Finding the Perfect Sound: A Comprehensive List of Andrew Jones Designed Speakers

Finding a list of andrew jones designed speakers is like looking at a roadmap of modern high-fidelity audio history. Whether you are a budget-conscious beginner or a seasoned audiophile, an Andrew Jones design offers a specific “sound signature” characterized by point-source precision, incredible imaging, and value that often punches way above its price class.

In my years of testing and reviewing Hi-Fi gear, I’ve found that Jones has a unique talent for making a $100 pair of speakers sound like they cost $500. This guide provides an exhaustive list of andrew jones designed speakers across his tenure at KEF, TAD, Pioneer, ELAC, and MoFi Electronics, along with expert tips on how to set them up for the best possible performance.

TL;DR: Top Picks from the Andrew Jones Catalog

  • Best Budget Legend: Pioneer SP-BS22-LR (The speaker that changed the budget market).
  • Best Value Mid-Range: ELAC Debut B6.2 (Unmatched neutrality for the price).
  • Best Audiophile Performance: ELAC Uni-Fi Reference UBR62 (Uses a 3-way concentric driver).
  • Best High-End “End Game”: MoFi SourcePoint 10 (Large 10-inch concentric driver for effortless scale).
  • Best Engineering Marvel: TAD Reference One (The ultimate expression of his design philosophy).

The Engineering Philosophy: Why These Speakers Matter

Before diving into the list of andrew jones designed speakers, it is important to understand what makes his work unique. Jones is a master of the concentric driver (also known as a coaxial driver).

In a typical speaker, the tweeter and woofer are separated. This can cause “time-alignment” issues where the sound from each driver reaches your ears at slightly different times.

Jones places the tweeter in the acoustic center of the woofer. This creates a Point Source, meaning all frequencies originate from the exact same spot in space.

When I first sat down with the ELAC Uni-Fi series, the first thing I noticed was the phantom center image. The vocals didn’t sound like they were coming from two boxes; they sounded like a living person was standing directly between them.

A Detailed List of Andrew Jones Designed Speakers by Brand

This list tracks the evolution of his designs from ultra-high-end luxury to the “affordable audiophile” revolution and back to high-end craftsmanship.

The Pioneer Era (The Budget Revolution)

In the early 2010s, Jones did the unthinkable: he designed a line of speakers for Pioneer that were sold in big-box stores but sounded like boutique Hi-Fi.

  • Pioneer SP-BS22-LR (Bookshelf): Often cited as the best “first speaker” for any audiophile. It features a custom-designed 4-inch woofer and a sophisticated 6-element crossover.
  • Pioneer SP-FS52 (Floorstander): A triple-woofer tower that provides surprising bass extension for its slim profile.
  • Pioneer SP-C22 (Center Channel): Designed to timbre-match the towers and bookshelves for home theater setups.
  • Pioneer SW-8MK2 (Subwoofer): A compact 100-watt powered sub designed to fill out the low end of the BS22-LR.
  • Pioneer Elite SP-EBS73 (Atmos): Jones’s first major foray into Dolby Atmos, utilizing a concentric driver on top of the speaker to bounce sound off the ceiling.

The ELAC Discovery & Debut Series

When Jones moved to ELAC, he was given more freedom to refine his driver technology. This resulted in the ELAC Debut series, which refined the budget formula with better cabinets and Aramid-fiber woofers.

  • ELAC Debut B5 / B6: The original versions that put ELAC back on the map in the US.
  • ELAC Debut 2.0 (B5.2 / B6.2): Improved front-firing ports making them easier to place near walls. I personally recommend the B6.2 for anyone with a medium-sized room.
  • ELAC Uni-Fi (UB5 / UF5): These introduced a true 3-way design with a concentric mid/tweeter at a price point under $600.
  • ELAC Uni-Fi 2.0 (UB52): Fixed the “hard to drive” nature of the original Uni-Fi, making them compatible with cheaper amplifiers.
  • ELAC Adante (AS-61 / AF-61): An ambitious design featuring an “interport coupled cavity” for the bass, hiding the woofers inside the cabinet.

The MoFi Electronics Era (The Current Pinnacle)

In 2022, Andrew Jones joined MoFi Electronics (Mobile Fidelity). His mission was to create “large-format” bookshelf speakers that captured the feel of vintage monitors with modern technical accuracy.

