Customer Ratings & Reviews
- Model:
- SSCS5M2
- SKU:
- 12320804
Rating by feature
- Value
Rating 4.7 out of 5 stars
- Quality
Rating 4.7 out of 5 stars
- Ease of Use
Rating 4.9 out of 5 stars
Solid Speakers
||Posted . Owned for 1 week when reviewed.This reviewer received promo considerations or sweepstakes entry for writing a review.Nice clear sound and connects easily to the AN-1000. Happy with the tone and volume coming from this pair.
I would recommend this to a friendBrand response from SonyListens
Posted .Hi MattC,
It brings us great satisfaction to hear that your new SSCS5M2 speakers are delivering the clear sound and performance you were looking for!
We are also glad to know that the integration with your STR-AN1000 receiver was seamless. Creating a cohesive and high-quality audio environment is what we strive for, and it is wonderful to hear that this pair is providing the perfect tone and volume for your listening space.
Thank you for Choosing Sony to bring premium sound into your home.
Best regards,
Dominick
- Pros mentioned:Sound quality
Speakers
||Posted . Owned for 3 weeks when reviewed.This reviewer received promo considerations or sweepstakes entry for writing a review.It’s a very Nice speakers, very clear sound quality
I would recommend this to a friendBrand response from SonyListens
Posted .Hello RicardoL,
Thank you for choosing Sony!
We're excited to hear that you're enjoying the SSCS5M2 speakers and appreciate their clear sound quality. It's wonderful to know they're enhancing your audio experience, and we truly value your feedback. Thank you for sharing your thoughts!
Best regards,
-Fred
- Pros mentioned:Sound quality
Bookshelf speakers
||Posted . Owned for 3 weeks when reviewed.This reviewer received promo considerations or sweepstakes entry for writing a review.Great sound for for the price I paid. Sound really fills the room!
I would recommend this to a friendBrand response from SonyListens
Posted .Thank you for the review, MattP!
We are thrilled to hear that your new speakers are filling the room with great sound! We designed the SS-CS5M2 series to deliver a wide, immersive soundstage, and we're so glad you feel you got excellent value for the price.
Thank you for choosing Sony!
Best regards, Gus, Sony Social Media Team
Love it!
||Posted . Owned for 2 months when reviewed.This reviewer received promo considerations or sweepstakes entry for writing a review.Super good! I love this product, now that I have completed all the sets with the front speakers models, it sounds amazing my home theater
I would recommend this to a friendBrand response from SonyListens
Posted .Hi FelipeA,
It brings us great joy to hear that completing your home theater system has resulted in such an amazing audio experience! There is nothing quite like the feeling of finally hearing your setup in its full, intended glory.
By integrating these bookshelf speakers with your front speaker models, you’ve unlocked the true potential of our "Core Series" philosophy. These speakers feature a Wide Dispersion Super Tweeter specifically designed to deliver high-frequency sound across a wider soundstage, ensuring that every seat in your theater room is the "best seat in the house." This creates a seamless, high-resolution audio environment where the transition of sound between your front and surround channels feels natural and lifelike. We are honored to be the brand that brings your favorite movies and music to life.
Thank you for choosing Sony and for being such a dedicated member of the Sony family.
Regards,
Dominick
- Pros mentioned:Sound quality
Amazing speakers
||Posted .This reviewer received promo considerations or sweepstakes entry for writing a review.Great speakers, got these to add to my current setup and they do not disappoint.
I would recommend this to a friendBrand response from SonyListens
Posted .Thank you for your fantastic review!
We are so pleased to hear that your new SS-CS5M2 speakers are a great addition to your current setup. It's incredibly rewarding to know they are living up to your expectations and that you're happy with their performance. We designed them to deliver clear, dynamic sound, and it brings us great satisfaction to know we've succeeded.
Thank you again for choosing Sony and for sharing your experience.
