Sony SS-CS5 3-way Speaker Review

[GXAlan]

The main reason for those unnormal high scores is that they were now calculated on spinoramas of back then which were strongly smoothed, not that they measure so well, so this cannot be used as an argument.

Thanks for clarification. Since the data/formula was built around smoothed measurements, hard to know if the more precise measurements follow the same formula.

How about JBL XPL90 vs JBL 4309 measured here on the NFS? The XPL90 is 0.1 points higher and if you just say they are identical, anyone buying the 4309 at $2000/pair should really get the XPL90 at a fraction of the cost.

 

[thewas]

Thanks for clarification. Since the data/formula was built around smoothed measurements, hard to know if the more precise measurements follow the same formula.

How about JBL XPL90 vs JBL 4309 measured here on the NFS? The XPL90 is 0.1 points higher and if you just say they are identical, anyone buying the 4309 at $2000/pair should really get the XPL90 at a fraction of the cost.

The early 1990s JBL XPL series was really quite good, so the not optimally tuned 4309 might be tonally not that superior without EQ, with EQ things might change though https://www.audiosciencereview.com/...ds/jbl-4309-review-speaker.27255/#post-937967
Also the score doesn't tell anything about distortion, SPL limits etc.
The truth is though that there exist not too few good loudspeakers since the 1960s which with some EQ can sound even competitive today.

 

[AudioLover73]

I was using AudioHijack on my Mac mini to do that EQ. It gives me accesss to the AudioUnits built in to Mac OS. I was specifically using the AU NBandEQ https://developer.apple.com/documentation/audiotoolbox/1389965-aunbandeq_filter_types.

With the Denon 2 channel receiver I'm testing right now I'm not using any EQ or filtering.

Thanks. Is there a digital parametric EQ I can use on a PC that you know of?

 

[Tim Link]

Thanks. Is there a digital parametric EQ I can use on a PC that you know of?

I know very little about it but this thread might be helpful: https://www.audiosciencereview.com/...ows-linux-macos-ios-ipados-and-android.18450/

 

[Tim Link]

I've been finding the combination of the SSCS5 and the Denon PMA-900HNE to be particularly pleasing for whatever reason. Tonight I decided to bring the Revel M16s back home and hook them up to this Denon and see if that combo could work some magic and bring the Revels to the front of my preference line where it seems they should belong. I was beaming with optimism as I hooked them up but didn't hear anything particularly compelling about that combo. So I continue to like the Sonys better, and especially when hooked up to the Denon 900HNE. There is somehting consistent with my past preferences and that is I have never heard a 2 way bookshelf with a 6" or larger woofer that I was super pleased with. I tend to like smaller tweeters, around 3/4" diameter mated to woofers around 4". I also like giant horn rigs, but when it comes to direct radiators I tend to like them small and simple. The Sony is a 3 way of sorts but it has that itsy bitsy little upper tweeter and a smaller woofer.

 

[redjr]

Has Sony made any attempt to improve upon in the past 4 years? I wonder if adding a sub-woofer would improve the overall sonic listening experience by blending in some much needed bass to counter-balance out the sunglasses.

 

[Bruce Morgen]

Has Sony made any attempt to improve upon in the past 4 years? I wonder if adding a sub-woofer would improve the overall sonic listening experience by blending in some much needed bass to counter-balance out the sunglasses.

According to this, there would be an improvement

 

[blse59]

These speakeds have gotten stellar reviews literally everywhere except this website. I ordered a pair to see for myself and to try out the new SMSL amplifier I got.

 

[Brian Hall]

These speakeds have gotten stellar reviews literally everywhere except this website. I ordered a pair to see for myself and to try out the new SMSL amplifier I got.

I was curious too and just got a pair. Have them hooked up to a Fosi V3 amp in my office/studio. I replaced two Klipsch speakers with these.

Wiim Pro Plus -> Schiit Saga (version without a silly tube) preamp -> Fosi V3 -> Sony SSCS5s.

I think they sound great, even without a subwoofer. Not too bright, nothing muffled. Bass was also good. Maybe Sony improved them since the initial review. I think they are worth more than what I paid for them on sale.

 

[KU713]

I would also say that they are absolutely right.

