Add to your order
- Coverage for accidental damage including drops, spills, and broken parts, as well as breakdowns (plans vary)
- 24/7 support when you need it.
- Quick, easy, and frustration-free claims.
- No Additional Cost: You pay nothing for repairs – parts, labor, and shipping included.
- Coverage: Plan starts on the date of purchase. Malfunctions covered after the manufacturer's warranty. Power surges covered from day one. Real experts are available 24/7 to help with set-up, connectivity issues, troubleshooting and much more.
- Easy Claims Process: File a claim anytime online or by phone. Most claims approved within minutes. If we can’t repair it, we’ll send you an Amazon e-gift card for the purchase price of your covered product or replace it.
- Product Eligibility: Plan must be purchased with a product or within 30 days of the product purchase. Pre-existing conditions are not covered.
- Terms & Details: More information about this protection plan is available within the “Product guides and documents” section. Simply click “User Guide” for more info. Terms & Conditions will be available in Your Orders on Amazon. Asurion will also email your plan confirmation with Terms & Conditions to the address associated with your Amazon account within 24 hours of purchase.
- No Additional Cost: You pay nothing for repairs – parts, labor, and shipping included.
- Coverage: Plan starts on the date of purchase. Malfunctions covered after the manufacturer's warranty. Power surges covered from day one. Real experts are available 24/7 to help with set-up, connectivity issues, troubleshooting and much more.
- Easy Claims Process: File a claim anytime online or by phone. Most claims approved within minutes. If we can’t repair it, we’ll send you an Amazon e-gift card for the purchase price of your covered product or replace it.
- Product Eligibility: Plan must be purchased with a product or within 30 days of the product purchase. Pre-existing conditions are not covered.
- Terms & Details: More information about this protection plan is available within the “Product guides and documents” section. Simply click “User Guide” for more info. Terms & Conditions will be available in Your Orders on Amazon. Asurion will also email your plan confirmation with Terms & Conditions to the address associated with your Amazon account within 24 hours of purchase.
- Buy a lot of stuff on Amazon? Tons of items eligible for coverage, from the latest tech like laptops, game consoles, and TVs, to major appliances, sporting goods, tools, toys, mattresses, personal care, furniture, and more.
- Accidents happen. That’s why for your portable products we cover accidental damage from handling such as drops, spills and cracked screens. We also cover electrical and mechanical malfunctions, power surges, and wear and tear.
- Past and future purchases covered. 30 days after you are enrolled, all eligible past purchases (up to 1 year prior to enrollment) and future eligible purchases made on Amazon will be covered by your plan as long as you are enrolled.
- Fast, easy claims. Frustration-free claims, with most filed in minutes. We will fix it, replace it, or reimburse you with an Amazon e-gift card for the purchase price of your product (excluding tax). File at Asurion.com/amazon.
- No hidden fees. For just $16.99 a month + tax you’re covered for up to $5,000 in claims per 12-month period. *THIS PROGRAM IS MONTH-TO-MONTH AND WILL CONTINUE UNTIL CANCELED* Coverage for all products ends 30 days after the plan is canceled. Cancel any time.
Add to your order
- Coverage for accidental damage including drops, spills, and broken parts, as well as breakdowns (plans vary)
- 24/7 support when you need it.
- Quick, easy, and frustration-free claims.
Enjoy fast, free delivery, exclusive deals, and award-winning movies & TV shows with Prime
Try Prime
and start saving today with fast, free delivery
Amazon Prime includes:
Fast, FREE Delivery is available to Prime members. To join, select "Try Amazon Prime and start saving today with Fast, FREE Delivery" below the Add to Cart button.
Amazon Prime members enjoy:- Cardmembers earn 5% Back at Amazon.com with a Prime Credit Card.
- Unlimited Free Two-Day Delivery
- Streaming of thousands of movies and TV shows with limited ads on Prime Video.
- A Kindle book to borrow for free each month - with no due dates
- Listen to over 2 million songs and hundreds of playlists
- Unlimited photo storage with anywhere access
Important: Your credit card will NOT be charged when you start your free trial or if you cancel during the trial period. If you're happy with Amazon Prime, do nothing. At the end of the free trial, your membership will automatically upgrade to a monthly membership.
