Short answer: the Neumi BS5. It ranks #38 of 168 bookshelf speakers by sound quality (rated 3.8/5) at $139.99 and is still sold new; the Sony SS-CS5 ranks #72 (rated 3.5/5) and is discontinued, so it is only an option used. The Sony SS-CS5’s replacement, the Sony SS-CS5 M2, is rated 3.2/5 at $153.
The Neumi BS5 is the deeper-bass choice. Exceptional budget value: Erin measured approximately +/-1.5dB on-axis linearity through most of the mid/treble, 84dB/2.83V/1m sensitivity and a manageable 4.6-ohm minimum. Its bass reaches about 64Hz before falling 3dB, against 85Hz for the Sony SS-CS5. The catch: Erin measured F3 at 64Hz, so kick-drum punch should not be mistaken for deep-bass extension.
The Sony SS-CS5 is the more accurate pick. A budget three-way bookshelf speaker with a 5.12” woofer, a 1” main tweeter and a 3/4” super tweeter. Its measured preference score, a predictor of how neutral it sounds, is 4.16 against 3.60 for the Neumi BS5. The catch: Bass is limited, 85Hz (-3dB) and about 62Hz (-10dB), so a subwoofer helps.
Buy the Neumi BS5. It is rated higher for sound quality and still sold new, while the Sony SS-CS5 is discontinued.
Looking for alternatives? See the complete Passive Home rankings.
Specifications Side By Side
| Neumi BS5 | Sony SS-CS5 | |
|---|---|---|
| Price | $139.99 per pair | $150 per pair Discontinued |
| Ranked | #38 of 168 in Medium Size Bookshelf Speakers | #72 of 168 in Medium Size Bookshelf Speakers |
| Bass Extension (-3dB) | 64Hz (measured, Erin’s Audio Corner) | 85Hz (measured, Erin’s Audio Corner) |
| Bass Extension (-10dB) | 41.0Hz (measured, Erin’s Audio Corner) | about 61.5Hz (measured, Erin’s Audio Corner) |
| Sensitivity | Approximately 84dB/2.83V/1m (measured, Erin’s Audio Corner) | 87dB (manufacturer specified) |
| Impedance | 4.6 ohms minimum; approximately 6 ohms nominal (measured, Erin’s Audio Corner) | 6 ohms |
| Drivers | 1” silk-dome tweeter; 5” fiberglass woofer | 5.12” (130mm) mica-reinforced cellular woofer, 1” (25mm) polyester main tweeter, 3/4” (19mm) super tweeter |
| Woofer Cabinet | ported, front | ported |
| Spinorama Preference Score | 3.60 | 4.16 |
| Spinorama Preference Score with Perfect Sub | 6.12 | 7.07 |
| Dimensions | 10.6”H x 7.2”W x 8.5”D (269.2 x 182.9 x 215.9 mm) | 13.2”H x 7”W x 8.3”D (335 x 178 x 210 mm) |
| Weight | 7.1 lbs (3.2 kg) each | 9.9 lbs (4.5 kg) each |
| DIY Kit | No | No |
| Frequency Response | - | 53Hz-50kHz (manufacturer specified) |
Frequency Response Compared
Both speakers’ spinorama measurements, overlaid. A flatter line is more neutral: peaks sound forward or harsh, dips sound recessed. Each curve is shifted so its average from 300 Hz to 3 kHz sits at 0 dB, so loudness differences between the two are removed and only the shape is compared.
Measurement data: Neumi BS5 (measured by Erin’s Audio Corner) and Sony SS-CS5 (measured by Erin’s Audio Corner), via spinorama.org.
Watch Them Compared
Videos and reviews that test both speakers side by side.
Related Speaker Comparisons
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- KEF Q150 vs Neumi BS5
Prices on this page were last checked October 10, 2026 at 5:37 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.
