Short answer: the Pioneer SP-BS22-LR (Philharmonic AAM Mod). It ranks #61 of 87 bookshelf speakers by sound quality at $168; the Pioneer Elite SP-EBS73-LR ranks #82 and costs $749, so there is not much of a tradeoff to weigh.
What the Pioneer SP-BS22-LR (Philharmonic AAM Mod) offers: 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. Watch for: 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.
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. 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. 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. 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.
Buy the Pioneer SP-BS22-LR (Philharmonic AAM Mod). 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 the Pioneer Elite SP-EBS73-LR. It ranks near the bottom of the 87 bookshelf speakers, so look higher up the list instead.
Specifications Side By Side
| Pioneer SP-BS22-LR (Philharmonic AAM Mod) | Pioneer Elite SP-EBS73-LR | |
|---|---|---|
| Price | $168 | $749 pair, discontinued |
| Ranked | #61 of 87 in Medium Size Bookshelf Speakers | #82 of 87 in Medium Size Bookshelf Speakers |
| Bass Extension (-3dB) | 78Hz (measured, Audio Science Review) | 64.5Hz (measured, Audio Science Review) |
| Bass Extension (-10dB) | 60Hz (measured, Audio Science Review) | 45.9Hz (measured, Audio Science Review) |
| Drivers | 1x 4" curvilinear-cone woofer (stock Pioneer), 1x Peerless BC25TG15 1" silk dome tweeter (replacement) | 5.25" aluminum-cone woofer, 2x 4" aluminum-cone midrange, 2x 1" silk dome tweeter (front 3-way + up-firing 2-way Atmos coaxial) |
| Weight | 9 lbs / 4.1 kg | 15.7 lbs / 7.1 kg each |
| Sensitivity | 83dB (2.83V/1m, measured by Audio Science Review) | 85dB (manufacturer specified) |
| Impedance | 8 ohms nominal (approx. 5 ohms minimum, measured by Audio Science Review) | below 4 ohms minimum |
| Crossover Frequency | 3000Hz | - |
| Dimensions | 12.6"H x 7.1"W x 8.5"D (320.0 x 180.0 x 215.0 mm) | 15.7H x 7.4W x 9.7D in |
| Woofer Cabinet | ported, rear | - |
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The Two Speakers In Full
Pioneer SP-BS22-LR (Philharmonic AAM Mod): $168 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.
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 |
| 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) |
| Weight | 9 lbs / 4.1 kg |
| Woofer Cabinet | ported, rear |
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Pioneer Elite SP-EBS73-LR: $749 pair, discontinued eBay
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 →
| Bass Extension (-10dB) | 45.9Hz (measured, Audio Science Review) |
|---|---|
| Bass Extension (-3dB) | 64.5Hz (measured, Audio Science Review) |
| 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 |
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