In this review, we will be comparing SPL-100 and S 808 SUB, two Powered Subwoofer speakers from Klipsch and Jamo. Being Powered subwoofers, they both have built-in amplifiers so you don't need an external power amp or an integrated amp to power them. Let's have a brief look at the main features of Klipsch SPL-100 and Jamo S 808 SUB first before getting into our more detailed comparison.
The sections below take each area in turn: driver and amplifier, frequency response, physical size and connectivity.
Drivers
The efficiency of a subwoofer is directly proportional to the total radiating are squared hence the woofer quantity and diameter.Both Klipsch SPL-100and Jamo S 808 SUB have a single woofer setup however the Klipsch SPL-100's woofer is 10-inch whereas the Jamo S 808 SUB features a 8-inch woofer.
Frequency Response
SPL-100 has a frequency range of 27-125 Hz whereas S 808 SUB has a frequency range of 39-180 Hz. With a minimum frequency of 27Hz, the SPL-100 can go significantly deeper on the low side and provide stronger bass compared to the S 808 SUB's min frequency of 39Hz.
Below graphs depict how these two speakers compare with the max, min and average values of the Min and Max Frequencies of other speakers in the Subwoofer class in our database.
Low Frequency
Subwoofer Speakers
High Frequency
Subwoofer Speakers
Cabinet Type
Both Klipsch SPL-100 and Jamo S 808 SUB have Bass Reflex type cabinets. Bass Reflex type subwoofers (aka Ported, Vented or Reflex Port) have enclosures that uses a port, hole or vent cut into the cabinet. Ported designs are generally more efficient than the Sealed designs.
Physical Specs
The size of a speaker can sometimes be an important decision factor due to space constraints or in some cases purely for esthetic reasons. In this section, we are going to compare Klipsch SPL-100's and Jamo S 808 SUB's external dimensions. Klipsch SPL-100 has external dimensions of 418.0 x 358.0 x 478.0mm (16-7/16 x 14-1/16 x 18-13/16inch) whereas Jamo S 808 SUB has external dimensions of 459.0 x 178.0 x 356.0mm (18-1/16 x 7 x 14inch).
Jamo S 808 SUB is 180mm narrower and 122mm less deeper than Klipsch SPL-100 but it is also 41mm taller.
Below you can see the front view size comparison of Klipsch SPL-100 and Jamo S 808 SUB in scale.
Comparison image of Klipsch SPL-100 and Jamo S 808 SUB Size and External Dimensions
Base Surface Area Comparison
Base surface area of a loudspeaker may become a determining factor when the space in your room or desk is limited.
The base surface area of the Klipsch SPL-100 is approximately 1711.2cm2 / 265.2inch2 and base area of the Jamo S 808 SUB is approximately 633.7cm2 / 98.2inch2. The SPL-100 requires 170% more surface area than the S 808 SUB which gives it a small disadvantage on placement in tight spaces.
Weight Comparison The weight of a subwoofer may become an important factor if you need to move and reposition the unit often to find the optimal positioning, also known as 'Subwoofer Crawling'. The Klipsch SPL-100 weighs 16.82kg / 37lbs and the Jamo S 808 SUB weighs 8.64kg / 19lbs. This makes the SPL-100 95% heavier than the S 808 SUB.
Here is a comparison of how SPL-100 and S 808 SUB's weights compare with the average, max and min weights in Powered Subwoofer class.
Weight
All Subwoofer Speakers
What's in the Box of Klipsch SPL-100?
Here are the items that are included inside the box of SPL-100:
- Powered sub
- Grille
- 6.5-feet AC power cord
- User Manual
- Important Safety Instructions
- Warranty Information
What's in the Box of Jamo S 808 SUB?
Here are the items that come with the S 808 SUB:
- Powered subwoofer
- Grille
- 5-feet AC power cord
- 6.5-feet Mono-RCA cable
- 4 Rubber feet
- User Manual
- Important Safety Instructions
- Warranty Information
 Woofer Size |
10 inches
vs
8 inches
|
Larger woofer |
| Low Frequency Response |
27 Hz
vs
39 Hz
|
Generates deeper bass |
 Height |
418mm
vs
459mm
|
Easier to fit in smaller spaces |
 Wireless Operation |
Optional
vs
No
|
Connect your subwoofer to your system wireless |
 High Frequency Response |
180 Hz
vs
125 Hz
|
Generates higher frequency |
 Base Surface Area |
633cm2
vs
1711cm2
|
Takes less floor space |
 Price per pair* |
149USD
vs
399USD
|
costs less (*prices may change depending on the seller, location and time) |
Size, drawn to scale
Both subwoofers and both views share one scale, so everything here is directly comparable. Hover a box for its dimensions.
