Pioneer HPM-100 speakers...

danger boy
danger boy Posts: 15,722
edited January 2008 in Vintage Speakers
I keep hearing about these speakers.. and a pair if for sale locally... anyone have any info on them?

I know they're not Polk's, but a lot of people sure seem to like em... more than just a few too.
PolkFest 2012, who's going>?
Vancouver, Canada Sept 30th, 2012 - Madonna concert :cheesygrin:
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  • B3Nut
    B3Nut Posts: 76
    edited January 2008
    They're a "west-coast" sounding speaker, a derivative of the JBL L-100 Century. Ex-JBL engineer Bart Locanthi designed this series while at Pioneer. The top end is rather hot, I backed the tweeter pad off a good bit on mine. They're a fun speaker for rock'n'roll, not the most accurate speakers in the world but they can certainly move some air. They're quite efficient too, not too picky about amplification. I wouldn't pay more than $100 for a set, but some would go to $200. I've seen people try to get $400 for a pair...no thanks.
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  • danger boy
    danger boy Posts: 15,722
    edited January 2008
    ok. thanks. a guy is selling a pair for $75 each.. he has two pairs.. and he didn't say if that was for each individual speaker or for a pair. either way... i keep hearing stuff about this speaker and how lots of people like them.

    I may go listen to them if he still has them.. i'm just curious more than anything though. I certainly don't need any more speakers in the house. ;)

    People go crazy for them on EPay though. OMG some selling for over $500 even. LOL silly people
    PolkFest 2012, who's going>?
    Vancouver, Canada Sept 30th, 2012 - Madonna concert :cheesygrin:
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  • steveinaz
    steveinaz Posts: 19,538
    edited January 2008
    I had HPM-40's, and later HPM-500's (same thing newer version) back in the day. Cool speakers. I like the older HPM-40 better with it's paper/carbon mix drivers--
    Source: Bluesound Node 2i - Preamp/DAC: Benchmark DAC2 DX - Amp: Parasound Halo A21 - Speakers: MartinLogan Motion 60XTi - Shop Rig: Yamaha A-S501 Integrated - Shop Spkrs: Elac Debut 2.0 B5.2
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  • mhardy6647
    mhardy6647 Posts: 33,964
    edited January 2008
    If you want the ultimate JBL L-100, they're probably the speakers for you.
    On the other hand, you might just want to wait and then splurge on a pair of Yamaha NS-1000s.

    These aren't bad speakers, but they're not my cup of tea. YMMV.

    EDIT: At $75 a pair, all drivers working and intact/restorable cabinets... Heck, I'd buy 'em.
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  • ledhed
    ledhed Posts: 1,088
    edited January 2008
    You can always sell them for that amount. I personally grew up on Pioneer HPM-150s and they were some sweet speakers.
    God shows his love for us in that while we were still sinners, Christ died for us. - Romans 5:8
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  • NJPOLKER
    NJPOLKER Posts: 3,474
    edited January 2008
    My buddy had a pair of HPM-100's back in the early 80's and my Monitor 10's blew them away. I was running Rotel power and a German made turntable, can't remember the name but it was good.
    Here I am after about 20 years away from the hi-fidelity fun enjoying it like I am 18 again.
    Drew
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  • Texas42
    Texas42 Posts: 404
    edited January 2008
    I had a pair of HPM-100 and also the bigger brothers, the HPM-1500s (ray gun tweeter on top). As mentioned, both speakers are a little forward in the treble and the bass is a bit 'bloated' (maybe too strong a term, maybe 'full' is a better word). Anyway, great speakers for good 'ol rock n roll, but not the last word on tonality and timbre. Still, a fun speaker. I'd recommend a pair of short tilt speaker stands for the 100s...
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  • dorokusai
    dorokusai Posts: 25,577
    edited January 2008
    Bloated sounds about right.
    CTC BBQ Amplifier, Sonic Frontiers Line3 Pre-Amplifier and Wadia 581 SACD player. Speakers? Always changing but for now, Mission Argonauts I picked up for $50 bucks, mint.
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  • Texas42
    Texas42 Posts: 404
    edited January 2008
    I was being kind...(new year's resolution) :)
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