Short answer: the Neumi BS5. It ranks #11 of 34 bookshelf speakers by sound quality at $110; the Jamo S 803 ranks #34 and costs $119.99, so there is not much of a tradeoff to weigh.
What the Neumi BS5 offers: Exceptional budget value: Erin measured approximately +/-1.5dB on-axis linearity through most of the mid/treble, 84dB/2.83V/1m sensitivity and a manageable 4.6-ohm minimum. Watch for: Erin measured F3 at 64Hz, so kick-drum punch should not be mistaken for deep-bass extension.
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 Neumi BS5. It ranks higher for sound quality than the Jamo S 803 and costs less, so there is no real case for the other one.
If sound quality matters at all to you, skip the Jamo S 803. It ranks near the bottom of the 34 bookshelf speakers, so look higher up the list instead.
Specifications Side By Side
| Neumi BS5 | Jamo S 803 | |
|---|---|---|
| Price | $110/pair | $119.99 |
| Ranked | #11 of 34 in Medium Size Bookshelf Speakers | #34 of 34 in Medium Size Bookshelf Speakers |
| Bass Extension (-3dB) | 64Hz (measured, Erin’s Audio Corner) | - |
| Sensitivity | Approximately 84dB/2.83V/1m (measured, Erin’s Audio Corner) | 81dB (measured average 300Hz-3kHz, Erin’s Audio Corner; 87dB manufacturer specified) |
| Impedance | 4.6 ohms minimum; approximately 6 ohms nominal (measured, Erin’s Audio Corner) | 8 ohms nominal (manufacturer specified) |
| Drivers | 1" silk-dome tweeter; 5" fiberglass woofer | 5" polyfiber woofer, 1" soft-dome tweeter with waveguide |
| Woofer Cabinet | ported, front | ported, front slot |
| Frequency Response | - | 57Hz-26kHz (manufacturer specified) |
| Dimensions | - | 13.9"H x 7.5"W x 9.9"D (353 x 191 x 252 mm) |
| Weight | - | 13 lbs / 5.9 kg each |
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- Neumi BS5 vs Parts Express Copperhead Desktop Kit
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The Two Speakers In Full
Neumi BS5: $110/pair Amazon
Pros: Exceptional budget value: Erin measured approximately +/-1.5dB on-axis linearity through most of the mid/treble, 84dB/2.83V/1m sensitivity and a manageable 4.6-ohm minimum. The 5-inch fiberglass woofer and 1-inch silk dome provide good horizontal directivity for the price; a mild upper-bass rise adds punch, and ordinary modern AVRs can generally drive the mostly six-ohm load at sensible levels.
Cons: Erin measured F3 at 64Hz, so kick-drum punch should not be mistaken for deep-bass extension. Output around 90dB began to reveal distortion and compression, limiting farfield/high-volume use. A narrow dip near 800Hz, port/cabinet resonances and imperfect crossover directivity remain visible; the tweeter itself is approximately four ohms even though the system is sold as nominal six ohms. A subwoofer is strongly preferred.
Full Neumi BS5 review and specifications →
| Bass Extension (-3dB) | 64Hz (measured, Erin's Audio Corner) |
|---|---|
| Drivers | 1" silk-dome tweeter; 5" fiberglass woofer |
| Impedance | 4.6 ohms minimum; approximately 6 ohms nominal (measured, Erin's Audio Corner) |
| Sensitivity | Approximately 84dB/2.83V/1m (measured, Erin's Audio Corner) |
| Woofer Cabinet | ported, front |
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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 |
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