Sony SS Series

Waspinators

Waspinators

Member
I'm sure Sony is pretty bad word around here, but with the lousy selection of used speakers in my area (from what I've seen so far) I've been giving these a look:

SS-B3000
http://www.amazon.com/Sony-SS-B3000-Bookshelf-Speakers-8-Inch/dp/B000OG6I6A/ref=pd_sim_e_2

SS-F1000
http://www.amazon.com/Sony-SSF-5000-Floor-Standing-Speaker/dp/B000OG4E1G/ref=pd_cp_e_2

Has anyone actually given these a shot? The reviews are pretty erratic, with some people stating they're amazingly clear and full, and others saying they sound like their price. If anyone uses or has used either of these, lemme know what you though of 'em, though the hunt for a good used speaker set continues...
 
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Where are you located at? Nothing on Ebay or Craigslist for your area? Man, those would be my last resort....but maybe that's where you're at now! Sometimes you just gotta do what you gotta do for music.
 
Waspinators said:
Has anyone actually given these a shot? The reviews are pretty erratic, with some people stating they're amazingly clear and full, and others saying they sound like their price. If anyone uses or has used either of these, lemme know what you though of 'em, though the hunt for a good used speaker set continues...
Click to expand...
While at a public radio and TV benefit sale where some equipment was offered, the guy selling the equipment was pushing me to buy every speaker I looked at for even a second.

I knew I was in trouble when I looked at a pair of SS-B3000 speakers more than once. :D I was pressured to buy them and I finally gave in. For $15 I didn't think I could go wrong. They almost looked brand new.

I simply don't like the sound. It wasn't that great when driven from a Technics SA-929 and I'd say it really fell off the wagon when I used a Sony STR-DH100 to drive them.

I'd pass on the SS-B3000 speakers. However, if you want a GREAT little speaker system, I would heartily recommend the SS-B1000 speakers. They cost $50 brand new and sound great.
 
x2 on where are you located? A fellow ak'er may be able to point you in the right direction toward some non junk speakers. What is your budget for speakers? What will you be driving them with?
 
Sony made some exceptional speakers back in the late 1970's. They were sold mainly in the Japanese market. They also make some excellent speakers in the present day. Search some of the threads to get an idea of the good stuff. Unfortunately, the ones you are looking at fall into the "mediocre, at best" category.

I would look elsewhere.
 
I'm in South Florida, Broward county area. Not really looking to spend more than $150 but I would go higher if I found something real nice.
 
Those Sonys do not look good (going on appearance..haven't heard them) but there are good Sony speakers out there, just so you don't write them off entirely as a company.

Believe it or not if you have somethign like a guitar center around you, there are some nice fairly inexpensive monitors there that make good speakers. KRK makes a pair.
 
I recently picked up a set of insignias at best buy just to see what the hubbub was about - and frankly, for ~ $95, they're really very good for what they are - I'd recommend them - model #NS-B2111. They're quite a bit bigger than they look in the pictures, btw. I think I'll keep them stock - especially since I don't own another pair of unmolested speakers (I have a hard time not screwing with speakers).
 
Hell - they're on sale now for $69 a pair. I bought 'em less than thirty days ago - go save a few bucks!
 
Go to Audiogon

Search

Use the first two numbers of your zip for the location...

33?

I see Klipsch

I see PSB
 
Clmrt said:
Go to Audiogon

Search

Use the first two numbers of your zip for the location...

33?

I see Klipsch

I see PSB
Click to expand...
+1, or watch Craigslist in your area diligently for several weeks, and something good will pop up. Central and south Florida often has nice stuff listed on the various CLs.
 
Waspinators said:
Has anyone actually given these a shot? The reviews are pretty erratic, with some people stating they're amazingly clear and full, and others saying they sound like their price. If anyone uses or has used either of these, lemme know what you though of 'em, though the hunt for a good used speaker set continues...
Click to expand...

I bought a pair of the SS-B3000s on the basis of the many positive reviews because I could no longer stand the cheap Technics rack system speakers that I had been using since the mid-90s. They were definitely an improvement. If properly placed, they provide very low and solid bass for something with an 8" woofer and can play at high levels with minimal distortion. However, I find them to be somewhat harsh and fatiguing, especially with digital sources. Overall, they probably represent a decent value for new speakers in their price range.

After buying the Sonys, I started finding inexpensive, but higher quality, vintage speakers in thrift stores and realized what I was missing. All of the following cost less than the $75 I paid for the Sonys and provide much better sound:

Infinity Reference Four ($60/pair including replacement foam for woofers/mids and repair of one of the EMIT-R tweeters)
Advent 1008/Graduate ($40/pair including replacement foam for woofers)
Advent /3 ($20/pair)
Minimus 7s with Yamaha YST-SW160 subwoofer ($10 total)

To be fair, when they were new, all of these speakers were built to a higher price point than those Sonys, but that's what makes them such a bargain on the used market (especially if you can replace foam surrounds). Based on this experience, my $.02 is to see if you can find decent vintage speakers on Craigslist or at thrifts or yard sales. I've decided to use my Sonys as the front speakers in a 5.1 surround system, since they sound better than our in-wall speakers in that application. That's probably more what they were designed for anyway.
 
After buying the Sonys, I started finding inexpensive, but higher quality, vintage speakers in thrift stores and realized what I was missing
Click to expand...

:yes: :yes: That's what happens... to everybody. Until you hear a pair of real HI-FI speakers, you don't know what you was missing.

I would pass buying another mid-fi speaker... I had many, and I'm sure you already have a pair also...

Wait a bit, and get some real Hi-Fi. You will hear the difference.
Post questions here before to buy :)

Look for some vintage infinity with EMIT tweeters :music:
 
sony have made some superb speakers, and not just the ones to break the bank. the 'la voce' series (ss-a1l, ss-a3, ss-a5 and ss-a7) were very reasonably priced and superb.

if you have a limited budget and want the biggest bang for your buck you really do have to go 2nd hand and wait for the right one to come along. if you cant wait but want good sound then headphones are the way forwards, for the price of budget speakers you can get some seriously impressive headphones.

enjoy!
 
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