Short answer: the Jamo C 93 II for better sound quality, the Jamo S 803 for the lower price. The Jamo C 93 II ranks #33 of 34 bookshelf speakers at $299. The Jamo S 803 ranks #34 at $119.99, $179.01 cheaper.
What the Jamo C 93 II offers: Attractive cabinet and finish for the price. Watch for: Extremely non-linear tonal balance: Erin measured treble averaging roughly 5dB above the midrange, with local swings from near the midrange level to +6dB by about 12kHz.
What the Jamo S 803 offers: Low pair price, compact dimensions and a front slot port suit inexpensive desktop or surround installations. Watch for: A textbook V-shaped response rather than accurate reproduction.
Buy the Jamo C 93 II if sound quality matters more than the price. Buy the Jamo S 803 if the price matters more than sound quality.
If sound quality matters at all to you, skip both of these and look higher up the 34 bookshelf speakers instead.
Specifications Side By Side
| Jamo C 93 II | Jamo S 803 | |
|---|---|---|
| Price | $299.00 | $119.99 |
| Ranked | #33 of 34 in Medium Size Bookshelf Speakers | #34 of 34 in Medium Size Bookshelf Speakers |
| Sensitivity | 84dB (measured average, Erin’s Audio Corner) | 81dB (measured average 300Hz-3kHz, Erin’s Audio Corner; 87dB manufacturer specified) |
| Drivers | 6" HCCC cone woofer, 1" silk-dome tweeter with waveguide | 5" polyfiber woofer, 1" soft-dome tweeter with waveguide |
| Impedance | 6 ohms nominal (manufacturer specified) | 8 ohms nominal (manufacturer specified) |
| Dimensions | 13.8"H x 7.9"W x 10.2"D (350 x 200 x 260 mm) | 13.9"H x 7.5"W x 9.9"D (353 x 191 x 252 mm) |
| Weight | 14.1 lbs / 6.4 kg each | 13 lbs / 5.9 kg each |
| Woofer Cabinet | ported, rear | ported, front slot |
| Frequency Response | - | 57Hz-26kHz (manufacturer specified) |
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The Two Speakers In Full
Jamo C 93 II: $299.00
Pros: Attractive cabinet and finish for the price. The mild midbass rise can add subjectively enjoyable punch at modest playback levels, and the speaker is reasonably compact. Erin measured about 84dB sensitivity through the midrange. Harmonic distortion at moderate output is not the central problem; the much larger limitations are frequency-response accuracy, directivity and compression.
Cons: Extremely non-linear tonal balance: Erin measured treble averaging roughly 5dB above the midrange, with local swings from near the midrange level to +6dB by about 12kHz. The result is hollow midrange, exaggerated apparent detail and a bright, fatiguing balance. Multiple diffraction discontinuities around the crossover and waveguide prevent reliable EQ correction; turning the speakers 30 degrees outward does not fix the irregularity. Midwoofer directivity narrows before the tweeter abruptly widens, indicating poor crossover/directivity matching. Vertical listening position should remain near tweeter axis. Output behavior is exceptionally poor: Erin found compression running off the plotted scale at high level and multitone distortion crossing -20dB (10%) across roughly 200Hz-1.2kHz, which produces audible grain. The grille makes response still less linear. Erin judged the cheaper Emotiva B1+ better in accuracy, soundstage and output.
Full Jamo C 93 II review and specifications →
| Dimensions | 13.8"H x 7.9"W x 10.2"D (350 x 200 x 260 mm) |
|---|---|
| Drivers | 6" HCCC cone woofer, 1" silk-dome tweeter with waveguide |
| Impedance | 6 ohms nominal (manufacturer specified) |
| Sensitivity | 84dB (measured average, Erin's Audio Corner) |
| Weight | 14.1 lbs / 6.4 kg each |
| Woofer Cabinet | ported, rear |
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Jamo S 803: $119.99 Amazon Crutchfield
Pros: Low pair price, compact dimensions and a front slot port suit inexpensive desktop or surround installations. The pronounced 80-100Hz hump supplies immediate punch and can sound impressive in a short demonstration. Harmonic distortion at 86dB is broadly typical for an inexpensive 5-inch two-way, and high-passing near 80Hz reduces some woofer-driven midrange distortion. The cabinet also accepts Jamo’s matching top-mounted Atmos module.
Cons: A textbook V-shaped response rather than accurate reproduction. Erin measured only about 81dB average sensitivity from 300Hz-3kHz, far below Jamo’s 87dB claim; bass around 80-100Hz and the treble are each roughly 5dB above that midrange reference. The bass is therefore resonant one-note punch rather than deep extension. Horizontal coverage is only about +/-50 degrees, while the midwoofer narrows before the tweeter widens abruptly, creating a directivity discontinuity that EQ cannot repair around 4kHz. Vertical tolerance is especially asymmetric: roughly 10 degrees above tweeter axis is usable, but moving below it rapidly damages the response. At high output, compression and multitone distortion become audible; an 80Hz crossover helps but does not correct the native tonality. Erin’s conclusion was an unequivocal pass in favor of a more neutral alternative.
Full Jamo S 803 review and specifications →
| Dimensions | 13.9"H x 7.5"W x 9.9"D (353 x 191 x 252 mm) |
|---|---|
| Drivers | 5" polyfiber woofer, 1" soft-dome tweeter with waveguide |
| Frequency Response | 57Hz-26kHz (manufacturer specified) |
| Impedance | 8 ohms nominal (manufacturer specified) |
| Sensitivity | 81dB (measured average 300Hz-3kHz, Erin's Audio Corner; 87dB manufacturer specified) |
| Weight | 13 lbs / 5.9 kg each |
| Woofer Cabinet | ported, front slot |
As an eBay Partner, we may be compensated if you make a purchase.
- Links
- Reviews, Comparisons and Sound Samples
- Head-to-Head Comparisons