Hello Steve, have you heard a Sony SCD 777es? Do you know if it has the same CD Transport as the Sony SCD 1? Have heard somewhere that it does. Would love to here if you have ever reviewed either of them. Glen England
Steve! Awesome listening area. I need something like that over here. Thanks so much for the shout out! Love this little speaker and so glad you reviewed it. Wish something this good at this price was around in the late 80’s. Awesome Springsteen story. Bet that was awesome.
Mann when I first started my audiophile journey, I got them. They were $75 two years ago and I knew they sounded good but a lot of obnoxious audiophiles couldn’t stand it and even the Elacs B6’s that I moved up too because I was just following the crowd. I’m happy they are still getting positive reviews from everyone who has a big voice in the community. I wish some folks would stop bashing affordable products just because it’s cheap doesn’t mean it’s bad, it helps newcomers like me get into it more and others. I actually sent these as a gift to a relative who never set them up and may just get them back.
@GeneralCurtis3LeMay I've used all sorts of amps in trying out affordable speakers including an ancient NAD 3140. Since the I've moved up the chain to Krell and Naim so I'm no longer in the cheap audio camp. Just speaking from past experience.
Agreed! I also picked up a 5.0 set of the Sony Core Series speakers when I finally upgraded from a Zvox soundbase in my bedroom. Sounded fantastic paired with an SVS sub. Then I started browsing Reddit and AVS and Black Friday came along and how could I pass up the JBL sale on the Studio speakers.. pretty disappointed. I mean they sounded fine, but weren't the huge upgrade over the Sonys that I was expecting. Returned the JBLs and I'm currently using a pair of the Sonys in a 2.1 setup while I await delivery of new speakers. The crazy thing is the Sonys actually sound much fuller than the highly rated JBLs did. Moral of the story is stick with what sounds good to you and don't chase the crowd.
@GeneralCurtis3LeMay not sure what you're smoking, but take another hit and chill. The Sony speakers I'm referring to are the subject of this video. The only current JBL Studio speakers on sale that I'm aware of are the 5 series.
It's great to listen to this UA-camr. I could spend hours talking to him about music and systems, while having a listen from time to time. You really get into the atmosphere of audiophiles. Great channel! Very well done!
The ultimate goal is to enjoy the music no matter what your budget is. Fact is when you’re listening to music you’re not doing A-B comparisons, all that matters is whether you’re enjoying it at that moment.
I’ve owned these speakers and use them with a small sub and in my office. Clear clean and surprisingly good bottom end. Live music sounds realistic. Thanks Steve great review.
We had a 1st gen Echo in our master bathroom for listening to music in the morning ua-cam.com/users/postUgkxABghAEkaIDGZfHRBH3D3rBrlraNmnC71 and while in the shower. I didn't realize how tinny and awful the sound output on the original Echo was until we replaced it with the Studio. It was a sonic upgrade far beyond what I was expecting. Just wow. I love it because it's like having speakers IN the shower. My friend likes it because the music is so loud that she can no longer hear me singing. So that's a win-win.
What a contrast with TAS! TAS mostly reviews audio items that are as expensive as my car or more! Every month, I just skim the magazine and toss it to a garbage can. Steve's reviews are very useful for most of us. Thx Steve!!!
Finally Steve! I actually have grown a long white beard waiting for you to hear these speakers and review them. The thing with these Sony`s is the price/sound quality you get. Great review as always!
Good review Steve. Just bought a pair for my bedroom (07/20). I use the Fosi V3 as my amp, Schiit Modi as my DAC, WiiM Pro and a Fosi P1 as a pre-amp. Total cost $530. Not bad for a system which sounds fabulous in a small bedroom. Keep up the great work. James, Local 336
I got them this past Black Friday for $73 on Amazon. I feel they are an absolute steal if you can get them at that price. I have been very happy with them so far and impressed with them.
I just purchase a set of Sony SSCS5 speakers at a thrift store yesterday for 40 dollars. They are in excellent condition and I was able to test them out in the store. I hooked them up into my movie room where they replace two lesser quality speakers and they sound great. A very nice thrift store find.
Yep, I bought a pair when they were $73 for a pair during December sales. Love them, they are shockingly good. I will buy more once they go on sale. They are worth it even not on sale.
Stop being cheap! Buy them whatever the price is because the value is better than the other options out there. Speakers can last nearly forever, so whatever, $75/pr or $120/pr is still a much better price than $400-$600/pr
Steve, Thank you for giving the Sonys high praise because I use and enjoy them for my HT and music. Then you compared them to my desired speakers, the B1+. Now I want Emotiva speakers and gear even more.
I like my CS5 so much I've compared it to almost every speaker I've reviewed and its the only one I've kept. Untouchable when on sale for $73 to $100. But at $120 I been testing the Bic America DV62si and after a few dates I'm thinking about divorcing the Sony CS5 😬. Not sure yet few more dates and the review will be up. Great review Steve!
I just bought a pair based on the review of cheapaudioman and now the authority of everything audio gives it a positive review as well. And I am happy I did (even though I really did not need them).
Just got a pair of these at Best Buy for $120...Real nice for the money. I'm going to pair these with a hybrid tube amp for vinyl and mp3. Great channel Steve, always enjoy the new videos.
