Just remember to lift with your knees. These beasts weigh nearly 60 pounds each.
The CS-787 uses a horn tweeter for the high frequencies. This means cymbals and vocals have a "live" presence that dome tweeters lack. However, if your amplifier is bright or your room is empty, the 787s can sound harsh. The trick? Turn the "Level Control" on the back of the speaker down by 2 clicks. Once tamed, the super tweeter adds an airiness that reveals tape hiss and studio reverb beautifully. pioneer cs-787
The 12-inch woofer is not trying to be a subwoofer. It doesn’t dig to 20Hz. Instead, it delivers a punchy, tight bass that lives in the 40Hz–60Hz range. This is rock-and-roll bass. Listen to Fleetwood Mac’s "The Chain" —the bass line doesn't shake your windows, but it punches you in the chest with perfect rhythm. Just remember to lift with your knees
4.5/5 (Minus 0.5 for the finicky horn placement; Add 1.0 for the value-to-decibel ratio). This means cymbals and vocals have a "live"
Do you own a pair of CS-787s? Are you running them with a Marantz or a Kenwood? Let me know in the comments below. #VintageAudio #Pioneer #CS787 #SpeakerReview #HiFi #VinylSetup
April 17, 2026 | Category: Vintage Audio
The Overlooked Titan: Why the Pioneer CS-787 Deserves a Second Look