Pioneer's Andrew Jones designs Dolby Atmos compatible Elite speakers

[kneo]

Source

Pioneer has announced their new set of Dolby Atmos compatible speakers which they are calling Elite.

They are Dolby Atmos compatible and have two pairs of binding posts on the back panel. One pair to connect the speakers traditionally and the other pair for connecting the height speakers output. In absence of the height pair, the speaker would continue working as a regular speaker. These speakers seem to have a concentric driver mounted 'additionally' on the top plate of the speaker for the height channel. This eliminates the need for having ceiling mounted speakers for the height channels.

The prices are,

SP-EBS73-LR Bookshelf Speakers - $699 (Each)

SP-EFS73 Floorstanding Speaker - $749 (Pair)

SP-EC73 Center Channel Speaker - $399

SW-E10 Subwoofer - $599

A quote from Chris Walker of Pioneer,

"There are two ways to achieve atmos in the home. Either with Ceiling Speakers or Dolby Enabled Speakers. These can be brand new speakers, like the ones we announced today, or they can be add on modules.

The key is that on the rear of the Dolby Enabled speakers there are two sets of inputs, a front input which is a traditional speaker, and a height input. Dolby Atmos AV Receivers will work with both types of speaker configurations.

The best part of using the Enabled speakers is that it takes up the exact footprint as a traditional 5.1 system. Just run another set of speaker wires to the front and back L/Rs. I like to say "Just 4 more wires"

Of course you at a minimum need to replace the fronts and rears or purchase add-on height speakers. Dolby understood that installing ceiling speakers was not very practical. The Dolby Enabled speakers really do work well. When I first heard them I did not believe the effect would be very good, however I was totally wrong. In comparing both the in-ceiling version and the Dolby Enabled speakers I did not see a benefit with going with the in-ceiling option. Of course in my home I must go with the in-ceiling option because my living room has vaulted ceilings. I have attached a graphic show how the enabled products in a 5.1.4 system would work. And am image of the rear panel of our new Elite bookshelves. Please note I am aware that the binding posts are not completely straight (Still sample product when the photo was taken).
"

 

[kneo]

For someone technically aligned wanting to know more about the way these drivers are designed and their advantages, there's an ongoing discussion on AVS where Andrew Jones himself gave a few explanation about his design theory for this product.

 

[sdurani]

I attend Pioneer's open house every year, since their headquarters is 20 minutes from me (Los Angeles area). This year we're supposed to get a full Atmos demo using Andrew Jones' new speakers, so I'll be curious to hear whether those virtual height speakers (upward facing drivers) are really as effective as Jones says about creating the illusion of sounds coming from above.

 

[kneo]

I gather that you are a regular visitor to the AVS forum too and are participating in this particular speaker thread there. I am not a technically inclined person when it comes to speakers and audio listening in general, but from Andrew's replies to some posts, he seems like a very humble and knowledgeable man. I am using his previous FS52/BS22 series speakers and am extremely happy with them. Although these are the first of it's kind, I have a feeling that is Atmos catches on, these would be one of the popular speakers for home theater setups as it removes the logistic headache of installing the ceiling speakers.

Do post your feedback of the open house and pics if possible.

 

[sdurani]

Yes, I post regularly at AVS, under the same user name.

I've bumped into Andrew Jones for almost a decade at various audio shows and get togethers. He has the typical understated British humor. He always jokes that he was born in stereo, since he is a "mirror twin" (which means he is right handed but his identical twin brother is left handed, and marks he has on one side of his face/body are on the other side for his twin brother).

Anyway, he designed the first hi-fi speakers I ever owned (Kef). He loves coaxial speakers, like the new ones he designed for Pioneer. At the Pioneer open house each year, he gives every attendee a pair of his bookshelf speakers. One of the nicest people in the industry. Looking forward to seeing him at the end of the month.

 

[kneo]

That's just fascinating to know. I am now really looking forward to your report on the open house.

 

[reubensm]

wonder how 5 inch bass drivers will sound on the floor standers

 

[bbsethdpq]

yeah,these would be one of the popular speakers for home theater setups as it removes the logistic headache of installing the ceiling speakers. thanks

 

[sdurani]

I am now really looking forward to your report on the open house.

Will post my experience there. I'm also going to ask him if he is planning to do bookshelf speakers using the same coax but without the top-firing driver.