To the smallest detail, Bart Locanthi and his engineering staff designed a speaker system that would optimize sonic performance and acoustic accuracy, while the Pioneer Electronic Corporation ensured that it would be constructed in such a manner as to maximize endurance, reliability, and longevity. Of philosophies and commitments such as these, classics are formed and legends are born.

“Rich Concert Realism from 100-watt 4-way, 4-speaker Bass Reflex System with Carbon Fiber Blended Woofer & High Polymer Supertweeter”

Sheltered within the luxuriant, furniture-grade, genuine walnut veneered cabinet beats a heart and resides a soul which, when stirred to action, yield among the purest, the truest, the cleanest audio to which ever ear shall be blessed to attend. Regardless of the melodic genre to which one's individual predilections or tempers may tend, the Pioneer HPM-100 Bass Reflex Speaker System will, with an effect nearing perfection, render rapt, nay, spellbound the listener.

Pioneer HPM-100 Operating Guide

Connecting Speakers to Amplifier

Connect RED (+) terminal of the HPM-100 to the (+) output of the amplifier, and the BLACK (—) terminal to the (—) output terminal of the amplifier. To connect each lead wire, strip 3/4" (20mm) of insulation from the end, press the appropriate terminal button and insert the wire.

Level Controls

Individual controls are provided for the MID and HIGH frequency ranges, and when set at "0" a suggested output characteristic is obtained. Turning either control clockwise increases the output from that speaker, while turning fully counterclockwise reduces the output signal to zero.

General Precautions

• Before connecting the speakers, turn the amplifier POWER switch OFF.
• Take care to maintain correct polarity (See Connecting Instructions). Incorrect polarity destroys the stereo effect and severely reduces the low frequency response.
• Use high quality wire: #20 gage wire may be used for distances up to 40 feet. For greater distances use heavier gage wire.
• The maximum input power of the HPM-100 is 100 watts. Excess input power may damage speakers or cause unusual noise.
• Do not touch any part of the speaker cones.
• The nominal impedance of the HPM-100 is 8 ohms. Speakers may thus be combined with an amplifier whose output terminal impedance is 4 to 16 ohms.
• The enclosure has a fine finish. Polish the enclosure periodically with a polishing cloth or a soft dry cloth together with furniture wax. For maximum surface protection, do not use chemicals such as insecticides or volatiles.

Was It Merlin or Bart Locanthi?

“Music has charms to soothe a savage breast,
To soften rocks, or bend a knotted oak.”
—William Congreve (1670–1729), British dramatist. Almeria, in The Mourning Bride, act 1, sc. 1 (1697).

“It was, indeed, the pre-dawn of a new and illustrious Golden Age of Music, yet a great darkness of thin, tinny highs; muddy, shallow basses; malformed, misrepresented mid-ranges; and craggy, craterous crossovers lay upon the ears of the increasingly frustrated, discontented, and disenfranchised audiophiles who sought the one, the true grail of speaker systems. Whilst there existed many pretenders to the throne, there could be but one rightful King; one who could, with absolute fidelity, draw forth from the Cone of Distortion the resplendent Acoustics of Accuracy.

Raged within the consecrated palisades of the Castle of Capitalism a contentious conflict between the Knights of Management, the Knights of Marketing, and the Knights of Engineering. These hallowed halls of commerce bore witness to many such battles, for atop their ivory towers and crystalline ramparts fluttered disdainfully the banners of Net Profit Margins, Sales Numbers, Stock Valuation, and Price versus Performance—

while somewhere, unseen and unadorned, deep within the castle's darkest recesses, hung limp the tattered streamers of State-of-the-Art Technology and Design. Such were the sacred rites and rituals. Such were the archetypal inevitabilities when such campaigns were pressed.

