Sony SS-M7a speakers

Pycroft
Pycroft Posts: 1,960
edited December 2012 in Speakers
Speakers: Sony SS-M7A speakers
Amp: Carver TFM 35x
Preamp: Xiang Sheng Tube Preamp
Source: Sony SACD Player
Similar speakers heard with the same equipment: Polk SDA 1C's, Polk RTA 11TL's.

I have never reviewed speakers, but I thought I'd share my thoughts on these speakers.

Build Quality: The build quality of these seems very solid. For such small speakers, they weigh close to 60 lbs. You wouldn't believe it to look at them, but they are heavy. From reading other reviews, they seem to be made of high quality components.

Soundstage: The soundstage fo these is very impressive. When seated in the sweet spot, it's almost as if the sound is not coming at you, but rather is coming from around you. That sounds like the SDA effect, but I can only say it is different. The SDA effect makes me think that the sound is all around me - as if I was in the middle of the sound. The Sony's make it seem like there are numbers of speakers all around you directly sending the sound toward you. It's almost as if the sound is directly coming from outside of the actual speaker box. Very impressive.

Imaging/SoundQuality: This is the most impressive aspect of these speakers. I find, more than any other speaker I have heard, that the transfer from highs, to mids, to lows is seamless. When listening to percussive Jazz, the drums are so precise and clean. Classical music imaging is wonderful. I can hear where the flutes are in the orchestra as compared to the brass. More than any other speaker, I find these are a neutral, natural sound.

Negatives: The only negative I can think of is the bass. The small woofer on this does not dig deep, but it is actually surprisingly crisp and clean as can be - similar to the imaging. The bass of the speakers did not knock me off my feet, but kept me smiling as much as my 1C's.

Overall: I must say that I have been, and will be raving about these speakers for a long time. I doubt I will get rid of them. There is no listening fatigue, a natural, clean, crisp sound that is so pleasing to listen to. It has gotten better with time. I must say that I did not think that a monitor type speaker could impress me as much as a floor standing tower speaker, but my opinions have changed drastically. These get my highest recommendation - considering I haven't heard the highest of valued speakers. Take it for what it's worth.

James
2 Channel/HT:
Sony SS-M9 P's (ES version)
Sony SS-M1CN Center Channel
Polk RT800 Surround Speakers
Odyssey Stratos Dual Mono Amplifiers
TAD 150 Signature Tube Preamp
Harman Kardon HK354
Sony SACD Player
Post edited by Pycroft on
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Comments

  • cfrizz
    cfrizz Posts: 13,415
    edited May 2010
    Congrats & enjoy.
    Marantz AV-7705 PrePro, Classé 5 channel 200wpc Amp, Oppo 103 BluRay, Rotel RCD-1072 CDP, Sony XBR-49X800E TV, Polk S60 Main Speakers, Polk ES30 Center Channel, Polk S15 Surround Speakers SVS SB12-NSD x2
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  • George Grand
    George Grand Posts: 12,258
    edited May 2010
    I have wanted a pair of the big ones (SS-M9A?) since they were developed. Nice score James. I guess this quiets down the people who "Pffft" at the thought of Sony making a decent loudspeaker. Good for you.
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  • Pycroft
    Pycroft Posts: 1,960
    edited May 2010
    No love for these speakers? I'm surprised I didn't get more comments. If you haven't heard them, and you're in the NJ area, let me know. Pictures now attached.

    James
    009.jpg 468.7K
    007.jpg 528.4K
    2 Channel/HT:
    Sony SS-M9 P's (ES version)
    Sony SS-M1CN Center Channel
    Polk RT800 Surround Speakers
    Odyssey Stratos Dual Mono Amplifiers
    TAD 150 Signature Tube Preamp
    Harman Kardon HK354
    Sony SACD Player
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  • concealer404
    concealer404 Posts: 7,440
    edited May 2010
    I'd like to hear a pair of the 9s, and i think there's another Sony line that i wanted to hear. Your thoughts on them seem to be pretty much in line with all the other reviews i've read on them. :)
    I don't read the newsssspaperssss because dey aaaallllllllll...... have ugly print.

    Living Room: B&K Reference 5 S2 / Parasound HCA-1000A / Emotiva XDA-2 / Pioneer BDP-51FD / Paradigm 11se MKiii

    Desk: Schiit Magni 2 Uber / Schiit Modi 2 Uber / ISK HD9999

    Office: Schiit Magni 2 Uber / Schiit Modi 2 Uber / Dynaco SCA-80Q / Paradigm Legend V.3

    HT: Denon AVR-X3400H / Sony UBP-X700 / RT16 / CS350LS / RT7 / SVS PB1000
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  • cfrizz
    cfrizz Posts: 13,415
    edited May 2010
    Wow those are different looking.
    Marantz AV-7705 PrePro, Classé 5 channel 200wpc Amp, Oppo 103 BluRay, Rotel RCD-1072 CDP, Sony XBR-49X800E TV, Polk S60 Main Speakers, Polk ES30 Center Channel, Polk S15 Surround Speakers SVS SB12-NSD x2
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  • FTGV
    FTGV Posts: 3,649
    edited May 2010
    George Grand wrote: »
    I have wanted a pair of the big ones (SS-M9A?) since they were developed. Nice score James. I guess this quiets down the people who "Pffft" at the thought of Sony making a decent loudspeaker.
    Nice speakers,if a bit odd looking.IIRC the SSM7 and 9's were designed and built in the US by a noted American engineer (who's name escapes me at present).They sourced the drive units from the likes of SEAS and Peerless.
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  • Tony M
    Tony M Posts: 11,141
    edited May 2010
    I've read rave reviews about them for years. They're bigger brother mainly. And man are they expensive.

