In this review, we will be comparing SS-CS5 and A130, two Passive Bookshelf speakers from Sony and JBL. Let's have a brief look at the main features
of Sony SS-CS5 and JBL A130 first before getting into our more
detailed comparison.
What size room are the Sony SS-CS5 and JBL A130 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 Sony SS-CS5 and JBL A130 compare and hopefully end up with enough arguments to decide which one of these loudspeakers is the better choice for you.
**This post contains affiliate links, and I will be compensated if you make a purchase after clicking
through my links. As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases.
Drivers
One of the fundamental differences between these two speakers is that SS-CS5 is a 3-way design whereas the A130 is a 2-way speaker. 3-way designs utilize a midrange driver in addition to the tweeter and woofer on 2-way designs. Designing a crossover for a 3-way speaker is a complicated process and generally increases the overall cost of the speaker.
| Driver |
Sony SS-CS5 |
JBL A130 |
|
Driver Setup
|
3-way
|
2-way
|
|
Super Tweeter
|
0.75-inch |
- |
|
Tweeter
|
1-inch
|
1-inch
|
|
Midrange
|
- |
- |
|
Woofer
|
1 x 5.25-inch
|
1 x 5.25-inch
|
SS-CS5 features a 1" polyester fiber Soft-Dome Tweeter , a 0.75" Supertweeter and 1 x 5.25" Mica Reinforced Cellular (MRC) Woofer . On the other hand, the A130 features a 1" aluminum Hard-Dome Tweeter and 1 x 5.25" Polycellulose Woofer .
Frequency Response
SS-CS5 has a frequency range of 53-50k Hz whereas A130 has a frequency range of 55-40k Hz. With a minimum frequency of 53Hz, the SS-CS5 can go slightly deeper then the A130'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 Bookshelf class in our database.
Low Frequency
Bookshelf Speakers
High Frequency
Bookshelf 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
SS-CS5 and A130 have the same Impedance of 6 ohms but where they differ is the sensitivity levels. SS-CS5 sensitivity is rated at 87 dB and the A130's is at 86 dB. This 1 dB difference makes the Sony SS-CS5 a more sensitive speaker compared to JBL A130, hence will play louder with the same amount of watts.
Sensitivity
Bookshelf 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.
SS-CS5 can handle a max power of 125 watts RMS from the amp the whereas SS-CS5 has a max power handling value of 100 watts RMS , 25 watts less than the A130.
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.
Input Type and Bi-Amping / Bi-Wiring
SS-CS5 features 5-way post type posts and A130 has a 5-way post type posts. None of these speakers feature bi-amping/bi-wiring.
Sony SS-CS5's Post terminals
JBL A130's 5-way post terminals
Cabinet Type and Port Position
Both SS-CS5 and A130 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 Sony SS-CS5's and JBL A130's external dimensions. Sony SS-CS5 has external dimensions of 335.0 x 178.0 x 220.0mm ( 13.1 x 7.0 x 8.6inch) whereas JBL A130 has external dimensions of 323.0 x 191.0 x 250.0mm ( 12-11/16 x 7-1/2 x 9-13/16inch) .
Sony SS-CS5 is 13mm narrower and 30mm less deeper than JBL A130 but it is also 12mm taller.
Below you can see the front view size comparison of Sony SS-CS5 and JBL A130 in scale.
Comparison image of Sony SS-CS5 and JBL A130 Size and External Dimensions
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 Sony SS-CS5 is approximately 391.6cm2 / 60.7inch2 and base area of the JBL A130 is approximately 477.5cm2 / 74.0inch2. The SS-CS5 requires 18% less surface area than the A130 which gives it a small advantage on placement in tight spaces.
Here is an another comparison that shows both speakers on a BDI Octave Media Cabinet, next to a standard size amplifier and turntable in scale:
Size Comparison image of Sony SS-CS5 and JBL A130 on a Media Console
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 Sony SS-CS5 weighs 4.50kg / 9.9lbs and the JBL A130 weighs 5.46kg / 12lbs. This makes the A130 21% heavier than the SS-CS5.
Here is a comparison of how SS-CS5 and A130's weights compare with the average, max and min weights in Passive Bookshelf class.
Weight
All Bookshelf Speakers
What's in the Box of JBL A130?
Here are the items that come with the A130:
2 Bookshelf loudspeakers2 Grilles8 Rubber feetOwners ManualWarranty Card
 Driver Setup |
3-way
vs
2-way
|
Have a dedicated mid-range driver |
 Sensitivity |
87 dB
vs
86 dB
|
Play louder with same amount of amplification power |
 Low Frequency Response |
53 Hz
vs
55 Hz
|
Generates deeper bass |
 High Frequency Response |
50k Hz
vs
40k Hz
|
Generates higher frequency |
 Base Surface Area |
391cm2 (178x220mm)
vs
477cm2 (191x250mm)
|
Takes less floor space |
 Price per pair* |
148USD
vs
300USD
|
costs less (*prices may change depending on the seller, location and time) |
 Max Input Power |
125 watts
vs
100 watts
|
Handle more power from your amplifier |
 Height |
323mm
vs
335mm
|
Easier to fit in smaller spaces |
| General |
Sony SS-CS5 |
JBL Stage A130 |
| Brand |
Sony |
JBL |
| Speaker Type |
Bookshelf speakers |
Bookshelf speakers |
| Power Range |
up to 100 watts |
20-125 watts |
| Sensitivity |
87 dB |
86 dB |
| Impedance |
6 ohms |
6 ohms |
| Frequency Response |
53-50k Hz |
55-40k Hz |
Drivers |
|
|
| Woofer Quantity |
1 |
1 |
| Woofer Size |
5.25" |
5.25" |
| Woofer Composition |
Mica Reinforced Cellular (MRC) |
Polycellulose |
| Woofer Surround Material |
Rubber |
Rubber |
| Tweeter Size |
1" |
1" |
| Tweeter Type |
Soft-Dome |
Hard-Dome |
| Aimable Tweeter |
No |
No |
| Midrange Driver |
No |
No |
| Firing Direction |
rear |
rear |
Physical Specs |
|
|
| Height |
335.0mm (13.2") |
323.0mm (12.7") |
| Width |
178.0mm (7") |
191.0mm (7.5") |
| Depth |
220.0mm (8.7") |
250.0mm (9.8") |
| Weight |
4.50kg (9.9lbs) |
5.46kg (12lbs) |
| Enclosure |
Bass Reflex |
Bass Reflex |
| Finish |
MDF/Wood-veneer |
MDF, Vinyl |
| Available Colors |
Black |
Black |
| Mounting Bracket |
No |
No |
| Recommended Stand Height |
n/a |
24-26" |
| Grille |
Yes |
Yes |
| Moisture Resistancy |
No |
No |
Connections |
|
|
| Biamp Inputs |
No |
No |
Other |
|
|
| Parts Warranty |
2 years |
5 Years |
| Labor Warranty |
2 years |
5 Years |