One scale for both, standing on the same floor and pushed back to the same wall, so the bigger one visibly takes more of the room.
Klipsch SPL-100 needs about 170% more floor area. Klipsch SPL-100 stands 122mm further into the room. Jamo S 808 SUB is 41mm taller.
| General |
Klipsch SPL-100 |
Jamo S 808 SUB |
| Brand |
Klipsch |
Jamo |
| Speaker Type |
Powered Subwoofer |
Powered Subwoofer |
| Max Amplifier Output |
200 watts |
50 watts |
| Frequency Response |
27-125 Hz |
39-180 Hz |
Amplifier |
|
|
| Watts RMS (Continuous) |
200-watt RMS |
50-watt RMS |
| Watts Peak (Max) |
450-watt RMS |
100-watt RMS |
Drivers |
|
|
| Woofer Quantity |
1 |
1 |
| Woofer Size |
10" |
8" |
| Woofer Composition |
Cerametallic |
Polyfiber |
| Tweeter Size |
- |
- |
| Aimable Tweeter |
No |
No |
| Midrange Driver |
No |
No |
| Firing Direction |
front |
Side |
Physical Specs |
|
|
| Height |
418.0mm (16.5") |
459.0mm (18.1") |
| Width |
358.0mm (14.1") |
178.0mm (7") |
| Depth |
478.0mm (18.8") |
356.0mm (14") |
| Weight |
16.82kg (37lbs) |
8.64kg (19lbs) |
| Enclosure |
Bass Reflex |
Bass Reflex |
| Grille |
Yes |
Yes |
| Moisture Resistancy |
No |
No |
Connections |
|
|
Other |
|
|
| Parts Warranty |
2 Years |
2 Years |
| Labor Warranty |
2 Years |
2 Years |
Different price classes - Klipsch SPL-100 costs roughly 2.7x what Jamo S 808 SUB does. Before paying it, read the note below about two smaller subwoofers.
| Area | Better | Why |
|---|
| Bass depth | A | Klipsch SPL-100 goes deeper - 27Hz against 39Hz. A real difference, though most music has little content below 39Hz. |
| Amplifier power | A | Klipsch SPL-100 has the bigger amplifier - 200W against 50W RMS, about 6dB more on tap. In a large room that is headroom before the DSP starts limiting. |
| Driver area | A | Klipsch SPL-100 moves more air: 10" against 8" is 1.56x the cone area, not the 1.25x the diameters suggest. More area means the same output with less excursion, and less distortion with it. |
| Enclosure | evenly matched | Both are ported designs, so they roll off in much the same way. |
| Wireless option | depends | Only Klipsch SPL-100 offers a wireless link (as a paid option). It decides where the sub can go if you cannot run a cable, and is worth nothing if you can. |
| Driver placement | depends | Klipsch SPL-100 fires front and Jamo S 808 SUB fires side. A down-firing driver is more forgiving of a grille-less look and of a hard floor; a front-firing one is the safer choice on a thick carpet or a suspended timber floor. |
| Cabinet size | depends | Jamo S 808 SUB is about 59% smaller by volume. In a subwoofer that is a real trade rather than a preference: box volume is how you get output low down without a bigger amplifier. |
| Price | B | Jamo S 808 SUB costs less - $149 against $399, about 63% less. |
A Klipsch SPL-100 B Jamo S 808 SUB
depends neither is better in the abstract - it turns on your room, your system or how you will use them. Only specs published for both subwoofers are judged; anything missing on either side is left out rather than guessed.
Which should you choose?
The usual trade-off: Klipsch SPL-100 measures better, Jamo S 808 SUB costs about 63% less. In a normal room, placement will make a bigger difference than the gap between these two. Two small subwoofers beat one big one in most rooms - a pair evens out the room modes in a way no single box can, whatever its specs. At $149 each, two Jamo S 808 SUB cost about $298 against $399 for one of the other, which is worth a thought. If placement is the constraint - a corner, behind a sofa, under a desk - Jamo S 808 SUB is the one that will actually go there, and a well-placed small subwoofer beats a badly-placed big one every time.
One thing outweighs everything above: where the subwoofer stands. Room modes can add or remove 10dB or more at a given seat, which is far larger than any difference on this page. Before spending more, try the sub in two or three positions - the crawl test, where you put it in the listening seat and crawl the room to find where the bass sounds best, costs nothing and usually beats an upgrade.