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JohnDubya 10.2K Views
May 28, 2026 3:11 PM

Sony SS-CS5M2 3-Way Bookshelf Speakers (Pair)

$198

$280

29% off
+ Free S&Hat Amazon
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Deal Details
Various retailers have Sony SS-CS5M2 3-Way Bookshelf Speakers (Pair) for $198. Shipping is free.

Thanks to Community Member JohnDubya for finding this deal.

Available retailers:Features:
  • 3-Way Bookshelf Speaker Configuration
  • 5.12" Woofer
  • 0.98" High-Precision Tweeter
  • 0.75" Wide Dispersion Super Tweeter
  • 100W at 6 Ohms Maximum Input Power
  • Rear-Ported Bass Reflex Enclosure
  • 53 Hz to 50 kHz Frequency Range
  • Removable Cloth Grille

Editor's Notes

Written by powerfuldoppler | Staff
  • About this deal:
    • Please see the original post for additional details & give the WIKI and additional forum comments a read for helpful discussion.
  • About this store:

Original Post

Written by JohnDubya
Community Notes
About the Poster
Deal Details
Community Notes
About the Poster
Various retailers have Sony SS-CS5M2 3-Way Bookshelf Speakers (Pair) for $198. Shipping is free.

Thanks to Community Member JohnDubya for finding this deal.

Available retailers:Features:
  • 3-Way Bookshelf Speaker Configuration
  • 5.12" Woofer
  • 0.98" High-Precision Tweeter
  • 0.75" Wide Dispersion Super Tweeter
  • 100W at 6 Ohms Maximum Input Power
  • Rear-Ported Bass Reflex Enclosure
  • 53 Hz to 50 kHz Frequency Range
  • Removable Cloth Grille

Editor's Notes

Written by powerfuldoppler | Staff
  • About this deal:
    • Please see the original post for additional details & give the WIKI and additional forum comments a read for helpful discussion.
  • About this store:

Original Post

Written by JohnDubya

Community Voting

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Top Comments

Community Reviews

Sony's CS bookshelf speakers are described as solid entry level speakers that work well for PC audio, living room surrounds, and basic home theater or record setups. The sound is generally framed as warm and natural, with a decent soundstage, easy power requirements, and sturdy construction that avoids cabinet resonance. The newer version is said to have a redesigned tweeter, with slightly better bass and smoother, warmer highs than the older model. The main hesitation is price, since the improvement is seen as modest and the value case weak near $200, with better appeal closer to $100 or below.

Common Questions (5)

  • They are generally described as entry-level speakers that are hard to beat under $100, but not worth a premium price near $198. The practical takeaway is to wait for a sale, open-box deal, or used pair if you want better value.

  • If you already own the first generation, the upgrade is only marginal, so paying full current price is hard to justify. The newer version may sound a bit smoother, but the difference is small enough that many would keep the older pair unless the price drops sharply.

  • The newer model appears to keep the same core specs and drivers, with the main change being a redesigned tweeter for smoother sound. Any difference is reported to be subtle in side-by-side listening, with slightly better bass and warmer highs.

  • They are described as warm and natural with a good soundstage, but not especially sparkly or high-detail. The tweeter redesign is intended to smooth the top end, and measurements suggest slightly better bass and warmer highs than the older version.

  • They can work well as PC speakers and are well-suited as living-room surrounds. They are also easy to power with many receivers, which makes them a flexible upgrade for basic stereo or TV audio setups.

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22 Comments

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May 29, 2026 6:26 PM
69 Comments
Joined Aug 2025
SmileyMicrobeMay 29, 2026 6:26 PM
69 Comments
Is this honestly the cheapest it's gonna go? I remember when these were under a hundred a pop.
May 29, 2026 6:27 PM
1 Comments
Joined Apr 2026
MerryCaption6589May 29, 2026 6:27 PM
1 Comments

Our community has rated this post as helpful. If you agree, why not thank

Quote from SmileyMicrobe View quoted comment :
Is this honestly the cheapest it's gonna go? I remember when these were under a hundred a pop.
These are the new version, you're probably thinking about the last one
2
1
1
May 29, 2026 6:44 PM
69 Comments
Joined Aug 2025
SmileyMicrobeMay 29, 2026 6:44 PM
69 Comments
Quote from MerryCaption6589 View quoted comment :
These are the new version, you're probably thinking about the last one
Thanks for that. Do you know how these compare to the old ones?
May 31, 2026 3:22 PM
1.3K Comments
Joined Apr 2008
sr27May 31, 2026 3:22 PM
1.3K Comments
The fact that these are 3-way itself makes this a deal
May 31, 2026 3:27 PM
386 Comments
Joined May 2018
CrimsonFeather358May 31, 2026 3:27 PM
386 Comments

