In this review, we will be comparing SS-CS5 and R-51M, two Passive Bookshelf speakers from Sony and Klipsch. Let's have a brief look at the main features of Sony SS-CS5 and Klipsch R-51M first before getting into our more detailed comparison.
What size room are the Sony SS-CS5 and Klipsch R-51M speakers good for?
The size of the room in which you are planning to use these loudspeakers is an important decision factor. Here we have compared their suitability to various sizes of environments considering their size and max power parameters:
(* Approximate Room sizes: Small < 100sq. ft / 9 m2, Mid-size: 100-220 sq. ft / 9-20 m2, Large 220-400 sq. ft / 20-36 m2, Very Large: > 400 sq. ft / 36 m2. Average Floor Height: 9" / 2.7m. Typical room sizes differ from country to country, and the actual listening experience changes depending on floor height, room shape, surface materials, listening position, speaker locations, etc.)
In the following sections, we will get into more detail in order to better understand how the Sony SS-CS5 and Klipsch R-51M compare and hopefully end up with enough arguments to decide which one of these loudspeakers is the better choice for you.
**This post contains affiliate links, and I will be compensated if you make a purchase after clicking through my links. As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases.
Drivers
One of the fundamental differences between these two speakers is that SS-CS5 is a 3-way design whereas the R-51M is a 2-way speaker. 3-way designs utilize a midrange driver in addition to the tweeter and woofer on 2-way designs. Designing a crossover for a 3-way speaker is a complicated process and generally increases the overall cost of the speaker.
| Driver | Sony SS-CS5 | Klipsch R-51M | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Driver Setup | 3-way | 2-way | |
| Super Tweeter | 0.75-inch | - | |
| Tweeter | 1-inch | 1-inch | |
| Midrange | - | - | |
| Woofer | 1 x 5.25-inch | 1 x 5.25-inch | |
SS-CS5 features a 1" polyester fiber Soft-Dome Tweeter , a 0.75" Supertweeter and 1 x 5.25" Mica Reinforced Cellular (MRC) Woofer . On the other hand, the R-51M features a 1" Tractrix Horn Tweeter and 1 x 5.25" Copper-spun IMG Woofer with a Crossover frequency at 1660Hz.
Frequency Response
SS-CS5 has a frequency range of 53-50k Hz whereas R-51M has a frequency range of 62-21k Hz. With a minimum frequency of 53Hz, the SS-CS5 can go significantly deeper on the low side and provide stronger bass compared to the R-51M's min frequency of 62Hz.
Below graphs depict how these two speakers compare with the max, min and average values of the Min and Max Frequencies of other speakers in the Bookshelf class in our database.
Low Frequency
Bookshelf Speakers
SS-CS5
R-51M
Min
Average
Max
High Frequency
Bookshelf Speakers
Sony SS-CS5
Klipsch R-51M
Min
Average
Max
None of these speakers achieves full range experience which is commonly agreed as 20Hz-20kHz. In order to achieve lower lows / deeper bass, we recommend you pair these with a subwoofer. Visit our Powered Subwoofers section to find out more about the available options.
Impedance and Sensitivity
SS-CS5 is a 6 ohms speaker compared to the R-51M which has a nominal impedance of 8 ohms.
These two speakers also have different sensitivity levels. SS-CS5 sensitivity is rated at 87 dB and the R-51M's is rated at 93 dB. This 6 dB difference makes the Klipsch R-51M a more sensitive speaker compared to Sony SS-CS5, hence will play louder with the same amount of watts.
Sensitivity
Bookshelf Speakers
SS-CS5
R-51M
Min
Average
Max
Power Range
Power range is the range of input power in watts RMS that a loudspeaker is designed to handle. While using an amplifier within this range ensures the nominal performance , inputting a power that is higher than the max wattage can result in a damaged speaker.
SS-CS5 can handle a max power of 100 watts RMS from the amp the whereas R-51M has a max power handling value of 85 watts RMS, 15 watts less than the SS-CS5.
Keep in mind that a higher max power handling value doesn't necessarily make that a louder speaker compared to a lower max handling speaker. Loudness or the sound level is also impacted by parameters such as Impedance, sensitivity and system efficiencies.
Input Type and Bi-Amping / Bi-Wiring
SS-CS5 features Single Gold Plated Binding Posts - 5-way type posts and R-51M has a Single Gold Plated Binding Posts - 5-way type posts. None of these speakers feature bi-amping/bi-wiring.
Cabinet Type and Port Position
Both SS-CS5 and R-51M have rear firing ports. Rear ported speakers generally need more room between the backside of the speaker and the wall compared to sealed and front/bottom ported speakers. Placing the speakers too close to the walls may cause the bass to sound boomy.
If you are limited in space and can't get the speakers away from the backwall, check our Speakers with Front Firing Ports page.