Great review! I own the Sonys and like them a lot so was really curious to see what your conclusions were. Performance for the price is really impressive. I was not familiar with the Emotivas so now I’ll have to check those out. Btw, nice painting on your wall there 😝
Yes, Steve, I snagged a pair around xmas $75. Using them as my mains in 20x40' living room. Excellent sound for anyone just starting out with basic equipment. Running with dual subs. And I just played the Bruce '75 thru them. The lp is great and everybody is putting huge energy into that show, not just Bruce. Clarence gets some great moments. Interesting with the emotiva comparison.
It’s nice that you reviewed a really really cheap pair of speakers for a change and gave your unbiased opinion. Because the stuff you do review is way out of my price range although it’s great stuff.
Regards. I'm just glad you are reviewing stuff that others might look down their nose at. I'm not thinking of these for myself, but if a friend invited me over to spend some time listening to music on them, I'd def go. As to the Emotivas, I have a deep and abiding love for AMT-type tweeters. That's just me. I use an AMT pair in my desktop system, and they sing, not shout, and entertain honestly without fatigue.
Just got here after deciding to use these speakers paired with a WIIM Amp to go eARC from my OLED TV for theatre and music 2.0. Do I feel validated after your review, oh yes. Just purchased everything on Amazon Prime Day Sale, cant wait.
I used to take vocal lessons from a Bruce backup singer, lovely woman named Lisa! Really glad to see you reviewing a Sony! You should definitely venture into reviewing the current offerings from the mainstream Asian brands for a quick minute. Yamaha, Teac, Technics etc
I have these and love them but my setup is pretty unusual. Two 8" downfiring subs, each with aSony Core tower on top, each with a Sony Core bookshelf inverted on top of the towers. Kind of a 6 foot tall M-T-ST-ST-T-M-M-W arrangement. Seems like it would be awkward but the stacks match perfectly visually and sonically. The extra height sounds incredible. Adele sounds like she is in my house.
Hello Steve, Martin Logan guy here, LOVE the new listening area you have there. Very clean and that nice wood floor! Great job there. Did the Mrs. help you with all those racks of records and such? Keep up those great reviews ((O;
Personally I would file these under shockingly great for the price. They especially shine with female vocals, and strings - violin, cello etc sound lifelike compared to some speakers that cost much more. I do find them a bit bass shy compared to some others but not unsatisfying or anything like that.
Love my B1+s Steve. Totally agree with your comments. Amazon just dropped the Sonys to $73, so I picked up a pair which will go in my 9 year old daughters system. Got to start em young ;-).
Forever the true Audiophile. I thought it was funny that Steve offered a suggestion of the Emotiva separate amp for $100-$150 Sony speaker set up......funny
It’s about time, Steve! I got these a few months ago for $74.99 on Amazon. They are surprisingly good, even with 200 watt/channel from Parasound......... Thanks Steve!
For anyone reading this right now. As of 7-21-21, they are currently $73 on Amazon. Also, the matching center channel and subwoofer are also half off. You can get a home theater set up for about $250 plus tax. Just remember to factor in stands and cables but when I saw how much they currently are I bought them in a heartbeat.
Love the video Steve. Means the world to us that you would feature us so prominently. Hello fellow Audiophiliac viewers! If you want to see a bunch more HiFi content and even stuff like Whiskey, Wine, Chocolate, and Cigar reviews, come check us out over at The Finer Things . Hope to see some new faces. 😁
I've been itching for a lovely pair of budget speakers that I could give to a friend as a gift to upgrade their 12 year old Logitech speakers, thanks for the winner! Love your outros as always too
Do you remember the SM series of speakers Sony produced in the 90's? The cabinet design resembled the Avalon style of cabinets. Can you you tell me who designed and built them for Sony ? Thank you.
I was finally able to move up from a small 3 piece OLD Sony bookshelf unit I got for 20 bucks at Thrift shop after watching Cheap Audioman review....to 4 Sony SS speakers and 2 Sony subs with Sony basic receiver. love them. ❤️ All on sell. GREAT FOR MY LIL studio music room.
Never thought you would review these. They will now explode on the market thanks to you Steve. And I have to subscribe to The Finer Things *Wow!! I've Always wanted to see Bruce on fire! That must have been an experience. Did he sing I'm on fire at the same time?? 😱
Have them both. Steve is spot on. Thumbs up. My recommendation is to pair the Lepai 2020TI amp and wait for the Sonys to go on sale for $74 and you will have an entry level system to pair with a phone, computer, Alexa dot, etc for less than $100!!
Steve, it would be interesting to perform your version of the Harmon blind sound test. I think many of us have an expectation based on price when listening to new speakers that result in justifying them one way or another. I'm tired of hearing most reviewers saying "for it's price" or "it sounds and performs better then something 2 or 3 times it's price". To me it's either great or very good but lacking something or just average. Thanks Steve and I really enjoy your channel and the many years of reading your reviews.
yes! I just got these for myself for fathers day and wow they sound great I'm using them for my PC and a denon receiver, set up listing to Paul Simons 50 ways to leave your lover the drums are fantastic, Danny's song, Steely Dan's deacon blues. Run don't walk to your nearest store and pick up a pair, and I have never said that before, but for 120 bucks what a deal you'll love them i do.
The Sony`s also can be bought for $75.00 on sale at the big retail store, so while the Emotivas sound better to you, the Sonys may be the better buy in my opinion. To be fair also I do use a REL t-zero sub and the sound is even better.
A Rel sub with a pair of Sonys. You know what's interesting. If you match the sub to a set of speakers, most decent speakers will sound better than they should. I did this with a pair of Realistic Minimus 7s years ago and was quite surprised. Never expected a Minimus to sound like that. Made me rethink small speakers entirely. Dumbstruck by it. A good sub and crossover can really transform any moderately good sounding speaker. Even a passable one.
