In this review, we will be comparing SS-CS8 and R-52C, two Passive Center Channel speakers from Sony and Klipsch.
Let's have a brief look at the main features
of Sony SS-CS8 and Klipsch R-52C first before getting into our more
detailed comparison.
| Key Specs | Sony SS-CS8 | Klipsch R-52C |
|---|
| Brand | Sony
Japan · founded 1946 | Klipsch
United States · founded 1946 |
|---|
| Design | 2-way | 2-way |
|---|
| Tweeter | 1" Soft-Dome | 1" Tractrix horn |
|---|
| Woofer | 2 x 4" Mica Reinforced Cellular (MRC) | 2 x 5.25" copper spun IMG |
|---|
| Frequency response | 55-25k Hz | 89-21k Hz |
|---|
| Sensitivity | 86 dB | 95 dB |
|---|
| Impedance | 6 ohms | 8 ohms |
|---|
| Power range | up to 145 watts | up to 100 watts |
|---|
| Weight | 5.00kg / 11lbs | 3.18kg / 7lbs |
|---|
| Dimensions (H x W x D) | 5.75" x 16.93" x 8.66"
146.0 x 430.0 x 220.0mm | 7-1/16" x 18-13/16" x 7-11/16"
180.0 x 478.0 x 196.0mm |
|---|
What size room are the Sony SS-CS8 and Klipsch R-52C 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 |
Klipsch R-52C |
| Near-field |
Poor |
Average |
| Small Room |
Average |
Good |
| Mid-size Room |
Good |
Average |
| Large Room |
Average |
Poor |
| Very Large Room |
Poor |
Bad |
(* 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.
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Drivers
Both SS-CS8 and R-52C are 2-way speakers.
Sony SS-CS8Klipsch R-52C
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 |
Klipsch R-52C |
|
Driver Setup
|
2-way
|
2-way
|
|
Tweeter
|
1-inch
|
1-inch
|
|
Midrange
|
- |
- |
|
Woofer
|
2 x 4-inch
|
2 x 5.25-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 R-52C features a 1" aluminum Tractrix horn Tweeter and 2 x 5.25" copper spun IMG Woofer.
Frequency Response
SS-CS8 has a frequency range of 55-25k Hz whereas R-52C has a frequency range of 89-21k Hz. With a minimum frequency of 55Hz, the SS-CS8 can go significantly deeper on the low side and provide stronger bass compared to the R-52C's min frequency of 89Hz.
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 R-52C 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 R-52C's is rated at 95 dB. This 9 dB difference makes the Klipsch R-52C 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.
SS-CS8 can handle a max power of 145 watts RMS, whereas R-52C has a max power handling value of 100 watts RMS, 45 watts less than the SS-CS8.
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.
Input Type and Bi-Amping / Bi-Wiring
SS-CS8 features Binding post type posts and R-52C has a Binding post type posts. None of these speakers feature bi-amping/bi-wiring.
Sony SS-CS8's Post terminals
Klipsch R-52C's Binding 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 Klipsch R-52C'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 Klipsch R-52C has external dimensions of 180.0 x 478.0 x 196.0mm (7-1/16 x 18-13/16 x 7-11/16inch).
Sony SS-CS8 is 48mm narrower and 34mm shorter than Klipsch R-52C but it is also 24mm deeper.
Below you can see the front view size comparison of Sony SS-CS8 and Klipsch R-52C in scale.
Comparison image of Sony SS-CS8 and Klipsch R-52C 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-CS8 is approximately 946.0cm2 / 146.6inch2 and base area of the Klipsch R-52C is approximately 936.9cm2 / 145.2inch2. The SS-CS8 requires 1% more surface area than the R-52C 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 Klipsch R-52C weighs 3.18kg / 7lbs. This makes the SS-CS8 57% heavier than the R-52C.
Here is a comparison of how SS-CS8 and R-52C's weights compare with the average, max and min weights in Passive Center Channel class.
Weight
All Center Channel Speakers
What's in the Box of Klipsch R-52C?
