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Sony 8" Bookshelf Speakers (Pair)
Model number: SS-B3000 |SKU: 8289229
Complete your home theater system with these bookshelf speakers that blast a full range of frequencies from 50Hz to 50kHz. Push-type connectors make the speakers easy to install and uninstall.
Average Customer Rating:
4.2 out of 5(24 Reviews)
Rating Breakdown
(24 reviews)
5 stars
(13)
4 stars
(6)
3 stars
(3)
2 stars
(1)
1 star
(1)
21 of 24 (88%) customers would recommend this product to a friend.
Customer Reviews for Sony 8" Bookshelf Speakers (Pair)
Review 1 for Sony 8" Bookshelf Speakers (Pair)
Customer Rating
2.05
Sony 8" book shelf speakers01/10/2010
By jeff87507from Santa Fe,NM
Value for Price
2.05
Sound Quality
2.05
Appearance
5.05
Power
3.05
What's great about it: easy to set up What's not so great: not as good as thought to be, average speakers
"I purchased these speaker to replace a pair of 1982 RTR Digital V Model 200 speakers. The Sony`s are living off their reputation. To get the sound volume, I had to turn it up 25% more and did not get the same wonderful sound as in my 1982 RTR Digital V Model 200. At the price I bought them for, two for the price of one and free freight, they were a bargain for some one that does not need real quality speakers.....now that is just my opinion....I did return them, and no question were ask. Thats why I deal with Best Buy."
Would you recommend this product to a friend?:No
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Review 2 for Sony 8" Bookshelf Speakers (Pair)
Customer Rating
3.05
Good but not great speakers01/07/2010
By HomeTheaterB1from Santa Clarita, CA
Value for Price
4.05
Sound Quality
3.05
Appearance
4.05
Power
5.05
What's great about it: The price, size, bass and power What's not so great: Missing some midrange and highs
"I purchased these speakers to replace my 20 year old Sound Research 12" 3 way speakers. My old speakers were much larger and heavier floor speakers compared to these small book shelf speakers. My theory from owning several speakers is there is no replacement for displacement.
What I mean by this is a bigger, heavier quality speaker can often produce a range of sound that seems fuller and fills the room, that the cheaper and smaller speakers simply can not always do. I tried a $400 set of surround sound speakers from Bose in the past that I thought had excellent highs and lows but was missing the midrange sound.
I think these Sony's are nice sounding speakers for those that are on a budget like me. You can crank them, they sound great with tv (I also played my Get Smart DVD's on them and they sounded great). Music sounded good, but not great. I immediately noticed missing midrange sound that I heard from my previous speakers (I also noticed an emptier room filling sound that my bigger speakers handled better).
But I am going to keep them as I am on a tight budget and need speakers and these will do the job and still sound good, but be prepared for some missing midrange and even a little missing high ranges, compared to larger and heavier old school quality speakers. You can crank them, they do put out good bass. But someday I would like to get a better set of speakers again. If you don't have previous speakers to compare them to, you will probably not notice what you haven't been missing, so I say go ahead and buy them."
Would you recommend this product to a friend?:Yes
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Review 3 for Sony 8" Bookshelf Speakers (Pair)
Customer Rating
5.05
Worth 10x the cost07/04/2009
By Hipwrddudefrom Philladelphia, PA
Value for Price
5.05
Sound Quality
5.05
Appearance
5.05
Power
5.05
What's great about it: Sonic excellence What's not so great: Not available in many stores.
"There are several big secrets about the SS-B3000 that many people aren't aware of: 1.) #1 speaker according to the #1 Consumer product evaluation group among speakers in its' class; 2.) Best value in speakers at any price; 3.) If you want to find the Kevlar technology used in these speakers, you'll only find them in speakers costing over $600 and up. 4.) While Bose may be the #1 speaker manufacturer, Sony not only has a Nobel prize winning scientist designing their amplifiers, but their speaker design team and advanced materials group will prove to you (once you listen to these) that nobody can compete with the sonic quality of these speakers bang for the buck. I don't say that to plug Sony, I say that because I own top-of-the-line Boston Acoustics, high end Magnepans and am an audiophile. That's why I have 3 pairs of these including the center channel in my bedroom and not my beloved Boston Acoustics. When I kill the lights and start the show, I create instant believers. When you hear these, the sound is so clear, it sounds like it's right there in the room."
Would you recommend this product to a friend?:Yes
1 of 1 people found this review helpful.
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Review 4 for Sony 8" Bookshelf Speakers (Pair)
Customer Rating
4.05
good bang for the buck05/15/2009
By PaulQfrom Westlake,La.
