In this review, we will be comparing SS-CS8 and ProCenter 1000, two Passive Center Channel speakers from Sony and Definitive Technology.
Let's have a brief look at the main features
of Sony SS-CS8 and Definitive ProCenter 1000 first before getting into our more
detailed comparison.
| Key Specs | Sony SS-CS8 | Definitive ProCenter 1000 |
|---|
| Brand | Sony
Japan · founded 1946 | Definitive Technology
United States · founded 1990 |
|---|
| Design | 2-way | 2-way |
|---|
| Tweeter | 1" Soft-Dome | 1" dome |
|---|
| Woofer | 2 x 4" Mica Reinforced Cellular (MRC) | 2 x 4.5" BDSS |
|---|
| Frequency response | 55-25k Hz | 47-30k Hz |
|---|
| Sensitivity | 86 dB | 90 dB |
|---|
| Impedance | 6 ohms | 8 ohms |
|---|
| Power range | up to 145 watts | 10-200 watts |
|---|
| Weight | 5.00kg / 11lbs | 3.64kg / 8lbs |
|---|
| Dimensions (H x W x D) | 5.75" x 16.93" x 8.66"
146.0 x 430.0 x 220.0mm | 4-7/8" x 14-5/8" x 5"
124.0 x 372.0 x 127.0mm |
|---|
What size room are the Sony SS-CS8 and Definitive ProCenter 1000 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:
| Listening Environment* |
Sony SS-CS8 |
Definitive ProCenter 1000 |
| Near-field |
Poor |
Poor |
| Small Room |
Average |
Average |
| Mid-size Room |
Good |
Good |
| Large Room |
Average |
Average |
| Very Large Room |
Poor |
Poor |
(* Approximate Room sizes: Small < 100sq. ft / 9 m2,
Mid-size: 100-220 sq. ft / 9-20 m2, Large 220-400 sq. ft / 20-36 m2, Very Large: >
400 sq. ft / 36 m2.
Average Floor Height: 9" / 2.7m. Typical room sizes differ from country to country, and the actual
listening experience changes depending on floor height, room shape, surface materials, listening
position, speaker locations, etc.)
The sections below take each area in turn: drivers, frequency response, physical size and what you get in the box.
Drivers
Both SS-CS8 and ProCenter 1000 are 2-way speakers.
Sony SS-CS8Definitive ProCenter 1000
TweeterWoofer
Front view, drawn to scale - cabinets and drivers share one scale, so sizes are directly comparable. Hover a driver for its size.
| Driver |
Sony SS-CS8 |
Definitive ProCenter 1000 |
|
Driver Setup
|
2-way
|
2-way
|
|
Tweeter
|
1-inch
|
1-inch
|
|
Midrange
|
- |
- |
|
Woofer
|
2 x 4-inch
|
2 x 4.5-inch
|
SS-CS8 features a 1" polyester fiber Soft-Dome Tweeter and 2 x 4" Mica Reinforced Cellular (MRC) Woofer. On the other hand, the ProCenter 1000 features a 1" pure aluminum dome Tweeter and 2 x 4.5" BDSS Woofer.
Frequency Response
SS-CS8 has a frequency range of 55-25k Hz whereas ProCenter 1000 has a frequency range of 47-30k Hz. With a minimum frequency of 47Hz, the ProCenter 1000 can go significantly deeper on the low side and provide stronger bass compared to the SS-CS8's min frequency of 55Hz.
The graph below depicts how these two speakers compare with the max, min and average Low Frequency values of other speakers in the Center Channel class in our database.
Low Frequency
Center Channel Speakers
Neither pair reaches down to 20Hz, the usual definition of full-range, which is normal for speakers of this size. If you want the bottom octave for movies or bass-heavy music, add a subwoofer to whichever you choose. Visit our Powered Subwoofers section to find out more about the available options.
Impedance and Sensitivity
SS-CS8 is a 6 ohms speaker compared to the ProCenter 1000 which has a nominal impedance of 8 ohms.
These two speakers also have different sensitivity levels. SS-CS8 sensitivity is rated at 86 dB and the ProCenter 1000's is rated at 90 dB. This 4 dB difference makes the Definitive ProCenter 1000 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. Staying
within that range gives nominal performance; driving the speaker beyond its maximum wattage can damage it.
ProCenter 1000 can handle a max power of 200 watts RMS, whereas SS-CS8 has a max power handling value of 145 watts RMS, 55 watts less than the ProCenter 1000.
Note that higher power handling does not make a speaker louder: that depends mainly on
sensitivity and impedance. The calculator below shows how loud each of these actually plays
on a real amplifier.
Which plays louder on your amplifier?
Starting with a popular amplifier - change it to the one you own, or any you are
considering, and watch both numbers move.
Definitive ProCenter 1000
Input Type and Bi-Amping / Bi-Wiring
SS-CS8 features 5-Way post type posts and ProCenter 1000 has a 5-Way post type posts. None of these speakers feature bi-amping/bi-wiring.
Sony SS-CS8's Post terminals
Physical Specs
The size of a speaker can sometimes be 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-CS8's and Definitive ProCenter 1000's external dimensions. Sony SS-CS8 has external dimensions of 146.0 x 430.0 x 220.0mm (5.75 x 16.93 x 8.66inch) whereas Definitive ProCenter 1000 has external dimensions of 124.0 x 372.0 x 127.0mm (4-7/8 x 14-5/8 x 5inch).
Sony SS-CS8 is clearly the larger of the two speakers. Its body is 58mm wider, 22mm taller and 93mm deeper than Definitive ProCenter 1000.
Size, drawn to scale
Both speakers and both views share one scale, so everything here is directly comparable. Hover a box for its dimensions.
One scale for both, standing on the same surface and pushed back to the same wall, so the deeper one visibly sticks out further.
