Short answer: the Definitive Technology ProMonitor 1000. It ranks #48 of 56 bookshelf speakers by sound quality at $249; the Pioneer Elite SP-EBS73-LR ranks #51 and costs $749, so there is not much of a tradeoff to weigh.
What the Definitive Technology ProMonitor 1000 gets right: Bass distortion is well controlled per the measurements, and the slow bass rolloff means it can be pushed fairly hard for its size. The catch: CEA2034 spinorama shows severely reduced bass energy between 40-120Hz, a directivity mismatch between the tweeter and woofer, and a severe resonance/interference issue around 14kHz.
What the Pioneer Elite SP-EBS73-LR offers: Unique dual-driver design combines a front-facing 3-way speaker with an up-firing 2-way Dolby Atmos coaxial driver in one cabinet, designed by Andrew Jones. Watch for: A wide dip between 3-10kHz makes the front speaker sound “somewhat dull” without EQ, and impedance dips below 4 ohms demand a capable amplifier.
Buy the Definitive Technology ProMonitor 1000. It ranks higher for sound quality than the Pioneer Elite SP-EBS73-LR and costs less, so there is no real case for the other one.
If sound quality matters at all to you, skip both of these and look higher up the 56 bookshelf speakers instead.
Specifications Side By Side
| Definitive Technology ProMonitor 1000 | Pioneer Elite SP-EBS73-LR | |
|---|---|---|
| Price | $249.00 | $749 pair, discontinued |
| Ranked | #48 of 56 in Medium Size Bookshelf Speakers | #51 of 56 in Medium Size Bookshelf Speakers |
| Bass Extension (-3dB) | 95Hz (measured, Audio Science Review) | - |
| Bass Extension (-10dB) | 80Hz (measured, Audio Science Review) | - |
| Drivers | 1" aluminum dome tweeter, 5.25" BDSS mid/woofer, 5.25" planar bass radiator | 5.25" aluminum-cone woofer, 2x 4" aluminum-cone midrange, 2x 1" silk dome tweeter (front 3-way + up-firing 2-way Atmos coaxial) |
| Dimensions | 10.88H x 6.25W x 6.5D in | 15.7H x 7.4W x 9.7D in |
| Weight | 7.3 lbs / 3.29 kg each | 15.7 lbs / 7.1 kg each |
| Frequency Response | 47Hz - 30kHz (Manufacturer specified) | - |
| Sensitivity | 86dB (2.83V/1m, measured, Audio Science Review - reviewer noted this vs. a manufacturer spec of 91dB) | 85dB (manufacturer specified) |
| Impedance | 8 ohms nominal | below 4 ohms minimum |
| Woofer Cabinet | passive radiator | - |
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- ELAC Uni-Fi 2.0 UB52 vs Polk T15
- Q Acoustics 5020 vs Polk T15
- JBL L52 Classic vs Jamo C 93 II
- Fluance Signature HFS vs Pioneer Elite SP-EBS73-LR
- Q Acoustics 3020i vs Pioneer Elite SP-EBS73-LR
The Two Speakers In Full
Definitive Technology ProMonitor 1000: $249.00 Amazon
Pros: Bass distortion is well controlled per the measurements, and the slow bass rolloff means it can be pushed fairly hard for its size. Ships with a footer that keeps the small cabinet planted despite its light weight.
Cons: CEA2034 spinorama shows severely reduced bass energy between 40-120Hz, a directivity mismatch between the tweeter and woofer, and a severe resonance/interference issue around 14kHz. Distortion at 96dB SPL was so bad the reviewer limited testing to 86dB. Direct comparison to a $118/pair Pioneer SP-BS22-LR left the reviewer calling the $500/pair ProMonitor 1000 “a bad experiment that should be forgotten” and concluding “there is nothing Pro about it.”
Full Definitive Technology ProMonitor 1000 review and specifications →
| Bass Extension (-10dB) | 80Hz (measured, Audio Science Review) |
|---|---|
| Bass Extension (-3dB) | 95Hz (measured, Audio Science Review) |
| Dimensions | 10.88H x 6.25W x 6.5D in |
| Drivers | 1" aluminum dome tweeter, 5.25" BDSS mid/woofer, 5.25" planar bass radiator |
| Frequency Response | 47Hz - 30kHz (Manufacturer specified) |
| Impedance | 8 ohms nominal |
| Sensitivity | 86dB (2.83V/1m, measured, Audio Science Review - reviewer noted this vs. a manufacturer spec of 91dB) |
| Weight | 7.3 lbs / 3.29 kg each |
| Woofer Cabinet | passive radiator |
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- Links
- Reviews, Comparisons and Sound Samples
- Head-to-Head Comparisons
- Definitive Technology ProMonitor 1000 vs Polk T15
- Definitive Technology ProMonitor 1000 vs JBL Control 1 Pro
- Definitive Technology ProMonitor 1000 vs Fluance Signature HFS
- Definitive Technology ProMonitor 1000 vs JBL Stage A130
- Definitive Technology ProMonitor 1000 vs Klipsch R-41M
- Definitive Technology ProMonitor 1000 vs Q Acoustics 5020
- Definitive Technology ProMonitor 1000 vs Micca RB42
- Definitive Technology ProMonitor 1000 vs Q Acoustics 3020i
- See all 10 comparisons
Pioneer Elite SP-EBS73-LR: $749 pair, discontinued
Pros: Unique dual-driver design combines a front-facing 3-way speaker with an up-firing 2-way Dolby Atmos coaxial driver in one cabinet, designed by Andrew Jones. With corrective EQ applied, the reviewer found “substantially more brilliance and detail,” and the up-firing Atmos driver produced “remarkable” spatial effects from a single box.
Cons: A wide dip between 3-10kHz makes the front speaker sound “somewhat dull” without EQ, and impedance dips below 4 ohms demand a capable amplifier. Distortion is elevated at the crossover points, around 180Hz and 2600Hz. Amir concluded: “The hole in frequency response and high distortion around the crossover point rule out this speaker for any kind of hifi use, certainly at these prices.” Long discontinued.
Full Pioneer Elite SP-EBS73-LR review and specifications →
| Dimensions | 15.7H x 7.4W x 9.7D in |
|---|---|
| Drivers | 5.25" aluminum-cone woofer, 2x 4" aluminum-cone midrange, 2x 1" silk dome tweeter (front 3-way + up-firing 2-way Atmos coaxial) |
| Impedance | below 4 ohms minimum |
| Sensitivity | 85dB (manufacturer specified) |
| Weight | 15.7 lbs / 7.1 kg each |
As an eBay Partner, we may be compensated if you make a purchase.
- Reviews, Comparisons and Sound Samples
- Head-to-Head Comparisons
- Pioneer Elite SP-EBS73-LR vs Klipsch R-41M
- Pioneer Elite SP-EBS73-LR vs Polk T15
- Pioneer Elite SP-EBS73-LR vs JBL Control 1 Pro
- Pioneer Elite SP-EBS73-LR vs Fluance Signature HFS
- Pioneer Elite SP-EBS73-LR vs JBL Stage A130
- Pioneer Elite SP-EBS73-LR vs Q Acoustics 5020
- Pioneer Elite SP-EBS73-LR vs Micca RB42
- Pioneer Elite SP-EBS73-LR vs Q Acoustics 3020i
- See all 9 comparisons