Pioneer DSS-9

USA version of the japanese S-1800DV, itself an evolution of the original S-180 from 1979.

The bass-reflex port of the S-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, two of which are :

EBD : Electronic Bass Drive
Two sets of voice-coils, one wound on top of the other, one receiving from the EBD network low-frequencies, the other ultra-low frequencies to double the bass output.

LDMC : Linear-Drive Magnetic Circuit
adding a sub-pole and dents in the pole yoke of the bass magnetic circuit to create a uniform and symmetrical magnetic flux within the woofer's voice coil gap and better drive the hard and rigid PG (Polymer Graphite) cone.

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 :)

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...


This post was made possible thanks to Willem Fabrie, Pioneer Exclusive owner who kindly loaned a rare january 1985 USA brochure for proper scanning.