$248.00$248.00
Ships from: Amazon.com Sold by: Amazon.com
$170.95$170.95
FREE delivery May 22 - 24
Ships from: Video & Audio Center - Same Day Shipping Sold by: Video & Audio Center - Same Day Shipping
Add an Accessory:
- 6 VIDEOS
Image Unavailable
Color:
-
-
-
- To view this video download Flash Player
Sony SACS9 10-Inch Active Subwoofer,Black
Return this item for free
Free returns are available for the shipping address you chose. You can return the item for any reason in new and unused condition: no shipping charges
Learn more about free returns.- Go to your orders and start the return
- Select the return method
- Ship it!
Learn more
Purchase options and add-ons
Brand | Sony |
Model Name | SACS9 |
Speaker Type | Subwoofer |
Connectivity Technology | Coaxial |
Special Feature | 9.84 in MRC cone-type active subwoofer, Rigid, premium audio component construction, Bass reflex enclosure for distortion-free, low-frequency sound See more |
About this item
- Active 10” subwoofer perfect to provide that extra punch for your home theater or music listening setup
- Amplify your movie, music, and gaming experience with a speaker that provides full frequency audio with a three-way coaxial, four-driver speaker system
- Create a robust 5.1.2 home theater setup perfect for Dolby Atmos with the complete range of CS speakers from Sony with the SACS9 subwoofer, 2 SSCS3 tower speakers, 1 SSCS8 center channel speaker, 2 SSCS5 bookshelf speakers, and 2 SSCSE Dolby Atmos enabled speakers
- 10” Dual layer mica woofer diaphragm delivers faithful sound and optimal bass response
- Motion feedback technology utilizes detection circuitry to correct variations in the input signal, helping to prevent distortion
- Cutoff frequency adjustment along with level adjustment, phase switching, and a power save mode allows for customer operation
- Bass reflux enclosure with a woof cabinet and cloth grille offers a durable design
- 115 W maximum input power
- One speaker per carton
Buy this product as Renewed and save $50.05 off the current New price.
(21)
Works and looks like new and backed by the Amazon Renewed Guarantee
Consider a similar item
Frequently bought together
Similar items that may deliver to you quickly
- YAMAHA 8" 100W Powered Subwoofer - Black (NS-SW050BL)Amazon's Choicein Home Audio Subwoofers
From the brand
-
Sony is a creative entertainment company with a portfolio that encompasses electronics, music, motion pictures, mobile, gaming, and more.
For over 70 years, imagination has been the fuel of everything we do. From how people listen to music, to how they play games, to how they watch TV, our big imaginations have led us to create products that innovate and inspire generations.
-
-
BRAVIA XR TV'S
Experience breathtaking picture quality with color and contrast engineered to bring out real-life details and accurate colors.
-
-
A-Series Home Audio
A new frontier of surround sound
-
-
WF-1000XM5
NEW Truly Wireless Noise Canceling Earbuds
-
-
Rock your world
X-Series Waterproof Portable Bluetooth Speakers
-
-
Into your ZONE
Prepare for victory with INZONE gaming monitors and headsets.
