Sony SS-CS5 Budget Friendly Reference Speaker Honest Audiophile impressions

Рет қаралды 9,882

2 жыл бұрын

Is the Sony SS-SC5 a budget friendly reference speaker?
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Test Tracks: www.thehonestaudiophile.com/p...
Tingvall Trio “Beat” - piano tonality
Sinne Eeg “We’ve Just Begun” - multiple layer soundstage
Molly Johnson “What a Little Moonlight Can Do” - female vocal tone
Leslie Odom Jr. “Under Pressure” - male vocal tone
Eric Clapton “Change the World” - soundstage, layering and placement
Yo Yo Ma “Ecstasy of Gold” - acoustic instrument timbre
Adam Baldych “Spem in Alium” - acoustic instrument timbre
Pain of Salvation “Stress” - bass and percussion balance
Michael Buble “When I Fall in Love” - orchestral dynamics
Patricia Barber “Code Cool” - sibilance check
Christian Scott “New New Orleans” - shouty upper mids
Tool “Chocolate Chip Trip” - imaging
Hans Zimmer “Why So Serious” - sub bass extension
Marcus Miller “No Limit” - bass control
Dave Holland Quartet “Conference Of The Birds”- bass check
Ilhan Eshkeri “47 Ronin”- orchestra and bass dynamics
Hans Zimmer: “2049” - sub bass extension
Cher: “Believe” - sibilance
Stanley Clarke - “Passenger 57 main title” - percussion, bass, separation and placement
Slovak Radio Symphony Orchestra - “The Pine of the Appian Way” - soundstage, imaging, separation, dynamic range
Houston Person - “You are my Sunshine” - tone and timbre
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Пікірлер: 64

@ginom407 2 жыл бұрын

Great Review! Thanks Dave.👍👍👍

@TheHonestAudiophile 2 жыл бұрын

My pleasure, you're welcome ❤️

@viderethevaccinatorfromhol7536 11 ай бұрын

Ha ha i missed this one. They look awesome in your background 👍

@TheHonestAudiophile 11 ай бұрын

Thanks 🙏

@GhettoMike72 2 жыл бұрын

I agree a lot with your comments of these Sony speakers! I went from these at my desk to the wharfedale d320, I also use a Mytek liberty coincidentally. I don’t really miss the Sony speakers anymore because the d320 is more to my preferences overall, but initially I did miss their excitement and liveliness. It kind of led me to try the lcd-X for a lively listening option. But I tried the Sonys and they did open my eyes to the fact they are great budget options. It was the cheapest speaker or headphone purchase I ever made and they I did really enjoy them. They live in the garage now!

@TheHonestAudiophile 2 жыл бұрын

Awesomeness 😎

@joshuawang5859 Ай бұрын

I used to have CS5 and sold it because it's tiny sound, even it sounds overall more balanced than most of budget speakers

@quikspecv4d 2 жыл бұрын

I just installed a pair of these as my rear surround sound channels. They are mounted on the wall with the woofer’s about ear level. The way my place is set up, that’s the best position I could mount them. It actually worked out great. Imaging is great. The treble sounds natural behind you. I’m not sure it would if mounted at a normal level. Especially being a bit close to the listening position as they are. My rear soundstage is great now. Watching Moana with my daughter I noticed when the camera went under water the sound of the water surrounding you was deep and realistic sounding. Good review. I didn’t listen to them in a two channel setup but I wonder if you raised them so the woofer was at ear level what they would sound like.

@TheHonestAudiophile 2 жыл бұрын

Awesomeness. Yeah I would think that would be a great usage for them. Glad you enjoy them. Thanks for the impressions. I might have to change position height and give that a whirl. Thanks for the suggestion.

@ericmayle8510 Жыл бұрын

I have an 18' wide listening area so my SS-CS5s is positioned 6' from the corners about a foot away from the wall. I found the 1/3 1/3 1/3 rule helps stage the speakers especially since I'm using them with a 2.0 stereo system for music and a soundbar replacement. I plan to add the Sony SS-CS9 sub to the system to bring in more bass because the SS-CS5s are more midrange and treble. Overall, as a budget passive speaker set, the Sony's are good for the money spent.

