In this review, we will be comparing D300C and SS-CS8, two Passive Center Channel speakers from Wharfedale and Sony. Let's have a brief look at the main features
of Wharfedale D300C and Sony SS-CS8 first before getting into our more
detailed comparison.
What size room are the Wharfedale D300C 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 Wharfedale D300C 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 D300C and SS-CS8 are 2-way speakers.
| Driver |
Wharfedale D300C |
Sony SS-CS8 |
|
Driver Setup
|
2-way
|
2-way
|
|
Tweeter
|
1-inch
|
1-inch
|
|
Midrange
|
- |
- |
|
Woofer
|
2 x 5-inch
|
2 x 4-inch
|
D300C features a 1" Soft-Dome Tweeter and 2 x 5" Black woven Kevlar Cone Woofer . 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
D300C has a frequency range of 65-20k Hz whereas SS-CS8 has a frequency range of 55-25k 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 D300C's min frequency of 65Hz.
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
D300C is a 8 ohms speaker compared to the SS-CS8 which has a nominal impedance of 6 ohms.
These two speakers also have different sensitivity levels. D300C sensitivity is rated at 89 dB and the SS-CS8's is rated at 86 dB. This 3 dB difference makes the Wharfedale D300C 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.
D300C can handle a max power of 145 watts RMS from the amp the whereas D300C has a max power handling value of 120 watts RMS , 25 watts less than the SS-CS8.
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
D300C features Post posts which make bi-amping or bi-wiring possible. SS-CS8 has a Post which doesn't feature bi-amping/bi-wiring.
Wharfedale D300C's Post terminals allows Bi-amping or bi-wiring
Sony SS-CS8's Post terminals
Cabinet Type and Port Position
D300C has a bottom firing port whereas SS-CS8 has a rear firing ports. Wharfedale D300C's bottom-firing port gives more flexibility in placement in regards to proximity to walls compared to Sony SS-CS8 with its rear-firing port.
New
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 Wharfedale D300C's and Sony SS-CS8's external dimensions. Wharfedale D300C has external dimensions of 190 x 510 x 232mm ( 7.8) whereas Sony SS-CS8 has external dimensions of 146.0 x 430.0 x 220.0mm ( 5.75 x 16.93 x 8.66inch) .
Wharfedale D300C is clearly the larger of the two speakers. Its body is 80mm wider, 44mm taller and 12mm deeper than Sony SS-CS8.
Below you can see the front view size comparison of Wharfedale D300C and Sony SS-CS8 in scale.
Comparison image of Wharfedale D300C and Sony SS-CS8 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 Wharfedale D300C is approximately 1183.0cm2 / 183.4inch2 and base area of the Sony SS-CS8 is approximately 946.0cm2 / 146.6inch2. The D300C requires 25% 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 Wharfedale D300C weighs 8.00kg / 17.6lbs and the Sony SS-CS8 weighs 5.00kg / 11lbs. This makes the D300C 60% heavier than the SS-CS8.
Here is a comparison of how D300C and SS-CS8's weights compare with the average, max and min weights in Passive Center Channel class.
Weight
All Center Channel Speakers
 Sensitivity |
89 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 inches
vs
4 inches
|
Larger woofer |
 Bi-Amping and Bi-Wiring |
Yes
vs
No
|
Allows bi-amping and bi-wiring connections |
 Max Input Power |
145 watts
vs
120 watts
|
Handle more power from your amplifier |
| Low Frequency Response |
55 Hz
vs
65 Hz
|
Generates deeper bass |
 High Frequency Response |
25k Hz
vs
20k Hz
|
Generates higher frequency |
 Height |
146mm
vs
190mm
|
Easier to fit in smaller spaces |
 Base Surface Area |
946cm2 (430x220mm)
vs
1183cm2 (510x232mm)
|
Takes less floor space |
 Price per pair* |
169USD
vs
179USD
|
costs less (*prices may change depending on the seller, location and time) |
| General |
Wharfedale D300C |
Sony SS-CS8 |
| Brand |
Wharfedale |
Sony |
| Speaker Type |
Center channel speaker |
Center Channel |
| Power Range |
25-120 watts |
up to 145 watts |
| Sensitivity |
89 dB |
86 dB |
| Impedance |
8 ohms |
6 ohms |
| Impedance |
3.8 ohms |
n/a |
| Frequency Response |
65-20k Hz |
55-25k Hz |
Drivers |
|
|
| Woofer Quantity |
2 |
2 |
| Woofer Size |
5" |
4" |
| Woofer Composition |
Black woven Kevlar Cone |
Mica Reinforced Cellular (MRC) |
| Woofer Surround Material |
Foamed Polyether |
Rubber |
| Tweeter Size |
1" |
1" |
| Tweeter Type |
Soft-Dome |
Soft-Dome |
| Aimable Tweeter |
No |
No |
| Midrange Driver |
No |
No |
| Firing Direction |
bottom |
rear |
Physical Specs |
|
|
| Height |
190.0mm (7.5") |
146.0mm (5.7") |
| Width |
510.0mm (20.1") |
430.0mm (16.9") |
| Depth |
232.0mm (9.1") |
220.0mm (8.7") |
| Weight |
8.00kg (17.6lbs) |
5.00kg (11lbs) |
| Enclosure |
Bass Reflex |
Bass Reflex |
| Finish |
MDF/Wood-grain vinyl |
MDF/Wood-veneer |
| Available Colors |
Rosewood, Black, White, Walnut |
Black |
| Grille |
Yes |
Yes |
| Moisture Resistancy |
No |
No |
Connections |
|
|
| Biamp Inputs |
Yes |
No |
Other |
|
|
| Parts Warranty |
5 Years |
2 years |
| Labor Warranty |
5 Years |
2 years |