Value for Price
5.05
Sound Quality
5.05
Appearance
5.05
Power
4.05
What's great about it: good price What's not so great: nothing
"I am impresed with these little speakers. they were rated 3rd from consumer reports and 1 infinity p180 and 2 bose 301 were almost 3 times higher so if you are on a budget these are the ones to buy."
Would you recommend this product to a friend?:Yes
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Review 5 for Sony 8" Bookshelf Speakers (Pair)
Customer Rating
5.05
Great Speakers02/04/2009
By SomeWhiteGuyfrom Tulsa, OK
Value for Price
5.05
Sound Quality
5.05
Appearance
5.05
Power
5.05
What's great about it: Sound, Look What's not so great: nothing
"These speakers are plugged into the str-dg520 100wX5 5.1 channel receiver, and they sound amazing. They put out a lot of bass with the 8" woofers that are built in. Great high and mid as well. Definitely worth it."
Would you recommend this product to a friend?:Yes
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Review 6 for Sony 8" Bookshelf Speakers (Pair)
Customer Rating
5.05
great sound for the price11/22/2008
By 93musicman
Value for Price
5.05
Sound Quality
5.05
Appearance
5.05
Power
5.05
What's great about it: low price, great sound quality What's not so great: none
"I bought these speakers just for listening to music and they're great. I have my iPod connected to them and I use them daily. The sound quality is great for the price; the bass is nice and they're pretty powerful for just listening to music or a basic home theater setup. also very stylish looking"
Would you recommend this product to a friend?:Yes
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Review 7 for Sony 8" Bookshelf Speakers (Pair)
Customer Rating
5.05
Good buy09/15/2008
By fishbonefrom Pennsville, NJ
Value for Price
5.05
Sound Quality
4.05
Appearance
5.05
Power
4.05
What's great about it: Price, quality, good sound What's not so great: ported
"Bought these to replace the older model of these speakers. children blew out the older ones, playing with the stereo. older model sounded better, they were not ported. Still very good price for solid speakers."
Would you recommend this product to a friend?:Yes
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Review 8 for Sony 8" Bookshelf Speakers (Pair)
Top 100 Contributor
Customer Rating
4.05
Power07/09/2008
By Gibhunterfrom Bangor, Maine
What's great about it: Sound What's not so great: cannot take advertised wattage
"I think it might be that I have an old receiver, but I cannot turn it up past 30% on a 100watt system. The woofers move easily and a lot, but this set will shake your walls and made a picture fall off the wall in my home. Normal bass, these are great at, too low and they wont respond as well. their BIGGEST weakness is actually the lack of treble. I replaced a set of philips speakers with these and I miss the highs that dont exist on the sony pair. If you want a full range of sound look elsewhere, or buy a second set to go with these."
Would you recommend this product to a friend?:Yes
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Review 9 for Sony 8" Bookshelf Speakers (Pair)
Customer Rating
5.05
Simply Awesome07/05/2008
By mike12221
What's great about it: Clarity, Good Bass What's not so great: None
"I just pick this up and hook it up with a $200 yamaha receiver. It simply sounds awesome for playing music and movie watching. Audio paradise for 100! Good base because of the 8" driver, I don't need a subwoofer playing trance/techno. Wish it look more upscale than some of the competitors, but you can't go wrong with this one, it's quite big for a bookshelf speaker"
Would you recommend this product to a friend?:Yes
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Review 10 for Sony 8" Bookshelf Speakers (Pair)
Customer Rating
5.05
Impressive!07/02/2008
By IronGunnzfrom Wilkes Barre,PA
What's great about it: clear, crisp, loud, pounds! What's not so great: none
"I tested these vs other brands at my local Bestbuy and none came close to these speakers. For the price you will not be let down. I got curious with my surround sound and used some bass testing songs and I was blown away..these hit pretty hard."
Would you recommend this product to a friend?:Yes
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Review 11 for Sony 8" Bookshelf Speakers (Pair)
Customer Rating
5.05
Excellent06/04/2008
By Acousticstringsfrom New York
What's great about it: Crisp sound, great bass, nice design and architecture, incredible price for what they sound like. What's not so great: None.
"Well, I am a musician and music is one of my passions in life. I understand there are really expensive sets of speakers that sound incredible. I have listened to many, from Polk audio, Canton, Pioneer, just to name a few. I am not saying these speakers are better than those, but for the money you pay for them you cannot get better. To be honest, these Sony's sound better than some speakers that cost a hundred dollars more. Sony usually doesn't make good sounding speakers. This time however, they made an excellent sounding pair. I am going to get the floor-standing versions of these speakers as well, because you cannot beat the quality of sound for the price. Highly recommended. This is definitely a "best buy". No pun intended...or was it? Enjoy."
Would you recommend this product to a friend?:Yes
1 of 1 people found this review helpful.
