Pioneer DSS-9
(1985 - 1987)

USA version of the japanese S-1800DV, itself an evolution of the original S-180 from 1979. The bass-reflex port of the DS-1800V was relocated at the back for the DSS-9, probably to better fit america's larger average listening rooms and available space to separate the enclosure from surrounding walls.

Touted as Digital-Ready, the DSS-9 sported plenty of high-tech techniques and acronyms: LDMC (Linear-Drive Magnetic Circuit), PG (Polymer Graphite), DRS (Dynamic Response Suspension) and EBD (Electronic Bass Drive) - the meaning of which you'll discover by clicking the "more" button at the bottom of this page. Inherited from the successful PT-R series, the tweeter is a current-driven Beryllium ribbon.

The frequency response graph below shows the USA roots of the DSS-9. The main curve is the flat response as adjusted for East Coast ears ; the red curve corresponds to level adjustments that Dallas people would prefer while the blue curve fits those West Coast habits - or so Pioneer USA decided :)

At about the same time, Sony included in its research the listening preferences for the four marketable continents to adjust the tuning of the SS-A5 masterpiece.
However, since the DSS-9 was the export version of a japanese original, the fine-tuning must have been somewhat limited, even if the two versions do show different specs regarding SPL, maximum input power and low crossover frequency...