Short answer: the Polk T50. It ranks #152 of 226 floorstanding speakers by sound quality, rated 3.8/5, at $498. The Sony SS-CS3 M2 ranks #209, rated 3.0/5, at $346, $152 cheaper, not enough of a saving to outweigh the sound-quality gap.
The Polk T50 is the better-sounding pick. Pretty deep bass for the price. The catch: 5dB peak at 1kHz, 4dB bright top end from 11kHz on up.
The case for the Sony SS-CS3 M2: The 2025 update of the budget Sony SS-CS3 tower, matching the measured Sony SS-CS5 M2 bookshelf. Watch for: No independent measurements yet, so its tonal balance and directivity can’t be compared directly with measured speakers; the rating is estimated from the measured Sony SS-CS5 M2 and the original Sony SS-CS3, which measured with an uneven balance.
Buy the Polk T50. It is rated higher for sound quality, and saving $152 with the Sony SS-CS3 M2 does not make up for the sound-quality gap.
About the ratings: the Sony SS-CS3 M2’s rating is estimated from measured siblings and predecessors rather than its own measurements, with a likely range of 2.6 to 3.4, so this verdict could change once it is measured.
Looking for alternatives? See the complete Passive Home rankings.
Specifications Side By Side
| Polk T50 | Sony SS-CS3 M2 | |
|---|---|---|
| Price | $498 per pair | $346 per pair |
| Ranked | #152 of 226 in Large Size Floorstanding Speakers | #209 of 226 in Large Size Floorstanding Speakers Estimated |
| Bass Extension (-10dB) | 38Hz (measured, Audio Science Review) | - |
| Bass Extension (-3dB) | 47Hz (measured, Audio Science Review) | - |
| Impedance | 4 ohms nominal (4.2 ohms minimum, measured by Audio Science Review) | 6 ohms nominal (manufacturer specified) |
| Drivers | 2x 6.5” bi-laminate paper cone woofers, 1x 1” Terylene dome tweeter + 2x 8” passive bass radiators | 0.75” super tweeter, 1” tweeter, 2 x 5.12” woofers |
| Weight | 75.4 lbs (34.2 kg) | 24.5 lbs (11.1 kg) each |
| Sensitivity | 86.3dB (2.83V/1m, measured by Audio Science Review) | 88.6dB (2.83V/1m, manufacturer specified) |
| Dimensions | 40.4”H x 9.3”W x 12.5”D (1026.2 x 235.0 x 317.5 mm) | 36.3”H x 9.1”W x 10.2”D (921 x 230 x 260 mm) |
| Woofer Cabinet | passive radiator | ported |
| Spinorama Preference Score | 4.14 | - |
| Spinorama Preference Score with Perfect Sub | 6.15 | - |
| DIY Kit | No | No |
| Frequency Response | - | 45Hz - 50kHz (manufacturer specified) |
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Prices on this page were last checked October 11, 2026 at 4:59 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
Polk T50: $498 per pair Amazon eBay
Same family: the Polk T15 (bookshelf, rated 1.9/5).
Pros: Pretty deep bass for the price. Distortion at 86dB SPL/1m is reasonably controlled outside a narrow spike around 250Hz. The reviewer notes performance is “not too bad for a budget speaker” once the two main tonal issues are addressed with EQ. Measured bass extension of 47Hz (-3dB), with a measured sensitivity of 86.3dB.
Cons: 5dB peak at 1kHz, 4dB bright top end from 11kHz on up. Just okay vertical off axis. Impedance and phase show several resonances between 200Hz-1kHz, with a minimum impedance of 4.2 ohms. Distortion rises substantially at 96dB SPL/1m across the midrange, with repeated peaks between 100Hz-2kHz.
Full Polk T50 review and specifications →
| Released | Sep 2015 (11 years ago) |
|---|---|
| Bass Extension (-10dB) | 38Hz (measured, Audio Science Review) |
| Bass Extension (-3dB) | 47Hz (measured, Audio Science Review) |
| DIY Kit | No |
| Dimensions | 40.4”H x 9.3”W x 12.5”D (1026.2 x 235.0 x 317.5 mm) |
| Drivers | 2x 6.5” bi-laminate paper cone woofers, 1x 1” Terylene dome tweeter + 2x 8” passive bass radiators |
| Impedance | 4 ohms nominal (4.2 ohms minimum, measured by Audio Science Review) |
| Sensitivity | 86.3dB (2.83V/1m, measured by Audio Science Review) |
| Spinorama Preference Score | 4.14 |
| Spinorama Preference Score with Perfect Sub | 6.15 |
| Weight | 75.4 lbs (34.2 kg) |
| Woofer Cabinet | passive radiator |
- Links
- Reviews, Comparisons and Sound Samples
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Sony SS-CS3 M2: $346 per pair Estimated Amazon eBay
Older model: the Sony SS-CS3 (ranked lower, rated 2.8/5). See every Sony SS-CS generation.
Same family: the Sony SS-CS5 M2 (bookshelf, rated 3.2/5) and the Sony SS-CS8 M2 (center, estimated 2.8/5).
Pros: The 2025 update of the budget Sony SS-CS3 tower, matching the measured Sony SS-CS5 M2 bookshelf. It is a 3-way with two 5.12” woofers, a 1” tweeter and a 0.75” super tweeter, rated 45Hz to 50kHz with 88.6dB sensitivity, so an inexpensive receiver drives it easily.
Cons: No independent measurements yet, so its tonal balance and directivity can’t be compared directly with measured speakers; the rating is estimated from the measured Sony SS-CS5 M2 and the original Sony SS-CS3, which measured with an uneven balance. The impedance is 6 ohms and the cabinet is basic vinyl-wrapped MDF.
Full Sony SS-CS3 M2 review and specifications →
| Released | Sep 2025 (1 year ago) |
|---|---|
| DIY Kit | No |
| Dimensions | 36.3”H x 9.1”W x 10.2”D (921 x 230 x 260 mm) |
| Drivers | 0.75” super tweeter, 1” tweeter, 2 x 5.12” woofers |
| Frequency Response | 45Hz - 50kHz (manufacturer specified) |
| Impedance | 6 ohms nominal (manufacturer specified) |
| Sensitivity | 88.6dB (2.83V/1m, manufacturer specified) |
| Weight | 24.5 lbs (11.1 kg) each |
| Woofer Cabinet | ported |
- Reviews, Comparisons and Sound Samples
- No independent measurement review is linked for this model; it is ranked from hands-on listening and comparison against similarly priced speakers.
- Head-to-Head Comparisons