@michaelknibbs 2 жыл бұрын

Looks like you’re getting into a wider range of gear. That’s great. I don’t know this particular model but a lot of Sony budget speakers have similar character. They tend to beam sound and so don’t make for a pleasant close field experience. Is this a small room? I find it interesting that you have so quickly realized that speaker / room interface or interaction much bigger than speaker amplifier (or even the source?). Good stuff. Get more speakers and keep this going. You have a great presence in your reviews, making it hard to separate the reviewer from the review LOL. 😉

@TheHonestAudiophile 2 жыл бұрын

It's an average size room, 9x13 would be my guess. I probably should measure it. Thanks for the kind words, greatly appreciate ❤️

@RennieAsh 2 жыл бұрын

He hasn't been tainted yet XD

@ikejennings1154 Жыл бұрын

Nice reviews on the sony, ss cs5z..friend of mine was lookin for a set of speakers to go with eaz pioneer tuner anda sony subwoofer..i told em bout these..I was goin arround the yt vids on bookshelves or whatever ya wanna call em...the ones inna sound test, there also beautiful lookin, were the boston acoustics vr m50s..wow, thats all.i can text with the boston acoustics vr m 50s...great review THA.. Merry xmaz to you and ur family..peace

@TheHonestAudiophile Жыл бұрын

Interesting. Haven't heard any Boston Acoustics products, maybe one. You are welcome for the review. Merry Christmas and Happy New Year to you and your family.

@ikejennings1154 Жыл бұрын

@@TheHonestAudiophile yeah!! If ya getta chance too schek out a couple of boston acoustics vr m 50 videos..theres one with a beautiful setup by kyle bowker playing his system thru the vrm50s..gorgepus speakers with sound ta go with

@jschoenzy9416 Ай бұрын

I'm suspicious of these, so much attention on KZfaq. I'll check-out those wharfdales.

@timothyfreeseha4056 Жыл бұрын

Speaker stands- both the style and height can make a huge difference in the way a speaker sounds. With my current speakers Ive had to experiment a lot- because im skeptical and stubborn, and because i want to experience the truth. But- the truth was in the manufacturers recommendations & i could have saved time by going there first.

@AmericanConstellation Жыл бұрын

I collect high end audio gear and speakers. For 80 bucks, these Sony's are fun to mess with. Sony really nailed it for a cheap, bookshelf speaker. These things out perform $500 to some $1,000.00 speakers.

@TheHonestAudiophile Жыл бұрын

Glad you enjoy the Sony speakers. They're a good value for sure.

@realdopewater 7 ай бұрын

Thanks! Would you suggest setting your subwoofer crossover frequency?

@TheHonestAudiophile 7 ай бұрын

I set my sub crossover at around 80hz and about 60 % volume.

@realdopewater 7 ай бұрын

@@TheHonestAudiophile thanks !

@Allaces305 2 жыл бұрын

Great honest review with the disclaimer in the beginning..Those Sony's are great little speakers but your gonna need a sub.. Sometimes they can be had for about $80 which makes them an amazing entry into the audio community... Lots of times with rear ported speakers placement is everything...I believe these were created by the famous Andrew Jones... Maybe you can check out the pioneer sp-bs22 it's the direct competition to the sscs5.

@TheHonestAudiophile 2 жыл бұрын

Awesomeness 😎 Steal of a deal at $80.

@MrJueKa 2 жыл бұрын

Are these Pioneer SP-BS22 speakers still available or have they not been discontinued as far as I know? In Germany, where I live, they aren`t availble anymore. The ELAC Debut 5.2 and 6.2 are designed by Andrew Jones too and on a same level as these Pioneers.

@fei19317 2 жыл бұрын

I've owned a pair of Monitor Audio R252 speakers and a Wharfedale 2050A Integrated amp from my dad. They're a fantastic combo, I don't think I need to spend any money on speakers and power amp. I'm with headphones most of the time, but speakers are different experience.

@TheHonestAudiophile 2 жыл бұрын

Awesomeness 👍Speakers have a special place but I still use headphones and IEM more often.

@MrJueKa 2 жыл бұрын

@@TheHonestAudiophile I`m using a cheap "ELEGIANT USB Powered Soundbar 6W PC Speakers | SR100" (23 USD) with my modern desktop gaming PC and this soundbar is a very good sounding bargain and imo more than enough for most "normal" people...I`m using the "HyperX Cloud Stinger" gaming headset too...you don`t have to spent much money to get a good sound with your desktop PC.

@TheHonestAudiophile 2 жыл бұрын

@@MrJueKa Yep, there is quality sound available in all the budget ranges, just have to search for it.

@MrJueKa 2 жыл бұрын

@@TheHonestAudiophile That's how it is. Unfortunately, imo too many YT channels always test the same devices and speakers with mostly the same results, which is rather unlikely if someone asks me, instead of testing completely different devices, speakers or manufacturers, but always rather rarely from a price range that is still affordable for normal earners.

