Short answer: the Klipsch RP-8000F II, because the Sony’s midrange resonances are the bigger flaw. The SS-CS3 is affordable and easy to drive at 88.6dB SPL at 2.83V/1m, but severe cabinet and driver resonances between 100Hz and 600Hz add coloration and chesty resonances to male vocals. The Klipsch costs $1,159.98 against $450 and answers with ~92dB measured sensitivity, though it missed the expected 50Hz.
Buy the Klipsch RP-8000F II. It is rated higher for sound quality, and the Sony SS-CS3 is discontinued, so it is only available used.
Want more options? Browse the full Passive Home rankings.
Specifications Side By Side
| Klipsch RP-8000F II | Sony SS-CS3 | |
|---|---|---|
| Price | $1,159.98 per pair | $450 per pair Discontinued |
| Ranked | #49 of 74 in Large Size Floorstanding Speakers | #68 of 74 in Large Size Floorstanding Speakers |
| Bass Extension (-10dB) | 33Hz (measured, Erin’s Audio Corner) | 39Hz (measured, Erin’s Audio Corner) |
| Bass Extension (-3dB) | 67Hz (measured, Erin’s Audio Corner) | 72Hz (measured, Erin’s Audio Corner) |
| Sensitivity | 92dB (2.83V/1m, measured by Erin’s Audio Corner) | 88.6dB (measured average, Erin’s Audio Corner) |
| Drivers | 1” titanium tweeter with 90x90 Tractrix horn, dual 8” cerametallic woofers | 0.75 in. supertweeter, 0.98 in. polyester main tweeter, dual 5.12 in. MRC woofers |
| Weight | 61.3 lbs (27.8 kg) | 25.4 lbs (11.5 kg) each |
| Impedance | 8 ohms nominal (3.7 ohms minimum above 80Hz, measured by Erin’s Audio Corner) | 6 ohms nominal |
| Frequency Response | 35Hz - 25kHz (+-3dB, Manufacturer specified) | - |
| Crossover Frequency | 1630Hz | - |
| Power Handling | 150W continuous, 600W peak | - |
| Dimensions | 43.1” x 10.8” x 18.3” (1095 x 275 x 464 mm) | 36.3”H x 9.1”W x 10.2”D (922 x 230 x 260 mm) |
| Woofer Cabinet | ported, rear | ported, front |
| Spinorama Preference Score | 5.39 | 4.11 |
| Spinorama Preference Score with Perfect Sub | 7.12 | 6.65 |
| DIY Kit | No | No |
Related Speaker Comparisons
How Klipsch RP-8000F II compares with other leading options:
- Klipsch RP-8000F II vs KEF Blade Two Meta
- Klipsch RP-8000F II vs MoFi SourcePoint V10 Master Edition
- Klipsch RP-8000F II vs MoFi SourcePoint 888
- Klipsch RP-8000F II vs Revel F328Be
- Klipsch RP-8000F II vs Radiant Acoustics Clarity 66
Prices on this page were last checked October 2, 2026 at 10:18 PM 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.
As an eBay Partner, we may be compensated if you make a purchase.
The Two Speakers In Full
Klipsch RP-8000F II: $1,159.98 per pair Amazon eBay
Pros: Highest sensitivity of the RP II floorstander line (~92dB measured) and the best dynamics/compression behavior of the three under load: the cleanest at high output. Dual 8-inch woofers and the highest power handling in the line. Measured bass extension of 67Hz (-3dB), with a measured sensitivity of 92dB.
Cons: Mid-bass sounds lean despite the dual 8-inch woofers, and bass extension disappointed for its size: expected to reach 50Hz, didn’t get there in-room. Has its own edgy upper-mid bump (2-6kHz) that’s harder to EQ out than the other two models’ issues, since it stems from the vertical horn/woofer offset rather than simple tonal balance. The most placement-critical of the three, with the narrowest horizontal (~40-50 degrees) and vertical (+5/-10 degrees) dispersion.
Full Klipsch RP-8000F II review and specifications →
| Bass Extension (-10dB) | 33Hz (measured, Erin’s Audio Corner) |
|---|---|
| Bass Extension (-3dB) | 67Hz (measured, Erin’s Audio Corner) |
| Crossover Frequency | 1630Hz |
| DIY Kit | No |
| Dimensions | 43.1” x 10.8” x 18.3” (1095 x 275 x 464 mm) |
| Drivers | 1” titanium tweeter with 90x90 Tractrix horn, dual 8” cerametallic woofers |
| Frequency Response | 35Hz - 25kHz (+-3dB, Manufacturer specified) |
| Impedance | 8 ohms nominal (3.7 ohms minimum above 80Hz, measured by Erin’s Audio Corner) |
| Power Handling | 150W continuous, 600W peak |
| Sensitivity | 92dB (2.83V/1m, measured by Erin’s Audio Corner) |
| Spinorama Preference Score | 5.39 |
| Spinorama Preference Score with Perfect Sub | 7.12 |
| Weight | 61.3 lbs (27.8 kg) |
| Woofer Cabinet | ported, rear |
- Links
- Reviews, Comparisons and Sound Samples
- Head-to-Head Comparisons
- Klipsch RP-8000F II vs Dynaudio Emit 30
- Klipsch RP-8000F II vs Klipsch RP-6000F II
- Klipsch RP-8000F II vs Klipsch RP-5000F II
- Klipsch RP-8000F II vs Definitive Technology BP-9020
- Klipsch RP-8000F II vs KLH Model Five
- Klipsch RP-8000F II vs SVS Ultra Evolution Pinnacle
- Klipsch RP-8000F II vs KEF Q11 Meta
- Klipsch RP-8000F II vs Polk T50
- See all 44 comparisons
Sony SS-CS3: $450 per pair Discontinued eBay
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