Short answer: both are discontinued, so this only matters if you are buying used. Used, the Definitive Technology BP-9020 is the better pick: it ranks #150 of 226 floorstanding speakers by sound quality (rated 3.8/5), against #213 (rated 2.8/5) for the Sony SS-CS3. If you want one new, the Sony SS-CS3 M2 replaces the Sony SS-CS3 and is rated 3.0/5 at $346.
The Definitive Technology BP-9020 is the more accurate, deeper-bass pick. Integrated powered 8” side-firing subwoofer with a 150-watt Class D amplifier provides exceptional sub-bass extension down to an F3 of 35Hz and F10 of 29Hz without requiring a standalone subwoofer enclosure. Its measured preference score, a predictor of how neutral it sounds, is 5.08 against 4.11 for the Sony SS-CS3. Its bass reaches about 35Hz before falling 3dB, against 72Hz for the Sony SS-CS3. The tradeoff: Significant high-frequency boost creates notable treble brightness and noticeable sibilance on vocal s-sounds.
Why pick the Sony SS-CS3: Affordable entry-level floorstanding tower offering solid sensitivity (88.6dB SPL at 2.83V/1m), making it easy to power with standard budget AVRs. The tradeoff: Severe cabinet and driver resonances plague the passband between 100Hz and 600Hz, imparting audible coloration and chesty resonances to male vocals and acoustic instruments.
Buy the Definitive Technology BP-9020 only if you find one used in good condition; both are discontinued, and it is the better rated of the two. For a new speaker, buy the Sony SS-CS3 M2, which replaces the Sony SS-CS3.
Still deciding? The full Passive Home rankings cover every ranked option.
Specifications Side By Side
| Definitive Technology BP-9020 | Sony SS-CS3 | |
|---|---|---|
| Price | $500 per pair Discontinued | $450 per pair Discontinued |
| Ranked | #150 of 226 in Large Size Floorstanding Speakers | #213 of 226 in Large Size Floorstanding Speakers |
| Bass Extension (-10dB) | 29Hz (measured, Erin’s Audio Corner) | 39Hz (measured, Erin’s Audio Corner) |
| Bass Extension (-3dB) | 35Hz (measured, Erin’s Audio Corner) | 72Hz (measured, Erin’s Audio Corner) |
| Dimensions | 35.3”H x 11”W x 13”D (895.4 x 279.4 x 330.2 mm) | 36.3”H x 9.1”W x 10.2”D (922 x 230 x 260 mm) |
| Impedance | 8 ohms nominal | 6 ohms nominal |
| Sensitivity | 87.7dB (measured average, Erin’s Audio Corner) | 88.6dB (measured average, Erin’s Audio Corner) |
| Drivers | 1 in. annealed aluminum dome tweeter, two 3.5 in. BDSS midrange (front), one 3.5 in. BDSS midrange (rear), 8 in. powered subwoofer | 0.75 in. supertweeter, 0.98 in. polyester main tweeter, dual 5.12 in. MRC woofers |
| Weight | 30 lbs (13.6 kg) each | 25.4 lbs (11.5 kg) each |
| Woofer Cabinet | ported, slot | ported, front |
| Spinorama Preference Score | 5.08 | 4.11 |
| Spinorama Preference Score with Perfect Sub | 6.53 | 6.65 |
| DIY Kit | No | No |
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Prices on this page were last checked October 9, 2026 at 8:01 AM UTC. Product prices and availability are accurate as of that date/time and are subject to change; the price and availability shown on Amazon at the time of purchase will apply to the purchase of this product.
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The Two Speakers In Full
Definitive Technology BP-9020: $500 per pair Discontinued eBay
Pros: Integrated powered 8” side-firing subwoofer with a 150-watt Class D amplifier provides exceptional sub-bass extension down to an F3 of 35Hz and F10 of 29Hz without requiring a standalone subwoofer enclosure. Forward-Focused Bipolar Array technology (dual 3.5” front midrange drivers + 1” annealed aluminum dome tweeter, plus a 3.5” rear-firing midrange driver) creates a remarkably wide, spacious soundstage with broad room envelopment. On-axis frequency response stays smooth and relatively neutral when listened to directly aligned with the tweeter. Measured average sensitivity of 87.7dB SPL (2.83V/1m) allows comfortable drive from standard multi-channel receivers. Measured bass extension of 35Hz (-3dB), with a measured sensitivity of 87.7dB.
