MADE IN THE USA, BUILD, DRIVERS ARE MADE IN DENMARK,

NONE.

WELL, I THINK I MADE OUT VERY WELL I BOUGHT A PAIR FORM A DEALER IN GRAND FORKS, ND IT SEEM THAT THEY JUST COULDEN'T SELL THESE SPEAKERS SO THEY MARKED THERE STOCK WAY WAY DOWN FROM $1400.00 A PAIR TO $275.00!.... NO KIDDING, NEW IN THE BOXES EVEN. AS FAR AS THE SOUND... I THINK THAT THESE SPEAKERS ARE VERY NICE SOUNDING RICH IN DETAIL AND BASS.

Similar Products Used:

B&W, PARADIGM, CELESTION, JBL, SONUS FABER, ENERGY AND MISSION.

Just about everything, though especially the cabinet design, and attention to details in general.

Frequencey response down to only 50Hz. Though, if you have a sub that produces quick and articulate bass down to at least 28 or 25Hz, this shortcoming is not an issue.

Both in and out, the SS-M7A''s are an audiophile''s delight; everything from its 1-inch thick MDF (Medium Density Fiberboard) cabinet, to its polyprophylene capacitors is high end. One can tell just by looking at the SS-M7A''s that a great deal of attention has been given to the cabinet design alone. The un-parallel cabinet surfaces, and irregular shape in general, reduces standing waves; the triangle-shaped baffle reduces baffle size, thereby reducing cabinet resonances; and the upward slanted baffle allows frequencies from the woofer, midrange, and tweeter to arrive at the ear simultaneously. Fortunately, the SS-M7A''s sound as good as they look on the specs sheet. Imaging is focused and precise, and soundstaging is truly three-dimensional. Frequency response is also quite good. That is, abroad, it extends from 50Hz - 22,000Hz. I use a Velodyne SPL-1200 to reproduce frequencies below the 50Hz mark. Though they do not have deep extension capabilities, the SS-M7A''s bass response is very good all the way down to 50Hz. In fact, response over the entire reproduced frequency spectrum is excellent, in part due to the speakers'' steep 24dB/Octave crossover filters. All-in-all I''m very pleased with the SS-M7A''s.

Similar Products Used:

NHT, B&W, Avalon Acoustics, other Sonys

This is an ok speaker. The response is unbalanced, heavily weighted on the bass end. There is a noticeable pushing, or attempt at an accurate sound, but only results in a harsh sound, muddled by the bass. For this price range, the B&W 602 s2's blows them away. No questions.

I have had these speakers for about 2 years now and have enjoyed the sound.Very articulate and some what accurate speaker.sound stage was good with average depth and placement of instruments.Well worth the money I payed for them at the Sony Outlet.I have just added an 8' pair of Monster cable M2.4's.The sound has improved 10 fold.the sound stage has been blown out of the back and side walls.the bass has increased in depth and db's.the mids are incredibly smooth and the highs accurate without fatigue.these are incredible speakers with all kinds of air.I also have a pair of Accoustat Model 4's(full range electrostatic)and the Sony's have proven be as quick and with better bass slam.each instrument retains it's own accoustic signature with respect to it's interaction with the recording venue.I use Sony's XA7ES CD player,B&K X442 200 W/ch amp and Purist audio interconnect.An audition of these speakers is a must.But don't be fooled by the Sony marque.These are for real aduiophile grade speakers and deserve to heard with the appropriate equipement.Otherwise you will be missing their true potential.For $575.00 the Monster M2.4's are the greatest thing since sliced bread.Do yourself a favor.If you are on a budget and can't afford $14,000 for a pair of Transparent cable.your system will not know the difference.The Sony's are incredible.But don't take my word for it.Go and hear for yourself.Like a Stereophile reviewer stated:"Wilson Watt performance for Vandersteen 2C Money.

Clear highs and smooth mid-range, good low bass for a speaker this size. Unconventional shape!

Each speaker weighs 55lbs! Can't find matching speaker stands anywhere. Sony has them displayed on their website, but customer service says they are discontinued. Go figure....

Note: The model number for these speakers are Sony SS-M7A and retail at $1400 a pair and come with a 3year warranty.

http://www.sel.sony.com/SEL/consumer/ss5/home/homeaudioes/esloudspeakers/ss-m7a.shtml

(I purchased these speakers based on reviews from various forums from around the web.)

The SS-M7A's are part of Sony's ES line of high-end speakers. And high-end they are! Each speaker weighs 55lbs and is composed of 1" thick MDF with a cherry finish. The front of the speaker is partly covered with a darkgray detachable grill and is beveled at 3 different angles, which give them a unconventional look that I really like. The sealed 3-way enclosure consist of 3 drivers. You have the option of bi-wiring the woofer separately from the tweeter and mid-range drivers if you like. Frequency response is rated from 50hz to 20khz +- 2db on axis. Hmmm...pretty flat for a Sony speaker. Power is rated at 200W per channel at 6 ohms. Since no one seemed to have the matching speaker stands for sale, I had to build my own based on the height/tweeter recommendations stated in the speaker manual. Go figure....

Breaking the SS-M7A's in over a 3 month period prove a most satisfying experiance while lisenting to various types of music from Blues, R&B, Jazz, Pop and Rock. I use a mid-1994 Sony STR-D915 Stereo Reciever and a classic Sony DVP-S7000 as the CD transport for all of my music listening. I listen to all music without the digita effects engaged (Later this month I'm upgrading to Sony's STR-V555ES reciever.)

Anyway, with that out of the way, I began some seriously listening.'Led Zeppelin, The Police, Pearl Jamm, Natalie Cole, Sting, Sade, Madonna and Bill Whithers just to name a few. Sounds in the mid-high range were reproduced very clean compared to my old Sony speaker's (SS-U5030's) and were very detailed. As a matter of fact, I was hearing detail that I hadn't heard with the old speakers because of distortion. The lower mid range was very smooth and taunt, especially during Jimmy Page's acoustic and electric guitar rifts in songs like ,' Babe I'm Gonna leave You', 'The Song Remains The Same' and 'Stairway to Heaven". Natalie Cole's 'I Wish You Love' and 'This Will Make You Laugh' sounded like she was almost right there in the room. (Remember, this is a straight analog setup). The sound stage projected and created by these speakers has depth and width that you nornmally don't hear in enclosers this small (each speaker is about 30in high, 15in depth, 15in wide) and imaging was also impressive and detail with no noticeable distortion. I do also recommend amp(s)that are rated to output at least 100w per channel to drive these speakers.

I'm so impressed with these Sony SS-M7A's that I'm planning to get a second pair (along with their matching SS-M1CN center channel) and intergrate them all into a home theater setup before Sony discontinues them.


Other additions to my system:

Sony 53XBR300 Rear-Projection TV
Sony DVD Player DVP-S7000
Sony STR-V555ES Reciever
Sony MiniDisc Recorder/Player MDS-JA20ES
Sony SVHS VCR SLV-R1000
Monster Cables
Monster Surge Protectors

ps...4 stars for 'overall rating' because I couldn't find those damn matching speaker stands anywhere!

Similar Products Used:

Sony speaker's (SS-U5030's)

Great pair of speakers. Bigger brother, the Sony SS-M9's were Stereophile recommended component. The sound is smooth and the bass is unmatched. Makesmidfi systems sound better than they are and does justice to any hifi system.

Highest recommendation.

Very nice sounding speaker. They look and sound great. I advice getting the matching speaker stands (ws-m7a). the 8 inch woofers deliver suprisingly good bass responce and the Cherry wood finish looks great.