Short answer: the Definitive Technology ProMonitor 1000, if you are buying new, though neither ranks well in its class. The Pioneer SP-BS22-LR (Philharmonic AAM Mod) ranks higher than it (#111 vs #149 of 160 bookshelf speakers, 2.8/5 vs 1.7/5) but is discontinued, so only consider it used; the Definitive Technology ProMonitor 1000 is still sold new at $398.40. Both are rated below 3.0/5 among the 160 bookshelf speakers; for better sound, the Ascend Acoustics HTM-200SE2 ranks #7 at $368.
The Pioneer SP-BS22-LR (Philharmonic AAM Mod) is the more accurate, deeper-bass option. 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. Its measured preference score, a predictor of how neutral it sounds, is 5.07 against 3.20 for the Definitive Technology ProMonitor 1000. Its bass reaches about 78Hz before falling 3dB, against 95Hz for the Definitive Technology ProMonitor 1000. Watch for: Some directivity error appears near the crossover frequency.
The case for the Definitive Technology ProMonitor 1000: 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.
Buy the Definitive Technology ProMonitor 1000 new; the Pioneer SP-BS22-LR (Philharmonic AAM Mod) is no longer sold new, so it only makes sense as a used find.
Looking for alternatives? See the complete Passive Home rankings.
Specifications Side By Side
| Pioneer SP-BS22-LR (Philharmonic AAM Mod) | Definitive Technology ProMonitor 1000 | |
|---|---|---|
| Price | $168 per pair Discontinued | $398.40 per pair |
| Ranked | #111 of 160 in Medium Size Bookshelf Speakers | #149 of 160 in Medium Size Bookshelf Speakers |
| Bass Extension (-3dB) | 78Hz (measured, Audio Science Review) | 95Hz (measured, Audio Science Review) |
| Bass Extension (-10dB) | 60Hz (measured, Audio Science Review) | 80Hz (measured, Audio Science Review) |
| Drivers | 1x 4” curvilinear-cone woofer (stock Pioneer), 1x Peerless BC25TG15 1” silk dome tweeter (replacement) | 1” aluminum dome tweeter, 5.25” BDSS mid/woofer, 5.25” planar bass radiator |
| Weight | 9 lbs (4.1 kg) | 7.3 lbs (3.29 kg) each |
| Sensitivity | 83dB (2.83V/1m, measured by Audio Science Review) | 86dB (2.83V/1m, measured, Audio Science Review - reviewer noted this vs. a manufacturer spec of 91dB) |
| Impedance | 8 ohms nominal (approx. 5 ohms minimum, measured by Audio Science Review) | 8 ohms nominal |
| Crossover Frequency | 3000Hz | - |
| Dimensions | 12.6”H x 7.1”W x 8.5”D (320.0 x 180.0 x 215.0 mm) | 10.88H x 6.25W x 6.5D in |
| Woofer Cabinet | ported, rear | passive radiator |
| Spinorama Preference Score | 5.07 | 3.2 (spinorama.org) |
| Spinorama Preference Score with Perfect Sub | 7.82 | 6.58 (spinorama.org) |
| DIY Kit | Yes | No |
| Frequency Response | - | 47Hz - 30kHz (Manufacturer specified) |
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Prices on this page were last checked October 7, 2026 at 9:25 PM UTC. Product prices and availability are accurate as of that date/time and are subject to change; the price and availability shown on Amazon at the time of purchase will apply to the purchase of this product.
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The Two Speakers In Full
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 |
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Definitive Technology ProMonitor 1000: $398.40 per pair Amazon eBay
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. Measured bass extension of 95Hz (-3dB), with a measured sensitivity of 86dB.
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 $199/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) |
| DIY Kit | No |
| 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) |
| Spinorama Preference Score | 3.2 (spinorama.org) |
| Spinorama Preference Score with Perfect Sub | 6.58 (spinorama.org) |
| Weight | 7.3 lbs (3.29 kg) each |
| Woofer Cabinet | passive radiator |
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- Reviews, Comparisons and Sound Samples
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