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The Two Speakers In Full
Neumi BS5: $139.99 per pair Amazon eBay
Pros: Exceptional budget value: Erin measured approximately +/-1.5dB on-axis linearity through most of the mid/treble, 84dB/2.83V/1m sensitivity and a manageable 4.6-ohm minimum. The 5-inch fiberglass woofer and 1-inch silk dome provide good horizontal directivity for the price; a mild upper-bass rise adds punch, and ordinary modern AVRs can generally drive the mostly six-ohm load at sensible levels. Measured bass extension of 64Hz (-3dB), with a measured sensitivity of 84dB.
Cons: Erin measured F3 at 64Hz, so kick-drum punch should not be mistaken for deep-bass extension. Output around 90dB began to reveal distortion and compression, limiting farfield/high-volume use. A narrow dip near 800Hz, port/cabinet resonances and imperfect crossover directivity remain visible; the tweeter itself is approximately four ohms even though the system is sold as nominal six ohms. A subwoofer is strongly preferred.
Full Neumi BS5 review and specifications →
| Released | Apr 2020 (6 years ago) |
|---|---|
| Bass Extension (-10dB) | 41.0Hz (measured, Erin’s Audio Corner) |
| Bass Extension (-3dB) | 64Hz (measured, Erin’s Audio Corner) |
| DIY Kit | No |
| Dimensions | 10.6”H x 7.2”W x 8.5”D (269.2 x 182.9 x 215.9 mm) |
| Drivers | 1” silk-dome tweeter; 5” fiberglass woofer |
| Impedance | 4.6 ohms minimum; approximately 6 ohms nominal (measured, Erin’s Audio Corner) |
| Sensitivity | Approximately 84dB/2.83V/1m (measured, Erin’s Audio Corner) |
| Spinorama Preference Score | 3.60 |
| Spinorama Preference Score with Perfect Sub | 6.12 |
| Weight | 7.1 lbs (3.2 kg) each |
| Woofer Cabinet | ported, front |
- Links
- Reviews, Comparisons and Sound Samples
- Erin’s Audio Corner: Neumi BS5 Review More from Erin’s Audio Corner →
- Erin’s Audio Corner Website: Neumi BS5
- Erin’s Audio Corner Measurements (spinorama.org)
- Erin’s Audio Corner: How good is cheap? Comparing/Contrasting Sony SS-CS5 and Neumi BS5.
- Erin’s Audio Corner: Budget Stereo Systems You Will Love
- Head-to-Head Comparisons
Sony SS-CS5: $150 per pair Discontinued eBay
Newer model: the Sony SS-CS5 M2, ranked lower, rated 3.2/5, released Aug 2025. See every Sony SS-CS generation.
Same family: the Sony SS-CS3 (floorstanding, rated 2.8/5).
Pros: A budget three-way bookshelf speaker with a 5.12” woofer, a 1” main tweeter and a 3/4” super tweeter. Erin’s measurements show a smooth predicted in-room response and sound power, for a preference score of 4.16 that reaches 7.07 with an ideal subwoofer, unusually good for a budget speaker. Measured bass extension of 85Hz (-3dB).
Cons: Bass is limited, 85Hz (-3dB) and about 62Hz (-10dB), so a subwoofer helps. The on-axis response is uneven (1.29 average deviation). Sony replaced it with the Sony SS-CS5 M2. Discontinued.
Full Sony SS-CS5 review and specifications →
| Released | May 2014 (12 years ago) |
|---|---|
| Bass Extension (-10dB) | about 61.5Hz (measured, Erin’s Audio Corner) |
| Bass Extension (-3dB) | 85Hz (measured, Erin’s Audio Corner) |
| DIY Kit | No |
| Dimensions | 13.2”H x 7”W x 8.3”D (335 x 178 x 210 mm) |
| Drivers | 5.12” (130mm) mica-reinforced cellular woofer, 1” (25mm) polyester main tweeter, 3/4” (19mm) super tweeter |
| Frequency Response | 53Hz-50kHz (manufacturer specified) |
| Impedance | 6 ohms |
| Sensitivity | 87dB (manufacturer specified) |
| Spinorama Preference Score | 4.16 |
| Spinorama Preference Score with Perfect Sub | 7.07 |
| Weight | 9.9 lbs (4.5 kg) each |
| Woofer Cabinet | ported |
- Reviews, Comparisons and Sound Samples
- Head-to-Head Comparisons