64
    Viking64 Posts: 7,058
    Tony, I think your shed is haunted. :p
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  • CH46E
    CH46E Posts: 3,591
    Viking64 wrote: »
    Tony, I think your shed is haunted. :p

    You see the "Orbs" too? >:)>:)
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  • CH46E
    CH46E Posts: 3,591
    As I'm hear listening to these Puoneers it seems as if they dont play low at all. Tight bass but below 80hz seems empty.
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  • nooshinjohn
    nooshinjohn Posts: 25,413
    Time to play with all those fancy buttons on top.
    The Gear... Carver "Statement" Mono-blocks, Mcintosh C2300 Arcam AVR20, Oppo UDP-203 4K Blu-ray player, Sony XBR70x850B 4k, Polk Audio Legend L800 with height modules, L400 Center Channel Polk audio AB800 "in-wall" surrounds. Marantz MM7025 stereo amp. Simaudio Moon 680d DSD

    “When once a Republic is corrupted, there is no possibility of remedying any of the growing evils but by removing the corruption and restoring its lost principles; every other correction is either useless or a new evil.”— Thomas Jefferson
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  • Tony M
    Tony M Posts: 11,151
    DSkip wrote: »
    Fx300i. Great surrounds that are well worth their going rate.

    That's them. With the blue woofers too. Thanks.
    Most people just listen to music and watch movies. I EXPERIENCE them.
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  • Tony M
    Tony M Posts: 11,151
    CH46E wrote: »
    Viking64 wrote: »
    Tony, I think your shed is haunted. :p

    You see the "Orbs" too? >:)>:)

    Ghosts of past listeners I presume. :#:D
    Most people just listen to music and watch movies. I EXPERIENCE them.
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  • Tony M
    Tony M Posts: 11,151
    edited November 2018
    Maybe the woofers aren't getting a signal for some reason.

    Here's the spec. sheet on them for what it's worth. Check out that sensitivity rating. :DB)

    Pioneer CS-903
    4-Way Loudspeaker System (1981)
    add a review


    Specifications
    Type: 4 way, 5 driver loudspeaker system
    Frequency Response: 20Hz to 40kHz
    Power Handling: 300W
    Crossover Frequency: 1500, 4000, 9000Hz
    Impedance: 8Ω
    Sensitivity: 99dB
    Bass: 1 x 16" cone
    Midrange: 1 x 6-1/3" cone
    Tweeter: 1 x horn
    Super Tweeter: 2 x horn loaded ribbon
    Enclosure: bass reflex
    Dimensions: 450 x 710 x 259mm
    Weight: 21kg
    Year: 1981
    Most people just listen to music and watch movies. I EXPERIENCE them.
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  • CH46E
    CH46E Posts: 3,591
    nooshinjohn wrote: »
    Time to play with all those fancy buttons on top.

    That's why I think it needs the contacts cleaned. Any button but "Normal" seems to turn off some of the tweeters.
    I think they need some umph from an amp instead of this HTR. Now that I've sat down and had a drink, I dont feel like moving them into the other room tonight.
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  • CH46E
    CH46E Posts: 3,591
    Tony M wrote: »
    Maybe the woofers aren't getting a signal for some reason.

    They are playing. They sure dont move much though. No VC rub. I may pull them out Tuesday and check their resistance.
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  • CH46E
    CH46E Posts: 3,591
    When I first saw them I was praying they were the Pioneer HPM-100. I've always wanted to listen to a pair.

    Maybe the next garage sale???
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  • mhardy6647
    mhardy6647 Posts: 33,801
    edited November 2018
    You have a very different sense of a garage sale score than do I.

    ;)

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  • Tony M
    Tony M Posts: 11,151
    CH46E wrote: »
    When I first saw them I was praying they were the Pioneer HPM-100. I've always wanted to listen to a pair.

    Maybe the next garage sale???

    I can see the resemblance in cabinet size and style though.

    But I've owned those too and the HPM's are a few more inches deeper and GOD awful HEAVY too. :s

    I was lucky to find the 200 watt version of the HPM-100's at a church parking lot sale for 40.00 for the pair. They were like new too. I almost got a hernia carrying them to my car and almost blew out my back putting them into my car's back seat. :#

    I hated to sell them but I couldn't see myself moving them from where they were at the time in my cottage. :/

    They did sound balanced and clear. I was impressed!
    Most people just listen to music and watch movies. I EXPERIENCE them.
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  • pitdogg2
    pitdogg2 Posts: 25,440
    Some of those older pioneer woofers were not very stuff. My pair of pioneer speakers back in the day the 15" woofer would ripple on low freq's. Very thin paper.
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  • Tony M
    Tony M Posts: 11,151
    edited November 2018
    pitdogg2 wrote: »
    Some of those older pioneer woofers were not very stuff. My pair of pioneer speakers back in the day the 15" woofer would ripple on low freq's. Very thin paper.

    Like this? These are "Bag End" 18" woofers.
    My friend liked seeing this during that Wed. testing session in my driveway, but I heard distortion that was pretty bad. You can hear it too.
    https://youtu.be/YGfk3EHL6NY
    Most people just listen to music and watch movies. I EXPERIENCE them.
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  • pitdogg2
    pitdogg2 Posts: 25,440
    Yuup just like that... lol
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