Though highly revered and venerated as "Purists of the Realm," the Knights of Engineering were possessed of neither power nor influence. Seekers of truth, excellence, accuracy, and honesty, they were men of high ideals who, above all things, loathed bad science and compromise. While stooped and faded from the inescapable concessions to and dictates from those who dwelt within the rarefied environs of the ivy veiled walls and who donned the regalia of the MBA, they vowed that this time they would stand fast—this time they would, if but this once, achieve victory. For, you see, a sage of great renown had joined their ranks; no mere knight this one, but a Prince both wise and highly decorated; a battle-scarred champion in whose veins coursed the blood of audio royalty and aside whom they would wage this final crusade.

Taking up the gauntlet of the audiophiles and drawing forth the Acoustics of Accuracy, Sir Bart Locanthi courageously strode forth into the midst of that cacophony of impostors whose maze of mediocrity had long prevailed.

Alas, we may know little of the struggle which ensued, for whilst history tantalizes us with mere morsels, we crave the full feast. This much, however, we may know and long remember: Sir Bart emerged victorious that day, and thus was rightly crowned the true King—the Pioneer HPM-100.”

In Conclusion

Available from 1977 through 1979 and developed under the auspices of preeminent audio engineer, Bart Locanthi (AES Fellow, Gold [1996] & Silver [1990] Medal Award winner, and former President of the Audio Engineering Society [1986-1987]), the HPM-100 was presumed to be Pioneer's response to the wildly popular JBL L100 Century (also developed under Bart Locanthi who held the position of Corporate Vice President of Engineering for JBL from 1960-1970).

Shipping

As a result of the Pioneer HPM-100 Speaker System's weight, construction, and vulnerability to damage if mishandled, we greatly prefer that the purchaser personally transport these units to their final destination.

We are, of course, cognizant of the fact that this may not prove practical, or even possible, for those of you who reside a considerable distance from our location. Therefore, we are—with apprehension and trepidation—willing to have the speakers professionally packed, insured, and shipped at the purchaser's expense. Only the actual costs involved, as verified by the packaging agent's receipt, will be assessed to the buyer.

Condition

Purchased new in 1977 by a budding audiophile who was just crossing the threshold of his professional career, this Pioneer HPM-100 Speaker System has spent all but approximately three months of its twenty-nine year existence in storage (environmentally-controlled).

I am apprised by the former (original) owner, who purchased both the Pioneer SX-1250 Receiver and the Pioneer HPM-100 Speaker System and from whom we acquired this most singular treasure, that he selected a vocation that entailed nearly constant travel and frequent relocation. Consequently, all but the bare essentials of his possessions were consigned to a storage facility where they remained until his recent retirement to a condominium in the Sunshine State. While a comfortable domicile, a condominium, regardless of its location, is not the ideal environment for an audiophile in that those occupying adjoining habitations rarely appreciate the musical proclivities, the volume setting, or the wall-rattling bass that may constitute Nirvana for another. Hence, as unimaginable as it may seem, the current availability of a pristine pair of the legendary Pioneer HPM-100 Bass Reflex Speaker Systems.

Upon the conclusion of a comprehensive inspection of both the exterior wood surfaces, the grills, and the interior components by an accomplished, local audio equipment authority, I am able to attest that, whilst extraordinarily unusual and quite uncommon, this particular Pioneer HPM-100 Speaker System is in "Like New" condition.

Aside from a minute depression in the walnut cabinet top of one unit (there exists no indication that this tiny indentation is anything other than a naturally occurring anomaly in the grain of the wood), these units appear to be flawless. The drivers, cones, dust caps, and grills are impeccable. The walnut cabinets possess a depth, a mellow richness, and a gentle warmth that must be personally contemplated and experienced in order to be fully appreciated.

I invite you to examine the photographs contained within these pages, and, upon so doing, I doubt not that you will concur with my assessment of these magnificent and exceedingly rare Pioneer HPM-100s.

	Condition: Like New	Our Price: Sold
	Availability: Out of Stock	Shipping: Buyer Pickup	Quantity: One Pair

Specifications: 1