B20 missing from PE catalog

[Godzilla]

I got the latest parts express catalog the other day (along with my very cool little Dayton T-amp... the extruded aluminum one with gold plated banana plugs) and leafed thru it only to find the Pioneer B20 was no longer there... only the new GRS 'copy' of it. I do see the B20 on sale for $19 but wonder if this will eventually become a discontinued item or pe will just stop carrying it? Many of the other Pioneer drivers were no longer in the catalog either. I plan on buying the GRS (which is out of stock at the moment) and hope it will perform as well (or better!) than the more expensive B20 but will be disappointed if the B20 is no longer available. Mine are nearly 10 years old and in perfect condition but i always thought they would be available forever to DIYers. Anyone have any additional info?

Zilla

 

[Darkstar52]

I read some time ago that production of the b20 has been discontinued. The stock PE has were a buy out, once the're gone that's it. They may be low on stock, and no point in listing them in the new catalog? Sad to see them go I love mine.

 

[BHTX]

Ugh, what a disappointment! I noticed a while back that the 4" Pioneer fullranger disappeared too.
Ditto on the interest in the GRS 8FR (after all, I think you found this driver through a thread I started for it not long ago). So, be sure to let me know how it turns out after you get them!

 

[Tom V]

PE still has them. I just ordered two over the web.

-Tom-

 

[norman bates]

the b20's have been discontinued.
They had a few hundred a month ago.
I called then.

Norman

 

[Vix]

I guess it's discontinued because somebody realized they are too good for the money. So, there will be two new models in the future. Model 1 will be even cheaper, but rubbish sounding, and another "premium" model will sonically be just a bit better than a B20, but will be 10x more expensive...

I hope I'm wrong...

 

[Godzilla]

The B20 is discontinued. I called PE and they have 'just over 20 left'... get them while you can!

I am using the pair i have for a project going into my older son's room.

I will order the GRS 'copy' and see how it sounds. I have a pair of GRS drivers that look good but never hooked them up. I hope they represent good value since they are pretty inexpensive. Here's hoping!

 

[jc56043]

Thanks to you guys I have just ordered a pair before they are all gone. Poor man's Fostex no more. Anyone got any suggestions for an alternative?

 

[LCole]

mcm electronics seems to have a treasure trove of 'el-cheapos' that, on paper, seem to be worth playing around with. I have not tried anything over 6.5" (woofers), but if you are looking for dollar value, they may be a good place to start.

 

[LCole]

I forgot to mention- they used to carry both the a11 and the b20's but discontinued these about 6 months ago.

 

[Godzilla]

Some of these full rangers seem worthy too. But none are 8".

Aurasound Super Sale at Madisound

Also, Wild Burro has the Betsy and their new purple driver.

Zilla

 

[nightanole]

GRS 8FR-8 Full-Range 8" Speaker Pioneer Type B20FU20-51FW | Parts-Express.com


??????

 

[jc56043]

Thank you guys for your advice/info. It appears the GRS is a viable candidate. It is quite possible it comes off the old Pioneer production line.

Cheers

 

[GM]

Based on measured B20 Vs published 8FR-8 specs, only if some series resistance is used, otherwise it will be somewhat under-damped due to the cab being too large/low tuned.

From a box design POV then, it seems a good replacement since it allows more box tuning flexibility with existing cabs and smaller, more efficient alignments with a T/S max flat alignment being close enough to the Vb = Vas, Fb = Fs one I prefer.

GM

 

[Godzilla]

It may spec well for different cabs but let's hope it's midrange performance is smooth enough and its top end is extended enough to melt a tweeter into it blissfully.

lol

 

[GM]

Yep, unfortunately, a driver's resonance specs doesn't tell us what its TL and break-up modes are like. At least it looks similar, though one would think its obviously different diaphragm would have an audibly different response.

GM

 

[Redge]

Hi all,

I would like to purchase 2 of the b20 by amazon. The problem is that I live in France.
Do you think I will pay a lot of customs duties or maybe nothing ?!

 

[Redge]

Never mind, they ship to France but for 70$ more

 

[Andrew Eckhardt]

I guess it's discontinued because somebody realized they are too good for the money. So, there will be two new models in the future. Model 1 will be even cheaper, but rubbish sounding, and another "premium" model will sonically be just a bit better than a B20, but will be 10x more expensive...

I hope I'm wrong...

This sounds all too likely. Considering how active Pioneer has been in launching new raw speaker components in the last 30 years I would hope they've noticed a new market and are going for it since they know how to make a better sounding B20 by now.. Either that or the DIY scene isn't anywhere near the size I suppose and they just dropped it because.

 

[BHTX]

I noticed that the Pioneer paper tweeters are missing from the PE catalog as well.
I wonder if the similar Pioneer paper midranges will follow along?
What a shame. Anyway, looking forward to results with the GRS 8FR.