@TheHonestAudiophile 2 жыл бұрын

@@MrJueKa yes, that is an issue for sure.

@AmericanConstellation Жыл бұрын

The tweeters on your speakers should be even with your ears when you are sitting down.

@TheHonestAudiophile Жыл бұрын

Yep and they are. Thank you for the tip.

@SomebodysNephew 2 жыл бұрын

This makes me wish I liked Sony. I've bought their flagship headphones. Had some of their receivers. However, what they did to one of my favorite online games ever is nay okay. They've got good audio but I am starting to have little faith in the privacy of their "smart audio" products. Not that I have a very good reason to do so, yet. I'll stick to my custom unported woofer/planar bookshelves I built. I really need higher mid range audio if I was to upgrade this time around. I have quality sound/space/dual subwoofers. My mids are a slight muffle from the V curve. Thanks for the video. Appreciate you as always

@TheHonestAudiophile 2 жыл бұрын

Thanks for the comment, greatly appreciate ❤️ My pleasure, you're welcome for the video.

@bbaker6212 Жыл бұрын

If you want to improve your reviews you really should details your listening system up front. What amp and source did you use? This makes a big difference to how the speakers will sound. And it helps viewers to see how similar or different their equipment is to yours.

@TheHonestAudiophile Жыл бұрын

Gear used to review is clearly mentioned at 3:15 mark.

@MrJueKa 2 жыл бұрын

Remember, you get what you pay for, miracles cost a little more. I've heard a lot of sound demos with this Sony speaker and I don't like the sound, ok, that's my personal impression. In my opinion, for example, a Dali Spector 1 or 2 or a Wharfedale Diamond 12.0 or 12.1 sound more balanced and better for long listening. But what I don't understand at all is that many people use these and similar normal stereo speakers as near field speakers on their desktop and then wonder about the sound. These speakers are designed and calculated as normal living room stereo speakers, either for a two-channel stereo system or as front speakers in a home theater system, see Sony website. But very often at least together with a suitable subwoofer, which explains that they don't have such effective bass on their own, and many of these rather small bookshelf speakers have only limited bass, because such cookie jars can't trick physics either. Anyone looking for good-sounding near-field speakers for the desktop should try real desktop speakers (that's why they're called that) or active compact speakers from the music studio section, because they're all designed specifically for this and their magnetic shielding doesn't affect the PC screen either, but a subwoofer is also often recommended, because these are mostly compact cookie jars too.

@TheHonestAudiophile 2 жыл бұрын

Please remember, as I mentioned in the video, I am very much a pleb and noob when it comes to speakers. I am just learning. With all that said, I agree with you. I do believe the Sony sound better in a bigger setting. As mentioned in the review, the Sony do benefit from a sub woofer. I do not use them anymore on my desk setup. My current desktop speaker are the Martin Logan Motion 15 and they are massive upgrade to the Sony. I also enjoy the Wharfedale D310. Thank you for your comments.

@MrJueKa 2 жыл бұрын

@@TheHonestAudiophile No problem, of course I saw that in the video. I'm also "just" a normal PC user and music lover influenced by the sound of the 1970s and 1980s, which I experienced live and in color. When I judge stereo systems, speakers, etc., I only rely on my ears and the fun factor they generate for me, everything else like measurement data or something like that doesn't interest me. Based on my research, I found that I like the typical sound of British systems and speakers more than that of many other manufacturers whose speakers usually have the trebles much too high for my liking, but I only mentioned that in passing.

@TheHonestAudiophile 2 жыл бұрын

@@MrJueKa I am in line with your way of listening; our ears being the final judge. I also agree, too many manufacturers elevate the mids and treble too much and it messes up the tone, timbre and overall natural presentation of music.

@MrJueKa 2 жыл бұрын

@@TheHonestAudiophile If I could afford it, I would buy bookshelf speakers from the so-called "Heritage" speaker segment, for example the Wharfedale Denton or Linton or preferably the only true original Graham Audio BBC LS3/5, each of these speakers connected with the LEAK 130 integrated amp + LEAK CDT cd player, "my" one and only basic system for the bamboo hut on a lonely island ;-)

@TheHonestAudiophile 2 жыл бұрын

@@MrJueKa That sounds like a good setup, would love to hear it if you ever get your lonely island bamboo hut.