Cons: Significant high-frequency boost creates notable treble brightness and noticeable sibilance on vocal s-sounds. Bipolar rear driver radiation creates a diffuse soundstage that compromises razor-sharp imaging focus and pinpoint instrument placement. DSP-based internal limiter aggressively compresses output below 80Hz at higher listening levels, causing lower mid-bass and sub-bass impact to diminish as volume increases. Midrange clarity shows slight ‘cuppiness’ and upper-frequency directivity irregularities due to front/rear driver interaction. Discontinued.
Full Definitive Technology BP-9020 review and specifications →
| Bass Extension (-10dB) | 29Hz (measured, Erin’s Audio Corner) |
|---|---|
| Bass Extension (-3dB) | 35Hz (measured, Erin’s Audio Corner) |
| DIY Kit | No |
| Dimensions | 35.3”H x 11”W x 13”D (895.4 x 279.4 x 330.2 mm) |
| Drivers | 1 in. annealed aluminum dome tweeter, two 3.5 in. BDSS midrange (front), one 3.5 in. BDSS midrange (rear), 8 in. powered subwoofer |
| Impedance | 8 ohms nominal |
| Sensitivity | 87.7dB (measured average, Erin’s Audio Corner) |
| Spinorama Preference Score | 5.08 |
| Spinorama Preference Score with Perfect Sub | 6.53 |
| Weight | 30 lbs (13.6 kg) each |
| Woofer Cabinet | ported, slot |
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Sony SS-CS3: $450 per pair Discontinued eBay
Newer model: the Sony SS-CS3 M2, ranked higher, estimated 3/5.
Same family: the Sony SS-CS5 (bookshelf, rated 3.5/5).
Pros: Affordable entry-level floorstanding tower offering solid sensitivity (88.6dB SPL at 2.83V/1m), making it easy to power with standard budget AVRs. Harmonic distortion remains reasonably low at moderate listening levels (86dB SPL) when high-pass filtered above 80-100Hz with a dedicated subwoofer. Front-ported design allows relatively close placement to front boundaries without excessive port occlusion. Measured bass extension of 72Hz (-3dB), with a measured sensitivity of 88.6dB.
Cons: Severe cabinet and driver resonances plague the passband between 100Hz and 600Hz, imparting audible coloration and chesty resonances to male vocals and acoustic instruments. Irregular frequency response peaks and dips make automated receiver room correction difficult to equalize effectively. Poor low-frequency extension (F3 of 72Hz, F10 of 39Hz) for a floorstander, combined with rapid distortion escalation below 80Hz at higher SPLs (96dB+). Supertweeter driver adds crossover complexity without providing audible high-frequency benefit within the human hearing spectrum. Discontinued.
Full Sony SS-CS3 review and specifications →
| Bass Extension (-10dB) | 39Hz (measured, Erin’s Audio Corner) |
|---|---|
| Bass Extension (-3dB) | 72Hz (measured, Erin’s Audio Corner) |
| DIY Kit | No |
| Dimensions | 36.3”H x 9.1”W x 10.2”D (922 x 230 x 260 mm) |
| Drivers | 0.75 in. supertweeter, 0.98 in. polyester main tweeter, dual 5.12 in. MRC woofers |
| Impedance | 6 ohms nominal |
| Sensitivity | 88.6dB (measured average, Erin’s Audio Corner) |
| Spinorama Preference Score | 4.11 |
| Spinorama Preference Score with Perfect Sub | 6.65 |
| Weight | 25.4 lbs (11.5 kg) each |
| Woofer Cabinet | ported, front |
- Links
- Reviews, Comparisons and Sound Samples
- Head-to-Head Comparisons