Our community has rated this post as helpful. If you agree, why not thank

Quote from SmileyMicrobe View quoted comment :
Is this honestly the cheapest it's gonna go? I remember when these were under a hundred a pop.
I bought "the old ones" on sale for $75 (pair) in 2020! The specs are the same (impedance, min/max frequency response) so I'm assuming these aren't much different than mine, if not the same drivers. They're just OK -- entry level bookshelf speakers. I was using them as my PC speakers and upgraded pretty quickly. These now act as my surrounds in the living room, which they are very well-suited for.
2
May 31, 2026 4:31 PM
13.4K Comments
Joined Jul 2010
supermanrobMay 31, 2026 4:31 PM
13.4K Comments

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Quote from CrimsonFeather358 View quoted comment :
I bought "the old ones" on sale for $75 (pair) in 2020! The specs are the same (impedance, min/max frequency response) so I'm assuming these aren't much different than mine, if not the same drivers. They're just OK -- entry level bookshelf speakers. I was using them as my PC speakers and upgraded pretty quickly. These now act as my surrounds in the living room, which they are very well-suited for.
Minor changes, the biggest is redesigned tweeter, supposedly for a smoother sound. Subtle difference side by side.Other than that unlikely to tell them apart ime.
3
May 31, 2026 4:51 PM
69 Comments
Joined Aug 2025
SmileyMicrobeMay 31, 2026 4:51 PM
69 Comments
Quote from supermanrob View quoted comment :
Minor changes, the biggest is redesigned tweeter, supposedly for a smoother sound. Subtle difference side by side.Other than that unlikely to tell them apart ime.
I just hope that the teeeter redesign did not make them softer. There's a reason that Randy the "cheapaudio" man recommended them so highly. But he says now at their current price there's no way.

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May 31, 2026 5:06 PM
13.4K Comments
Joined Jul 2010
supermanrobMay 31, 2026 5:06 PM
13.4K Comments
Quote from SmileyMicrobe View quoted comment :
I just hope that the teeeter redesign did not make them softer. There's a reason that Randy the "cheapaudio" man recommended them so highly. But he says now at their current price there's no way.
Funny you say that, the owner preferred the older version in the blind test!
1
May 31, 2026 8:57 PM
119 Comments
Joined Apr 2015
JotterboxMay 31, 2026 8:57 PM
119 Comments
These are passive speakers, yes?
May 31, 2026 9:39 PM
1.8K Comments
Joined Oct 2020
CalmMitten9192May 31, 2026 9:39 PM
1.8K Comments
Quote from Jotterbox View quoted comment :
These are passive speakers, yes?
Yup..
Jun 2, 2026 2:42 AM
123 Comments
Joined Oct 2014
chris.whitefordJun 2, 2026 2:42 AM
123 Comments
Nice price
Jun 3, 2026 10:02 AM
817 Comments
Joined Jul 2017
TigerwangJun 3, 2026 10:02 AM
817 Comments
Not worth more than $100...
2
Jun 3, 2026 1:08 PM
62 Comments
Joined Oct 2019
DhdolphnsJun 3, 2026 1:08 PM
62 Comments
I remember when these were $150 at Best buy regular price and they would have them on sale for half price every now and then, I picked up the set for $75 and returned them I guess I should have kept them lol
2
1
Jun 3, 2026 1:09 PM
62 Comments
Joined Oct 2019
DhdolphnsJun 3, 2026 1:09 PM
62 Comments
Quote from MerryCaption6589 View quoted comment :
These are the new version, you're probably thinking about the last one
Still basically the exact same speaker

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Jun 4, 2026 5:17 PM
2.4K Comments
Joined Aug 2010
Backhome77Jun 4, 2026 5:17 PM
2.4K Comments

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Quote from SmileyMicrobe View quoted comment :
Thanks for that. Do you know how these compare to the old ones?
Lots of reviews and comparisons out there, but Erin's Audio Corner backs it up with measurement: https://youtu.be/iI2a-KVuUhw?t=88
Bottom line, slightly better bass and warmer highs. Most reviewers agree they're better than the originals, but only slightly - not twice the price better. That said, there really aren't a whole lot of great speakers at the sub $200 price point. So they still might be the best option in this price range, unless you find a clearance or open box deal, or are willing to shop used.
3

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