2. speakers
  3. 170581-3654

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
linnlp12 OP
79 posts
 
One other note. I am listening to classical music.  Jaw dropping. Bass, dynamics, drums hit me in the chest.  At crescendos they don't break a sweat.  Never heard such small speakers do classical music justice.  Just overwhelming for cheap speakers.  Need find new bench speakers.

I checked on amazon reviews I guess others agree.
cd318
2,636 posts
 
Great to know that such quality can be had for so little.

More than a few folks have suggested that the real sonic improvements over the last 40/50 years have mostly been at the budget end.

Should also help keep the opposition on their toes.

I mean if this is what you can get for <$100, then what should you expect for $1k, $2k, $4k or even $8k?
arch2
308 posts
 
A lot of the YouTube reviewers have been raving about these little guys. Cheap speaker technology has drastically improved over the last few years.
More to discover