Physical Specs
Size of a speaker can sometimes become an important decision factor due to space constraints or in some cases purely for esthetic reasons. In this section, we are going to compare Sony SS-CS5's and Klipsch R-51M's external dimensions. Sony SS-CS5 has external dimensions of 335.0 x 178.0 x 220.0mm ( 13.1 x 7.0 x 8.6inch) whereas Klipsch R-51M has external dimensions of 338.0 x 178.0 x 215.0mm ( 13.3 x 7.0 x 8.4inch) .
Below you can see the front view size comparison of Sony SS-CS5 and Klipsch R-51M in scale.
Base Surface Area Comparison
Base surface area of a loudspeaker may become a determining factor when the space in your room or desk is limited. The base surface area of the Sony SS-CS5 is approximately 391.6cm2 / 60.7inch2 and base area of the Klipsch R-51M is approximately 382.7cm2 / 59.3inch2. The SS-CS5 requires 2% more surface area than the R-51M which gives it a small disadvantage on placement in tight spaces.
Here is an another comparison that shows both speakers on a BDI Octave Media Cabinet, next to a standard size amplifier and turntable in scale:
Weight Comparison
The weight of a loudspeaker can become an important factor if you need to move and reposition the unit often. Weight of a speaker can also "sometimes" be an indicator of the rigidity of the enclosure and the quality of the internal components used. The Sony SS-CS5 weighs 4.50kg / 9.9lbs and the Klipsch R-51M weighs 5.00kg / 11lbs. This makes the R-51M 11% heavier than the SS-CS5.
Here is a comparison of how SS-CS5 and R-51M's weights compare with the average, max and min weights in Passive Bookshelf class.
Weight
All Bookshelf Speakers
Sony SS-CS5
Klipsch R-51M
Min
Average
Max
What's in the Box of Klipsch R-51M?
Here are the items that come with the R-51M:
Reasons to choose Sony SS-CS5 over Klipsch Reference R-51M
 Max Input Power | 100 watts vs 85 watts | Handle more power from your amplifier |
 Driver Setup | 3-way vs 2-way | Have a dedicated mid-range driver |
 Low Frequency Response | 53 Hz vs 62 Hz | Generates deeper bass |
 High Frequency Response | 50k Hz vs 21k Hz | Generates higher frequency |
 Height | 335mm vs 338mm | Easier to fit in smaller spaces |
 Price per pair* | 148USD vs 359USD | costs less (*prices may change depending on the seller, location and time) |
Reasons to choose Klipsch Reference R-51M over Sony SS-CS5
 Sensitivity | 93 dB vs 87 dB | Play louder with same amount of amplification power |
 Nominal Impedance | 8 ohms vs 6 ohms | Less selective with amplifiers |
 Base Surface Area | 382cm2 (178x215mm) vs 391cm2 (178x220mm) | Takes less floor space |
Sony SS-CS5 vs Klipsch R-51M Specs Table
Detailed comparison of specifications| General | Sony SS-CS5 | Klipsch Reference R-51M |
|---|---|---|
| Brand | Sony | Klipsch |
| Speaker Type | Bookshelf speakers | Bookshelf speakers |
| Power Range | up to 100 watts | Up to 85 watts |
| Sensitivity | 87 dB | 93 dB |
| Impedance | 6 ohms | 8 ohms |
| Frequency Response | 53-50k Hz | 62-21k Hz | Drivers |
| Woofer Quantity | 1 | 1 |
| Woofer Size | 5.25" | 5.25" |
| Woofer Composition | Mica Reinforced Cellular (MRC) | Copper-spun IMG |
| Woofer Surround Material | Rubber | Rubber |
| Tweeter Size | 1" | 1" |
| Tweeter Type | Soft-Dome | Tractrix Horn |
| Aimable Tweeter | No | No |
| Midrange Driver | No | No |
| Crossover Frequency | n/a | 1660Hz |
| Firing Direction | rear | rear | Physical Specs |
| Height | 335.0mm (13.2") | 338.0mm (13.3") |
| Width | 178.0mm (7") | 178.0mm (7") |
| Depth | 220.0mm (8.7") | 215.0mm (8.5") |
| Weight | 4.50kg (9.9lbs) | 5.00kg (11lbs) |
| Enclosure | Bass Reflex | Bass Reflex |
| Finish | MDF/Wood-veneer | MDF/Wood-grain vinyl |
| Available Colors | Black | Black |
| Mounting Bracket | No | No |
| Recommended Stand Height | n/a | 24-28" |
| Grille | Yes | Yes |
| Moisture Resistancy | No | No | Connections |
| Biamp Inputs | No | No | Other |
| Parts Warranty | 2 years | 5 Years |
| Labor Warranty | 2 years | 5 Years |
