Pioneer Cs787 Extra Quality Info

The vinyl veneer is thin. Use a gentle wood cleaner. For deep scratches, a vinyl repair compound works wonders. Avoid sanding—the veneer is too thin.

Product Report: Pioneer CS-787 Loudspeaker System

Report Date: October 2023 Subject: Analysis of the Pioneer CS-787 "Extra Quality" Speaker System Classification: Vintage Audio / Mid-Fi Loudspeaker (Late 1970s)

So, what makes them "Extra Quality" compared to the CS-77 or CS-88? pioneer cs787 extra quality

This is the most divisive area. The horn supertweeter adds a sheen rather than true detail. High-res digital tracks (24-bit FLAC) reveal that these speakers roll off above 18 kHz gently. However, for vinyl and analog tape sources, the high end is euphonic—smooth, non-fatiguing, and rich. Cymbals sound like brass, not white noise.

Is the Pioneer CS-787 actually "Extra Quality"?

For a speaker manufactured in 1978, absolutely. While they lack the pinpoint imaging of modern monitors, they possess a rare musicality and physical presence that digital speakers often miss. They are a time machine—warm, bold, and unapologetically large. The vinyl veneer is thin

Rating: 8.5/10 (Deducting points for the recessed mids and heavy weight). Best for: The listener who has a big living room, a big amplifier, and a love for the golden age of hi-fi.

Have you ever owned a pair of the "Kabuki" Pioneers? Let us know in the comments below!

Let’s get the negatives out of the way first: These are not "studio monitor" flat. They have a distinct V-shaped frequency response. The bass is deep and punchy (think 70s funk or classic rock kick drums), and the highs are crisp and sparkly. The midrange is slightly recessed, which is great for reducing listener fatigue but not ideal for acoustic jazz vocals. So, what makes them "Extra Quality" compared to

Where they shine:

The "West Coast" Sound: These are the Japanese interpretation of the American "West Coast" sound (think JBL L100). They are fun, dynamic, and slightly aggressive. They want to be played loud.

First, let's decode the nomenclature. In the late 70s, Pioneer used the "CS" (Creative Sound) prefix for their consumer speaker line. The "787" sits in a sweet spot—above the entry-level CS-500 series but below the flagship HPM-150. The suffix "Extra Quality" was not just a sticker; it indicated a design philosophy shift.

Unlike standard three-way speakers of the era that used cheap cone tweeters, the CS787 boasted a Super Tweeter (horn-type) alongside a standard dome tweeter. This bi-tweeter array was typically reserved for studio monitors. Pioneer’s "Extra Quality" label assured buyers that the components—specifically the crossover network and the cast-frame woofer—exceeded the industry standards of the day.