SpeakerDecision
  • SPEAKERS by TYPE
    • Passive Speakers
      • Bookshelf Speakers
      • Floor-standing Speakers
      • Center Channel Speakers
      • All Speakers
Sony SS-CS5 Review

Main Features

  • 1" Soft-Dome Tweeter
  • 0.75" Super Tweeter
  • 5.25" Mica Reinforced Cellular (MRC) Woofer
  • 53-50k Hz Frequency Response
  • 87 dB Sensitivity
  • Impedance: 6ohms
  • Power Range:up to 100watts
  • Weight:9.900 lbs
  • Dimensions (H x W x D): 13.1" x 7.0" x 8.6"
CHECK TODAYS PRICE

BUY from B&H PHOTO

Compare To

x
Add a Speaker for comparison
Sony SS-CS5 Review

SS-CS5 is a 3-way Passive Bass Reflex Bookshelf speaker by Sony. It features a 1" Soft-Dome Tweeter, 0.75" Super Tweeter, and 1 x 5.25" Mica Reinforced Cellular (MRC) Woofer. The speaker has a frequency range of 53-50k Hz and a sensitivity of 87 dB. Sony SS-CS5 has an MSRP of 148$ per pair.

SS-CS5 is a member of Sony's CS series of Passive speakers. Below you can see the main specs of these speakers.

Sony CS Series Speakers
Model Frequency SensitivityImpedance Woofer
Sony SS-CS5
53-50k Hz 87 dB6Ω 1 x 5.25"
Sony SS-CS8
Compare
55-25k Hz 86 dB6Ω 2 x 4"
Sony SS-CS3
Compare
45-50k Hz 88 dB6Ω 2 x 5.12"


**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.

Frequency Response

Sony SS-CS5 has a Frequency response range of 53-50k Hz at ±3dB and Power Range of up to 100 watts. At a minimum frequency of 53 Hz, SS-CS5 will provide an average bass depth so depending on your use case, you may consider supplementing your system with a subwoofer. Here we have a comparison of how SS-CS5's Low and High frequency values compare with the average, max and min Low and High frequency values in its class.

Low Frequency
Bookshelf Speakers
Sony SS-CS5
Min
Average
Max
High Frequency
Bookshelf Speakers
Sony SS-CS5
Min
Average
Max

Among the speakers in our database with a max MSRP price of 300$ (Pair), these are the 5 Passive Bookshelf speakers that have the deeper bass levels than the Sony SS-CS5's 53Hz:

  • Polk XT20 with Low Frequency of 38 Hz (Compare w/ SS-CS5)
  • Cambridge SX-60 with Low Frequency of 41 Hz (Compare w/ SS-CS5)
  • Polk ES15 with Low Frequency of 44 Hz (Compare w/ SS-CS5)
  • Polk XT15 with Low Frequency of 48 Hz (Compare w/ SS-CS5)
  • Emotiva Airmotiv B1+ with Low Frequency of 48 Hz (Compare w/ SS-CS5)

On the treble side, with its upper limit of 50 kHz, Sony SS-CS5 has the highest frequency level among the Bookshelf speakers in our database.



Sony SS-CS5 Crossover
Sony SS-CS5 Crossover

Impedance and Sensitivity

Sony SS-CS5's nominal impedance level is 6 ohms and has a sensitivity of 87 dB.

Sensitivity
Bookshelf Speakers
Sony SS-CS5
Min
Average
Max

Is the Sony SS-CS5 an easy to drive speaker?

8 Ohms is pretty much the standard impedance amongst stereo speakers and amplifiers so Sony SS-CS5 is not considered a difficult to drive speaker from nominal Impedance perspective.

With a sensitivity level of only 87 dB, Sony SS-CS5 is a difficult to drive speaker from Sensitivity perspective, make sure to choose an amplifier with hogh output if you like listening your music at high volume levels.

Input Type

SS-CS5 features Post type connectors. Bi-amping and Bi-wiring is not possible.
Sony SS-CS5 Back View
Sony SS-CS5 Back View

Sony SS-CS5 Speaker Size: Weight and Dimensions

Sony SS-CS5 has external dimensions of (Height x Width x Depth) 13.1 x 7.0 x 8.6inch (335.0 x 178.0 x 220.0mm ). Each speaker weighs 4.50kg / 9.9lbs.

To have a better perspective on the real life size of Sony SS-CS5, let's compare it with a standard size Compact Disc which has a diameter of 4.7inch (120mm).

Sony SS-CS5 Real Life Body Size Comparison
Sony SS-CS5 Speaker Size Compared to a Compact Disc

Here we place the Sony SS-CS5 virtually next to a standard width amplifier and turntable on a BDI Octave Media Cabinet to get a better idea about the size.

Sony SS-CS5 placed next to an amplifier and turntable
Sony SS-CS5 Speaker next to an amplifier and turntable

Cabinet type and Materials

Sony SS-CS5 has a Bass Reflex type cabinet and MDF/Wood-veneer finish. Bass Reflex type loudspeakers (aka Ported, Vented or Reflex Port) have enclosures that uses a port, hole or vent cut into the cabinet. Ported designs are generally more efficient than the Sealed designs.

Port Position

Sony SS-CS5 is a rear-firing port speaker so you have to make sure you leave enough space between the back of the speaker and wall or bookshelf so that it has room to breathe.

Available colors

Sony SS-CS5 is available in Black.

Wall Mounting

SS-CS5 doesn't sport any built-in mounting bracket so you need an external structure to mount on walls.

Grille

SS-CS5 comes with Removable Cloth grilles in Black. The purpose of the speaker grille is to protect the delicate driver elements from external impacts while still allowing the sound pass as clearly as possible.