-
-
-
Compare with similar items
This Item Sony SACS9 10-Inch Active Subwoofer,Black | Recommendations | dummy | dummy | dummy | dummy | |
Try again! Added to Cart | Try again! Added to Cart | Try again! Added to Cart | Try again! Added to Cart | Try again! Added to Cart | Try again! Added to Cart | |
Price | $248.00$248.00 | $198.99$198.99 | $229.95$229.95 | $1,499.99$1,499.99 | -12% $149.12$149.12 New Price: $169.99 | $698.00$698.00 |
Delivery | Get it as soon as Friday, May 17 | Get it as soon as Friday, May 17 | Get it May 17 - 22 | Get it as soon as Friday, May 17 | Get it May 15 - 17 | Get it as soon as Wednesday, May 15 |
Customer Ratings | ||||||
Sound quality | 4.6 | 3.5 | — | 4.5 | 4.2 | — |
Bass quality | 4.2 | 3.5 | — | 4.8 | 4.2 | — |
Value for money | 4.6 | 2.3 | — | 4.5 | — | — |
Volume control | — | 3.4 | — | 4.6 | 4.7 | — |
Sold By | Amazon.com | Amazon.com | superior sales | Amazon.com | Electronics Expo (Authorized Dealer) | DataVision Computer Video |
speaker size | 10 inches | 10 inches | 10 inches | 6.5 inches | 10 inches | — |
power source | AC | Corded Electric | Corded Electric | Corded Electric | Corded Electric | AC |
connectivity tech | Coaxial | RCA | Auxiliary | Wired | — | Bluetooth |
speaker type | Subwoofer, Bookshelf, Coaxial | Subwoofer | Subwoofer | Subwoofer | Subwoofer | Subwoofer, Soundbar |
mounting type | Shelf Mount, Floor Mount | Floor Standing, Tabletop | Floor Standing | Floor Standing | — | Floor Standing |
weight | 21 pounds | 22.05 pounds | 29 pounds | 30.9 pounds | — | 28.66 pounds |
control method | — | remote | touch | remote, application | — | — |
From the manufacturer
115 W 10" Active Subwoofer
Put more punch in your movie soundtracks with the SA-CS9, 115W Home Theater subwoofer
Experience the latest in cinematic sound innovation in the comfort of your home
9.84 in active subwoofer for thumping bass
The 9.84 in cone diaphragm can move a larger volume of air, producing powerful low-end resonance that makes bass sound rich and authentic. The subwoofer reinforces low frequency sounds in movies and music for a great multi-channel home theater experience.
Mica Reinforced Cellular conem undistorted audio
Many speakers use paper cones that flex and deteriorate over time, leading to a more distorted sound. Mica Reinforced Cellular (MRC) fiber woofers are rigid, holding their shape even when moving at high pressure and speed, so you can drive the bass harder without compromising audio quality.
Power every beat with a built-in amplifier
Drive bass-heavy music and bring your party alive. This subwoofer includes a built-in amplifier with up to 115 W power output. Electrical circuits susceptible to vibration are located outside the cabinet, releasing high pressure within the enclosure for a clear and powerful bass sound.
Minimizing vibration for tight bass
Suppressing vibration in the cabinet is vital for tight, accurate bass. Unwanted vibrations are handled in two ways: by acoustically absorbing waves generated from the rear pressure of the unit, and damping vibrations within the cabinet itself.
Smart finish for style and substance
This speaker has a smart black finish that blends with most contemporary interiors. The wood veneer also retains its shape well, ensuring that the sound won’t be influenced by changes in temperature and humidity.
Compact design for small spaces
Powerful and compact, this subwoofer is perfect for easy installation in tight spots. Because of the reduced baffle area, the speaker minimizes sound field distortion for optimum clarity and precision.
Sony CS Speakers
SA-CS9 Subwoofer | SS-CS5 Bookshelf | SS-CS3 Floor Standing | SS-CS8 Center | SS-CSE | |
Customer Reviews
|
4.7 out of 5 stars
8,453
|
4.7 out of 5 stars
8,453
|
4.7 out of 5 stars
8,453
|
4.7 out of 5 stars
8,453
|
4.7 out of 5 stars
8,453
|
Price
| $248.00$248.00 | $198.00$198.00 | $228.00$228.00 | $168.00$168.00 | $198.00$198.00 |
Type
| Active Subwoofer | 3-way, 3-speaker system | 3-way, 4-speaker system | 2-way, 3-speaker system | Dolby Atmos Enabled Speakers |
Bass-reflex
| ✔ | ✔ | ✔ | ✔ | ✘ |
Woofer
| 250mmMRC cone type (1) | 130mmMRC cone type (2) | 130mmMRC cone type (2) | 100mmMRC cone type(2) | 100mmMRC cone type (1) |
Tweeter
| — | 25mm soft dome type (1) | 25mm soft dome type (1) | 25mm soft dome type (1) | — |
Super Tweeter
| — | 19mm soft dome type (1) | 19mm soft dome type (1) | — | — |
Impedance
| — | 6Ω | 6Ω | 6Ω | 6Ω |
Maximum input
| Output power 115W (THD 10%) | 100W | 145W | 145W | Output power 100W |
Sensitivity
| — | 87dB (2.83V, 1m) | 88dB (2.83V, 1m) | 86dB (2.83V, 1m) | — |
Frequency Response
| 28~200Hz | 53~50,000Hz | 45~50,000 Hz | 55~25,000 Hz | 70~32,000Hz |
Dimensions (W x H x D)
| 11 5/8" x 13 5/8" x 15 3/4" | 7 1/8" x 13 1/4" x 8 3/4" | 9 1/8" x 36 3/8" x 10 1/4" | 17" x 5 3/4" x 8 3/4" | 7 1/8" x 5 3/4" x 7 1/8" |
Weight
| 25 lbs 5 oz (11.5kg) | 9 lbs 14 oz (4.5kg) | 25 lbs 5 oz (11.5kg) | 11 lbs (5.0kg) | 6 lbs 10 oz (3kg) |
What's in the box
Videos
Videos for this product
1:43
Click to play video
Sony SA-CS9 Home Theater Active Subwoofer
🎉 KP BUYS 🥳 🎅
Videos for this product
2:19
Click to play video
Sony SS-CS5 bookshelf speakers unboxing
Tools. Electro. DIY
Videos for this product
3:29
Click to play video
Sony SS-CS8 Review | Watch before You Buy
Ty's Reviews
Looking for specific info?