So glad to find your channel Steve. Feel like we have grown up together. I’m digging it and I subscribed as soon as I found it. I appreciate you adding your thoughts on putting the Sony in context w/the Emotiva B-1’s. That really put it into perspective for me. Was going to buy the Sonys on sale, but why not move up for a little more money. I don’t even need more speakers, but I have read & heard so much good juice about the B-1’s that I feel compelled to get a pair at that price!. I have to shop for best value. I’m curious to listen to them in my listening room. Never owned a ribbon tweeter speaker. Thank you so much. Randy, cheap audio man really likes them. . I enjoyed your collaboration w/him. Fixed income, but I’m sure I will have a pair of Emotivas before ‘23!
They are my first pair of actual proper home theater speakers paired with a denon reciever/ center sub etc, I cannot even stand listening the music in the car anymore! They ruined music/ listening experience in any other environment other than my living room! So happy with them
I had a $200 Best Buy gift card that I got as a retirement gift from my co-worker last September (2020). So I thought, what the heck? I'll give these little buggers a shot. They were on sale at Best Buy for $198 (Canadian), so I bought them. Although I've only listened to them for about a 1/2 hour, I have to say they surprised me! Great little speakers! Crisp highs, detailed mid's and pretty decent bass for a 5" woofer. I'll have to "break them in" a little more to see how they improve.
Good review! Thanks. Do you make suggestions? My system is Yamaha CX-A5000->Anthem MCA 50->NHT 2.5 I've been happy with the NHT's since I bought them new. They are getting long in the tooth. I'm considering springing for NHT C4's as a replacement to the 2.5's.
I bought an integrated TEAC A H 500, the matching TEAC cd player (reference series both, no remote control) and a pair of Tannoy Mercury 1 in excellent condition for a little over $100 at a charity store last week. What a sound! Those vintage gear are something else. Is it to do with analogue circuits?
Thank you for this review. I've grown tired of going to a site and being presented with a speaker that costs say, $4000 to perhaps four times that. Just tired of it. But that's just me. I've over $5000 in a head-fix system. Want to add speakers.
In addition Steve would you be able to do a review on the Klipsch 500 M heard they have great mid range and more rounded than the 600 and obviously the 400
I have the SSCS 3 towers for my rear surrounds. They are great for that. I hooked them up to my stereo system to check them out and thought they sounded great (paired with a sub). I think I paid $300 for the pair. I don't know first hand, but I hear the SSCS 5 sound much better. They have the same tweeter set up. Mine are nice on the high end, not bright , but clean.
Hi Steve, do you think these Sony's would be an improvement over my current Mission 701's? I typically listen to classic rock and jazz in a spare bedroom that is 9' x 14'. My source is a Fluance rt82 turntable and a Yamaha cds300 cd player connected to a Yamaha av receiver from 2009.
Just this morning, I noticed the woofer surrounds starting to show serious deterioration on my 24 year old JBL bookshelf speakers. So even at the Canadian price these Sonys are intriguing. My Yamaha receiver is 8 ohms, switchable to 4. Would the fact the Sonys are 6 ohms preclude my using them? EDIT: Just found Steve's Feb. 2018 cnet piece on this very subject. Cleared up a lot of my confusion. Thanks.
As a recovering audioholic I had to buy a pair to check the hype. Well they are admirable. They are not little advents, ar4's. EPi 100's, a25's. I was planning to return them but I didn't. I paid $123 and they make a great desktop speaker, or surrounds or a lovely present 🎁 they have nice highs which I appreciate, just add a sub.
I wonder if anyone has messed around with the Sony Muteki floorstanders, the ones with the waveguide/horn tweeter. I wonder how they would sound with audiophile electronics, possibly an active crossover. They just look like some kind of effort went into the design versus your regular appliance store sound system.
Thank you for all your helpful information. I am wondering what you might consider a different/ opposite....sound profile...listening experience. I’m thinking about a second set of speakers an don’t want to duplicate the sound. Thank you.....Micca Rb42?....a Klipsch...something else......
What happened to the Buchardt S400 review? Was there something technically wrong with the review unit? Did you send them back to Mads without a review due to Availability issues in the US?
Listening to Sade and Boz Scaggs Other Roads cds with them right now. They may have better highs than the 2 way Jones' Pioneers books, but those might have better bass and mids. Then again, you can't hardly lose with Sade and Boz Scaggs.
Sounds like the Sonys are perfect for someone starting out on their journey into audio, Steve. I wonder how they'd sound paired to an affordable vintage amp?
Wonder what they'll sound like with one of those chinese digital bluetooth micro amplifiers that are sold for 20-30$.. They are surprisingly good for a back room system (I have one for my home gym, where I play music via bluetooth from my phone, ). Such a combination could be a good
I'm glad that I got these speakers. I gpt 2 paris for the sell price under 100 bucks on amazon. They sound good for the price and size for a small room or just a room that's closed in. Every Genre of music sounded Great Especially SADE's music OMG!!! I also got the Emotiva B1+'s and you're right Steve they sound a little better than the Sony's but the Sony's are descent and great for all music. I even powered those sony's with my Emotiva PT1 DAC/Preamp and BasX A2 Amp and that's why the Sony's sounded AMAZING .
Steve I got a second pair of Klipsch R-51m’s for $144 from Klipsch in October. Which would you rather have of these two? Yes asking for a quick comparison. Thx!
