MANUFACTURERS SPECIFICATIONS
System Type: Two way, reflex.
System Components: 10 inch bass, 2 inch horn unit.
Crossover: 6,300 Hz.
Frequency Response: 45-20 kHz.
Power Handling Capacity: 40 watts.
Nominal Impedance: 8 ohms.
Dimensions: 13 inches wide by 22 high and 11 deep.
Weight: 26.5 lbs.
Price: $ 119.95.
The Pioneer CS-R300 is a rather unusual speaker system--both in styling and design. The grill cloth (which is removable) is a striking combination of black and orange which will fit into many contemporary furnishing schemes-it is a matter of opinion whether you want your loudspeakers to merge into the background or as pieces of furniture in their own right. But, here your wife may have the last word ... . The bass speaker cone has a sharper angle than usual and it is fitted with a dural center dome to extend the high frequency response. Crossover point is just over 6 kHz-much higher than in most two-way systems. It is claimed that this reduces distortion at transition frequencies. Be that as it may, it certainly reduces design problems with the high frequency horn unit which can be quite small. The horn diaphragm is made of aluminized polyester and a variable level control is provided. This is mounted in a recess at the rear, just above the spring clip input terminals which, incidentally, we prefer to some screw type connectors as there is less chance of shorting. The system is not totally enclosed but is a tube-vented reflex. Main system resonance is just under 80 Hz.
Measurements
Fig 1--Response with one-third octave pink noise.
Fig. 2--Low-frequency distortion and SPL.
Fig. 3--Tone burst responses. A is 100 Hz, B: 1 kHz and C: 5 kHz.
Fig 4--Impedance v frequency.
Figure 1 shows the response measured with one-third octave pink noise. A was taken on-axis, B at 45 degrees off-axis and C is the average at 5 positions. Also shown at A is the response with the level control at high and normal positions.
Low-frequency distortion figures are given in figure 2, together with some representative SPL measurements. The system could handle considerable power without distress and at 40 Hz doubling was not audible below an input level of 102 watts. At 70 Hz doubling was heard with an input of 42 Hz but at 100 Hz the signal could be increased to 112 watts! Sensitivity is considerably above average and a white noise signal at 10 watts produced a SPL of 100 dB at one meter. Tone-burst responses at 100 Hz, 1 kHz and 5 kHz are shown in figure 3. The impedance curve shows two peaks of around 20 ohms but did not fall below 8.5 ohms as can be seen from figure 4. White noise tests showed a slight coloration in the mid-range with the level control at maximum.
Listening Tests
Because of the systems high sensitivity, a low-powered receiver was used for most of the tests. Logically enough, the one used was a Pioneer 424 which is a relatively inexpensive receiver costing only $179.95. However, it puts out an honest 14 watts per channel and power was more than adequate for a fair-sized room. Bass was solid and tight--more like a totally enclosed system, in fact. The upper mid-range was rather forward compared with our lab standard and the sound had an immediate, projected quality. Stereo image was excellent--better still with the units angled inward. At these positions the overall sound quality had less "presence" but a lot depends on room acoustics and a little experimenting is always worthwhile.
All-in-all, the Pioneer CS-8300 can be recommended to those who require a good system at a reasonable price and one that could give outstanding results from a modestly powered receiver. Styling is of course a matter of personal taste-all we can say is that the orange and black color scheme was much admired by the distaff side.
-TA., G.W.T.
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(Audio magazine, Feb. 1973)
Also see:
Pioneer CS-E400 Speaker System (Aug. 1972)
Pioneer TZ-9 Speaker (Equip. Profile, Jun. 1990)
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