Product information
Recommended Uses For Product | For Gaming Consoles |
---|---|
Compatible Devices | Home Theater |
Subwoofer Diameter | 10 Inches |
Mounting Type | Shelf Mount, Floor Mount |
Unit Count | 1.0 Count |
Controller Type | Corded electric |
Material | Plastic |
Color | Black |
Included Components | RCA cord, Instruction manual |
Product Dimensions | 15.75"D x 11.61"W x 13.58"H |
Audio Output Mode | Not Available |
Speaker Maximum Output Power | 230 Watts |
Item Weight | 21 Pounds |
Frequency Response | 200 Hz |
Impedance | 6 Ohm |
Is Waterproof | FALSE |
Warranty Type | Limited |
Maximum Range | 10 Meters |
Number of Items | 1 |
Speaker Size | 10 Inches |
Power Source | AC |
Woofer Diameter | 10 Inches |
Package Type | Standard Packaging |
Audio Driver Type | Dynamic Driver |
Connectivity Protocol | Cellular |
Includes MP3 player? | No |
Specific Uses For Product | Home Entertainment |
Manufacturer | Sony |
Item Weight | 21 pounds |
ASIN | B00O8YLIY6 |
Country of Origin | China |
Item model number | SACS9 |
Customer Reviews |
4.7 out of 5 stars |
Best Sellers Rank | #20,772 in Electronics (See Top 100 in Electronics) #26 in Bookshelf Speakers |
Is Discontinued By Manufacturer | No |
Date First Available | September 19, 2014 |
Warranty & Support
Feedback
Product Description
Product Description
Bring the energy and passion of the original performance home.
Set Contains:
RCA cord, Instruction manual
Customer reviews
Customer Reviews, including Product Star Ratings help customers to learn more about the product and decide whether it is the right product for them.
To calculate the overall star rating and percentage breakdown by star, we don’t use a simple average. Instead, our system considers things like how recent a review is and if the reviewer bought the item on Amazon. It also analyzed reviews to verify trustworthiness.
Learn more how customers reviews work on AmazonCustomers say
Customers like the size, clarity, performance, ease of installation, and appearance of the speakers. For example, they mention that it's the right size for them, the instruments are incredibly clear, and that they articulate with detail. That said, some complain about the bass.
AI-generated from the text of customer reviews
Customers like the sound quality of the speakers. For example, they say it's a great sounding system, it enhances the bass, and it looks great. Some say the speakers are good center channel speakers with a deep, weighty bass. They also say the music will be clean, crisp, and airy. The benefit renders the Sony sub perfect for music, even paired with very small speakers.
"...Bass is solid, not boomy and fairly extended, for a 5 inch woofer, no a few can beat it but most cannot...." Read more
"...all I can say is that when you hear a set of speakers that produce quality sound that you would never expect from such a small speaker, then you..." Read more
"...Bass is weak but has gratuitous excursion.Bass has good tone, but relies too much on the addition of a subwoofer or passive resonance speakers..." Read more
"...HI-Res claim, however did not stand. They're capable of producing detailed sound, and what I prefer in Sony's high-res claim vs Polk's high-res claim..." Read more
Customers appreciate the value of the speakers. They say they are great speakers especially for the price, and a good purchase. They also mention that they are a great pick for a budget home theater setup.
