Everyone wants home audio with some impactful bass reproduction without breaking the bank. The Sony SACS9 is a budget 10-inch subwoofer that attempts to do just that. We break down how it delivers on some of that promise in our Sony SA-CS9 review.
- Great Performance For Price Point
- Compact & Understated Design
- Clean Bass + Solid Frequency Range
Table of Contents
Key Specifications of Sony SACS9 Active Subwoofer
| Dimensions | 13.6″ (H) x 11.6″ (W) x 15.7″ (D) |
| Weight | 25.4 pounds |
| Subwoofer Type | Powered Subwoofer |
| Enclosure Type | Front Firing / Rear Ported Enclosure |
| Enclosure Material | Wood |
| Power | 115 Watts (Peak) |
| Frequency Response | 28Hz – 200Hz |
| Woofer: | 10″ Mica Reinforced Cellular Woofer |
| Connectivity Options | Stereo RCA, LFE, and Speaker Wire |
| Warranty | 2 Years (Parts & Labor) |
| Onboard Controls | Low-Pass Frequency Crossover (50Hz – 200Hz), Gain/Volume dial, and Phase Switch |
| Additional Features | Indicator light, Auto on/off, and detachable cover |
Product Summary
The Sony SACS9 is a 10-inch active subwoofer that can add great value to your home theatre system. This entry-level subwoofer’s best quality is its affordable price. With its low-end frequency reproduction, the Sony SA-CS9 can definitely give home audio a boost for movies and music. It has a durable design with a roof cabinet and an optional cloth cover for the speaker cone. Its solid wood veneer construction also has a small footprint at (13.6″ H x 11.6″ W x 15.7″ D), Furthermore, the active subwoofer weighs only 24 pounds. That’s extremely lightweight even for a 10-inch subwoofer. This is great for those with limited placement options who still want better sound reproduction.
With a frequency response of 28 to 200 Hz, the Sony SACS9 is fully equipped to handle low frequencies under 30 Hz. That’s another rarity compared to similar options. It also adds a max power output of 115 Watts for thump and deeper bass when it’s called for. Connection is also made simple whether connecting via a receiver or external amp. The Sony SACS9 has speaker line outputs, standard RCA input, and LFE for connectivity options. You can find those on its rear panel along with a frequency crossover, gain/volume knob, phase switch, and the subwoofer’s automatic power-saving feature.
Highlights of Sony SACS9 Active Subwoofer
Compact Design + Great Value
The Sony SACS9 subwoofer’s compact and light form factor is a big design selling point. Its size is perfect for easy installation in tight spots and does not take up much space. Moreover, the reduced baffled area also minimizes sound field distortion for optimum precision. Not everyone can fit a 12 or 15-inch subwoofer in their home theater system.
The active subwoofer has a black finish that blends with the majority of the contemporary interiors. Its solid wood veneer enclosure is small but very sturdy. The durable design of the Sony SACS9 extends to the driver material made of woven fiber. This is compared to less durable drivers that use cloth or paper material. Quality material is important to avoid future subwoofer issues. That call comes with a very low price point. You won’t see that feature and price combination in many entry-level subwoofers.
115 Watt Power Output + Rear Port Enclosure
Sony’s 10-inch subwoofer has a built-in amplifier with a 115W peak power output. That is the max output though and it admittedly isn’t impressive for a 10-inch subwoofer. With a powered or active subwoofer, you at least won’t need an external amplifier. It does have an impressive frequency response of 28-200Hz for a 10-inch sub. Its rear ported enclosure is also efficient at producing the deep bass people want in a home theater subwoofer. The Sony SACS9 can output bass you’ll hear and feel. But this isn’t the subwoofer you buy if you want to shake the walls. There are more powerful and/or larger subs for that.
LFE and Onboard Controls
Sony SACS9 reinforces low-frequency sounds in music and movies for an exceptional home theater experience. The onboard controls of these bookshelf speakers consist of a power-saving switch, volume/gain control, phase switch, and dial to adjust the low-pass frequency controls. The frequency crossover option is great for bass management. The sub’s frequency response can be adjusted using a tunable crossover to dial in your system’s EQ.
Connectivity options include standard RCA input, LFE, and speaker wire. LFE is the most ideal connection option if you have an AV receiver with a subwoofer pre-out. It’s still great that additional options are provided.
Improve Sound Quality + Minimal Distortion
We’ve mentioned the Sony SACS9’s middling power. There is more to bass though. Good bass reproduction improves overall sound quality. But that’s more than wall-shaking bass. The Sony SACS9 gives a strong low-end performance with clean bass that has minimal distortion. For a music or home theater subwoofer, you want accurate bass that’s punchy and boomy when called for.
The SACS9 can add value with that accurate deep bass. With the help of its mica-reinforced cellular woofers and ported enclosure, it delivers robust sound by hiding unwanted noise while watching movies or listening to music.
Pros and Cons of Sony SACS9 Subwoofer
Pros
- Great Value for Features
- Compact Design and Easy Placement
- Solid Bass Production with Minimal Distortion
Cons
- Many More Powerful 10″ Subs
- Plain Design + Old Model
Sony SA-CS9 Review: Conclusion and Alternatives
There are other subwoofers in the market that are strong competitors of Sony SACS9. Even if there is great value in Sony’s affordable active subwoofer, there is room for improvement. We prefer the Jamo C 912 if you are looking for a versatile budget subwoofer. It’s larger than the Sony SACS9, but it’s still a 10-inch subwoofer. If you want a more refined design with more punch, we reviewed the impressive Polk HTS 10. Jamo’s 12-inch C 912 is another great budget option if you deal with a larger footprint. If you’re willing to spend more you can check out our guide for the top subwoofers under $500.
Keith Collins has been writing for over 15 years for various publications. He’s a lover of music, home theater, and excellent sound quality. His fondness for technology in addition to his non-stop curiosity fuels his writing ventures.