In this review, we will be comparing AE307 and SS-CS8, two Passive Center Channel speakers from Acoustic Energy and Sony. Let's have a brief look at the main features
of AE307 and Sony SS-CS8 first before getting into our more
detailed comparison.
What size room are the AE307 and Sony SS-CS8 speakers good for?
The size of the room in which you are planning to use these loudspeakers is an important decision factor. Here we have compared their suitability to various sizes of environments considering their size and max power parameters:
In the following sections, we will get into more detail in order to better understand how the AE307 and Sony SS-CS8 compare and hopefully end up with enough arguments to decide which one of these loudspeakers is the better choice for you.
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Drivers
Both AE307 and SS-CS8 are 2-way speakers.
| Driver |
AE307 |
Sony SS-CS8 |
|
Driver Setup
|
2-way
|
2-way
|
|
Tweeter
|
1.1-inch
|
1-inch
|
|
Midrange
|
- |
- |
|
Woofer
|
2 x 5.2-inch
|
2 x 4-inch
|
AE307 features a 1.1" aluminium dome with waveguide Tweeter and 2 x 5.2" ceramic aluminium sandwich Woofer with a Crossover frequency at 2560Hz. On the other hand, the SS-CS8 features a 1" polyester fiber Soft-Dome Tweeter and 2 x 4" Mica Reinforced Cellular (MRC) Woofer .
Frequency Response
AE307 has a frequency range of 42Hz - 30kHz whereas SS-CS8 has a frequency range of 55-25k Hz. With a minimum frequency of 42Hz, the AE307 can go significantly deeper on the low side and provide stronger bass compared to the SS-CS8's min frequency of 55Hz.
Below graphs depict how these two speakers compare with the max, min and average values of the Min and Max Frequencies of other speakers in the Center Channel class in our database.
Low Frequency
Center Channel Speakers
High Frequency
Center Channel Speakers
None of these speakers achieves full range experience which is commonly agreed as 20Hz-20kHz. In order to achieve lower lows / deeper bass, we recommend you pair these with a subwoofer. Visit our Powered Subwoofers section to find out more about the available options.
Impedance and Sensitivity
AE307 and SS-CS8 have the same Impedance of 6 ohms but where they differ is the sensitivity levels. AE307 sensitivity is rated at 89 dB and the SS-CS8's is at 86 dB. This 3 dB difference makes the AE307 a more sensitive speaker compared to Sony SS-CS8, hence will play louder with the same amount of watts.
Sensitivity
Center Channel Speakers
Power Range
Power
range is the range of input power in watts RMS that a loudspeaker is designed to handle. While using an amplifier within this range ensures the nominal performance , inputting a power that is higher than the max wattage can result in a damaged speaker.
AE307 can handle a max power of 175 watts RMS from the amp the whereas SS-CS8 has a max power handling value of 145 watts RMS, 30 watts less than the AE307.
Keep in mind that a higher max power handling value doesn't necessarily make that a louder speaker
compared to a lower max handling speaker. Loudness or the sound level is also impacted by parameters
such as Impedance, sensitivity and system efficiencies.
Cabinet Type and Port Position
Both AE307 and SS-CS8 have rear firing ports. Rear ported speakers generally need more room between the backside of the speaker and the wall compared to sealed and front/bottom ported speakers. Placing the speakers too close to the walls may cause the bass to sound boomy.
If you are limited in space and can't get the speakers away from the backwall, check our Speakers with Front Firing Ports page.
Physical Specs
Size of a speaker can sometimes become an important decision factor due to space constraints or in some cases purely for esthetic reasons. In this section, we are going to compare AE307's and Sony SS-CS8's external dimensions. AE307 has external dimensions of 175.0 x 460.0 x 260.0mm ( 6.9 x 18.1 x 10.2inch) whereas Sony SS-CS8 has external dimensions of 146.0 x 430.0 x 220.0mm ( 5.75 x 16.93 x 8.66inch) .
AE307 is clearly the larger of the two speakers. Its body is 30mm wider, 29mm taller and 40mm deeper than Sony SS-CS8.
Base Surface Area Comparison
Base surface area of a loudspeaker may become a determining factor when the space in your room or desk is limited.
The base surface area of the AE307 is approximately 1196.0cm2 / 185.4inch2 and base area of the Sony SS-CS8 is approximately 946.0cm2 / 146.6inch2. The AE307 requires 26% more surface area than the SS-CS8 which gives it a small disadvantage on placement in tight spaces.
Weight Comparison The weight of a loudspeaker can become an important factor if you need to move and reposition the unit often. Weight of a speaker can also "sometimes" be an indicator of the rigidity of the enclosure and the quality of the internal components used. The AE307 weighs 9.00kg / 19.8lbs and the Sony SS-CS8 weighs 5.00kg / 11lbs. This makes the AE307 80% heavier than the SS-CS8.
Here is a comparison of how AE307 and SS-CS8's weights compare with the average, max and min weights in Passive Center Channel class.
Weight
All Center Channel Speakers
 Max Input Power |
175 watts
vs
145 watts
|
Handle more power from your amplifier |
 Sensitivity |
89 dB
vs
86 dB
|
Play louder with same amount of amplification power |
 Woofer Size |
5.2 inches
vs
4 inches
|
Larger woofer |
| Low Frequency Response |
42 Hz
vs
55 Hz
|
Generates deeper bass |
 High Frequency Response |
30k Hz
vs
25k Hz
|
Generates higher frequency |
 Height |
146mm
vs
175mm
|
Easier to fit in smaller spaces |
 Base Surface Area |
946cm2 (430x220mm)
vs
1196cm2 (460x260mm)
|
Takes less floor space |
 Price per pair* |
169USD
vs
799USD
|
costs less (*prices may change depending on the seller, location and time) |
| General |
Acoustic Energy AE307 |
Sony SS-CS8 |
| Brand |
Acoustic Energy |
Sony |
| Speaker Type |
Center channel speaker |
Center Channel |
| Power Range |
up to 175 watts |
up to 145 watts |
| Sensitivity |
89 dB |
86 dB |
| Impedance |
6 ohms |
6 ohms |
| Frequency Response |
42Hz - 30kHz |
55-25k Hz |
Drivers |
|
|
| Woofer Quantity |
2 |
2 |
| Woofer Size |
5.2" |
4" |
| Woofer Composition |
ceramic aluminium sandwich |
Mica Reinforced Cellular (MRC) |
| Woofer Surround Material |
n/a |
Rubber |
| Tweeter Size |
1.1" |
1" |
| Tweeter Type |
dome with waveguide |
Soft-Dome |
| Aimable Tweeter |
No |
No |
| Midrange Driver |
No |
No |
| Crossover Frequency |
2560Hz |
n/a |
| Firing Direction |
rear |
rear |
Physical Specs |
|
|
| Height |
175.0mm (6.9") |
146.0mm (5.7") |
| Width |
460.0mm (18.1") |
430.0mm (16.9") |
| Depth |
260.0mm (10.2") |
220.0mm (8.7") |
| Weight |
9.00kg (19.8lbs) |
5.00kg (11lbs) |
| Enclosure |
Bass Reflex |
Bass Reflex |
| Finish |
high density MDF |
MDF/Wood-veneer |
| Available Colors |
Piano Gloss White, Piano Gloss Black, Real Walnut wood veneer |
Black |
| Grille |
Yes |
Yes |
| Moisture Resistancy |
No |
No |
Connections |
|
|
| Biamp Inputs |
n/a |
No |
Other |
|
|
| Parts Warranty |
|
2 years |
| Labor Warranty |
|
2 years |