"...This set is NICE for the investment ..as opposed to waiting and building a system for more money in time...." Read more
"...These things are the best bang for your buck in bookshelf speakers. Very clear, and very surprising bass response for 5-1/4" woofers...." Read more
"...without the boo or resonance of cheap bigger subwoofers the pricing was just perfect when I bought it so you can still get it at this deal, I will..." Read more
"...Using them as front L/R surround speakers. Sound is solid and a good value when on sale." Read more
Customers like the quality of the speakers. They say they are well-made, solid, and a solid choice if you're looking for a good center channel. The cabinets are solid and have a flared bass port on the rear. The finish on them feels premium and they have s good base, crisp high end, and even the mids are present.
"...These barely break a sweat producing loud, high quality, detailed sound and for once I'm not worried about heavy excursion ripping them apart...." Read more
"...Feels solid and dense in the casting. Overall, very pleased and worth the price." Read more
"This is a solid choice if you're looking for a good center channel speaker. Works great for a 5.1 or 7.1 center driver...." Read more
"Best value that I could find, and of good quality. These really work great." Read more
Customers are satisfied with the performance of the speakers. They mention that it works well for music, games, and movies. They appreciate the reliability, functionality, audio balance, and build quality. The sub-unit is an outstanding product and the tweeter is good. Overall, customers say it's a great buy and a unicorn.
"...The overall sound of these is a well balanced presentation that is very pleasing, nothing pushes it way to the front, this places this speaker at..." Read more
"...Reliability, functionality, audio balance, build quality are all there...." Read more
"...Worked great..but quality had diminished via vid and sound to my ears. Got the 44 buck Sony HDMI upscale dvd that plays cds...." Read more
"...New Sony receiver, Turntable and speakers, all three work well together. Great purchase." Read more
Customers are satisfied with the clarity of the speakers. They mention that the instruments are incredibly clear, articulate with detail, and place sound in space. They are responsive and clear at high, mid-range, and low frequencies. Customers also say that the treble is clean and articulate, the midrange is smooth and uncluttered, and the bass is powerful. They appreciate the highs and mids that are amazingly revealing, meaning details stand out.
"...Midrange is great, smooth, warm and clear which really surprised me, but what really surprised me was the high end...." Read more
"...Dialog works and as I mentioned most of my stuff isn't here, so my current stereo is a two channel unit, so there is no center channel option...." Read more
"...These bookshelf speakers are a huge improvement for clarity, and surprisingly have quite a bit of bass and still cover a huge spectrum." Read more
"...The mids are flat and focused, and the highs are present but not harsh...." Read more
Customers like the appearance of the speakers. They say they are stylish bookshelf speakers with everything you could ask for. They also appreciate the sophisticated and airy treble and say they sound great.
"...The overall sound of these is a well balanced presentation that is very pleasing, nothing pushes it way to the front, this places this speaker at..." Read more
"...TV dialog will be clear and easily intelligible, music will be clean, crisp and airy, strings and female vocals, acoustic instruments, guitars,..." Read more
"...It sounds like the musicians are in the same room. Just beautiful...." Read more
"I bought open box and they look and sound mint. These get great reviews online. Very nice bookcase speakers. Sound quality is superb...." Read more
Customers like the size of the speakers. They say it's very clean lined and the right size for them. Some say the boxes themselves are not too big and are handsome. They also say it fits perfectly on a bookshelf and is excellent for a smaller room. Some mention that the speakers fit great on top of their existing speakers.
"...It came with small, rubberized, stick-on "feet", so no need for a makeshift buffer on a hard surface, which was a nice touch...." Read more
"...reviews from reputable sources and because they were exactly the right size and configuration for my needs...." Read more
"Bought this for master bedroom and its perfect size for smaller space." Read more
"...The boxes themselves are not too big, not too expensive and handsome. These are an excellent value in the end." Read more
Customers find the installation of the speakers to be easy. They say the speakers are simple to hook up to each other and sound excellent. Customers also appreciate the good instructions and zero issues with hooking the system up. The inputs are easy to assign and toggle, and the controls are easy.