Yesss I’ve had the floor standing version of these for about a year and a half now. I got them on sale for $200 for the pair and it was probably the best $200 I’ve spent on audio.
@@morespinach9832 One of several iterations of this www.diyaudio.com/forums/chip-amps/54571-audiophile-lm3886-approach.html , an excellent DIY amp, and one of several iterations of the most popular chip amp design on DIYAudio.com. Let me know if you want to hear more about it
This was my first pair of speakers when I decided to start spending more in my sound system a few years ago. I loved them !!! After an upgrade, I put these sony speakers as rear speakers in my 5.1.2 set up. Still loving them.
thats how i go too. buying some new pairs, then use them later as rear speakers when i bought bigger front speakers. might get these sony, the polk x15 or x20, or teufel ultima 20. all of them seem like great rear speakers for a decent price/quality !
There's something to be said about a pair of speakers which don't cost a lot of money, sound great, and disappear into the background. Not everything needs to be a conversation piece.
Yep, nice video, Steve. Seems like for a few bucks more, you like the B1s much better. I never saw a show at the Academy, but did at the Fillmore East!!!! In fact, as a mortgage loan officer ( now retired at 69 yo), my bank put the mortgage on the new apartment building at the former Fillmore site off 2nd Ave. As a digression, the day after my inspection of the apt bldg., the cor er building across the street had a major gas explosion that levelled that building. Back to business..... The B1s are out of stock right now at Emotiva😣
Yah I just bought some jamos for half price I can keep the 803s sell the center and 801s for near full price. Hold my breath for the sonys to go back to $75 and ill have my needed 4 speakers for $75 to $125. Don't judge I'm retired and living on ssi that I paid into for 50 yrs
bought mine for a bedroom setup with a arylic a50 just two weeks ago. $280 for a decent speaker/dac/amp/streamer set up. Can you beat that? Not sure. Oh, sounds good too
I just AB'ed the Sony's (unmodded) against the Emotiva B1+'s and Elac UB52s. The Sony's blew the b1+s away IMHO. The Emotiva had rattly treble almost in comparison on some tracks like prodigy SMBU. Elac's fared a LOT better, but there's something about the Sony's. They PUNCH through a subwoofer beautifully. I could play the Sony's with my SVSSB1000 maxed out volume and about 120-140 crossover. With the elacs, lowering the crossover of course to around 50-70 (played with it) and I had to lower bass volume to even things out. The Sony's also handled that treble in that Prodigy track better.. I'm sure (hoping) the Elac's would best the Sony's in things I haven't Ab'ed yet.. But damn these Sony's.... Keeping them and buying a second set.. 2 unicorns are better than one!
I’d look at these if I didn’t just get the elac debut b5.2 for 185 total. I’m loving them but definitely need a sub and better amp now. Oh boy. I caught the bug. Edit: my bro is getting into audio (he is 85/95% movies) and this is one of the 5.1 systems I’m pitching him (towers, center, bookshelf, and rsl speedwoofer).
Oh, a viewer reminded me that I reviewed the CS5 in 2014 for CNET! www.cnet.com/news/sony-new-affordable-core-series-speakers/
@GeneralCurtis3LeMayDid you forget your meds this morning?
@GeneralCurtis3LeMay Keep politics out of here
Hello Steve, have you heard a Sony SCD 777es? Do you know if it has the same CD Transport as the Sony SCD 1? Have heard somewhere that it does.
Would love to here if you have ever reviewed either of them. Glen England
Steve! Awesome listening area. I need something like that over here. Thanks so much for the shout out! Love this little speaker and so glad you reviewed it. Wish something this good at this price was around in the late 80’s. Awesome Springsteen story. Bet that was awesome.
There were
@@glennjones6574 what was?
@@atticusrussell1225 lol. Ya know I can't recall what I was responding too!!! Lol
Mann when I first started my audiophile journey, I got them. They were $75 two years ago and I knew they sounded good but a lot of obnoxious audiophiles couldn’t stand it and even the Elacs B6’s that I moved up too because I was just following the crowd. I’m happy they are still getting positive reviews from everyone who has a big voice in the community. I wish some folks would stop bashing affordable products just because it’s cheap doesn’t mean it’s bad, it helps newcomers like me get into it more and others. I actually sent these as a gift to a relative who never set them up and may just get them back.
I can also name a lot of expensive sht i've owned that sound like sht. But, these old audiophools will go on woke/cancel mode. So, i'll be quiet.
I’d add the relatively affordable Paradigm Atom. Great bang for your buck.
@GeneralCurtis3LeMay I've used all sorts of amps in trying out affordable speakers including an ancient NAD 3140. Since the I've moved up the chain to Krell and Naim so I'm no longer in the cheap audio camp. Just speaking from past experience.
Agreed! I also picked up a 5.0 set of the Sony Core Series speakers when I finally upgraded from a Zvox soundbase in my bedroom. Sounded fantastic paired with an SVS sub. Then I started browsing Reddit and AVS and Black Friday came along and how could I pass up the JBL sale on the Studio speakers.. pretty disappointed. I mean they sounded fine, but weren't the huge upgrade over the Sonys that I was expecting. Returned the JBLs and I'm currently using a pair of the Sonys in a 2.1 setup while I await delivery of new speakers. The crazy thing is the Sonys actually sound much fuller than the highly rated JBLs did. Moral of the story is stick with what sounds good to you and don't chase the crowd.