Best regards, Gus, Sony Social Media Team
- Pros mentioned:Sound quality
Nice sound
||Posted .This reviewer received promo considerations or sweepstakes entry for writing a review.Very good product! Nice sound quality for the price!
I would recommend this to a friendBrand response from SonyListens
Posted .Hi JuanC,
That's excellent to hear! Thank you for the five-star review of the Sony SS-CS5M2 speakers. We are excited to hear you find the sound quality to be exceptional for the price! This is achieved through our 3-way, 3-driver system, which uses a dedicated Super Tweeter for clear high-resolution audio and a Mica Reinforced Cellular (MRC) woofer to ensure powerful, clean bass. Thank you for choosing Sony!
Regards,
Dominick
- Pros mentioned:Sound quality
Sony speakers
||Posted .This reviewer received promo considerations or sweepstakes entry for writing a review.Great speaker with strong clear sound for a reasonable price
I would recommend this to a friendBrand response from SonyListens
Posted .Hi MichaelP,
We're so glad to hear that your Sony speaker delivers strong, clear sound and that its reasonable price has made it a standout choice for you. Thank you so much for the fantastic 5-star rating—your appreciation for both powerful audio performance and great value truly means a lot. The combination of clarity and affordability is something we strive to offer with every unit.
Thank you for choosing Sony—wishing you a wonderful day!
DiegoV.
Great sound, great price.
||Posted .This reviewer received promo considerations or sweepstakes entry for writing a review.I saw a review in the New York Times that rated this as their top pick in bookshelf speakers. Bass response is what you would expect for a 5" base driver. It's a Sony!
I would recommend this to a friendBrand response from SonyListens
Posted .Hi JoeA,
Thank you for your 5-star review! We love hearing about your experience with the Sony SSCS5M2 bookshelf speakers.
It brings us great satisfaction to hear that you're enjoying the sound quality, especially the bass response from the 5" driver, and that you've noticed the positive recognition these speakers have received. We engineer all of our audio products with the goal of delivering a superior listening experience.
Thank you for being a loyal Sony customer!
Regards,
Dominick
- Pros mentioned:Sound quality
Great sounds
||Posted . Owned for 2 weeks when reviewed.This reviewer received promo considerations or sweepstakes entry for writing a review.Great speaker especially when it goes on sale. Clean rich sound.
I would recommend this to a friendBrand response from SonyListens
Posted .Hi Shwek
That's fantastic feedback! It sounds like you're truly impressed with the Sony SS-CS5M2 speaker. We're thrilled to hear that you consider it a great speaker, especially when you snag it on sale. The fact that you're experiencing clean, rich sound from it speaks directly to the quality we aim for. It's always rewarding to hear our audio products deliver such a satisfying listening experience!
Thanks for choosing Sony, have a great day!
DiegoV
SonySpeekers
||Posted .This reviewer received promo considerations or sweepstakes entry for writing a review.Great pair of speakers. The Sony speakers work great for the mid-sized room.
I would recommend this to a friendBrand response from SonyListens
Posted .Hello JohnP,
Thank you for choosing Sony!
We’re honored to hear that the SSCS5M2 speakers are performing well in your mid-sized room. It’s gratifying to know they’re delivering the quality sound experience you were looking for, and your feedback truly encourages us.
Best regards,
-Fred
Double-check the Specs even if in a hurry.
||Posted .This reviewer received promo considerations or sweepstakes entry for writing a review.Had ordered for Kanto speakers which were canceled from Best Buy due to availability. I rushed to replace for Christmas morning to mate with Sony bluetooth vinyl player. However, specifications on Best Buy site listed these Sony speakers as wireless. Did not actually wire these and try as I will reorder powered bluetooth pair from Kanto or Klipsch. I am sure these are fine speakers, I just want to alert Best Buy to update their detailed specifications for these to remove wireless from its description.