User's Manual

For more information about how to setup, use and maintain the Sony SS-CS5, use the direct link below to download the official manual document:
Download User Manual for Sony SS-CS5

Official Product Page

Official manufacturer's product page for the Sony SS-CS5 speaker can be found below:
Official Product Page for Sony SS-CS5

Warranty

2 years of parts warranty and 2 years of labor warranty is generally provided by the manufacturer.

Sony SS-CS5  in Use
Sony SS-CS5 in Use


Sony SS-CS5 Alternatives in Passive Bookshelf Speakers
Model Type Sensitivity Impedance Frequency
Klipsch R-51M
Compare
2-way 93 dB 8 ohms 62-21k Hz
B&W 606 S2
Compare
2-way 88 dB 8 ohms 52-28k Hz
B&W 606
Compare
2-way 88 dB 8 ohms 52-28k Hz
Wharfedale Elysian 2
Compare
3-way 89 dB 4 ohms 35-22k Hz
Klipsch RP-400M
Compare
2-way 93 dB 8 ohms 52-25k Hz
ELAC Debut 2.0 B6.2
Compare
2-way 87 dB 6 ohms 44-35k Hz
Wharfedale EVO4.1
Compare
2-way 87 dB 8 ohms 64-22k Hz
Klipsch RP-500M
Compare
2-way 93 dB 8 ohms 48-25k Hz
Klipsch RP-600M
Compare
2-way 96 dB 8 ohms 45-25k Hz
Polk TSi100
Compare
2-way 89 dB 8 ohms 61-24k Hz
Jamo S 801
Compare
2-way 85 dB 8 ohms 76-26k Hz
Monitor Audio Bronze 1
Compare
2-way 88 dB 8 ohms 55-30k Hz
Wharfedale LINTON
Compare
3-way 90 dB 6 ohms 40-20k Hz
KEF Q150
Compare
2-way 86 dB 8 ohms 51-28k Hz
Klipsch R-41M
Compare
2-way 90 dB 8 ohms 68-21k Hz
Wharfedale EVO4.2
Compare
3-way 88 dB 8 ohms 54-22k Hz
Frequently Asked Questions about Sony SS-CS5
What is the External Dimensions of Sony SS-CS5
What is the Speaker Sensitivity of Sony SS-CS5
is the Sony SS-CS5 an easy to drive speaker?


LATEST BLOG POSTS

Klipsh Reference Premier Mark II Series of Speakers added to our Database
Sonus Faber Lumina and Sonetto Speakers added to our Database
KEF Unveils the new LS 60 Wireless Tower Speakers
Acoustic Energy AE100, AE300 and AE500 Passive Loudspeaker added to our Database
SVS Prime Wireless Speaker $200 Off!
Focal April 2022 Loudspeaker and Headphone Deals
Klipsch unveils the updated Reference Speaker Range for 2022
Seven Frequency Bands of Audio Spectrum

Latest Passive Bookshelf Speakers
Klipsch Reference Premiere RP-600M II
Klipsch Reference Premiere RP-600M II
2-way Bookshelf | 94.5 dB | 8 ohms
Klipsch Reference Premiere RP-500M II
Klipsch Reference Premiere RP-500M II
2-way Bookshelf | 92 dB | 8 ohms
Sonus Faber Sonetto II
Sonus Faber Sonetto II
2-way Bookshelf | 87 dB | 4 ohms
Sonus Faber Sonetto I
Sonus Faber Sonetto I
2-way Bookshelf | 87 dB | 4 ohms
Sonus Faber Lumina II
Sonus Faber Lumina II
2-way Bookshelf | 86 dB | 4 ohms
Sonus Faber Lumina I
Sonus Faber Lumina I
2-way Bookshelf | 88 dB | 4 ohms
KLH Model Three
KLH Model Three
2-way Bookshelf | 88 dB | 6 ohms
DALI Spektor 2
DALI Spektor 2
2-way Bookshelf | 84.5 dB | 6 ohms
DALI Spektor 1
DALI Spektor 1
2-way Bookshelf | 83 dB | 6 ohms
Acoustic Energy AE300
Acoustic Energy AE300
2-way Bookshelf | 86 dB | 6 ohms


Most Popular Speakers
Klipsch Reference R-51M
Klipsch Reference R-51M
2-way Bookshelf | 93 dB | 8 ohms
Bowers & Wilkins 606 S2 Anniversary Edition
Bowers & Wilkins 606 S2 Anniversary Edition
2-way Bookshelf | 88 dB | 8 ohms
Bowers & Wilkins 606
Bowers & Wilkins 606
2-way Bookshelf | 88 dB | 8 ohms
Wharfedale Elysian 2
Wharfedale Elysian 2
3-way Bookshelf | 89 dB | 4 ohms
Klipsch Reference Premiere RP-400M
Klipsch Reference Premiere RP-400M
2-way Bookshelf | 93 dB | 8 ohms
ELAC Debut 2.0 B6.2
ELAC Debut 2.0 B6.2
2-way Bookshelf | 87 dB | 6 ohms
Wharfedale EVO4.1
Wharfedale EVO4.1
2-way Bookshelf | 87 dB | 8 ohms
Klipsch Reference Premiere RP-500M
Klipsch Reference Premiere RP-500M
2-way Bookshelf | 93 dB | 8 ohms
Klipsch Reference Premiere RP-600M
Klipsch Reference Premiere RP-600M
2-way Bookshelf | 96 dB | 8 ohms
Polk Audio TSi100
Polk Audio TSi100
2-way Bookshelf | 89 dB | 8 ohms

Copyright © 2022 by SpeakerDecision
About Privacy Camera Decision