@GeneralCurtis3LeMay not sure what you're smoking, but take another hit and chill. The Sony speakers I'm referring to are the subject of this video. The only current JBL Studio speakers on sale that I'm aware of are the 5 series.
It's great to listen to this UA-camr. I could spend hours talking to him about music and systems, while having a listen from time to time. You really get into the atmosphere of audiophiles. Great channel! Very well done!
Thanks so much
His videos feel more like a chat about sound than just a review. He even gives you music to try in the mix. Love this
The ultimate goal is to enjoy the music no matter what your budget is. Fact is when you’re listening to music you’re not doing A-B comparisons, all that matters is whether you’re enjoying it at that moment.
Exactly!!!!!!
Exactly!
I’ve owned these speakers and use them with a small sub and in my office. Clear clean and surprisingly good bottom end. Live music sounds realistic. Thanks Steve great review.
We had a 1st gen Echo in our master bathroom for listening to music in the morning ua-cam.com/users/postUgkxABghAEkaIDGZfHRBH3D3rBrlraNmnC71 and while in the shower. I didn't realize how tinny and awful the sound output on the original Echo was until we replaced it with the Studio. It was a sonic upgrade far beyond what I was expecting. Just wow. I love it because it's like having speakers IN the shower. My friend likes it because the music is so loud that she can no longer hear me singing. So that's a win-win.
What a contrast with TAS! TAS mostly reviews audio items that are as expensive as my car or more! Every month, I just skim the magazine and toss it to a garbage can. Steve's reviews are very useful for most of us. Thx Steve!!!
Wow Steve. Love your new layout. The speakers must have some room to breath now.
I really appreciate how you go a little in-depth on the music you use to test the speakers. Cool review!
Finally Steve! I actually have grown a long white beard waiting for you to hear these speakers and review them. The thing with these Sony`s is the price/sound quality you get. Great review as always!
Good review Steve. Just bought a pair for my bedroom (07/20). I use the Fosi V3 as my amp, Schiit Modi as my DAC, WiiM Pro and a Fosi P1 as a pre-amp. Total cost $530. Not bad for a system which sounds fabulous in a small bedroom. Keep up the great work. James, Local 336
I got them this past Black Friday for $73 on Amazon. I feel they are an absolute steal if you can get them at that price. I have been very happy with them so far and impressed with them.
I just purchase a set of Sony SSCS5 speakers at a thrift store yesterday for 40 dollars. They are in excellent condition and I was able to test them out in the store. I hooked them up into my movie room where they replace two lesser quality speakers and they sound great. A very nice thrift store find.
Yep, I bought a pair when they were $73 for a pair during December sales. Love them, they are shockingly good. I will buy more once they go on sale. They are worth it even not on sale.
@GeneralCurtis3LeMay Hey now.....I didn't!
Stop being cheap! Buy them whatever the price is because the value is better than the other options out there. Speakers can last nearly forever, so whatever, $75/pr or $120/pr is still a much better price than $400-$600/pr
@@LarsonChristopher I have 24 speakers at this point I have been told no more. And yes on pair is Sony towers
I just got my sony speakers today... TY steve they sound great and got them for 118.00 on amazon.
Steve, Thank you for giving the Sonys high praise because I use and enjoy them for my HT and music. Then you compared them to my desired speakers, the B1+. Now I want Emotiva speakers and gear even more.
I like my CS5 so much I've compared it to almost every speaker I've reviewed and its the only one I've kept. Untouchable when on sale for $73 to $100. But at $120 I been testing the Bic America DV62si and after a few dates I'm thinking about divorcing the Sony CS5 😬. Not sure yet few more dates and the review will be up. Great review Steve!
Sony sneaks in a pair like this once in a while. Those binding posts, totally out of place on a $120 pair of speakers.
"Unusually well endowed..." lol
I just bought a pair based on the review of cheapaudioman and now the authority of everything audio gives it a positive review as well. And I am happy I did (even though I really did not need them).
Just got a pair of these at Best Buy for $120...Real nice for the money. I'm going to pair these with a hybrid tube amp for vinyl and mp3. Great channel Steve, always enjoy the new videos.
Got these like 3 years ago and for its price, they are really nice.
Sony made some great speakers in the 70s, the SS-g5, and all the G series; beautiful sound!
Great review! I own the Sonys and like them a lot so was really curious to see what your conclusions were. Performance for the price is really impressive. I was not familiar with the Emotivas so now I’ll have to check those out. Btw, nice painting on your wall there 😝
Hi Steve, would be nice to know your top albums of all time, sound wise
Bet would be excellent reference list!
Yes, Steve, I snagged a pair around xmas $75. Using them as my mains in 20x40' living room. Excellent sound for anyone just starting out with basic equipment. Running with dual subs. And I just played the Bruce '75 thru them. The lp is great and everybody is putting huge energy into that show, not just Bruce. Clarence gets some great moments. Interesting with the emotiva comparison.
Ok, please tell us your David Lynch story....I’m a huge fan as well!
I'm a David Lynch fan as well!
@GeneralCurtis3LeMay smegma breath is back!
@GeneralCurtis3LeMay "Soundtrack to Mulholland is a David Lynch movie - that's what it has to do with the Sony SS-C55 dummy
@GeneralCurtis3LeMay Put down the crack pipe
It’s nice that you reviewed a really really cheap pair of speakers for a change and gave your unbiased opinion. Because the stuff you do review is way out of my price range although it’s great stuff.
Regards. I'm just glad you are reviewing stuff that others might look down their nose at. I'm not thinking of these for myself, but if a friend invited me over to spend some time listening to music on them, I'd def go.