  • MoFi SourcePoint 10: Features a massive 10-inch concentric driver. In my experience, this speaker provides a “physicality” to the music that smaller 6-inch drivers simply cannot match.
  • MoFi SourcePoint 8: A more compact version for smaller rooms, retaining the same magnet structure and tweeter tech.
  • MoFi SourcePoint 888: The first floorstanding model for MoFi, adding two dedicated 8-inch woofers to the SourcePoint 8 concentric driver.

High-End & Legacy Designs

  • TAD Reference One (R1): A $80,000 masterpiece. It uses Beryllium for both the tweeter and the midrange cone.
  • TAD Compact Reference (CR1): A “stand-mount” version of the Reference One that many enthusiasts believe is the most accurate speaker ever built.
  • KEF (Early Career): While at KEF, Jones worked on the early iterations of the Uni-Q driver, which still defines KEF’s sound today.
Model Series Driver Type Best Used For Power Needs
Pioneer SP-BS22-LR Pioneer Budget 2-Way Standard Desktop / Small Room Low (30W+)
ELAC Debut B6.2 ELAC Debut 2.0 2-Way Standard Living Room Hi-Fi Moderate (50W+)
ELAC Uni-Fi UB52 ELAC Uni-Fi 3-Way Concentric Critical Listening High (80W+)
ELAC UBR62 Uni-Fi Reference 3-Way Concentric High-End Entry High (100W+)
MoFi SourcePoint 10 MoFi 2-Way Concentric Large Rooms / Vinyl Moderate (60W+)

Step-by-Step Guide: How to Set Up Andrew Jones Speakers

Because of the concentric driver technology found in many speakers on this list of andrew jones designed speakers, setup is slightly different than standard speakers. Follow these steps to maximize your soundstage.

Step 1: Manage the “Toe-In”

Most Andrew Jones designs have wide dispersion.

  1. Start with the speakers facing straight forward (no toe-in).

  2. Listen to a track with a strong center vocal.

  3. Angle them inward roughly 5 to 10 degrees until the voice “snaps” into the center.

  4. Expert Tip: Avoid pointing them directly at your ears; Jones designs usually perform best when the axes cross about 2 feet behind your head.

Step 2: Distance from the Wall

Many of the Pioneer and early ELAC designs are rear-ported.

  • Maintain at least 12 to 18 inches from the back wall to prevent the bass from becoming “boomy.”

  • If you must place them close to a wall, the ELAC Debut 2.0 or Uni-Fi 2.0 (which are front-ported) are your best bets.

Step 3: Match the Power

Jones’s 3-way designs (like the Uni-Fi series) are notoriously “thirsty.”

  • They often have a 4-ohm impedance.

  • Ensure your amplifier is 4-ohm stable. I’ve seen budget receivers overheat trying to drive the original ELAC UB5 because they lacked the current capacity.

Step 4: Stand Height

For the SourcePoint 10 or the ELAC Debut, ensure the tweeter (the center of the concentric driver) is at ear level.

  • Use high-mass, sand-filled stands to reduce cabinet resonance.

Why Collectors Chase These Designs

Andrew Jones has a “signature” that balances technical measurement with emotional engagement. When you buy from this list of andrew jones designed speakers, you are buying into a specific acoustic philosophy:

  1. Uniformity: The sound doesn’t change drastically if you move your head slightly to the left or right.
  2. Crossover Sophistication: Jones spends an immense amount of time on the crossover network (the “brain” of the speaker), ensuring the transition between drivers is seamless.
  3. Value Engineering: He is famous for finding ways to use inexpensive materials (like treated paper or aramid fiber) to achieve results usually reserved for exotic materials.

Frequently Asked Questions

Which Andrew Jones speakers are best for vinyl?

The MoFi SourcePoint 10 was specifically designed with vinyl listeners in mind. Its large 10-inch driver provides the warm, full-bodied mid-bass that complements the analog sound of a turntable.

Are the Pioneer SP-BS22-LR still worth buying?

Absolutely. While discontinued, they are frequently available on the used market for under $100. They remain the gold standard for budget performance.

Do I need a subwoofer with Andrew Jones speakers?

For the smaller bookshelf models like the ELAC B5.2 or Pioneer BS22, a subwoofer is recommended for movies. However, the MoFi SourcePoint 10 and the ELAC UF52 towers typically provide enough bass for music without an external sub.

Why did Andrew Jones move from ELAC to MoFi?

While he hasn’t stated a single reason, the move to MoFi allowed him to focus on high-performance, large-format drivers without the strict price constraints of the mass-market ELAC Debut series.