@donalddeorio2237 2 жыл бұрын

it is an under $150 speaker you have to keep your expectations in line with that. for a system for a beginner you cant beat it. pair it with a digital amplifier and for under $200 you have a system that will kick the crap out of these blue tooth speakers

@mortlach186 Жыл бұрын

Okay, I just found you a minute ago and I see another review of a speaker where there must be 50 KZfaq reviews, in fact, I count twenty on the sidebar of your review. What exactly are you adding to the discussion that hasn't been discussed yet? I see you review a lot of headphone gear. Have you used/tried any Stax electrostatic phones? One thing about reviewing speakers that I take issue with from most KZfaqrs is that the stands don't lock the speaker to the floor. If you put your hand on top of the speaker and you can move the speaker front, back, and or side by side, you smear the soundstage. The tweeter and mid on the Sony's have such short XMAX(the distance the voice coil can move in a magnet) that just a small movement on a wobbly stand ruins imaging and their ability to perform to spec.

@TheHonestAudiophile Жыл бұрын

Is there a limit to how many reviews can be done on a product? I didn't realize that the limit had already been met, my bad. As for value I'm adding, that's simple. I'm adding my opinion on a product that is still in production. It's my review of the product for whomever is interested in my opinion.

@TheHonestAudiophile Жыл бұрын

Here is a link to my Stax SR-009 review. kzfaq.info/get/bejne/hOCSnLWQzdXMgX0.html

@roybatty- 8 ай бұрын

These things sound decent up to about 40% volume. After that they fall apart like like underwear made out of toilet paper.

@jeffjohnson3504 2 жыл бұрын

I am not sure why these speakers are reviewed so much I own a pair and the sound is less than decent. I have used them with a sub and the sound is un natural. Never get the feeling that I get from my larger Acoustic 636 speakers 15 inch woofers 4 inch mids titanium tweeters. The KEF Q150 sounds so much better I also own. I still get goosebumps when listen to the sound of the old Acoustic’s which have been fully refurbished. I am not sure why so much time is spent on the Sonys.

@TheHonestAudiophile 2 жыл бұрын

Thanks for your impressions.

@kapenakanaiaupuni5816 7 ай бұрын

Your crazy

@TheHonestAudiophile 7 ай бұрын

Thank you for watching, commenting and subscribing.

@RennieAsh 2 жыл бұрын

1:14 Generally they won't. Except for the recent "Linkbuds" lol

@throughmyshadow Жыл бұрын

I bought these. They immediately made my ears hurt. They are way way way too bright. I'm genuinely concerned I suffered ear damage, its been a day and they still hurt.

@TheHonestAudiophile Жыл бұрын

Oh wowza. Couple of things I'd change if that happened to me; placement of the speaker, distance from my sitting position, lower volume level. They for sure do have a elevated top end and it is very direct and aggressive so placement and volume is important. Thank you for the initial impressions.

@salvadorrodenas3071 2 жыл бұрын

I miss a demonstration of its sound. A little bit less of talking and some demonstration.

@MrJueKa 2 жыл бұрын

that`s a big problem with most speaker reviews here on KZfaq, more subjective talk than demos, although there is a lot of copyright-free music available, but many reviewers aren`t able to produce good sounding demos, only put a smartphone in front of the speakers isn`t enough from the technical aspect ... but there are some well made so-called "sound demos" with these Sony SS-CS5 here on KZfaq to get a first impression ... but even these cannot replace a sound test in real life

@jackdale9249 8 ай бұрын

now review the same sony SSCS5 speakers w/ the upgrade kit fr Danny of GR engineering and/ or fr Neil neilblanchard designs go ahead i dare you ! i double dare you ! LOL 🙂blind A-B test ! pick a winner ! to trully realise the greatness hear them w/ one of the avail crossover , et all mod kits! fr the upgrade kit fr Danny of GR engineering and/ or fr Neil neilblancharddesigns these become TRUE giant killers ! the new GR research mod kit basically makes the tweeter the mid range and the super tweeter the tweeter ! so YES addresses MANY concerns ! it sounds INCREDIBLE it now matches or surpasses $1,000 speakers! MUCHO better low , mid, upper ! neil's plans are only $20 and gets a boost in bass using a bunch of cut plastic straws! LOL 🤣

@JohnDoe-pc9qf 3 ай бұрын

The most overrated speakers on the planet. These KZfaq trends are funny; One person puts out a popular video expressing an opinion about a particular product and then dozens of unoriginal KZfaqrs pop up essentially remaking the same video. "Someone told me to believe this so I do".

@TheHonestAudiophile 3 ай бұрын

All thoughts and opinions are my own, no one influenced my opinion. Thanks for watching and commenting.