Customer Favorite — discover the Sony CS Speakers, SS-CS5M2 3-Way 3-Driver Hi-res Bookshelf Speakers (Pair), 2025 Model by Sony, built for performance and designed for life in the United States.
The Sony CS Speakers, SS-CS5M2 3-Way 3-Driver Hi-res Bookshelf Speakers (Pair), 2025 Model by Sony combines reliability, modern design, and user-focused engineering. Perfect for everyday use, it delivers exceptional results for American customers who value comfort.
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$389.59
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HotzyDeals Editorial Team
Matt D –
These speakers are good value for the asking price of under AU$150 when purchased.
They arrived newly manufactured from Malaysia in perfect condition.
They are designed as part of a home theatre set of speakers so you may need a subwoofer for a strong base. I use them as stand alone bookshelf speakers for my Sony HAP S1 player and they provide a crisp authentic sound.
Kevin R. –
I bought these at $168 during OCT prime and not the $278 listed (or $199 they are right now as of this review a few days after sale
)
My father was an audiophile for decades, along with being a mechanic. I learned a lot of my life from him about quality audio components, but i suck at writing detailed reviews in order to persuade people to buy a product.
I will start by saying, i don’t know everything. I know a little, or enough, about many things. Many times, i do lots of research and become very well informed on the products i intend to buy. I strive for Quality, while also lookin for value. CHEAP , doesn’t mean “Bad”. nor does “Expensive” mean the best there is.
With that said, these SS-CS5M2 bookshelf speakers are for my PC. I’ve been rocking Logitech Z-5300 5.1 for nearly 22 years. I bought them brand new. several years ago i ditched the rear channels (speakers still work) and just maintained 3.1 setup. THey sound good for gaming and movies, but i finally wanted something better. I’ve had much better for my home cinema setup, so i never bothered with my pc, but it’s time to retire these logitech.
After many YT video reviews, i enjoyed the YT channel ChepAudioMan the most. With another reviewer that gave more in-depth technical analysis and i chose these speakers. As well as the CS8M2 Center channel to be paired with my 13 year old Sony STR-DH520 AVR.
After i got these setup and my AVR setup the way i like, WOW ! I know how “bad” my logitech were going to be compared to these, but compared to my theater system, just wow.
Strengths
Clarity & Detail in Mid/Highs
Thanks to the tweeter + super tweeter arrangement, vocals, acoustic guitars, cymbals, and other high-frequency detail tend to come through quite cleanly. The “extra” super tweeter helps extend the sense of air and sparkle without sounding artificially bright (at least in well-treated rooms). In many test tracks, fine details in cymbal overtones and string harmonics were audible.
Wide Soundstage / Dispersion
Because of the super tweeter and driver layout, the SS-CS5M2 tends to have a broad “sweet spot” and a more open “soundstage” feel than many conventional small bookshelf speakers. Off-axis listening (i.e. not perfectly centered) remains usable.
Good Build & Design for the Price
The cabinets feel solid for their class, with good internal bracing. Aesthetically, they are understated and likely to blend into many setups without being too flashy.
Decent Mid-Bass for Small Rooms / Paired with Sub
In smaller rooms (say 10 × 12 ft, or smaller), the woofer and cabinet do a respectable job providing musical low frequencies (bass to low-mid) — though not earth-shaking. For many listeners, a subwoofer will fill in what’s missing below ~ 50–60 Hz.
Trade-offs & Limitations
Bass Limitations
While the 5.12″ woofer is competent, in larger rooms or for bass-heavy genres (electronic, hip-hop, orchestral weight) the speakers won’t deliver deep, room-shaking bass. The reliance on a separate subwoofer becomes more of a necessity in many use cases.
Potential for Brightness / Fatigue
Because of the super tweeter and three-way design, some listeners report the highs being a bit “bright” or forward, especially with more aggressive recordings. If your source / amplification is on the bright side, this could accentuate sibilance or cymbal harshness. (Some real-world users note this “bright house sound” tendency in Sony’s speaker heritage.)
Audio Science Review
Sensitivity / Power Needs
These are not ultra-sensitive “loud with little power” speakers. To get decent dynamic range and headroom, you’ll benefit from a quality amplifier that can deliver clean power, especially if you push them.
Room & Placement Sensitivity
As with many small / compact speakers, performance depends heavily on placement, room acoustics, and speaker stands. Rear port means you’ll want some space behind them (distance from wall) to avoid port interference or “boomy” lows.
Value & Verdict
For what Sony is charging, the SS-CS5M2 offers impressive bang for the buck. The fact that you’re getting a 3-way design, a super tweeter for extended treble, and solid construction in this price tier is notable. Many competing bookshelf speakers in the same range lean toward simpler 2-way designs.
If you match them with a good amplifier, manage room placement carefully, and pair them sensibly (especially with a subwoofer), they can deliver a lively, engaging, and detailed audio experience that far exceeds what many expect from “budget / entry-level” speakers.
However, they are not miracle workers. If you need deep extension or intend to drive them very loudly in a large hall, their limitations will show. Also, if you are super sensitive to brightness, depending on your source gear you might find them a bit forward in the top end.
Overall: A strong recommendation in their class — for many listeners, these could be “speakers you get and keep,” especially if you build around their strengths.
jonah one –
Small and compact but great open sound.
Michel Marcoux –
Awesome speakers for the price!
Carlos Manuel Flores Mendez –
Mon premier achat “reconditionné”. Etat extérieur , de légers coups, pour le reste absolument comme neuf. son HYPER directif, faut vraiment bien les placer et configurer son installation. Une fois tout cela mis en place. A vous les joie de l’Atmos et autres spatialisations. Parfait pour mon utilisation.
Carlos Manuel Flores Mendez –
Bocina de calidad en sonido y bien acabada, con excelente presencia.
TIMMYTHUNDERXOX –
Yes…I was finally wanting to upgrade from my used thrift shop Sony CMT cp11 bookshelf tape/cd player with only Bass and Treble eq, at about 30 watts with only two speakers possible. Good little retro unit. I used to have one of the bigger, thicker Sony monster bookshelf 3 or 5 disc changer with those big old speakers with super looking sub woofer dealios. I miss that that system very much. I used to also have some components I got from my dad’s old cool system, 2 full size Pioneer speakers that were pretty nice too. I had to let some things go and some things didn’t last the test of time. I’ve had a few thrift stereos that have their own speakers. Issues here and there. Used stuff isn’t always a great idea for the savings.
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.