The Pioneer SP-BS22-LR is a pair of bookshelf speakers specially designed by Andrew Jones, so to provide its users with amazing sound quality at affordable prices. The SP-BS22-LR is a worthy successor of another budget stand-mounter, the SP-BS21-LR. The latest version has newer drivers and the grilles are now removable which is pretty neat. Are you planning to get an amplifier to drive the Pioneer SP-BS22-LR speakers? If you answer yes then you might want to continue to read on.
We will be sharing with you a list of the best amps that you can go for later on but first, let’s learn more about the sonic characteristics of the Pioneer SP-BS22-LR speakers. With a better understanding of these budget speakers’ strengths and limitations, we will then be able to find the right amps to drive them so as to bring out the best sound in them.
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Sonic Characteristics and Limitations of Pioneer SP-BS22-LR
The look and feel of the Pioneer SP-BS22-LR do show us that it is an entry-level or budget bookshelf speaker. With or without the speaker grille on, the Pioneer speakers look simple and do not stand out which is good if you want your speakers to blend in nicely with your house decorations. The bass port is located at the back of the speaker cabinet so you will still need to provide sufficient breathing space between them and the walls. At the front of the speaker cabinet, you will see a 1″ soft-dome tweeter, and below it will be a 4″ structured-surface cone woofer. The overall size of the Pioneer SP-BS22-LR speaker is quite compact.
The frequency range for such a small speaker is actually pretty impressive which is between 55Hz to 20kHz. When it comes to speaker efficiency it can be quite a bummer though, the speaker sensitivity is only 85dB and the nominal impedance is at 6 Ohms. These specs strongly indicate that the Pioneer SP-BS22-LR is not that easy to drive. The power handling is up to 80 Watts (RMS) max and we should look for amplifiers that can output as close to these numbers as possible. There is a high probability that the Pioneer SP-BS22-LR will require subwoofer support as we don’t think a compact size speaker is able to efficiently produce deep bass frequencies.
More Details at Amazon – Pioneer SP-BS22-LR Andrew Jones Bookshelf Loudspeakers
You would not expect this level of sound quality from such an affordable pair of bookshelf speakers. It is very well balanced, the highs are crisp and clear sounding but can get a bit overly bright at times, still bearable though as it never reaches the level of cringe. The Pioneer SP-BS22-LR greatest strengths will be the midrange reproduction, the intricate and delicate details are accurately produced, the vocals all sounded natural without a hint of colorations. The realism of the voices produced provides us with a romantic and engaging listening experience. Can vocals and instruments sound so beautiful in a speaker that costs so little? The answer is a simple yes in our minds.
The deep bass performance does show that the Pioneer SP-BS22-LR are not perfect speakers but the lack of low-end frequencies can be easily solved by adding an active subwoofer. This also shows that the SP-BS22-LR stand-mounters are also ideal choices in a home theater system since you will likely have a subwoofer or two at 80Hz crossover. The midbass of these Pioneer budget speakers is sufficient, not to mention, it is agile and taut, blending in nicely with the rest of the upper frequencies. The level of resolution and clarity of the Pioneer SP-BS22-LR is quite amazing especially for a speaker at this price point.
The Pioneer SP-BS22-LR is a talented all-rounder that will do remarkably well in both music and HT use. We will suggest adding an entry-level subwoofer and the sonic performance you will get from a 2.1 budget music setup will be fantastic. At this selling price, we have no complaints or anything to nitpick about this wonderful pair of bookshelf speakers. The SP-BS22-LR definitely deserves to be paired with at least decent or slightly better quality amps. We have gathered enough data and details, now we can finally share with you the list of the best amps that you can go for. The price range of the amps and having a subwoofer output will be taken into consideration.
Pioneer SP-BS22-LR Specifications
- Speaker Type: 2-way bass-reflex (rear-firing bass port)
- Drive Units: 1″ soft-dome tweeter, 4″ structured-surface cone woofer
- Frequency Range: 55Hz–20kHz
- Power Handling (RMS): 80 Watts
- Nominal Impedance: 6 Ohms
- Sensitivity (2.83V/1m): 85dB
- Dimensions (H x W x D): 320mm x 180mm x 215mm | 12.6″ x 7.1″ x 8.5″
- Weight: 4.1kg (9lbs)
Best Amps to match with Pioneer SP-BS22-LR
The Denon PMA-600NE is one of the best amps to match with the Pioneer SP-BS22-LR speakers. The power output of 70 Watts per channel (4 Ohms) is strong enough to drive the Pioneer bookshelf speakers and there is a dedicated subwoofer output where you can connect to an active sub. As mentioned earlier, the SP-BS22-LR speakers do lack in the bass department, and so integrating an active subwoofer into the mix, will improve the overall bass performance significantly. The sonic characteristics of the Denon PMA-600NE are well suited for the Pioneer speakers as well as the integrated amp don’t overly bright when pushed.
