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In the pantheon of vintage loudspeakers, certain names command instant respect: the JBL L100, the Klipsch Heresy, the Yamaha NS-10. But nestled quietly in the shadows of these giants is a speaker that rarely makes the glossy magazine covers but has earned a fierce, cult-like following among those who know sound: the Pioneer CS-787.
Released during the late 1970s—the golden era of high-fidelity—the CS-787 represents the apex of Pioneer’s engineering philosophy before the digital revolution changed everything. For collectors, audiophiles on a budget, and lovers of classic rock, this speaker is a time machine. But is it any good by modern standards? Let's tear down the specs, the sound, and the legacy of the Pioneer CS-787.
Here is the controversial part. The quad-tweeter array (two cones + two super tweeters) can be crystalline, but it can also be too much. With poor recordings or bright amplifiers (early digital CD players), the CS-787 can sound harsh or sibilant. However, with a warm, vintage receiver (Marantz, Sansui, or Pioneer), those super tweeters produce a shimmering, three-dimensional soundstage that modern soft-dome tweeters often lack.
The Verdict on Sound: The CS-787 is not a "truth teller." It is a "flatterer." It makes bad recordings sound okay and great recordings sound magical. If you listen to acoustic jazz or classical, pass. If you listen to Led Zeppelin, Steely Dan, or The Rolling Stones, buy these immediately.
Let’s be honest: you either love or hate the way the Pioneer CS-787 looks. The grille is not your standard black cloth. It is a dark brownish-gray woven fabric, but the real showstopper is the solid wood lattice frame that sits over the grille.
This lattice creates a geometric, three-dimensional shadow effect. Collectors often call this the "Batman" speaker because the lattice pattern vaguely resembles the silhouette of gothic skyscrapers or cape wings. Underneath the grille, the drivers are arranged in a vertical line, giving it a clean, tower-like appearance.
The cabinet is finished in high-quality wood veneer (often genuine walnut or ash), not the cheap vinyl wrap found on lesser speakers of the era.
Unlike the "shouty" midrange of some JBLs, the CS-787’s dedicated cone midrange is surprisingly polite. Vocals sit slightly forward but remain smooth. Electric guitars (think David Gilmour) have that creamy, saturated distortion that fills the room without piercing your ears. This is where the speaker punches above its weight class.
Note: Do not pay "vintage hype" prices. The CS-787 is not a rare TOTL (Top Of The Line) model like the HPM-100. It is a solid, mid-tier consumer speaker. Over $400 is too much unless they are mint with original boxes.
Walk into a vintage audio shop and you’ll spot the CS-99A immediately—it’s flashy. The CS-787 is the opposite. It is massive (25.5" H x 15.5" W x 12.75" D) and heavy (over 45 lbs). The cabinet is finished in a genuine walnut veneer that, when oiled, glows with a warm, furniture-grade luster.
The grille is a simple, dark brown cloth—unadorned. No lattice work. No badges screaming "Super Tweeter." Underneath that cloth, however, is the magic.
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Demander la phase de test gratuiteIn the pantheon of vintage loudspeakers, certain names command instant respect: the JBL L100, the Klipsch Heresy, the Yamaha NS-10. But nestled quietly in the shadows of these giants is a speaker that rarely makes the glossy magazine covers but has earned a fierce, cult-like following among those who know sound: the Pioneer CS-787.
Released during the late 1970s—the golden era of high-fidelity—the CS-787 represents the apex of Pioneer’s engineering philosophy before the digital revolution changed everything. For collectors, audiophiles on a budget, and lovers of classic rock, this speaker is a time machine. But is it any good by modern standards? Let's tear down the specs, the sound, and the legacy of the Pioneer CS-787.
Here is the controversial part. The quad-tweeter array (two cones + two super tweeters) can be crystalline, but it can also be too much. With poor recordings or bright amplifiers (early digital CD players), the CS-787 can sound harsh or sibilant. However, with a warm, vintage receiver (Marantz, Sansui, or Pioneer), those super tweeters produce a shimmering, three-dimensional soundstage that modern soft-dome tweeters often lack. pioneer cs-787
The Verdict on Sound: The CS-787 is not a "truth teller." It is a "flatterer." It makes bad recordings sound okay and great recordings sound magical. If you listen to acoustic jazz or classical, pass. If you listen to Led Zeppelin, Steely Dan, or The Rolling Stones, buy these immediately.
Let’s be honest: you either love or hate the way the Pioneer CS-787 looks. The grille is not your standard black cloth. It is a dark brownish-gray woven fabric, but the real showstopper is the solid wood lattice frame that sits over the grille. The Pioneer CS-787: An In-Depth Look at a
This lattice creates a geometric, three-dimensional shadow effect. Collectors often call this the "Batman" speaker because the lattice pattern vaguely resembles the silhouette of gothic skyscrapers or cape wings. Underneath the grille, the drivers are arranged in a vertical line, giving it a clean, tower-like appearance.
The cabinet is finished in high-quality wood veneer (often genuine walnut or ash), not the cheap vinyl wrap found on lesser speakers of the era. Note: Do not pay "vintage hype" prices
Unlike the "shouty" midrange of some JBLs, the CS-787’s dedicated cone midrange is surprisingly polite. Vocals sit slightly forward but remain smooth. Electric guitars (think David Gilmour) have that creamy, saturated distortion that fills the room without piercing your ears. This is where the speaker punches above its weight class.
Note: Do not pay "vintage hype" prices. The CS-787 is not a rare TOTL (Top Of The Line) model like the HPM-100. It is a solid, mid-tier consumer speaker. Over $400 is too much unless they are mint with original boxes.
Walk into a vintage audio shop and you’ll spot the CS-99A immediately—it’s flashy. The CS-787 is the opposite. It is massive (25.5" H x 15.5" W x 12.75" D) and heavy (over 45 lbs). The cabinet is finished in a genuine walnut veneer that, when oiled, glows with a warm, furniture-grade luster.
The grille is a simple, dark brown cloth—unadorned. No lattice work. No badges screaming "Super Tweeter." Underneath that cloth, however, is the magic.