As to the Emotivas, I have a deep and abiding love for AMT-type tweeters. That's just me. I use an AMT pair in my desktop system, and they sing, not shout, and entertain honestly without fatigue.
Just got here after deciding to use these speakers paired with a WIIM Amp to go eARC from my OLED TV for theatre and music 2.0. Do I feel validated after your review, oh yes. Just purchased everything on Amazon Prime Day Sale, cant wait.
Thank you Steve, Loved the review and your honesty. I've enjoyed many of your shows and find them very enlightening and informative.
Great review and yet still understated. Hook these up alongside a subwoofer and frankly the results are outstanding.
I used to take vocal lessons from a Bruce backup singer, lovely woman named Lisa! Really glad to see you reviewing a Sony! You should definitely venture into reviewing the current offerings from the mainstream Asian brands for a quick minute. Yamaha, Teac, Technics etc
I have these and love them but my setup is pretty unusual. Two 8" downfiring subs, each with aSony Core tower on top, each with a Sony Core bookshelf inverted on top of the towers. Kind of a 6 foot tall M-T-ST-ST-T-M-M-W arrangement. Seems like it would be awkward but the stacks match perfectly visually and sonically. The extra height sounds incredible. Adele sounds like she is in my house.
Excellent and fair review. Because of guys like you and Randy, Emotiva is all out of B1+ speakers!
Hello Steve, Martin Logan guy here, LOVE the new listening area you have there. Very clean and that nice wood floor! Great job there. Did the Mrs. help you with all those racks of records and such? Keep up those great reviews ((O;
Personally I would file these under shockingly great for the price. They especially shine with female vocals, and strings - violin, cello etc sound lifelike compared to some speakers that cost much more. I do find them a bit bass shy compared to some others but not unsatisfying or anything like that.
Love my B1+s Steve. Totally agree with your comments. Amazon just dropped the Sonys to $73, so I picked up a pair which will go in my 9 year old daughters system. Got to start em young ;-).
Enjoyed your review. Thanks.
Just started playing "Hammersmith Odeon, Live '75" on Qobuz. Wow. Goosebumps. Thanks for that reco.
I love David Lynch’s films!
Eraser Head is one of the most off-the-wall films I’ve ever seen!
Forever the true Audiophile.
I thought it was funny that Steve offered a suggestion of the Emotiva separate amp for $100-$150 Sony speaker set up......funny
It’s about time, Steve! I got these a few months ago for $74.99 on Amazon. They are surprisingly good, even with 200 watt/channel from Parasound......... Thanks Steve!
Talk about floating pricing, they are priced at $148 on Amazon today.....🤔🤔🤔
@@FelixtheMetalcat At least twice a year, Bestbuy has them for the same price, usually November and some time in the spring
For anyone reading this right now. As of 7-21-21, they are currently $73 on Amazon. Also, the matching center channel and subwoofer are also half off. You can get a home theater set up for about $250 plus tax. Just remember to factor in stands and cables but when I saw how much they currently are I bought them in a heartbeat.
Love the video Steve. Means the world to us that you would feature us so prominently. Hello fellow Audiophiliac viewers! If you want to see a bunch more HiFi content and even stuff like Whiskey, Wine, Chocolate, and Cigar reviews, come check us out over at The Finer Things . Hope to see some new faces. 😁
I am totally a fan of David Lynch and you make great reviews Sir, great job 😀
I've been itching for a lovely pair of budget speakers that I could give to a friend as a gift to upgrade their 12 year old Logitech speakers, thanks for the winner!
Love your outros as always too
But they need amps too?
@@morespinach9832 not if they already have something suitable.
Why does that even matter? I’m buying speakers, not a system
Do you remember the SM series of speakers Sony produced in the 90's? The cabinet design resembled the Avalon style of cabinets. Can you you tell me who designed and built them for Sony ? Thank you.
I was finally able to move up from a small 3 piece OLD Sony bookshelf unit I got for 20 bucks at Thrift shop after watching Cheap Audioman review....to 4 Sony SS speakers and 2 Sony subs with Sony basic receiver. love them. ❤️ All on sell. GREAT FOR MY LIL studio music room.
Never thought you would review these.
They will now explode on the market thanks to you Steve.
And I have to subscribe to The Finer Things
*Wow!! I've Always wanted to see Bruce on fire! That must have been an experience.
Did he sing I'm on fire at the same time?? 😱
Have them both. Steve is spot on. Thumbs up.
My recommendation is to pair the Lepai 2020TI amp and wait for the Sonys to go on sale for $74 and you will have an entry level system to pair with a phone, computer, Alexa dot, etc for less than $100!!
Steve, it would be interesting to perform your version of the Harmon blind sound test. I think many of us have an expectation based on price when listening to new speakers that result in justifying them one way or another. I'm tired of hearing most reviewers saying "for it's price" or "it sounds and performs better then something 2 or 3 times it's price". To me it's either great or very good but lacking something or just average. Thanks Steve and I really enjoy your channel and the many years of reading your reviews.
Way to go buddy another great review, so in your opinion what would be a great center channel speaker, that without perform the Klipsch RC 42.2?
yes! I just got these for myself for fathers day and wow they sound great I'm using them for my PC and a denon receiver, set up listing to Paul Simons 50 ways to leave your lover the drums are fantastic, Danny's song, Steely Dan's deacon blues. Run don't walk to your nearest store and pick up a pair, and I have never said that before, but for 120 bucks what a deal you'll love them i do.