 

[master_arthur]

I think we can say that Sony SSCS5 seem more oriented for teenagers/students or anyone who live with some space and time limitations.
Some photos above seem coming from student's rooms.
Audiophiles have dedicated rooms for music listening. Audiophiles have enough time to dedicate exclusively to music listening.
Audiophiles are people that have enough time and space to dedicate exclusively to music listening. In a way it means having more than enough money.
When you have enough time and space exclusively for music listening then it is reasonable that you are going to spend big on audio gear.
(This is not to say that every single millionaire is an audiophile.. My guess is that most of them are not audiophiles)

Testing budget speakers against high end ones would require an audiophile listening room.

If you visit a student's room who owns a pair of SSCS5 you will not be impressed at all mainly because such speakers are gonna be placed just anywhere around the room. There will be all kind of furniture and stuff here and there. The floor will be whatever. Its gonna be messy and careless placement of speakers and there won't be a chair specific for music listening. Under such circumstances, it is hard to have a great listening experience even with much better speakers than these Sonys.

They have Cyrillic writing on the back. They are made for the global market, and not designed specifically for US/Western Europe.

In most countries the average wage is a fraction of the US. Additionally, when you convert their prices to your currency, they are usually paying even more than you for the same electronics.

To an American this may be a "toy" or "teenager" speaker, but for most people in the world this would be a pretty big purchase.

 

[ThatM1key]

Here in the states. The current price of a new $200 for a Sony SSCS-5 is just awful value, when they used to be around $75 to $100. If you don't mind used, you can find used ELAC Debut 2.0 B62's and Polk S20s for the $200 Sony price.

A few years those Sony's were barely more expensive then those Realistic Minimus 7's, and it was a no brainer. These days those old Realistic Minimus 7's cost around $75 while Sony is asking more then double their $75 old price.

Refurbished Polk S20:

New Sony SSCS-5:

Edit: I used to own 2 pairs of Sony SSCS5's and they sounded great. Today, its a case of great product for a bad price.

 

[Platypus20]

I used a set of the Sony SS-CS5s, in the backroom system for snout a year, before replacing them with a set KEF 350s. In a smallish room, at moderate to medium volumes, I thought the Sony’s sounded very good

 

[master_arthur]

The response is surprisingly flat. I expected even brighter from a cheap 3 way.

I think Sony accomplished it's goal. The speaker stands out and has a cult following.

 

[Brian Hall]

Here in the states. The current price of a new $200 for a Sony SSCS-5 is just awful value, when they used to be around $75 to $100. If you don't mind used, you can find used ELAC Debut 2.0 B62's and Polk S20s for the $200 Sony price.

A few years those Sony's were barely more expensive then those Realistic Minimus 7's, and it was a no brainer. These days those old Realistic Minimus 7's cost around $75 while Sony is asking more then double their $75 old price.

Refurbished Polk S20:
View attachment 387612

New Sony SSCS-5:
View attachment 387613

Edit: I used to own 2 pairs of Sony SSCS5's and they sounded great. Today, its a case of great product for a bad price.

They still go on sale regularly on Amazon. I got them in January for $125. The sames goes for their "matching" subwoofer, the SACs9. It is listed for $248 now. I got it for $149 in July.

They are great for near field listening or in a small room.

 

[thesubmitter]

So I bought 4 of these about a year ago for a 7.1 system.

I now replaced 2 of them with Atmos speakers for 5.2.1 system

For rears and sides in the home theater they were great when paired with much bigger fronts and centers (mission LX5s)
Even in full stereo mode for music they added good tone to the fronts.

So I had 2 spares, bought a fosi bt30d and tested from spotify via bluetooth and via PC (there is a variance). Played with the spotify EQ and it helped, but I feel like I am fighting the speaker. For music listening in a pair , I wouldn't recommend them for straight music listening. I'll add a cheap sub and see...

 

[ThatM1key]

They still go on sale regularly on Amazon. I got them in January for $125. The sames goes for their "matching" subwoofer, the SACs9. It is listed for $248 now. I got it for $149 in July.

They are great for near field listening or in a small room.

There good value for $125 for both products but $248 for that subwoofer is criminal. Even the Polk Audio PSW10 is overpriced new too ($249). The only "cheap" sub is really the Elac SUB1010 ($150 new).

Honestly if I was spending $200+ on a home subwoofer, I would rather do it somewhat DIY. I would buy a car sub with a in-spec car subwoofer box and buy a home subwoofer amp.

 

[Brian Hall]

but $248 for that subwoofer is criminal.

I agree. I would not pay that for it, but when I was looking for a decent subwoofer for my office I saw that is was on sale for $100 off and it was worth that. It works well in a relatively small room like my office.