In this review, we will be comparing SS-CS8 and Alpha C10, two Passive Center Channel speakers from Sony and PSB.
Let's have a brief look at the main features
of Sony SS-CS8 and PSB Alpha C10 first before getting into our more
detailed comparison.
| Key Specs | Sony SS-CS8 | PSB Alpha C10 |
|---|
| Design | 2-way | 2-way |
|---|
| Tweeter | 1" Soft-Dome | 3/4" dome with front waveguide |
|---|
| Woofer | 2 x 4" Mica Reinforced Cellular (MRC) | 2 x 5.25" textured polypropylene |
|---|
| Frequency response | 55-25k Hz | 55-21k Hz |
|---|
| Sensitivity | 86 dB | 90 dB |
|---|
| Impedance | 6 ohms | 8 ohms |
|---|
| Power range | up to 145 watts | 15-120 watts |
|---|
| Weight | 5.00kg / 11lbs | 7.73kg / 17lbs |
|---|
| Dimensions (H x W x D) | 5.75" x 16.93" x 8.66"
146.0 x 430.0 x 220.0mm | 6-3/4" x 17-3/4" x 10"
172.0 x 451.0 x 254.0mm |
|---|
What size room are the Sony SS-CS8 and PSB Alpha C10 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 |
PSB Alpha C10 |
| 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.
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Drivers
Both SS-CS8 and Alpha C10 are 2-way speakers.
Sony SS-CS8PSB Alpha C10
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 |
PSB Alpha C10 |
|
Driver Setup
|
2-way
|
2-way
|
|
Tweeter
|
1-inch
|
3/4-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 Alpha C10 features a 3/4" anodized aluminum dome with front waveguide Tweeter and 2 x 5.25" textured polypropylene Woofer.
Frequency Response
SS-CS8 has a frequency range of 55-25k Hz whereas Alpha C10 has a frequency range of 55-21k Hz.
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 Alpha C10 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 Alpha C10's is rated at 90 dB. This 4 dB difference makes the PSB Alpha C10 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 Alpha C10 has a max power handling value of 120 watts RMS, 25 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 5-Way post type posts and Alpha C10 has a 5-Way post type posts. None of these speakers feature bi-amping/bi-wiring.
Sony SS-CS8's Post terminals
PSB Alpha C10's 5-Way 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 PSB Alpha C10'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 PSB Alpha C10 has external dimensions of 172.0 x 451.0 x 254.0mm (6-3/4 x 17-3/4 x 10inch).
PSB Alpha C10 is clearly the larger of the two speakers. Its body is 21mm wider, 26mm taller and 34mm 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 Sony SS-CS8 is approximately 946.0cm2 / 146.6inch2 and base area of the PSB Alpha C10 is approximately 1145.5cm2 / 177.6inch2. The SS-CS8 requires 17% less surface area than the Alpha C10 which gives it a small advantage 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 PSB Alpha C10 weighs 7.73kg / 17lbs. This makes the Alpha C10 55% heavier than the SS-CS8.
Here is a comparison of how SS-CS8 and Alpha C10'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 PSB Alpha C10?
Here are the items that come with the Alpha C10:
- Center-channel loudspeaker
- Grille
- 4 Self-adhesive rubber feet
- Quick Start Guide
- Warranty Card
 Max Input Power |
145 watts
vs
120 watts
|
Handle more power from your amplifier |
 High Frequency Response |
25k Hz
vs
21k Hz
|
Generates higher frequency |
 Height |
146mm
vs
172mm
|
Easier to fit in smaller spaces |
 Base Surface Area |
946cm2
vs
1145cm2
|
Takes less floor space |
 Price per pair* |
169USD
vs
449USD
|
costs less (*prices may change depending on the seller, location and time) |
 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 |
5.25 inches
vs
4 inches
|
Larger woofer |
| General |
Sony SS-CS8 |
PSB Alpha C10 |
| Brand |
Sony |
PSB |
| Speaker Type |
Center Channel |
Center channel speaker |
| Power Range |
up to 145 watts |
15-120 watts |
| Sensitivity |
86 dB |
90 dB |
| Impedance |
6 ohms |
8 ohms |
| Frequency Response |
55-25k Hz |
55-21k Hz |
Drivers |
|
|
| Woofer Quantity |
2 |
2 |
| Woofer Size |
4" |
5.25" |
| Woofer Composition |
Mica Reinforced Cellular (MRC) |
textured polypropylene |
| Woofer Surround Material |
Rubber |
rubber |
| Tweeter Size |
1" |
3/4" |
| Tweeter Type |
Soft-Dome |
dome with front waveguide |
| Aimable Tweeter |
No |
No |
| Midrange Driver |
No |
No |
| Firing Direction |
rear |
n/a |
Physical Specs |
|
|
| Height |
146.0mm (5.7") |
172.0mm (6.8") |
| Width |
430.0mm (16.9") |
451.0mm (17.8") |
| Depth |
220.0mm (8.7") |
254.0mm (10") |
| Weight |
5.00kg (11lbs) |
7.73kg (17lbs) |
| Enclosure |
Bass Reflex |
Bass Reflex |
| Finish |
MDF/Wood-veneer |
n/a |
| Available Colors |
Black |
Walnut |
| 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 - PSB Alpha C10 costs roughly 2.7x 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 |
evenly matched |
Much the same reach (55Hz vs 55Hz). |
| Amplifier needs |
B |
PSB Alpha C10 is more sensitive (90dB vs 86dB), so it goes louder on the same amplifier. |
| Amplifier match |
B |
PSB Alpha C10 is the easier load at 8 ohms. |
| Headroom |
evenly matched |
Similar power handling (145W vs 120W). |
| Size |
depends |
Sony SS-CS8 is easier to place; PSB Alpha C10 is bigger, which usually goes with fuller bass. Your room decides. |
| Expandability |
depends |
Neither adds bi-amping, a sub output or height drivers. PSB Alpha C10 sits in a wider range (9 models), so a matched surround system is easier later. |
| Price |
A |
Sony SS-CS8 is cheaper - $169 against $449, about 62% less; arguably a different class. |
A Sony SS-CS8
B PSB Alpha C10
depends neither is better in the abstract - it turns on your room, placement 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: PSB Alpha C10 measures better, Sony SS-CS8 costs about 62% 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. In a large or open-plan room, PSB Alpha C10 has the cabinet volume to fill it more easily; in a small room, near a wall or at desk distance, Sony SS-CS8 is the easier speaker to get right. If your amplifier is modest, vintage or valve-based, PSB Alpha C10 is the safer partner - the other will want more current or more watts to sound its best.
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.