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Review 12 for Sony 8" Bookshelf Speakers (Pair)
Customer Rating
1.05
forgot my starbucks that day05/27/2008
By Delanefrom Spanaway, WA
What's great about it: nathan What's not so great: all
"I bought a pair of these last week and I must admit that they are a coke short of a happy meal. I loaded them up in the trunk 4 to 5 days later and took them to Goodwill. ^TRON^ Ya Know="
Would you recommend this product to a friend?:No
0 of 5 people found this review helpful.
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Review 13 for Sony 8" Bookshelf Speakers (Pair)
Customer Rating
4.05
Great Speakers04/30/2008
By redh12from austin, tx
What's great about it: Really good bass What's not so great: Had to put on floor
"Sony makes really great speakers -- the set all together is great too."
Would you recommend this product to a friend?:Yes
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Review 14 for Sony 8" Bookshelf Speakers (Pair)
Customer Rating
5.05
As good as you can buy03/26/2008
By Anonymousfrom Bloomington, IL
What's great about it: Accuracy What's not so great: Too inexpensive for snob appeal
"I‘ve had them for about 4 months. These speakers, according to the leading consumer magazine, are the best you can buy, based on accuracy and distortion. (They tested everything from $60 to $2300) You will notice that the stores don’t have them where they can be compared side by side with very high priced speakers. Sony hit a home run with these. They have a cleaner sound than my pair of vintage AR3a speakers, which I hooked up to the same amp, for comparison. (Not quite as much bass as the ARs) I also hooked them up to a vintage (1976) Kenwood receiver that I use with my computer, and with only 18 wpc they play very loud without amplifier distortion. You can’t go wrong with these speakers. Not much snob appeal though."
Would you recommend this product to a friend?:Yes
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Review 15 for Sony 8" Bookshelf Speakers (Pair)
Customer Rating
5.05
Great sound for the money02/10/2008
By natekfrom Cleveland OH
What's great about it: Great price, detailed sound, tight well rounded bass What's not so great: Bass could be a bit deeper
"This set of speakers is hands down the best I have heard in a long time that are in the $100 or less category. They are much larger than I thought... and go well on mid sized speaker stands. The first record I played with these new speakers was the new Radiohead album "In Rainbows" and there were things I heard on that record that I haven't heard before. The detail coming from these speakers is amazing. You won't be disappointed. If possible I would recommend a subwoofer to go along with these speakers if you can afford it, but the bass that is provided by these speakers is sufficient. Top Notch!!!"
Would you recommend this product to a friend?:Yes
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Review 16 for Sony 8" Bookshelf Speakers (Pair)
Customer Rating
5.05
good speaker02/02/2008
By benjamin02from boston ma
What's great about it: looks,bass treble What's not so great: none
"hmm idk why people dont like these much but i hooked them to a harmon kardon becuz i was low on money and they hit decent bass +4 +6 treble on the avr 247 they sound awesome maybe every one should buy yahmaha hk for ht receivers they have the best sound by far anyway were i live good electrical and very nice speaker for 100 dollars i recommend u can not buy any other speaker for 100 dollars that sound this good......."
Would you recommend this product to a friend?:Yes
0 of 2 people found this review helpful.
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Review 17 for Sony 8" Bookshelf Speakers (Pair)
Customer Rating
3.05
Definitely not audiophile grade, but all right01/29/2008
By Squonk
What's great about it: Decent, inoffensive sound (won't cause fatigue); mildly aesthetically pleasing; acceptable frequency range and coverage What's not so great: Large cabinets, weak high range, somewhat poor soundstage, driver spacing makes for tiny "sweet spot"
"Before I knew much about sound (and before Best Buy offered the Insignia NS-B2111's), I snagged these while they were still under a hundred dollars. Inexplicably, they're usually just over one hundred these days. Regardless, this price range represents a pretty good value, considering you get a three-way design with a nicely-sized (8") woofer.
Unfortunately, value doesn't necessarily equal quality. For casual listening or background usage, these Sonys should fit the bill nicely. In a small to medium room, they will produce enough bass so that you may possibly forgo a subwoofer. However, for critical listening applications, I was astounded just how much I was missing when I upgraded to something nicer. When you first fire them up, these Sonys sound very bright. Through use this evens out tremendously, and in the long term these speakers actually end up with a very relaxed high end. As a result, they sound slightly muddy and unfocused, particularly in the mid-bass region. If possible, try setting these speakers to "small" on your receiver and let your subwoofer handle the bass; it will likely do a better job than these Sonys. To their credit, these speakers do not utilize a bass port. I dislike ported bass because it usually sounds bloated and inaccurate; I'd much rather have accurate but recessed bass than booming and muddy bass.