No, I would not recommend this to a friendNice audio for price
||Posted . Owned for 2 weeks when reviewed.This reviewer received promo considerations or sweepstakes entry for writing a review.Great starter speakers for someone on a budget. I would recommend to family
I would recommend this to a friendBrand response from SonyListens
Posted .Hello CollynA,
Thank you for choosing Sony!
We couldn't be happier to hear that the SSCS5M2 speakers are a great starter option for you and that you would recommend them to your family. Your endorsement means a lot, and we’re glad to provide quality sound solutions that fit your budget.
Best regards,
-Fred
Absolutely worth it
|Posted . Owned for 1 month when reviewed.This reviewer received promo considerations or sweepstakes entry for writing a review.These sound absolutely great, and for such a good price too.
I would recommend this to a friendBrand response from SonyListens
Posted .Hi ClementC,
We feel privileged to know that you are finding the sound quality of the SSCS5M2 speakers to be absolutely great, especially at such a compelling price point.
These bookshelf speakers are part of our Core Series lineup, which we engineered with high-precision Super Tweeters to reproduce high-frequency sounds with incredible clarity. It is fantastic to hear that the expansive soundstage and rich audio performance are making a positive impact on your listening environment. We take great pride in delivering this level of acoustic fidelity to our customers, ensuring that every note of your music and every detail of your movies is heard exactly as intended.
Thank you for making Sony part of your home entertainment.
Best regards,
Dominick
Sony Soeakers
||Posted .This reviewer received promo considerations or sweepstakes entry for writing a review.Great Sony speakers, reasonably priced. Love them.
I would recommend this to a friendBrand response from SonyListens
Posted .Hello nwebb!
Thanks for the review! We really appreciate you sharing your thoughts on your new SS-CS5M2.
We are very glad to hear that you are loving the sound and the value they bring to your setup. It is great to know they are a perfect fit for what you were looking for.
We're genuinely thankful you decided on Sony!
Best regards,
Estefany
Good size
||Posted .This reviewer received promo considerations or sweepstakes entry for writing a review.Haven't installed this yet but Sony always makes great products.
I would recommend this to a friendBrand response from SonyListens
Posted .Thank you for the review, Gabe321!
We appreciate you choosing Sony again and for your trust in our products!
We are confident you will be impressed once you install and start listening to your new SS-CS5M2 Core Series Bookshelf Speakers. They are designed to deliver exceptional audio quality.
We hope you enjoy the sound experience and thank you for choosing Sony!
Best regards, Gus, Sony Social Media Team
Sounds good
||Posted .This reviewer received promo considerations or sweepstakes entry for writing a review.It is a well made speaker, good balance and to my ears, it sounds perect for its price and size. If you get a good deal, go for it.
I would recommend this to a friendBrand response from SonyListens
Posted .Hi GeorgeM,
We appreciate your kind words about the CS Bookshelf Speakers! We're glad you find them well-made and that the sound balance meets your expectations perfectly for their price and size.
Thanks for choosing Sony.
Best regards, Eliab
Great speakers
||Posted .This reviewer received promo considerations or sweepstakes entry for writing a review.I'm very happy with the speakers although the description is misleading because they are not wireless.
I would recommend this to a friendBrand response from SonyListens
Posted .Hi JimC,
It is great to hear that you are enjoying your SSCS5M2 speakers. We take pride in delivering a high-quality audio experience, and we are glad to know that they are a positive addition to your home setup.
Thank you for making Sony part of your daily listening.