The Sony`s also can be bought for $75.00 on sale at the big retail store, so while the Emotivas sound better to you, the Sonys may be the better buy in my opinion. To be fair also I do use a REL t-zero sub and the sound is even better.
A Rel sub with a pair of Sonys. You know what's interesting. If you match the sub to a set of speakers, most decent speakers will sound better than they should. I did this with a pair of Realistic Minimus 7s years ago and was quite surprised. Never expected a Minimus to sound like that. Made me rethink small speakers entirely. Dumbstruck by it. A good sub and crossover can really transform any moderately good sounding speaker. Even a passable one.
These speakers work and sound well in a small room. My audio room is around 15x15 and they sound great coming from my pioneer receiver,
So glad to find your channel Steve. Feel like we have grown up together. I’m digging it and I subscribed as soon as I found it. I appreciate you adding your thoughts on putting the Sony in context w/the Emotiva B-1’s. That really put it into perspective for me. Was going to buy the Sonys on sale, but why not move up for a little more money. I don’t even need more speakers, but I have read & heard so much good juice about the B-1’s that I feel compelled to get a pair at that price!. I have to shop for best value. I’m curious to listen to them in my listening room. Never owned a ribbon tweeter speaker. Thank you so much. Randy, cheap audio man really likes them. . I enjoyed your collaboration w/him. Fixed income, but I’m sure I will have a pair of Emotivas before ‘23!
They are my first pair of actual proper home theater speakers paired with a denon reciever/ center sub etc, I cannot even stand listening the music in the car anymore! They ruined music/ listening experience in any other environment other than my living room! So happy with them
Can't get a pair of these shipped to Australia for under $450 AUD.
It's outrageous
I had a $200 Best Buy gift card that I got as a retirement gift from my co-worker last September (2020). So I thought, what the heck? I'll give these little buggers a shot.
They were on sale at Best Buy for $198 (Canadian), so I bought them. Although I've only listened to them for about a 1/2 hour, I have to say they surprised me!
Great little speakers! Crisp highs, detailed mid's and pretty decent bass for a 5" woofer. I'll have to "break them in" a little more to see how they improve.
Good review! Thanks. Do you make suggestions? My system is Yamaha CX-A5000->Anthem MCA 50->NHT 2.5 I've been happy with the NHT's since I bought them new. They are getting long in the tooth. I'm considering springing for NHT C4's as a replacement to the 2.5's.
I bought an integrated TEAC A H 500, the matching TEAC cd player (reference series both, no remote control) and a pair of Tannoy Mercury 1 in excellent condition for a little over $100 at a charity store last week. What a sound! Those vintage gear are something else. Is it to do with analogue circuits?
Just found a pair at the pawn shop for $40 can't wait to hook them up!
Thank you for this review. I've grown tired of going to a site and being presented with a speaker that costs say, $4000 to perhaps four times that. Just tired of it. But that's just me. I've over $5000 in a head-fix system. Want to add speakers.
In addition Steve would you be able to do a review on the Klipsch 500 M heard they have great mid range and more rounded than the 600 and obviously the 400
Seconded! I would love to hear Steve's take on the RP500M.
I have the SSCS 3 towers for my rear surrounds. They are great for that. I hooked them up to my stereo system to check them out and thought they sounded great (paired with a sub). I think I paid $300 for the pair. I don't know first hand, but I hear the SSCS 5 sound much better. They have the same tweeter set up. Mine are nice on the high end, not bright , but clean.
Hi Steve, do you think these Sony's would be an improvement over my current Mission 701's? I typically listen to classic rock and jazz in a spare bedroom that is 9' x 14'. My source is a Fluance rt82 turntable and a Yamaha cds300 cd player connected to a Yamaha av receiver from 2009.
That version of Thunder Road is magic, the essence of rock n roll.
Just this morning, I noticed the woofer surrounds starting to show serious deterioration on my 24 year old JBL bookshelf speakers. So even at the Canadian price these Sonys are intriguing. My Yamaha receiver is 8 ohms, switchable to 4. Would the fact the Sonys are 6 ohms preclude my using them?
EDIT: Just found Steve's Feb. 2018 cnet piece on this very subject. Cleared up a lot of my confusion. Thanks.
As a recovering audioholic I had to buy a pair to check the hype. Well they are admirable. They are not little advents, ar4's. EPi 100's, a25's. I was planning to return them but I didn't. I paid $123 and they make a great desktop speaker, or surrounds or a lovely present 🎁 they have nice highs which I appreciate, just add a sub.
i bought a pair a year ago based on your review on CNET
I wonder if anyone has messed around with the Sony Muteki floorstanders, the ones with the waveguide/horn tweeter. I wonder how they would sound with audiophile electronics, possibly an active crossover. They just look like some kind of effort went into the design versus your regular appliance store sound system.
Well done for reviewing some reasonably priced speakers!
Thank you for all your helpful information. I am wondering what you might consider a different/ opposite....sound profile...listening experience. I’m thinking about a second set of speakers an don’t want to duplicate the sound. Thank you.....Micca Rb42?....a Klipsch...something else......
What happened to the Buchardt S400 review? Was there something technically wrong with the review unit? Did you send them back to Mads without a review due to Availability issues in the US?
Listening to Sade and Boz Scaggs Other Roads cds with them right now. They may have better highs than the 2 way Jones' Pioneers books, but those might have better bass and mids. Then again, you can't hardly lose with Sade and Boz Scaggs.
