Short answer: the Parts Express Copperhead Desktop Kit, if you are buying new, though neither ranks well in its class. The Pioneer SP-BS22-LR (Philharmonic AAM Mod) ranks higher than it (#61 vs #66 of 88 bookshelf speakers, 2.8/5 vs 2.5/5) but is discontinued, so only consider it used; the Parts Express Copperhead Desktop Kit is still sold new at $119.98. Both are rated below 3.0/5 among the 88 bookshelf speakers, and the Neumi BS5, ranked #22 at $139.99, is a better place to start if sound quality matters.
What the Pioneer SP-BS22-LR (Philharmonic AAM Mod) does well: 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. The catch: Some directivity error appears near the crossover frequency.
The case for the Parts Express Copperhead Desktop Kit: Inexpensive, beginner-friendly CNC flat-pack kit with a compact 8 x 5-inch desktop footprint and only one 3.5-inch full-range driver per channel. The catch: Despite the ‘full-range’ label, output rolls off around 120-150Hz and a subwoofer with an unusually high 100-200Hz crossover is effectively mandatory.
Buy the Parts Express Copperhead Desktop Kit if you want one new; the Pioneer SP-BS22-LR (Philharmonic AAM Mod) is discontinued, so only look for it used.
Still deciding? The full Passive Home rankings cover every ranked option.
Specifications Side By Side
| Pioneer SP-BS22-LR (Philharmonic AAM Mod) | Parts Express Copperhead Desktop Kit | |
|---|---|---|
| Price | $168 per pair Discontinued | $119.98 per pair |
| Ranked | #61 of 88 in Medium Size Bookshelf Speakers | #66 of 88 in Medium Size Bookshelf Speakers |
| Bass Extension (-3dB) | 78Hz (measured, Audio Science Review) | 98.1Hz (measured, Erin’s Audio Corner) |
| Bass Extension (-10dB) | 60Hz (measured, Audio Science Review) | 69.3Hz (measured, Erin’s Audio Corner) |
| Drivers | 1x 4” curvilinear-cone woofer (stock Pioneer), 1x Peerless BC25TG15 1” silk dome tweeter (replacement) | 3.5” Dayton Audio PS95-8 full-range driver |
| Weight | 9 lbs (4.1 kg) | - |
| Sensitivity | 83dB (2.83V/1m, measured by Audio Science Review) | 81dB @ 1W/1m (measured by Erin’s Audio Corner and manufacturer specified) |
| Impedance | 8 ohms nominal (approx. 5 ohms minimum, measured by Audio Science Review) | 8 ohms (manufacturer specified) |
| Crossover Frequency | 3000Hz | - |
| Dimensions | 12.6”H x 7.1”W x 8.5”D (320.0 x 180.0 x 215.0 mm) | 8”H x 5”W x 6.5”D (203 x 127 x 165 mm) |
| Woofer Cabinet | ported, rear | ported, bottom |
| Spinorama Preference Score | 5.07 | 2.11 (spinorama.org) |
| Spinorama Preference Score with Perfect Sub | 7.82 | 5.35 (spinorama.org) |
| DIY Kit | Yes | Yes |
| Frequency Response | - | 120Hz-20kHz +/-3dB (manufacturer specified) |
| Power Handling | - | 10W RMS / 20W maximum; 25W RMS with 50Hz high-pass |
Related Speaker Comparisons
How Pioneer SP-BS22-LR (Philharmonic AAM Mod) compares with other leading options:
- Pioneer SP-BS22-LR (Philharmonic AAM Mod) vs Ascend Sierra 1 v2
- KEF LS50 Meta vs Pioneer SP-BS22-LR (Philharmonic AAM Mod)
- Pioneer SP-BS22-LR (Philharmonic AAM Mod) vs Arendal 1961 Monitor
- Pioneer SP-BS22-LR (Philharmonic AAM Mod) vs Revel M105
- Pioneer SP-BS22-LR (Philharmonic AAM Mod) vs Klipsch RP-500M II
Prices on this page were last checked September 30, 2026 at 2:57 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 |
- Links
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Parts Express Copperhead Desktop Kit: $119.98 per pair Parts Express eBay
Pros: Inexpensive, beginner-friendly CNC flat-pack kit with a compact 8 x 5-inch desktop footprint and only one 3.5-inch full-range driver per channel. The point-source layout avoids a conventional woofer/tweeter crossover and, when listened to around 20 degrees above the driver as intended, can produce precise near-field imaging. Erin measured roughly 81dB sensitivity, consistent with Parts Express’s specification. The included baffle-step network improves lower-midrange balance, while the optional series inductor reduces the driver’s rising top end; Erin recommends retaining it. Several remaining narrow peaks can be corrected with desktop software EQ. Bottom porting conserves desk space, and unfinished MDF invites custom finishing. Measured bass extension of 98.1Hz (-3dB), with a measured sensitivity of 81dB.
Cons: Despite the ‘full-range’ label, output rolls off around 120-150Hz and a subwoofer with an unusually high 100-200Hz crossover is effectively mandatory. Native response has resonances near roughly 2.1kHz and 8kHz plus a broad 14-20kHz rise of 5-8dB, so it is not smooth without the supplied network and additional EQ. Distortion already exceeds 3% in places at 86dB/1m and becomes extreme at 96dB. Erin’s multitone test approached -10dB distortion (roughly 30%) full-range at the highest level, accompanied by 3-4dB compression; even a 200Hz high-pass leaves roughly 3-5% distortion and 2-3dB compression. The angled cabinet demands a specific near-field ear height, and its very low sensitivity plus 10W RMS power rating leave almost no clean-output headroom for room listening.
Full Parts Express Copperhead Desktop Kit review and specifications →
| Bass Extension (-10dB) | 69.3Hz (measured, Erin’s Audio Corner) |
|---|---|
| Bass Extension (-3dB) | 98.1Hz (measured, Erin’s Audio Corner) |
| DIY Kit | Yes |
| Dimensions | 8”H x 5”W x 6.5”D (203 x 127 x 165 mm) |
| Drivers | 3.5” Dayton Audio PS95-8 full-range driver |
| Frequency Response | 120Hz-20kHz +/-3dB (manufacturer specified) |
| Impedance | 8 ohms (manufacturer specified) |
| Power Handling | 10W RMS / 20W maximum; 25W RMS with 50Hz high-pass |
| Sensitivity | 81dB @ 1W/1m (measured by Erin’s Audio Corner and manufacturer specified) |
| Spinorama Preference Score | 2.11 (spinorama.org) |
| Spinorama Preference Score with Perfect Sub | 5.35 (spinorama.org) |
| Woofer Cabinet | ported, bottom |
- Links
- Reviews, Comparisons and Sound Samples
- Head-to-Head Comparisons
- Parts Express Copperhead Desktop Kit vs JBL Stage A120
- Parts Express Copperhead Desktop Kit vs Jamo S 803
- Parts Express Copperhead Desktop Kit vs JBL Studio 530
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- Parts Express Copperhead Desktop Kit vs Arendal 1961 Monitor
- Parts Express Copperhead Desktop Kit vs KEF LS50 Meta