Short answer: the Dynaudio Emit M10 on measured distortion, the Pioneer SP-BS22-LR AAM mod for value. This is Dennis Murphy’s Affordable Accuracy Monitor mod of the discontinued Pioneer, and the only knock in our notes is some directivity error near the crossover frequency. The Emit M10 shows headphone-level distortion through the midrange and tweeter at 86dB SPL, but is tuned with boosted upper bass and treble. They are $632 apart.
Buy the Dynaudio Emit M10 only if you find one used in good condition; both are discontinued, and it is the better rated of the two. For a new speaker, start with the Philharmonic Ceramic Mini instead.
Want more options? Browse the full Passive Home rankings.
Specifications Side By Side
| Dynaudio Emit M10 | Pioneer SP-BS22-LR (Philharmonic AAM Mod) | |
|---|---|---|
| Price | $800 per pair Discontinued | $168 per pair Discontinued |
| Ranked | #59 of 90 in Medium Size Bookshelf Speakers | #63 of 90 in Medium Size Bookshelf Speakers |
| Bass Extension (-3dB) | 60.1Hz (measured, Audio Science Review) | 78Hz (measured, Audio Science Review) |
| Bass Extension (-10dB) | 46.8Hz (derived, log-interpolated between spinorama.org -9dB/-12dB points) | 60Hz (measured, Audio Science Review) |
| Sensitivity | 83.5dB (2.83V/1m, measured, Audio Science Review) | 83dB (2.83V/1m, measured by Audio Science Review) |
| Impedance | 6 ohms nominal | 8 ohms nominal (approx. 5 ohms minimum, measured by Audio Science Review) |
| Frequency Response | 50Hz - 23kHz (+/-3dB) (Manufacturer specified) | - |
| Drivers | 28mm soft dome tweeter, 14cm MSP mid/bass driver | 1x 4” curvilinear-cone woofer (stock Pioneer), 1x Peerless BC25TG15 1” silk dome tweeter (replacement) |
| Weight | 12.3 lbs (5.6 kg) each | 9 lbs (4.1 kg) |
| Dimensions | 11.5”H x 6.7”W x 9.4”D (292 x 170 x 240 mm) | 12.6”H x 7.1”W x 8.5”D (320.0 x 180.0 x 215.0 mm) |
| Woofer Cabinet | ported | ported, rear |
| Spinorama Preference Score | 4.56 (spinorama.org) | 5.07 |
| Spinorama Preference Score with Perfect Sub | 6.93 (spinorama.org) | 7.82 |
| DIY Kit | No | Yes |
| Crossover Frequency | - | 3000Hz |
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The Two Speakers In Full
Dynaudio Emit M10: $800 per pair Discontinued eBay
Newer model: the Dynaudio Emit 10. It’s likely to perform similarly, though we don’t have measurements to confirm that yet.
Pros: CEA2034 spinorama shows impressive, headphone-level distortion through the midrange and tweeter at 86dB SPL, with a well-executed port that keeps resonance low below the crossover. 28mm soft dome tweeter and 14cm MSP mid/bass driver. Measured bass extension of 60.1Hz (-3dB), with a measured sensitivity of 83.5dB.
Cons: Tuned toward a mild showroom sound with boosted upper bass and treble and a recessed midrange: the reviewer prefers speakers that get the 100Hz-3kHz range right, which this doesn’t. His verdict: cheaper speakers deliver much more balanced tonality, so he wouldn’t buy it for himself. Discontinued.
Full Dynaudio Emit M10 review and specifications →
| Bass Extension (-10dB) | 46.8Hz (derived, log-interpolated between spinorama.org -9dB/-12dB points) |
|---|---|
| Bass Extension (-3dB) | 60.1Hz (measured, Audio Science Review) |
| DIY Kit | No |
| Dimensions | 11.5”H x 6.7”W x 9.4”D (292 x 170 x 240 mm) |
| Drivers | 28mm soft dome tweeter, 14cm MSP mid/bass driver |
| Frequency Response | 50Hz - 23kHz (+/-3dB) (Manufacturer specified) |
| Impedance | 6 ohms nominal |
| Sensitivity | 83.5dB (2.83V/1m, measured, Audio Science Review) |
| Spinorama Preference Score | 4.56 (spinorama.org) |
| Spinorama Preference Score with Perfect Sub | 6.93 (spinorama.org) |
| Weight | 12.3 lbs (5.6 kg) each |
| Woofer Cabinet | ported |
- Links
- Reviews, Comparisons and Sound Samples
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Pioneer SP-BS22-LR (Philharmonic AAM Mod): $168 per pair Discontinued eBay
Pros: This is Dennis Murphy’s “Affordable Accuracy Monitor” (AAM) mod of the discontinued, budget Pioneer SP-BS22-LR: the stock tweeter is swapped for a Peerless BC25TG15 dome and a redesigned 3rd-order crossover is built to match it to the stock 4” woofer. CEA2034 spinorama shows only small variations from a flat on-axis response with some directivity error near the crossover, a marked improvement over the unmodified Pioneer, which the reviewer notes shows much more variation from flat. Distortion at 86dB SPL/1m is reasonably controlled above 200Hz, and tweeter distortion barely rises even at 96dB SPL/1m. Measured bass extension of 78Hz (-3dB), with a measured sensitivity of 83dB.
Cons: Some directivity error appears near the crossover frequency. Distortion climbs in the woofer’s range (below 200Hz) at both 86dB and 96dB SPL/1m. Minimum impedance dips to about 5 ohms with a couple of resonance peaks. This is a DIY project, not a finished retail product: Murphy sold ~$168 pre-built pairs for a while but no longer does, so it now requires sourcing a used/discontinued Pioneer SP-BS22-LR pair plus building the crossover and swapping the tweeter yourself. The mod itself is public domain, but there is no current turnkey way to buy this speaker.
Full Pioneer SP-BS22-LR (Philharmonic AAM Mod) review and specifications →
| Bass Extension (-10dB) | 60Hz (measured, Audio Science Review) |
|---|---|
| Bass Extension (-3dB) | 78Hz (measured, Audio Science Review) |
| Crossover Frequency | 3000Hz |
| DIY Kit | Yes |
| Dimensions | 12.6”H x 7.1”W x 8.5”D (320.0 x 180.0 x 215.0 mm) |
| Drivers | 1x 4” curvilinear-cone woofer (stock Pioneer), 1x Peerless BC25TG15 1” silk dome tweeter (replacement) |
| Impedance | 8 ohms nominal (approx. 5 ohms minimum, measured by Audio Science Review) |
| Sensitivity | 83dB (2.83V/1m, measured by Audio Science Review) |
| Spinorama Preference Score | 5.07 |
| Spinorama Preference Score with Perfect Sub | 7.82 |
| Weight | 9 lbs (4.1 kg) |
| Woofer Cabinet | ported, rear |
- Links
- Reviews, Comparisons and Sound Samples
- Head-to-Head Comparisons
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