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Cheap $88 Sony SS-CS5 Speakers - Awesome

I have been working on refreshing the power supply on my 1979 vintage EAR 509 amps.  Found cracked/bulged caps and wanted be proactive.   Absolutely stunning amps. Lifetime keepers.

Wanted a cheap set of workbench speakers for trialing so I didn't blow my main speakers if made a mistake.  Vintage amp repair/update what a pain with bulged caps/ broken wires, undersized fuses from past owners and non-stock circuit changes.  Shout out to Dan Meinwald and EAR UK for absolutely superb customer support. 

Anyways picked up a cheap set of $88 Sony sale speakers at my local to me ABT electronics.  SS-CS5 3 way bookshelf.  One ebay LX5 speaker i got either blew or had a bad woofer during my testing.  So I needed something. 

What a surprise, the cheap Sony's just sound great.  They don't even break down on bass drum kicks.  Sweet, detailed sound and are just rocking.  They go fairly loud though I don't listen loud.  I am listening through a Linn Axis with Ittok/Sumiko Talisman (superb table, really) EAR 868PL and the vintage EAR 509.   They are on stands 4 feet apart nearfield (cause amp burn in).

The speakers are incredible bargain for what they are.  Enjoying my burn in session immensely. Maybe I found a sleeper. To some of you maybe I didn't.  These are too good for bench test speakers I think.  Might want to give them a try.
linnlp12

Showing 5 responses by 213runnin

213runnin
914 posts
 

I’m listening to the Sonys right now, connected to 250 wpc.  Only reasonable volume levels of course!  

213runnin
914 posts
 

I prefer the Sony ss-cs5 over the Andrew Jones Pioneer SP BS22.  The Sonys are smoother, have tighter bass and can handle more power.  The speaker terminal cup is also smaller, which means less bass escapes.

Sony really paid attention to the details.

213runnin
914 posts
 

Reubent, agree generally with your take, except I have a somewhat higher opinion of the Sonys.  I’ve had mine for a couple of months and think they opened up over time.  Put 50 hours on them and they will have improved.

Still, they are not perfect and have their limitations.  There is better, and if one has a budget of $300 new, can find better.  But for $170 the Sony’s do more than hold their own.  But tastes differ and certainly ymmv!

213runnin
914 posts
 

I hear you!  After I posted I swapped in my Totem Acoustic Rainmakers($1200 new) and the difference was jaw dropping.  Now those are real speakers!

213runnin
914 posts
 

Another impressed owner here, feeding them with the Schiit Vidar and Freya.  The imaging is really good!  Warmth with detailed highs, a neat trick there.  The budget speaker market has really improved in the last several years.

 

I've got a pair of the old Pioneer BS-22 that i'd been somewhat unimpressed with and left them in storage.  I recently took them apart and soldered all the interior connections, which has changed my mind on them.  I might just try that with these Sonys.

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