Short answer: the Sony SS-CS3 M2. It ranks #209 of 226 floorstanding speakers by sound quality, rated 3.0/5, at $346. The Rockville RockTower 68B ranks #221, rated 2.2/5, at $234.90, $111.10 cheaper, which does not close the gap in sound quality.
The Sony SS-CS3 M2 is the better-sounding pick. 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.
The case for the Rockville RockTower 68B: An unusually inexpensive current 3-way tower with dual 6.5-inch woofers, a dedicated 6.5-inch midrange and silk-dome tweeter. Watch for: Objective performance is weak: its preference score is only 0.96 without a subwoofer and 3.42 with one, placing it near the bottom of the measured floorstanders.
Buy the Sony SS-CS3 M2. It is rated higher for sound quality, and saving $111.10 with the Rockville RockTower 68B 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
| Sony SS-CS3 M2 | Rockville RockTower 68B | |
|---|---|---|
| Price | $346 per pair | $234.90 per pair |
| Ranked | #209 of 226 in Large Size Floorstanding Speakers Estimated | #221 of 226 in Large Size Floorstanding Speakers |
| Drivers | 0.75” super tweeter, 1” tweeter, 2 x 5.12” woofers | 1-inch silk-dome tweeter, 6.5-inch midrange, dual 6.5-inch woofers |
| Frequency Response | 45Hz - 50kHz (manufacturer specified) | 30Hz-20kHz (manufacturer specified) |
| Sensitivity | 88.6dB (2.83V/1m, manufacturer specified) | 87dB |
| Impedance | 6 ohms nominal (manufacturer specified) | 8 ohms |
| Woofer Cabinet | ported | - |
| Dimensions | 36.3”H x 9.1”W x 10.2”D (921 x 230 x 260 mm) | 41.7”H x 7.9”W x 10.4”D (1060 x 200 x 265 mm) |
| Weight | 24.5 lbs (11.1 kg) each | 55.1 lbs (25.0 kg) each |
| DIY Kit | No | No |
| Enclosure | - | Passive 3-way vented floorstander |
| Bass Extension (-6dB) | - | 54Hz (measured, Spinorama) |
| Power Handling | - | 125W RMS / 500W peak |
| Spinorama Preference Score | - | 0.96 |
| Spinorama Preference Score with Perfect Sub | - | 3.42 |
| Bass Extension (-3dB) | - | 60.1Hz (measured, Erin’s Audio Corner via spinorama.org) |
| Bass Extension (-10dB) | - | 43.1Hz (derived, log-interpolated between spinorama.org -9dB/-12dB points) |
Related Speaker Comparisons
More top alternatives to Sony SS-CS3 M2:
- Polk T50 vs Sony SS-CS3 M2
- Polk Audio XT60 vs Sony SS-CS3 M2
- Polk Audio XT60 vs Rockville RockTower 68B
- Jamo S807 vs Rockville RockTower 68B
- Polk T50 vs Rockville RockTower 68B
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
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
Rockville RockTower 68B: $234.90 per pair Amazon Rockville eBay
Pros: An unusually inexpensive current 3-way tower with dual 6.5-inch woofers, a dedicated 6.5-inch midrange and silk-dome tweeter. Erin’s high-quality Spinorama data measures useful 54Hz extension, and the manufacturer sells each tower directly with free shipping. Measured bass extension of 60.1Hz (-3dB).
Cons: Objective performance is weak: its preference score is only 0.96 without a subwoofer and 3.42 with one, placing it near the bottom of the measured floorstanders. The large cabinet is lightly priced and specified sensitivity is only 87dB despite the multi-driver layout.
Full Rockville RockTower 68B review and specifications →
| Bass Extension (-10dB) | 43.1Hz (derived, log-interpolated between spinorama.org -9dB/-12dB points) |
|---|---|
| Bass Extension (-3dB) | 60.1Hz (measured, Erin’s Audio Corner via spinorama.org) |
| Bass Extension (-6dB) | 54Hz (measured, Spinorama) |
| DIY Kit | No |
| Dimensions | 41.7”H x 7.9”W x 10.4”D (1060 x 200 x 265 mm) |
| Drivers | 1-inch silk-dome tweeter, 6.5-inch midrange, dual 6.5-inch woofers |
| Enclosure | Passive 3-way vented floorstander |
| Frequency Response | 30Hz-20kHz (manufacturer specified) |
| Impedance | 8 ohms |
| Power Handling | 125W RMS / 500W peak |
| Sensitivity | 87dB |
| Spinorama Preference Score | 0.96 |
| Spinorama Preference Score with Perfect Sub | 3.42 |
| Weight | 55.1 lbs (25.0 kg) each |
- Links
- Reviews, Comparisons and Sound Samples
- Head-to-Head Comparisons
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- Rockville RockTower 68B vs Jamo S807
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