Regards,
Dominick
- Pros mentioned:Connectivity, Size, Sound quality
Enhanced Bookshelf Speakers
|Posted .This reviewer received promo considerations or sweepstakes entry for writing a review.BOTTOM LINE: You cannot go wrong purchasing these updated Sony SS-CS5M2 bookshelf speakers. I am currently using the pair in our media room, powered by a 100-wpc stereo amplifier, with our HDTV and for playing audio CD’s. I believe these speaker’s bass response is more than acceptable for my everyday use. But do occasionally kick-in a small subwoofer to add a little “floor ratting” bass to the mix. RATING: After using for the past week, these Sony CS5M2 earned themselves a solid 4-Star Rating for overall accurate soundstage, bookshelf size dimensions, acceptable low end, and numerous connection options. Add another Star if you can pickup at sale pricing. TL;DR BACKGROUND: I am in my mid 70’s and have been listing to component stereo systems since I was 13. Have owned and used numerous bookshelf and floor standing speakers, from all the major brand venders, in various sized rooms for over 60 years. Although I prefer the soundstage output of much larger floor standing speaker systems when listening to music, my wife who gauges speakers with her “eyes” versus her “ears” prefers much smaller speaker systems. So, we compromise with bookshelves with a hidden subwoofer. CS5 vs. SS-CS5M2: I must mention the CS5M2 is a welcomed update from the older CS5 version. Now with a newly developed 5.12 in woofer, advanced cabinet design (I believe with modified internal bracing to reduce unwanted resonance), updated crossover, improved tweeter design coupled with a new “wave guide”. SENSITIVITY: Note that the original CS5 has a published sensitivity level of only 87 db. After researching, I cannot locate any information on the SS-CS5M2 sensitivity level. Therefore, I assume it's about the same making these speakers a tad power hungry to effectively drive output at music creation levels. Here is where “room size” plays into the mix by deploying these speakers in a small to medium sized environment. Anyway, that’s what I would recommend. FREQUENCY RESPONSE: Not certain why Sony publishes two different frequency responses for these speakers? The FEATURES states “Hi-Res Audio With a wide frequency response of 53-50,000 Hz” (I assume ±3dB). Then in the Q&A SonyListens states “…extended bass response down to 45Hz (vs. above 53Hz)”. Well, which is it, 45-Hz or 53-Hz? Sony, please advise! 3-WAY SPEAKERS: Yes, technically this is a 3-way speaker system with crossover components that will separate the frequencies to each of the three drivers. Please recognize most speakers of this form factor size are 2-way with a single woofer coupled with a single tweeter. And most 3-way speakers use a dedicated woofer for the low-end, a mid-range driver, along with a tweeter. This Sony system to me is basically a 2-way system, but with the addition of a super-tweeter that will extend the high frequencies way beyond human listening capabilities. Would I prefer this “Hi Res” system over a traditional 2-way set of speakers? Certainly, why not. Can I hear the extended high-end? Ahhhh, hard to tell; but my neighbor’s dog certainly can. PRICING: When the original CS5’s came out, I almost purchased a set on a Black Friday sale for $75. But I purchased a competitor’s similar spec’ed pair that was on sale for $55 that sadly I ended up returning in less than a week because they just sounded muffled. Moral was, I should have purchased the CS5’s. Anyway, most consumer items these days has increased due to inflation (except LED HDTV’s). And these updated SS-CS5M2 are no exception. Therefore, the current MSRP I believe is in line with the overall speaker build quality. When these are on sale, they are cost effectively priced for a value set of bookshelf speakers that provides possibly a “best buy” in this price range. .