Currently listening to Sade's "Smooth Operator" and Boz's Lido Shuffle on my SONY SSCS5s and Behringer sub on my Denon HEOS streamer. Excellent.
Sounds like the Sonys are perfect for someone starting out on their journey into audio, Steve. I wonder how they'd sound paired to an affordable vintage amp?
I used them with a vector research receiver from an estate sale, and it was fantastic
@GeneralCurtis3LeMay Ymer... is that you?
$248-$299 cdn from Best Buy and Amazon Canada
Wonder what they'll sound like with one of those chinese digital bluetooth micro amplifiers that are sold for 20-30$.. They are surprisingly good for a back room system (I have one for my home gym, where I play music via bluetooth from my phone, ).
Such a combination could be a good
It all depends on your preferences and what "good enough" sounds like to you. My guess a similar experience to drinking Charles Schaw wine
Check out the Sony ES SS-M9 reviewed in Stereophile in 1996. Remarkably good measured performance.
I wonder why they went with 2 tweeters instead of a tweeter and a mid.
I'm glad that I got these speakers. I gpt 2 paris for the sell price under 100 bucks on amazon.
They sound good for the price and size for a small room or just a room that's closed in. Every Genre of music sounded Great Especially SADE's music OMG!!!
I also got the Emotiva B1+'s and you're right Steve they sound a little better than the Sony's but the Sony's are descent and great for all music. I even powered those sony's with my Emotiva PT1 DAC/Preamp and BasX A2 Amp and that's why the Sony's sounded AMAZING .
Might be worth looking at the upgrade kit by GR Research for these speakers.
Steve I got a second pair of Klipsch R-51m’s for $144 from Klipsch in October. Which would you rather have of these two? Yes asking for a quick comparison. Thx!
Try out the nuemi bs5s next 100 bucks 5 inch woofer 1 inch tweeter front ported
Yesss I’ve had the floor standing version of these for about a year and a half now. I got them on sale for $200 for the pair and it was probably the best $200 I’ve spent on audio.
What amp?
@@morespinach9832 One of several iterations of this www.diyaudio.com/forums/chip-amps/54571-audiophile-lm3886-approach.html , an excellent DIY amp, and one of several iterations of the most popular chip amp design on DIYAudio.com. Let me know if you want to hear more about it
I paired mine for a desktop system with a Fossi audio amp and an Yiama dac headphone amp and it sounds very respectable.
This was my first pair of speakers when I decided to start spending more in my sound system a few years ago. I loved them !!!
After an upgrade, I put these sony speakers as rear speakers in my 5.1.2 set up. Still loving them.
i did the same, they moved from the front to the rear
thats how i go too. buying some new pairs, then use them later as rear speakers when i bought bigger front speakers.
might get these sony, the polk x15 or x20, or teufel ultima 20. all of them seem like great rear speakers for a decent price/quality !
Probably try them out as desktop speakers combined with a topping day and Amp
There's something to be said about a pair of speakers which don't cost a lot of money, sound great, and disappear into the background. Not everything needs to be a conversation piece.
I know I've made it when you review a product i own 😊.
Yep, nice video, Steve. Seems like for a few bucks more, you like the B1s much better. I never saw a show at the Academy, but did at the Fillmore East!!!! In fact, as a mortgage loan officer ( now retired at 69 yo), my bank put the mortgage on the new apartment building at the former Fillmore site off 2nd Ave. As a digression, the day after my inspection of the apt bldg., the cor er building across the street had a major gas explosion that levelled that building. Back to business..... The B1s are out of stock right now at Emotiva😣
I got my pair for $75.00. I buy audio gear that I may not need because it is half off. It's a disease.
I got them on my desk as a near field setup.
Yah I just bought some jamos for half price I can keep the 803s sell the center and 801s for near full price. Hold my breath for the sonys to go back to $75 and ill have my needed 4 speakers for $75 to $125. Don't judge I'm retired and living on ssi that I paid into for 50 yrs
They are now listed at 221$ USD, what a joke.
bought mine for a bedroom setup with a arylic a50 just two weeks ago. $280 for a decent speaker/dac/amp/streamer set up. Can you beat that? Not sure. Oh, sounds good too
got them on sale today on amazon $73 imaging is what got me
I just AB'ed the Sony's (unmodded) against the Emotiva B1+'s and Elac UB52s. The Sony's blew the b1+s away IMHO. The Emotiva had rattly treble almost in comparison on some tracks like prodigy SMBU. Elac's fared a LOT better, but there's something about the Sony's. They PUNCH through a subwoofer beautifully. I could play the Sony's with my SVSSB1000 maxed out volume and about 120-140 crossover. With the elacs, lowering the crossover of course to around 50-70 (played with it) and I had to lower bass volume to even things out. The Sony's also handled that treble in that Prodigy track better.. I'm sure (hoping) the Elac's would best the Sony's in things I haven't Ab'ed yet.. But damn these Sony's.... Keeping them and buying a second set.. 2 unicorns are better than one!
Nice and clean set up love it!!
BRUCEEEE!!!! He was unbelievable musically and penetrating as a persona.
It's like car speakers sony used to make. My friend used to obsess over the SUPER tweeter.
I’d look at these if I didn’t just get the elac debut b5.2 for 185 total. I’m loving them but definitely need a sub and better amp now. Oh boy. I caught the bug.
Edit: my bro is getting into audio (he is 85/95% movies) and this is one of the 5.1 systems I’m pitching him (towers, center, bookshelf, and rsl speedwoofer).