"...Wonderful set up! Light years of where I was with my other bookshelf units..Sony, Aiwa and etc...." Read more
"...(not paper); sturdy cabinet; relatively compact size; ported design; simple, flexible set-up; low price; high-quality sound." Read more
"...Quality materials, well packaged with good instructions. Solid value!" Read more
"It has a nice tight sound, and the controls are easy to use." Read more
Reviews with images
-
Top reviews
Top reviews from the United States
There was a problem filtering reviews right now. Please try again later.
I finally had a little saved paired with some early Xmas money and I opted to research pushing my Sony CMT through some better speakers in my price range. I missed feeling the music MORE. More push...more vibe, more of a fulfilling overall wall of sound, spectrum, space, soundstage and all those audiophiliac terms that I am not that familiar with. If it sounds good and I can hear that music wonderfully with some control over it with the source, DSP/EQ...I'm good. I don't crank it to 11 or 9..maybe more like 5 to 8ish these days. So...after much research...and watching many vids from the most awesome reviewer out of many, Randy the Cheap Audio Man...I really narrowed my search down to Cs5's. A pair ..my first ..around Thanksgivingish...73 bucks..GREAT Sale! Had to get that Cs9 subwoofer too.
The trio arrived and I pushed it with the Sony CMT...but I felt I wanted a little more of something.
Found the Keiid cd player 2 channel 20 watt cd/mp3 cd usb sd card unit...for a damn good deal
so I opted to get that one. Got it..retired my old thrift bought Sony CMT cp 11..as I really dug the power and sound and 3 eq offering of the Keiid.
Then...hmmm, I wanted to use the other channel, having all 4 surround sound for audio mostly and maybe watching some movies and concerts on dvd and vhs. I ended up getting 2 more on sale...and one more sub for a total of 4 cs5s and 2 cs9s...after of course watching some more reviews on them by Randy the Cheap Audio Man. Hmmm... Great info lead me to make a follow up buy whilst these speakers were on sale which was awesome saving for sure.
I then..heard about the Sony 149 priced stereo audio recver via Randy. I had to look into that more. I did. I thought I'd make that buy too. Then...of course..unsure of how long the Keiid would last...as I dug it..but wanted another cd/dvd playing choice as I was running audio and dvd through an old dvd vhs sony unit that might have not been all that great..also a 8 buck buy at the thrift shop..with remote. Worked great..but quality had diminished via vid and sound to my ears. Got the 44 buck Sony HDMI upscale dvd that plays cds. I wanted to keep it all Sony since I had has mostly good luck with Sony over the years...and I felt it would make a great set up to keep it all one brand..all complimenting each other. Knowing very well that there are better speakers, subs, receivers, dvd cd players out there. This seemed to work for my musical needs...which seemed like a BIG upgrade from what I was listening to for the past 5 years.
I have 2 speakers Fronts at ear level not that wide of a spread since my room studio isn't that big and I am limited on space. I put the 2 back speakers on the cd bookshelves above or at about 6 to 7 feet up spaced about same as Front speakers. A very nice musical sound box was created..with the two subs below table of where front speakers are spaced about a foot or more apart. Wonderful set up! Light years of where I was with my other bookshelf units..Sony, Aiwa and etc. This set is NICE for the investment ..as opposed to waiting and building a system for more money in time. This is a great sounding system of sound for my collection to be played through and enjoyed with enough power and over all everything I need for where I'm at in life now....hand in hand with awesome savings..I hope all the pieces of this ensemble last a long time... I'll save up and aim a bit higher next time..but this was a pretty wonderful first venture in the audiophile ..build a home audio stereo system that works well with your needs..as opposed to watching tons of reviews and doubting you did the right thing after learning about other awesome productions in that same price range or on sale or close to it.
I guess, if you have the budget to expand and have a plentiful variety of speakers, receivers cd transports power amps..components, systems and etc... luck you. We peeps on budgets...find what we dig, need, want..and make it work.cause it works well enough without use needing to upgrade monthly.
Rock on...Have a wonderful 2021! Be safe..Be kind.
Check out Randy the cheap Audio man and learn..get pointers, advice..info..and make your decision a fun journey like I did. Tell him RiffnWolf or WrathBliss sent you.