I would recommend this to a friend - Pros mentioned:Size, Sound quality
Excellent Sound and Budget Friendly
|Posted .This reviewer received promo considerations or sweepstakes entry for writing a review.Sony has always been a pioneer in audio industry and I have always bought their receivers, home theater systems and other audio products. With the growing interest in High Resolution audio, I decided to try these 3 Way 3 Driver Bookshelf speakers. Since these are a set of 3-way speaker in a space where 99% of speakers are 2-way, I figured it would be a good fit for me. I have a number of Super Audio CDs (remember those?) and I figured I would use them first to test the audio. It is always exciting to start your listening experience with your favorite audio track and see how it sounds. After listening to a number of tracks, I was pretty surprised: the bass was punchy and after I added a subwoofer to my set, the bass really became deep and rich. The auditory experience of these speakers is characterized by a notably expansive soundstage, exhibiting both considerable width and a good sense of depth. I would even say that the broad sonic stage is particularly advantageous when reproducing complex or spatially rich musical genres such as classical and jazz. Within these genres, where the placement of individual instruments is crucial to the listening experience, the localization of instruments is rendered with exceptional clarity and precision (huge plus in my book). I could distinctly perceive the positioning of different musical instruments (flute, guitar, violine, etc) within the three-dimensional space created by the soundstage, contributing to a highly immersive and detailed listening experience that captures the spatial nuances of the original recording really well. Honestly, these speakers totally blew away my expectations. From a sound perspective, they're super clear and transparent, giving you an honest take on whatever you're playing. The sound is incredibly clean with really tight transients, and you won't hear any muddiness or weird distortion across the whole range. That kind of clarity means you get playback that is spot-on, making them perfect for any serious listening or mixing. The design of these speakers is really good in for certain setups. They sound amazing for near-field monitoring, when you're sitting pretty close to them. Plus, their size and power are just right for smaller areas, like home studios, apartments, or a desktop setup. They'll easily fill the room with rich, detailed sound without being too much. What's really awesome is how affordable they are. Getting this level of transparent and accurate sound, especially in a compact (bookshelf) package, usually costs way more. The fact that these speakers are so budget friendly makes them an unbelievable deal, bringing high-fidelity audio to a wider crowd of music lovers and creators. I would definitely recommend checking these Sony speakers out, they’re widely regarded as one of the best entry-level hi-res bookshelf speakers in 2025 and I definitely would agree with that.
I would recommend this to a friendBrand response from SonyListens
Posted .Hello Stanmed,
Thank you for choosing Sony!
We're honored to hear such a detailed and thoughtful reflection on your experience with the SSCS5M2 speakers. Your recognition of Sony’s pioneering legacy in audio and your trust in our products mean a great deal to us. It’s gratifying to know that the 3-way design has delivered the punchy bass and expansive soundstage you were hoping for, especially when paired with a subwoofer to deepen the experience.
We appreciate your insight into how these speakers bring clarity and precision to complex genres like classical and jazz, faithfully reproducing the spatial nuances and instrument placement that are so important to a rich listening experience. Your comments on the clean, distortion-free sound and suitability for near-field monitoring in smaller spaces highlight the versatility and quality these speakers offer.
Moreover, we’re glad the combination of performance and affordability makes high-fidelity audio more accessible to music lovers and creators alike. Thank you for your thoughtful recommendation and for sharing your journey with Sony—we’re grateful for your continued support and trust.
Best regards,
-Fred
Not a fit for me.
||Posted . Owned for 1 week when reviewed.This reviewer received promo considerations or sweepstakes entry for writing a review.Not up to the soun effects I was looking for. Too tinny.
No, I would not recommend this to a friendBrand response from SonyListens
Posted .Hello JAC2022,
Thank you for considering Sony products.
We are sincerely sorry for the inconvenience and disappointment you have experienced with the sound quality of your SSCS5M2 speakers. We understand how important a rich, balanced audio profile is to your listening experience, and we regret that these speakers sounded too tinny for your preference.
This is certainly not up to the quality standards we strive for, and we take your concerns very seriously. Please be assured that we will forward your comments to our dedicated Sony team for their thorough review as we continue to work diligently to enhance our products.
In the meantime, we recommend checking your setup to ensure you are getting the best performance possible. Please make sure the connections have been correctly made, as contact between bare speaker wires at the speaker terminals may cause a short-circuit. Additionally, make sure none of the audio components are positioned too close to the TV set, as this can sometimes impact audio clarity.
We want to get this resolved for you! If the problem continues, the best next step is to contact our dedicated support team for advanced troubleshooting.
You'll find all the necessary contact options and resources at this link: https://us.esupport.sony.com/support/s/support-contact?language=en_US&category=ht
Best regards,
-Fred