Ever since the resurgence of vinyl, turntables have become one of the main components in most HiFi sound system setups. If you are planning to get a turntable yourself but not comfortable in investing too much then perhaps the Pioneer PL-990 will be the ideal choice for you. It is a modestly priced entry-level turntable and is fully automated which is pretty neat.
So now you have gotten yourself a turntable, the next important HiFi component will be the speakers. Without matching the right loudspeakers to your Pioneer PL-990, you might not be able to get the best sound quality out of them. In order to find such speakers, we need to learn more about the sonic characteristics of the Pioneer PL-990. Once we have learned that, we will then be able to share with you the best speakers that you can go for.
Table of Contents
Sonic Characteristics and Important Specifications of Pioneer PL-990
As mentioned earlier, the Pioneer PL-990 is a fully automatic stereo turntable which means you can just press the play button and the tonearm will be raised and lowered automatically. This does provide convenience for new turntable users who are worried that they might damage the stylus and/or scratch their vinyl. You will still have the option to choose to lift and place the tonearm manually. Another notable feature will be the built-in phono preamp that enables you to connect directly to the speakers or power amplifiers. You can connect to a pair of stereo speakers but if you want to connect an active subwoofer, you will need an external receiver that has a subwoofer output.
It has 2-speed full automatic operations so that you can play LPs and 45s. There’s this classic vintage design to it that makes the Pioneer PL-990 look retro. This does make the Pioneer turntable match aesthetically well with vintage speakers and modern enough to fit into most home interiors. If you prefer stylish and sleek-looking turntables then the PL-990 is not for you but still, more importantly, is the sound quality that really matters and how well the turntable can perform.
For an entry-level turntable at this price point, we can’t really nitpick much about the Pioneer PL-990. It can deliver a detailed music presentation but there is a lack of subtle details though. The soundstage is good for the price and the stereo imaging is decent too. If you want a larger soundstage, you might need to spend more on a higher-end turntable. The overall sound reproduction is pretty well-balanced which does provide us with an enjoyable music listening experience. The sound quality of the Pioneer PL-990 is still competitive when compared to other turntables in the same price range.
At this price point, the Pioneer PL-990 will be a good start for listeners who are starting their vinyl journey, or for those who simply just want to casually listen to their favorite records. For critical listeners, you might want to look elsewhere and spend a bit more to get a higher-end model. All in all, the Pioneer PL-990 is one of the better sound quality budget turntables and the high amount of positive reviews does support that notion. With the data we have gathered, we can now start sharing with you the best speakers to partner with the Pioneer PL-990.
Pioneer PL-990 Specifications
- Drive System: Belt drive system
- Speed: 33 1/3 rpm, 45 rpm
- Outputs: 1 RCA output
- Platter: Diameter Φ295 mm
- Dimensions (W x H x D): 420mm x 100mm x 342mm (16.5″ x 3.9″ x 13.5″)
- Weight: 2.65kg (5.84lbs)
Best Speakers to pair with Pioneer PL-990
The PreSonus Eris E3.5 will be an amazing choice to pair with your Pioneer PL-990 as they are studio monitors which can produce plenty of details and will complement this turntable really well. The Eris E3.5 helps to produce whatever musical details that the PL-990 can muster and deliver them to you in crystal clear sound quality. The PreSonus Eris E3.5 is also one of the most affordable active speakers on the market and the small footprints of the E3.5 do not take up much space. Due to their small size, they are not proficient in producing deep bass frequencies.
More Details at Amazon – PreSonus Eris E3.5
If you want a warm-sounding speaker to play your vinyl records then the Wharfedale Diamond 220 will be the ones for you. It is an award-winning entry-level bookshelf speaker with exceptional sound quality for the price. The pleasing sound quality of the Diamond 220 stand-mounters has a touch of warmth and the ample bass performance helps to produce a richer music presentation when playing your favorite records from the Pioneer PL-990. The smooth sonic delivery is also packed with details that complement the PL-990 turntable well. The price point of the Wharfedale Diamond 220 is affordable too.
More Information at Amazon – Wharfedale Diamond 220
The budget Edifier R1700BT is one of the best entry-level active bookshelf speakers which you can go for and match with the Pioneer PL-990 turntable. One of the most notable features which make the R1700BT an amazing match with the PL-990 will be the subwoofer output. With an active subwoofer, the overall bass performance will be significantly improved and the speakers themselves may have slightly more clarity. The soundstage will be slightly enlarged due to the increased bass presence provided by the powered sub. The Bluetooth technology of the Edifier R1700BT will come in handy as well.
More Details at Amazon – Edifier R1700BT Active Bookshelf Speakers
The ELAC Debut 2.0 B6.2 is one of the best budget bookshelf speakers that one can go for. It is an award-winning bookshelf speaker with very high ratings and is well-received by many. The transparency of the ELAC Debut 2.0 B6.2 makes it a suitable match with the Pioneer PL-990 as it will deliver every single musical nuance that your turntable throws at them. The pacing and rhythm of the B6.2 speakers are excellent as well, providing you with an entertaining music listening experience. The only qualms we have with these speakers will be the bass performance. Overall, it is a revealing and fantastic pair of stereo speakers to go for.
More Information at Amazon – ELAC Debut 2.0 B6.2 Bookshelf Speakers
When it comes to pound-for-pound sonic performance, a good pair of studio monitors is hard to beat. The PreSonus Eris E4.5 is pair of active speakers with a built-in 50 Watts Class AB amplifier. The level of clarity and details been produced is staggering, the Eris E4.5 will faithfully produce the source material provided by your Pioneer PL-990 turntable. The price of these active studio monitors is affordable too and since it already has its own built-in power amp, you will also save some money on not needing to get an additional power amplifier. You can also fine-tune the sound quality by adjusting the EQ setting. The PreSonus Eris E4.5 is really a bang for the buck and will be a great match for your Pioneer PL-990.
More Information at Amazon – PreSonus Eris E4.5
If you are planning to get a pair of passive speakers then you will need power amplifiers to drive them. To suit the price range of the Pioneer PL-990, we will suggest checking out the Emotiva power amplifiers. It is a reputable brand and is well-recognized by audiophiles for its high sonic performance at a very modest price. You can take a look at their BasX A2 stereo amplifier, it has 160 watts RMS power per channel, enough to drive most modern passive speakers. For this amount of high-quality power, the asking price for it is pretty sane. Another brand to check out will be the Parasound and their NewClassic series are solid performers, not to mention, modestly priced too.
To Sum It Up
To save on money, we will suggest going with active speakers as the built-in amps are already tuned to match the drivers really well and there’s no need for you to spend time/money on getting external power amplifiers. You can decide on that after you have auditioned the speakers mentioned here and see which speaker’s sound quality do you like more. If you prefer the sound quality of the passive speakers you are hearing during the audition, you will also need to find out which amplifiers that the dealer is using to power them. It is always preferable to audition the speakers in your own listening room as it will provide a more accurate result.
