The Sony SSCS5 is an entry-level bookshelf speaker that uses a 3-way speaker design which is pretty rare for a loudspeaker at this price point. It is one of the most affordable bookshelf speakers made by a reputable brand and has garnered lots of positive reviews over the years. This is a strong indication that the Sony SSCS5 is a speaker that exceeds expectations.
No matter how good a bookshelf speaker is, it will need a matching amplifier partner to help them sound its best, and the Sony SSCS5 is no exception. If you are currently searching for such an amp then look no further. We are planning to introduce to you a list of the best amplifiers which you can go for and pair them up with your Sony SSCS5 speakers. Right after we have learned more about these fabulous standmounters, with a better understanding of how they sound, it will allow us to find the right matching amplifiers.
Table of Contents
Sound Characteristics and Strengths of Sony SSCS5
For a bookshelf speaker at this price point, it is really rare to have a super tweeter driver unit. At the top of the Sony SSCS5, you will find the 0.75″ fabric-dome super tweeter, followed by a 1″ dome type tweeter, and right below them will be the 5.25″ MRC woofer unit. We have really high hopes for the SSCS5, just by seeing the super tweeter. There is a rear-firing bass port as well, whether how far you will place these speakers away from the back walls will depend on how much bass output you’ll prefer. Based on the size of the speaker and its woofer unit, it is more than likely it will need a bass supplement from a subwoofer.
The size of the Sony SSCS5 makes them potential desktop speakers and also as surround speakers. Aesthetically they are pretty low-profile and should blend in nicely with your house interiors. Whether it is with or without the speaker grille, they will also look good with most modern amplifiers. The frequency response is extremely impressive, which is 53Hz-50kHz, quite unheard of for a bookshelf speaker at this price range. The speaker sensitivity is 87dB which is quite low and the impedance is 6 Ohms which indicates that the Sony SSCS5 will need power to really sing. It can handle up to 100 Watts of power, we might want to go for amplifiers that can produce about 50W per channel or more.
More Details at Amazon – Sony SSCS5 3-Way 3-Driver Bookshelf Speaker
The low-end performance is as expected which is lacking but it is tight and really composed due to this. This probably makes the Sony SSCS5 speakers ideal for wall-mount surround speakers or as height speakers. The deep bass region is not prominent and overall doesn’t have much weight, but adding a subwoofer will significantly improve the bass performance. With a subwoofer, it will also improve the mid-bass impact and provide a fuller sound. The midrange is smooth and clean sounding, delivering clear vocals and dialogues.
The clarity of the Sony SSCS5 speakers is astonishing but can be really bright sounding that will cause listener fatigue. The overall sound reproduction is clean sounding and has a smooth sound quality but the subtle details are quite muddled. The Sony SSCS5 speakers are more likely made to be paired with a subwoofer and mainly used as speakers in a home theater system. The lack of refinement and musicality does hinder them to be ideal stereo speakers for music playbacks. Still, they can be ideal desktop speakers since you can place them near walls and also considering their small footprints.
At this price point, we really can’t nitpick and with the right amplifier, they could sound less bright. This also means we need to be careful when partnering them with bright-sounding amps to avoid cringe-sounding characteristics. It is a must to get a subwoofer into the mix especially if you are planning to use them to play bass-heavy soundtracks and/or watch movies at home. Unless you are okay with light and casual listening then the Sony SSCS5 speakers alone will suffice. Now we understand more about these bookshelf speakers, it is time to share with you the best amplifiers to match with Sony SSCS5.
Sony SSCS5 Specifications
- Speaker Type: 3-Way (rear-firing port)
- Drive Units: 0.75″ fabric-dome super tweeter, 1″ dome type tweeter, 5.25″ MRC woofer unit
- Frequency Response: 53Hz-50kHz
- Power Handling: Up to 100 Watts
- Nominal Impedance: 6 Ohms
- Sensitivity (2.83V/1m): 87dB
- Dimensions (H x W x D): 335mm x 178mm x 220mm | 13.2″ x 7″ x 8.7″
- Weight: 4.3kg (9.4lbs)
Best Amplifiers to match with Sony SSCS5
The Marantz PM6007 will be a fantastic choice as an amplifier partner for your Sony SSCS5 speakers as Marantz amps are famous for their musical sounding characteristics. There is also a subwoofer output for you to connect a powered sub for that much-needed bass performance. The PM6007 amplifier is capable of producing a soundstage that is wide and has plenty of details to boot. It also provides a fuller sound which complements the Sony SSCS5 really well. The Marantz PM6007 will be a great match for the SSCS5 speakers, especially for a more refined music listening experience.