    I'm waiting for the local good will stores to put a set out.Yeh right! But if they do, I'll know what they are the instant I see that famous shape. 1st class Quality all around I've read and heard!
    Most people just listen to music and watch movies. I EXPERIENCE them.
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  • Face
    Face Posts: 14,340
    edited June 2010
    FTGV wrote: »
    Nice speakers,if a bit odd looking.IIRC the SSM7 and 9's were designed and built in the US by a noted American engineer (who's name escapes me at present).They sourced the drive units from the likes of SEAS and Peerless.
    I believe it was by a ex-Polk engineer.

    Here's a pair up for sale: http://www.audiogon.com/cgi-bin/cls.pl?spkrfull&1280676094
    "He who fights with monsters should look to it that he himself does not become a monster. And when you gaze long into an abyss the abyss also gazes into you." Friedrich Nietzsche
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  • jon s
    jon s Posts: 905
    edited June 2010
    Dan Anagnos...
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  • sguayikian
    sguayikian Posts: 2
    edited December 2012
    I'm interested to pickup a pair of these speakers for my home, Are you interested in selling them ?
    I'm in NJ.

    S.
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  • [Deleted User]
    [Deleted User] Posts: 1,225
    edited December 2012
    jon s wrote: »
    Dan Anagnos...

    Used to be my boss, not sure he still works there though. :cool:
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  • erniejade
    erniejade Posts: 6,321
    edited December 2012
    I have loved the looks of them but never got to hear a set. They don't come up too often for sale.
    Klipsch The Nines, Audioquest Thunderbird Interconnect, Innuos Zen MK3 W4S recovery, Revolution Audio Labs USB & Ethernet, Border Patrol SE-I, Audioquest Niagara 5000 & Thunder, Cullen Crossover II PC's.
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  • Systems
    Systems Posts: 14,873
    edited December 2012
    I think they look cool, love the design of the cabinets.

    I had a chance to listen to the bigger set at a Circuit City once, but passed on the opportunity because I was
    there to pick up some Infinity CS3007's, and was in a hurry.

    I still regret that decision, wish I had listened to them.:redface:
    Testing
    Testing
    Testing
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  • Irrenhaus
    Irrenhaus Posts: 1,087
    edited December 2012
    I heard those some time back. They were demo with all Sony ES gear and they sounded really good.
    HTAVR-Pioneer SC99XPA-DR3 Differential Reference AmpPolk R-700Rear- RT150Side- RT150Center-CSi5Sub-Rythmik audio F25Player- Panasonic DP-UB9000Projector- Optoma CinemaX P2Screen- Silver Ticket Products STR Series 6 120"Audio Room 2ch rig.Cary AE-3, Onkyo M-504, Marantz SA8005, Azur 851NWharfedale - Linton, SVS SB12-NSDMinis Forum PC (streamer) and Panamax MX5105Headphone rig;Schiit JOTUNHEIM and different headphones.Samsung 42" flat screen TV.
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  • Big Dawg
    Big Dawg Posts: 2,005
    edited December 2012
    I've heard pycroft's m9s, which are very impressive, and I own a pair of m3s. Very underrated speakers.
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  • cnh
    cnh Posts: 13,284
    edited December 2012
    jon s wrote: »
    Dan Anagnos...

    Looks like that's a shortened form of something like, Anagnostidis? Probably Greek?

    cnh
    Currently orbiting Bowie's Blackstar.!

    Polk Lsi-7s, Def Tech 8" sub, HK 3490, HK HD 990 (CDP/DAC), AKG Q701s
    [sig. changed on a monthly basis as I rotate in and out of my stash]
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  • mrloren
    mrloren Posts: 2,461
    edited December 2012
    I always wanted to buy a pair of these speakers when I worked at Sony. At the time I had a new borne and a nice pair of Advent Masteros so I saved my money. They did sound great, a friend who did buy a pair loved them for his 2ch music with an STR-GX10ES till the 2003 San Diego wild fire took his house and music collection with it. These speakers with the receiver were made for each other

    Sony is getting serious with their home audio again. Their receivers are getting better and have a warmer sound to them. In Japan and Europe they released a new ES line of speakers. I will never leave my Polks till something much better comes out.
    When I was a kid my parents told me to turn it down. Now I'm an adult and my kids tell me to turn it down.
    Family Room:LG QNED80 75", Onkyo RZ50 Emotiva XPA3 GEN3 Oppo BDP-93,Sony UBP-X800BM. Main: Polk LsiM 705Center: Polk LSiM 704CFront High/Rear High In-Ceiling Polk 80F/X RT Surrounds: Polk S15 Sub: HSU VTF3-MK5
    Bed Room; Marantz SR5010, BDP-S270Main: Polk Signature S20Center: Polk Signature S35Rear: Polk R15 Sub: SVS SB2000
    Working Warehouse; Yamaha A-S301, Sony DVP-NS3100ES for disc Plok TSX550T SVS PB2000 Mini tower PC with 400GB of music
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