Sony SS-CS8 needs about 100% more floor or shelf area. Sony SS-CS8 is 93mm deeper, so it stands that much further out from the wall. Sony SS-CS8 is 22mm taller.
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-CS8 is approximately 946.0cm2 / 146.6inch2 and base area of the Definitive ProCenter 1000 is approximately 472.4cm2 / 73.2inch2. The SS-CS8 requires 100% more surface area than the ProCenter 1000 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 Sony SS-CS8 weighs 5.00kg / 11lbs and the Definitive ProCenter 1000 weighs 3.64kg / 8lbs. This makes the SS-CS8 37% heavier than the ProCenter 1000.
Here is a comparison of how SS-CS8 and ProCenter 1000's weights compare with the average, max and min weights in Passive Center Channel class.
Weight
All Center Channel Speakers
Definitive ProCenter 1000
What's in the Box of Definitive ProCenter 1000?
Here are the items that come with the ProCenter 1000:
- Black center-channel speaker
- Removable cloth grille (installed)
- 2 Plastic inserts
- Owners Manual
- Online Product Registration card
 Price per pair* |
169USD
vs
249USD
|
costs less (*prices may change depending on the seller, location and time) |
 Max Input Power |
200 watts
vs
145 watts
|
Handle more power from your amplifier |
 Sensitivity |
90 dB
vs
86 dB
|
Play louder with same amount of amplification power |
 Nominal Impedance |
8 ohms
vs
6 ohms
|
Less selective with amplifiers |
 Woofer Size |
4.5 inches
vs
4 inches
|
Larger woofer |
|
Low Frequency Response |
47 Hz
vs
55 Hz
|
Generates deeper bass |
 High Frequency Response |
30k Hz
vs
25k Hz
|
Generates higher frequency |
 Passive Radiator |
two 4-1/2-inch
vs
None
|
Increases the bass performance |
 Height |
124mm
vs
146mm
|
Easier to fit in smaller spaces |
 Base Surface Area |
472cm2
vs
946cm2
|
Takes less floor space |
| General |
Sony SS-CS8 |
Definitive Technology ProCenter 1000 |
| Brand |
Sony |
Definitive Technology |
| Speaker Type |
Center Channel |
Center channel speaker (Black) |
| Power Range |
up to 145 watts |
10-200 watts |
| Sensitivity |
86 dB |
90 dB |
| Impedance |
6 ohms |
8 ohms |
| Frequency Response |
55-25k Hz |
47-30k Hz |
Drivers |
|
|
| Woofer Quantity |
2 |
2 |
| Woofer Size |
4" |
4.5" |
| Woofer Composition |
Mica Reinforced Cellular (MRC) |
BDSS |
| Woofer Surround Material |
Rubber |
n/a |
| Tweeter Size |
1" |
1" |
| Tweeter Type |
Soft-Dome |
dome |
| Aimable Tweeter |
No |
No |
| Midrange Driver |
No |
No |
| Firing Direction |
rear |
n/a |
Physical Specs |
|
|
| Height |
146.0mm (5.7") |
124.0mm (4.9") |
| Width |
430.0mm (16.9") |
372.0mm (14.6") |
| Depth |
220.0mm (8.7") |
127.0mm (5") |
| Weight |
5.00kg (11lbs) |
3.64kg (8lbs) |
| Enclosure |
Bass Reflex |
Passive Radiator |
| Finish |
MDF/Wood-veneer |
n/a |
| Available Colors |
Black |
Gloss Black |
| Grille |
Yes |
Yes |
| Moisture Resistancy |
No |
No |
Connections |
|
|
| Biamp Inputs |
No |
n/a |
Other |
|
|
| Parts Warranty |
2 years |
5 Year |
| Labor Warranty |
2 years |
5 Years |
A generation apart: Sony SS-CS8 is the newer design, against a 2007 model. Newer is not automatically better, but the older one is more likely to be discounted or near run-out.
| Area | Better | Why |
|---|
| Bass | B | Definitive ProCenter 1000 digs deeper - 47Hz against 55Hz. A subwoofer would even that out. |
| Amplifier needs | B | Definitive ProCenter 1000 is more sensitive (90dB vs 86dB), so it goes louder on the same amplifier. |
| Amplifier match | B | Definitive ProCenter 1000 is the easier load at 8 ohms. |
| Headroom | B | Definitive ProCenter 1000 takes more power (200W vs 145W) - more in hand in a big room. |
| Size | depends | Definitive ProCenter 1000 is easier to place; Sony SS-CS8 is bigger, which usually goes with fuller bass. Your room decides. |
| Cabinet | depends | Ported vs Passive Radiator. |
| Price | A | Sony SS-CS8 is cheaper - $169 against $249, about 32% less. |
A Sony SS-CS8 B Definitive ProCenter 1000
depends neither is better in the abstract - it turns on your room, your system or how you will use them. Only specs published for both speakers are judged; anything missing on either side is left out rather than guessed.
Which should you choose?
The usual trade-off: Definitive ProCenter 1000 measures better, Sony SS-CS8 costs about about 47% more% less. Whether that gap is worth the money is the call only you can make - and in a normal room it is often smaller than the numbers suggest. If a subwoofer is in your plans, the bass gap largely stops mattering - you would be crossing over above 55Hz anyway, which makes the cheaper Sony SS-CS8 much easier to justify. In a large or open-plan room, Sony SS-CS8 has the cabinet volume to fill it more easily; in a small room, near a wall or at desk distance, Definitive ProCenter 1000 is the easier speaker to get right.
And remember what a spec sheet cannot show: how each looks in your room and whether the finish suits it, what dealer support and warranty are like where you live, and how they actually sound to you. If you can hear them first - ideally with your own music - that will tell you more than any number above.