More Info at Amazon – Marantz PM6007 Integrated Amplifier with Digital Connectivity
For desktop 2.1 sound system, the NAD D 3020 V2 will be the ideal amplifier choice for your Sony SSCS5. As it doesn’t add more brightness to the already bright-sounding Sony SSCS5 speakers and has just enough power output to drive them. There is a subwoofer output for you to connect to an active sub and a built-in DAC where you can convert digital signals from your PC/laptop into analog. What makes the NAD D 3020 V2 the best digital amplifier for a desktop system will be its small footprint and vertical placement. Furthermore, there is Bluetooth with aptX, allowing you to stream your music.
More Info at Amazon – NAD – D 3020 v2 Hybrid Digital Integrated Amplifier
If you want a warm-sounding system that is pleasing to the ears, you might want to check out Rockville BluTube Tube Amplifier. It is an affordable entry-level to the world of tubes and even comes with Bluetooth capability. We will suggest going for the version with subwoofer output as the Sony SSCS5 speakers really need the bass supplement from a powered sub. The Rockville BluTube Tube amplifier is a very highly rated amp and the price point is very similar to the Sony SSCS5 speakers’ price range. Will suggest having an audition with them first before making a decision.
More Info at Amazon – Rockville BluTube SG 70W Tube Amplifier
For a home theater setup, you might want to go with Sony AV receivers since the SSCS5 are made by Sony too and they should work really well together. The Sony STR-DH790 will be the AV receiver to go for, as for the price, you will have 4K HDR, Dolby Vision, Dolby Atmos, and more. It is a 7.2 channel AV receiver with plenty of features to adjust the sound quality such as the S-Force Pro, Bass/Treble settings, etc. The Advanced D.C.A.C. helps to calibrate your speakers and adjust the audio for optimal sound in your movie room. The Sony STR-DH790 has more than enough power to really drive your Sony SSCS5 speakers.
More Info at Amazon – Sony STR-DH790 7.2-ch Surround Sound Home Theater AV Receiver
The Sony STR-DH790 in terms of cinematic sound quality is definitely an ideal AVR choice and a great match with your Sony SSCS5 speakers. Even so, when it comes to visual and musicality, the Marantz SR6015 is quite hard to beat. As firstly, it is an 8K AV Receiver with 8K/60Hz and 4K/120Hz pass-through which is the current pinnacle of home cinematic visuals. Then there is the Marantz house sound which is amazing for music and live concerts playbacks. The Marantz SR6015 uses Audyssey room correction technology which is sought after by HT enthusiasts. You should arrange an audition with this incredible AVR, and hear for yourself how well the Marantz SR6015 can drive the Sony SSCS5 bookshelf speakers.
More Info at Amazon – Marantz SR6015 9.2 Channel 8K AV Receiver with 3D Audio
As indicated earlier, the Sony SSCS5 speakers really need a subwoofer to support their bass performance and if you don’t have one, your home cinema experience will be rather dull. Your first choice would probably be the Sony SACS9 10-Inch active subwoofer which is a smart choice as they are from the same company, and their sonic signatures should work seamlessly together. It would not be enough for large listening rooms though, this is where you need bigger and more powerful active subwoofers such as the SVS PB-3000, a 13″ sub with 2,500 Watts peak power. SVS is a specialist when it comes to making high-performance and high-quality subwoofers, so you can be assured that their subs are worth every penny. You should really audition the SVS PB-3000 and hear the difference in bass quality.
More Details at Amazon – Sony SACS9 10-Inch Active Subwoofer
To Sum It Up
We wouldn’t recommend going for preamp and power amp combo, since the Sony SSCS5 are entry-level speakers but if you already have an existing AV receiver that can connect to power amplifiers via speakers pre-outs. We will suggest going for Emotiva power amps as their motto is high-performance products at affordable prices, and more importantly, they are well recognized by audiophiles. Once you have shortlisted the amplifiers or AVRs, you should arrange an audition together with your speakers. If possible do include the subwoofer that you will be getting or integrating into the sound system.
