Sony SS-M7a speakers

[Pycroft]

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

[cfrizz]

Congrats & enjoy.

[Rick88]

Excellent review! I am not familiar with those speakers but I will now have to research them online.

[George Grand]

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.

[Pycroft]

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

[concealer404]

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. :)

[cfrizz]

Wow those are different looking.

[FTGV]

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.

[Tony M]

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!

[Face]

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....ull&1280676094

[jon s]

Dan Anagnos...

[sguayikian]

I'm interested to pickup a pair of these speakers for my home, Are you interested in selling them ?
I'm in NJ.

S.

[nap]

Dan Anagnos...

Used to be my boss, not sure he still works there though.

[erniejade]

I have loved the looks of them but never got to hear a set. They don't come up too often for sale.

[pepster]

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.

[Irrenhaus]

I heard those some time back. They were demo with all Sony ES gear and they sounded really good.

[Big Dawg]

I've heard pycroft's m9s, which are very impressive, and I own a pair of m3s. Very underrated speakers.

[cnh]

Dan Anagnos...

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

cnh

[mrloren]

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.