Short answer: the Klipsch RP-5000F II for better sound quality, the Sony SS-CS3 for the lower price. The Klipsch RP-5000F II ranks #38 of 56 floorstanding speakers at $1199.98. The Sony SS-CS3 ranks #47 at $450, $749.98 cheaper.
What the Klipsch RP-5000F II gets right: The most tonally coherent of the RP II floorstander line, with a mild baffle-step dip and treble tilt but no additional coloration issues beyond that. The catch: Bass extension is underwhelming for a floorstander - F3 at 55Hz, F10 at 41Hz - and needs a subwoofer.
The case for 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 Klipsch RP-5000F II if sound quality matters more than the price. Buy the Sony SS-CS3 if the price matters more than sound quality.
If sound quality matters at all to you, skip the Sony SS-CS3. It ranks near the bottom of the 56 floorstanding speakers, so look higher up the list instead.
Specifications Side By Side
| Klipsch RP-5000F II | Sony SS-CS3 | |
|---|---|---|
| Price | $1199.98 | $450.00 Discontinued |
| Ranked | #38 of 56 in Large Size Floorstanding Speakers | #47 of 56 in Large Size Floorstanding Speakers |
| Bass Extension (-10dB) | 41Hz (measured, Erin’s Audio Corner) | 39Hz (measured, Erin’s Audio Corner) |
| Bass Extension (-3dB) | 55Hz (measured, Erin’s Audio Corner) | 72Hz (measured, Erin’s Audio Corner) |
| Sensitivity | 90dB (2.83V/1m, measured by Erin’s Audio Corner) | 88.6dB (measured average, Erin’s Audio Corner) |
| Drivers | 1" titanium tweeter with Tractrix horn, dual 5.25" cerametallic woofers | 0.75 in. supertweeter, 0.98 in. polyester main tweeter, dual 5.12 in. MRC woofers |
| Weight | 38.6 lbs / 17.5 kg | 25.4 lbs / 11.5 kg each |
| Impedance | 8 ohms nominal, 3.3 ohms minimum (measured above 80Hz, Erin’s Audio Corner) | 6 ohms nominal |
| Frequency Response | 40Hz - 25kHz (+-3dB, Manufacturer specified) | - |
| Crossover Frequency | 1900Hz | - |
| Output Power | 100W continuous, 400W peak | - |
| Dimensions | 36.1" x 8.1" x 14.8" (917 x 207 x 375 mm) | 36.3"H x 9.1"W x 10.2"D (922 x 230 x 260 mm) |
| Woofer Cabinet | ported, rear | ported, front |
| Discontinued | - | Yes |
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The Two Speakers In Full
Klipsch RP-5000F II: $1199.98 Amazon
Pros: The most tonally coherent of the RP II floorstander line, with a mild baffle-step dip and treble tilt but no additional coloration issues beyond that. Precise imaging thanks to the controlled horn/waveguide directivity.
Cons: Bass extension is underwhelming for a floorstander - F3 at 55Hz, F10 at 41Hz - and needs a subwoofer. Narrow horizontal dispersion (~50-60 degrees) trades soundstage width for imaging precision. A mild high-frequency tilt and a slight lack of detail around 1-1.5kHz.
Full Klipsch RP-5000F II review and specifications →
| Bass Extension (-10dB) | 41Hz (measured, Erin's Audio Corner) |
|---|---|
| Bass Extension (-3dB) | 55Hz (measured, Erin's Audio Corner) |
| Crossover Frequency | 1900Hz |
| Dimensions | 36.1" x 8.1" x 14.8" (917 x 207 x 375 mm) |
| Drivers | 1" titanium tweeter with Tractrix horn, dual 5.25" cerametallic woofers |
| Frequency Response | 40Hz - 25kHz (+-3dB, Manufacturer specified) |
| Impedance | 8 ohms nominal, 3.3 ohms minimum (measured above 80Hz, Erin's Audio Corner) |
| Output Power | 100W continuous, 400W peak |
| Sensitivity | 90dB (2.83V/1m, measured by Erin's Audio Corner) |
| Weight | 38.6 lbs / 17.5 kg |
| Woofer Cabinet | ported, rear |
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- Reviews, Comparisons and Sound Samples
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Sony SS-CS3: $450.00 Discontinued
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.
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) |
| Dimensions | 36.3"H x 9.1"W x 10.2"D (922 x 230 x 260 mm) |
| Discontinued | Yes |
| 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) |
| Weight | 25.4 lbs / 11.5 kg each |
| Woofer Cabinet | ported, front |
As an eBay Partner, we may be compensated if you make a purchase.
- Links
- Reviews, Comparisons and Sound Samples
- Head-to-Head Comparisons