More Details at Amazon – Denon PMA-600NE | Advanced Ultra High Current Power
The NAD D 3020 V2 will be an ideal digital amp to pair with your Pioneer SP-BS22-LR. It is very compact and has a small footprint which allows the D 3020 V2 to be placed almost anywhere in your listening room. Furthermore, it will be a fantastic integrated amplifier to be used in a desktop setup as it has a built-in DAC with digital inputs. The way you can position the NAD D 3020 V2 is unique as well, as you can place the amp upright. The dedicated subwoofer output is useful to help improve the overall bass performance. The Bluetooth connectivity (supports aptX) also comes in handy when you decide you want to stream your music wirelessly.
More Details at Amazon – NAD D 3020 v2 Digital Amplifier
As mentioned earlier, the Pioneer SP-BS22-LR will be terrific speakers for a home theater system and the Marantz NR1510 will be an excellent AV receiver choice. It is a 5.2 channel 4K UHD AV receiver that has a slim built and looks sleek. The sonic characteristics of the Marantz NR1510 are suitably matched with the Pioneer SP-BS22-LR speakers, thanks to its full-bodied and warmish sound quality. The Marantz AVR will be good for music playbacks as well and the transparent and balanced Pioneer bookshelf speakers will bring out that musicality. You can also crank up the volume without worrying that the overall sound reproduction will sound too harsh.
More Details at Amazon – Marantz NR1510 UHD AV Receiver – Slim 5.2 Channel Home Theater Amplifier
Sticking with Pioneer AV receiver might probably be the best choice as the sonic characteristics are similar which makes them match really well together. The Pioneer VSX-532 is an entry-level 5.1 channel AV receiver that has sufficient power to drive the Pioneer SP-BS22-LR speakers. It is also able to process 4K/60p video signals, providing you with ultra-high-definition home cinematic visuals. You can use the MCACC to automatically calibrate and optimize your speakers to sound their best in any given home theater room. Just to nitpick, is a pity that you can only connect to 1 active subwoofer.
More Details at Amazon – Pioneer A/V Receiver VSX-532
For Pioneer stereo amps, you might want to go with Pioneer SX-10AE and use it to drive your Pioneer SP-BS22-LR speakers. The power output of 85 Watts per channel into 6 Ohms enables the SX-10AE stereo receiver to drive your SP-BS22-LR with ease. If you want more clarity and musical details, you can always switch on the Direct Mode. There is also a dedicated subwoofer output for you to connect to an active sub. It is very affordably priced and definitely deserves an audition with you. The Bluetooth connectivity will prove useful when it comes to music streaming which also features A2DP and AVRCP profiles, supporting SBC and AAC codecs.
More Details at Amazon – Pioneer SX-10AE Stereo Receiver
For the subwoofer section, you can go with the Andrew Jones designed Pioneer SW-8MK2 100 Watts active subwoofer as it will definitely match well with your Pioneer SP-BS22-LR speakers. If you want more performance and deeper bass reproduction, we will suggest going with SVS subwoofers instead. For home theater use, the SVS PB-1000 Pro will be an excellent choice. If listening to music is your main entertainment then the SVS SB-1000 Pro sealed cabinet subwoofer will be a better option. If you can’t decide or you want more flexibility, perhaps the HSU Research VTF-2 MK5 hybrid active subwoofer will be the one for you, as you can switch to either ported or sealed mode.
More Information at Amazon – SVS PB-1000 Pro
More Information at Amazon – SVS SB-1000 Pro
To Conclude
There is no doubt that the Pioneer SP-BS22-LR are really good speakers with impeccable sonic performance for the money. If you want a home audio system with good sound quality, this pair of Pioneer bookshelf speakers are definitely one of the very top choices. The listed amps and receivers are among the best to match with your Pioneer SP-BS22-LR but we will suggest that you have an audition with them first before making your final decision. See if you like what you hear and you can also use them as references when comparing with other speaker models/brands.