Here are the items that come with the R-52C:
- Center-channel loudspeaker
- Grille (installed)
- 4 Self-adhesive rubber feet
- Quick Setup Guide
- Important Safety Instructions
- Warranty Information
 Max Input Power |
145 watts
vs
100 watts
|
Handle more power from your amplifier |
 Low Frequency Response |
55 Hz
vs
89 Hz
|
Generates deeper bass |
 High Frequency Response |
25k Hz
vs
21k Hz
|
Generates higher frequency |
 Height |
146mm
vs
180mm
|
Easier to fit in smaller spaces |
 Price per pair* |
169USD
vs
349USD
|
costs less (*prices may change depending on the seller, location and time) |
 Sensitivity |
95 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 |
5.25 inches
vs
4 inches
|
Larger woofer |
 Base Surface Area |
936cm2
vs
946cm2
|
Takes less floor space |
| General |
Sony SS-CS8 |
Klipsch Reference R-52C |
| Brand |
Sony |
Klipsch |
| Speaker Type |
Center Channel |
Center channel speaker |
| Power Range |
up to 145 watts |
up to 100 watts |
| Sensitivity |
86 dB |
95 dB |
| Impedance |
6 ohms |
8 ohms |
| Frequency Response |
55-25k Hz |
89-21k Hz |
Drivers |
|
|
| Woofer Quantity |
2 |
2 |
| Woofer Size |
4" |
5.25" |
| Woofer Composition |
Mica Reinforced Cellular (MRC) |
copper spun IMG |
| Woofer Surround Material |
Rubber |
n/a |
| Tweeter Size |
1" |
1" |
| Tweeter Type |
Soft-Dome |
Tractrix horn |
| Aimable Tweeter |
No |
No |
| Midrange Driver |
No |
No |
| Firing Direction |
rear |
n/a |
Physical Specs |
|
|
| Height |
146.0mm (5.7") |
180.0mm (7.1") |
| Width |
430.0mm (16.9") |
478.0mm (18.8") |
| Depth |
220.0mm (8.7") |
196.0mm (7.7") |
| Weight |
5.00kg (11lbs) |
3.18kg (7lbs) |
| Enclosure |
Bass Reflex |
Acoustic Suspension |
| Finish |
MDF/Wood-veneer |
wood grain vinyl |
| Available Colors |
Black |
Black |
| Grille |
Yes |
Yes |
| Moisture Resistancy |
No |
No |
Connections |
|
|
| Biamp Inputs |
No |
n/a |
Other |
|
|
| Parts Warranty |
2 years |
5 Years |
| Labor Warranty |
2 years |
5 Years |
These sit in different price classes - Klipsch R-52C costs roughly 2.1x what Sony SS-CS8 does. Expect it to lead on paper; the question is whether the gap is audible enough in your room to be worth it.
| Area | Better | Why |
|---|
| Bass | A | Sony SS-CS8 digs deeper - 55Hz against 89Hz. |
| Amplifier needs | B | Klipsch R-52C is more sensitive (95dB vs 86dB), so it goes louder on the same amplifier. |
| Amplifier match | B | Klipsch R-52C is the easier load at 8 ohms. |
| Headroom | A | Sony SS-CS8 takes more power (145W vs 100W) - more in hand in a big room. |
| Size | depends | Similar cabinet size - neither is easier to fit. |
| Cabinet | depends | Ported vs Sealed. Sealed is tighter and happier near a wall; ported digs lower but wants space behind it. |
| Price | A | Sony SS-CS8 is cheaper - $169 against $349, about 52% less; arguably a different class. |
A Sony SS-CS8 B Klipsch R-52C
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?
Neither runs away with it - they trade advantages. Let the "depends" rows and your own room settle it. If a subwoofer is in your plans, the bass gap largely stops mattering - you would be crossing over above 89Hz anyway, so judge these on the other rows instead. Match it to your room: we rate Sony SS-CS8 the better fit for a mid-size room and a large room, and Klipsch R-52C for near-field listening and a small room.
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.