Vintage audio equipment holds a special allure, blending nostalgic aesthetics with the promise of rich, warm sound. Among these classics, the Pioneer CS 99A speakers stand out, often sparking debate among audiophiles. Were they truly exceptional, or just another product of their time, riding on the coattails of Pioneer’s reputation? Recently, I had the opportunity to delve into this very question after acquiring a pair of CS 99As in need of some TLC. What followed was a journey of restoration and rediscovery, ultimately revealing the hidden potential of these vintage speakers.
My adventure began with a Craigslist find – a pair of Pioneer CS 99A speakers listed for a mere $100. Despite their “as-is” condition, the allure of these iconic speakers, with their multi-driver array and classic wood cabinets, was too strong to resist. While I wasn’t actively searching for Pioneer 99a Speakers, my curiosity, fueled by years of exploring various speaker lines and a penchant for vintage audio, led me to jump at the opportunity. My usual focus leans towards larger Acoustic Research models or pro audio gear, but the CS 99A had always been a visually intriguing model I’d never personally experienced. Intended as a belated Christmas gift for my father, these speakers seemed like the perfect project. Upon pickup in New York City, their cosmetic condition was indeed rough – scuffed cabinets were evident, but crucially, all drivers were present, appeared pristine, and even bore the coveted “FB” (fiber blend) stamps, a promising sign for any vintage Pioneer enthusiast.
The restoration process began by addressing the cabinets. Years of use had taken a toll, so I started by reinforcing all internal cabinet seams with fresh glue to ensure an airtight seal, critical for optimal performance, especially in sealed enclosure designs like the Pioneer CS 99A. Next came the cosmetic work. A meticulous compound sanding process was undertaken to revive the original veneer. Fortunately, the veneer proved salvageable, revealing its inherent beauty beneath the surface wear. While some minor imperfections remained in the corners, they were a small price to pay considering the initial bargain and the overall transformation. A final touch of polishing and tung oil brought the cabinets back to a near-original luster.
However, the heart of this restoration lay in the crossover recapping. This crucial step, often overlooked, is essential for bringing vintage speakers back to their sonic best. Over decades, electrolytic capacitors in crossovers degrade, impacting sound quality. I meticulously replaced every capacitor in the Pioneer CS 99A crossovers with modern, high-quality components from Solden, Audyn, and Dayton, choosing polypropylene capacitors that closely matched the original values. Furthermore, every enclosure seam was regasketed to guarantee an airtight seal. Many criticisms of vintage sealed speakers, including the Pioneer CS 99A, often cite weak bass response. However, enclosure leaks, common in aging speakers, significantly contribute to this perceived lack of bass. Beyond sealing, I also replaced the original fiberglass damping material with generous amounts of polyfill, a modern alternative that improves damping and avoids the itchy irritation of fiberglass. With the cabinets restored and crossovers recapped, the Pioneer CS 99A speakers were ready for their sonic evaluation.
The listening test took place in a room measuring 14’x18′ with 9-foot ceilings, a moderately live space with hardwood floors and decor-lined walls. The Pioneer 99A speakers were positioned along the short wall, projecting lengthwise into the room, approximately a foot from the back wall and two feet from the side walls, raised two feet off the floor and facing straight ahead. Power was supplied by a vintage Pioneer SX 828 receiver, connected with 14-gauge OFC speaker cable. The source was a Thinkpad laptop with a quality soundcard and Spotify Premium, ensuring a high-fidelity digital feed. While vinyl is often preferred for critical listening, digital streaming offered convenience for this initial late-night evaluation. As a listener with trained ears and experience in audio and room acoustics, I was eager to hear how the restored Pioneer CS 99A speakers would perform.
The first track chosen was “Refugee” by Tom Petty. Initial impressions were immediately positive. The Pioneer CS 99A speakers demonstrated impressive efficiency and a wide soundstage, filling the room with sound effortlessly. The midrange frequencies were notably present and detailed. Bass was controlled and tight, but as anticipated with sealed designs of this era, somewhat shy in the lowest octaves and reluctant to extend deeply. Treble frequencies were forward and clear, yet remained polite and non-fatiguing. To assess lower frequency performance further, Santana’s “Love of My Life” was next. Again, the midrange clarity and “live” feel were striking, with crisp snare drums and full-bodied guitars. However, the bass remained veiled below 60Hz and exhibited a slight boominess around 250Hz. To address this, an ART 31-band equalizer was brought into the chain. A subtle dip was applied in the 200-315Hz range to tame the boominess, while frequencies at 50Hz and below were gently boosted, culminating in a 6dB gain at 31Hz. Minor adjustments were also made to the upper frequencies, adding a touch of air and sparkle by slightly raising the 2kHz, 2.5kHz, and frequencies above 10kHz.
The impact of equalization was immediately apparent with the next track, “Through the Eyes of Ruby” by The Smashing Pumpkins. The transformation was dramatic. With subtle EQ adjustments compensating for the speaker’s inherent frequency response and room interactions, the Pioneer CS 99A speakers achieved a rich, full-range, and remarkably flat response. The listening experience became truly immersive. The CS 99A presentation was engaging and expansive, with a wide and lively soundstage. Midrange detail was exceptional, and the horn-loaded tweeters delivered crisp and articulate highs without harshness. With EQ, the bass became rich and authoritative, defying expectations for a speaker often criticized for its bass limitations.
These Pioneer CS 99A speakers, fresh from restoration and crossover recapping, are undoubtedly still in their early “break-in” phase and promise further sonic improvements with time. However, even in this initial listening session, they exceeded expectations. The Pioneer CS 99A model often receives undue criticism, and while their often-inflated market prices might be questionable, at the price I paid, they are undeniably solid performers, especially after restoration. Comparisons to my previously restored and upgraded Pioneer CS 63DX speakers, often considered superior, revealed a more nuanced picture. While the CS 63DX boasts a better reputation and perhaps a slightly more refined super tweeter, minimizing the need for EQ, the smaller 99A surprisingly features a woofer with higher Xmax and a warmer bass character. The midrange of the Pioneer CS 99A speakers also seemed more nuanced and detailed. Listening to Dire Straits’ “Love Over Gold,” the vibraphone was rendered with remarkable presence, revealing subtle background details previously unnoticed. The FB cones appear to contribute to a pleasing tonal quality, making the choice between the CS 63DX and CS 99A a matter of preference. While the CS 63DX remains a personal favorite due to its deeper bass and slightly sharper highs, the Pioneer 99A speakers, when properly powered, placed, and if necessary, EQ’d, prove to be definite keepers, making it a close tie between these two classic Pioneer models. Hopefully, my father will be as delighted with his vintage audio gift as I am with this rediscovery of the Pioneer CS 99A speakers‘ potential.