Moving on, midranges on these speakers are a little bloated; perhaps a poor crossover is to blame. Still, the overall effect is pleasant, if not dull and understated. It just isn't particularly accurate. It probably sounds a lot like some of the mid level Bose speakers, which is not a compliment (to the Sonys). For Top 40 hits/rock, none of this should detract too much; for jazz and particularly classical, however, these speakers are not ideal. Telarc's already awful recording of Holst's 'The Planets' Suite sounds as though it is being played from behind a thick veil or curtain.
Sound characteristics aside, these speakers score far worse when it comes to design. Instead of positioning the woofer on the bottom and placing the midrange driver and tweeter side-by-side above it, Sony has the drivers stacked. The distance between them, thus, creates extreme variations in frequency coverage depending on the height of the speakers on their stand/shelf/table/etc. The end result is a tiny, difficult to achieve "sweet spot"--outside of which the sound is markedly inferior. Again, if you just need something to broadcast sound that fills a room, these should be adequate. At any rate, they blow anything that you'll find in an HTIB out of the water. However, the design alone makes them impractical for anything much more than this.
Sony touts the advantages of Kevlar drivers, though this same model of speaker existed years ago with what looked like treated paper cones instead of the Kevlar ones and I don't recall it sounding much different than it does in its current incarnation. Kevlar itself does not guarantee good quality drivers, though Sony does thankfully attach their drivers using around the edges what looks like a synthetic rubber composite, rather than foam as per much cheaper speakers (and, incidentally, the "hallowed" Bose). Foam tends to rot or weaken with age, and strenuous woofer movement can tear foam surrounds. This leads me to believe that these drivers are a little better than the ones you might find in a mini system speaker, though perhaps not by much.
If this review sounds overly critical, keep in mind that I've had this product since the summer of 2004. It has held up so far in what appears to be mint condition since then, though the high ranges mellowed out considerably in that time period. I'm very familiar with these speakers and, now that I've heard much better, I can stand by my review with confidence. Essentially, if you've already purchased them, then you haven't done badly. But if you're looking for a pair of speakers for critical listening purposes, there are much better alternatives for a bit more money (Polk, Klipsch, Paradigm, etc.), though you'll have to look somewhere other than Best Buy for some of them. Another alternative is Best Buy's own Insignia NS-B2111 bookshelf speakers, which I also reviewed. These were all the rage among audiophiles a few years ago because they represent a tremendous value and can, after some slight modifications, sound even better. The choice is yours, certainly.
Just do me a favor: Don't buy Bose. :)"
Would you recommend this product to a friend?:No
1 of 1 people found this review helpful.
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Review 18 for Sony 8" Bookshelf Speakers (Pair)
Customer Rating
5.05
Not bad... Not bad at all.01/04/2008
By Anonymousfrom P-Town
What's great about it: Good price, good overall sound, solid low end What's not so great: Spring clamps in back, but no big deal
"I bought these speakers for my dorm. They are a little big in size to be considered bookshelf speakers, but they work well for my purpose. The store display was not working, so I was a little reluctant to buy them, but for 75 dollars plus tax, I bought them anyway. I hooked these up to my nice pioneer receiver just using the cheap wire that came in the box, and I am very satisfied with the sound these things produce. After fiddling with my bass and treble adjustments, I got some very clear sound with a solid low end and some pretty good highs also. I did a lot of research before buying these and I have to say that for 80 bucks, you can't do much better. Considering the price, I would highly recommend these to anyone wanting a good stereo setup for music, tv, etc. Unless you are extremely picky about super bass, I really don't see the need for a sub with this pair of speakers. They work great as mains. The only thing I would change in these speakers are the wire clamps... they are just the spring clamp kind. They work fine, but of course the binding post connectors are better. Take note of their large size, too. They are more like medium-small floor speakers. So the bottom line - These are the best speakers for the money. You will be satisfied with their sound, and I highly recommend them."
Would you recommend this product to a friend?:Yes
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Review 19 for Sony 8" Bookshelf Speakers (Pair)
Customer Rating
4.05
Great speaker01/03/2008
By Guccifrom Texas
What's great about it: Very clear What's not so great: Bass is poppy
"These bookshelf speakers are great and stay clear even at high volume's but the only down side is that if you put bass to them they dont really respond that well to it other than that they are great with my home theatre system"
Would you recommend this product to a friend?:Yes
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Review 20 for Sony 8" Bookshelf Speakers (Pair)
Customer Rating
5.05
No regrets12/27/2007
By Inspector70from Stevensville, Mi.
What's great about it: Sound What's not so great: None
"I really like these speakers, they have the sound of very expensive speakers and they look cool. I'm using them with a Yamaha amp, with all digital connections. You would want a sub with these speakers for movie theater sound."
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