Typically speakers under $500 have the following issues:
Tweeters don't mix well with the loudspeaker in the cabinet and sound like another miss-matched speaker placed ontop of your much better mid/low range speakers.
Tweeters are overbearing and sound "washey" or metalic.
Sound quality, especially in high frequencies, is greatly reduced when keeping the dust protection panel on.
Bass is strong but lacks proper tone.
Bass is weak but has gratuitous excursion.
Bass has good tone, but relies too much on the addition of a subwoofer or passive resonance speakers resulting in overall lower quality lows/mids.
3-way crossover makes it difficult for your amplifier to get a proper read resulting in underwhelming volumes
Audio suffers greatly when not placed in the absolute most optimal position which restricts placement or quality.
That's a lot of common problems and, even with the good reviews and lots of research, I expected to hear at least one of them.
However I can happily say that I am blown away at how well these speakers handle all of these issues. Up close, far away, with a sub, without, placed properly or improperly, used with other speakers or alone these two mini-monsters absolutely crush all of these issues and sound dang good while doing it.
I'm very critical when it comes to audio and I'd easily say that I'd have to be ready to dump 600 dollars into anything to consider an upgrade being a big enough jump to be worth it.
I have these connected to an Integra Pre-Amp and are powering them with a Crown 1000 amplifier in a very large room (probably 35x30ft) . Off the rip I think 6 Ohms is perfect for this size speaker in a home theater, especially for fronts, but these go above and beyond just making a few right decisions. These clearly had ALL the good design choices... So if your amplifier can do 6 Ohms, then I'd highly recommend these.
I'd also like to add that the volume and atmospheric resonance in these are comparable to 8 Ohm 350 watt speakers, so 100 watts is something my power bill is happy to adopt.
These barely break a sweat producing loud, high quality, detailed sound and for once I'm not worried about heavy excursion ripping them apart.
I will be using these for music at house parties as well as for movies and gaming and so far I've tested them for all three and have yet to be disappointed.
Personally I would not recommend these as side speakers as they're a little TOO in your face. I think side and rear are a whole different ball game. That being said, you could definitely order 6 of these and use them as front, surround, and rear surround speakers; you'd just need to calibrate their volumes and equalize them properly.
All in all, I'm proud to say I own these and even more proud to tell people what I spent on them. These aren't just great for how much they are, they're great in general. Unless you're willing to spend a lot of money, there's little-to-no audible difference between these and other very high end speakers and I personally recommend getting these speakers if your setup requires bookshelf sized speakers.
Final Verdict:
8.5/10 for audio quality if we completely ignore price and consider 10 the best sound imaginable.
9.7/10 if I factor in price and give in to my bass-head type personality (secretly wishing these had subwoofer level bass).
10/10 for anyone who isn't the pickiest SOB in the world and simply wants what 98% of the world would consider to be perfect audio.
(ps: When I say the bass on these are very good I am talking about what you would expect for tone and strength coming from a Home Theater speaker. Unless you want to get those huge cabinet speakers you see in actual theaters, you are never going to get subwoofer level bass out of a front channel speaker. You simply aren't meant to, and for good reason. You do not need a sub to hear sub-frequencies with these as they handle bass incredibly well... but please do not think these can replace a woofer. They're called sub-"woofers" because they push air so hard you can feel it. That's not bass, that's an artificial effect)
UPDATE:
It's been 2 years and still going strong. Now of course I know a lot about the best ways to configure setups and get the most out of my speakers, but everyone who hears how good this system sounds is blown away. Almost everyone is encouraged to get a setup of their own after hearing how good it sounds. These definitely compliment my center channel and other speakers so well. It almost doesn't matter what speakers I mix with these, it just works. I've tried a few different configurations and have been pushing these hard on a weekly basis. Seems like no matter what I throw at these they just work. I also have a particularly dust-happy room; I am pleased to say that these do not have a tendency to pick up dust as I haven't had to clean them even once. Reliability, functionality, audio balance, build quality are all there. I wish I could give these more stars as I don't think people understand just how rare it is to find a speaker like this in this price range. Not usually a Sony fan, but hats off to the engineers in Japan that designed this - you guys deserve a pay raise.
Top reviews from other countries
Reviewed in Mexico on September 26, 2023