In this review, we will be comparing NS-SW050 and S 808 SUB, two Powered Subwoofer speakers from Yamaha 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 Yamaha NS-SW050 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.Yamaha NS-SW050and Jamo S 808 SUB have the same driver set up: Both subwoofers have 1 x 8" drivers.
Frequency Response
NS-SW050 has a frequency range of 28-200 Hz whereas S 808 SUB has a frequency range of 39-180 Hz. With a minimum frequency of 28Hz, the NS-SW050 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 Yamaha NS-SW050 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 Yamaha NS-SW050's and Jamo S 808 SUB's external dimensions. Yamaha NS-SW050 has external dimensions of 292.1 x 292.1 x 339.7mm (11.5 x 11.5 x 13.375inch) whereas Jamo S 808 SUB has external dimensions of 459.0 x 178.0 x 356.0mm (18-1/16 x 7 x 14inch).
Yamaha NS-SW050 is 166.9mm shorter and 16.3mm less deeper than Jamo S 808 SUB but it is also 114.1mm wider.
Size, drawn to scale
Both speakers 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 surface and pushed back to the same wall, so the deeper one visibly sticks out further.
Yamaha NS-SW050 needs about 57% more floor or shelf area. Jamo S 808 SUB is 16mm deeper, so it stands that much further out from the wall. Jamo S 808 SUB is 167mm taller.
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 Yamaha NS-SW050 is approximately 992.3cm2 / 153.8inch2 and base area of the Jamo S 808 SUB is approximately 633.7cm2 / 98.2inch2. The NS-SW050 requires 57% 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 Yamaha NS-SW050 weighs 8.48kg / 18.7lbs and the Jamo S 808 SUB weighs 8.64kg / 19lbs. This makes the S 808 SUB 2% heavier than the NS-SW050.
Here is a comparison of how NS-SW050 and S 808 SUB's weights compare with the average, max and min weights in Powered Subwoofer class.
Weight
All Subwoofer Speakers
 Low Frequency Response |
28 Hz
vs
39 Hz
|
Generates deeper bass |
 High Frequency Response |
200 Hz
vs
180 Hz
|
Generates higher frequency |
 Height |
292mm
vs
459mm
|
Easier to fit in smaller spaces |
 Base Surface Area |
633cm2
vs
992cm2
|
Takes less floor space |
 Price per pair* |
149USD
vs
220USD
|
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.
Yamaha NS-SW050 needs about 57% more floor area. Jamo S 808 SUB stands 16mm further into the room. Jamo S 808 SUB is 167mm taller.
| General |
Yamaha NS-SW050 |
Jamo S 808 SUB |
| Brand |
Yamaha |
Jamo |
| Speaker Type |
Powered Subwoofer |
Powered Subwoofer |
| Max Amplifier Output |
50 watts |
50 watts |
| Frequency Response |
28-200 Hz |
39-180 Hz |
Amplifier |
|
|
| Watts RMS (Continuous) |
50-watt RMS |
50-watt RMS |
| Watts Peak (Max) |
100-watt RMS |
100-watt RMS |
Drivers |
|
|
| Woofer Quantity |
1 |
1 |
| Woofer Size |
8" |
8" |
| Woofer Composition |
Cone |
Polyfiber |
| Tweeter Size |
- |
- |
| Aimable Tweeter |
No |
No |
| Midrange Driver |
No |
No |
| Firing Direction |
n/a |
Side |
Physical Specs |
|
|
| Height |
292.1mm (11.5") |
459.0mm (18.1") |
| Width |
292.1mm (11.5") |
178.0mm (7") |
| Depth |
339.7mm (13.4") |
356.0mm (14") |
| Weight |
8.48kg (18.7lbs) |
8.64kg (19lbs) |
| Enclosure |
Bass Reflex |
Bass Reflex |
| Grille |
Yes |
Yes |
| Moisture Resistancy |
No |
No |
Connections |
|
|
Other |
|
|
| Parts Warranty |
|
2 Years |
| Labor Warranty |
|
2 Years |
No single best subwoofer here. Your room, where the box can physically go, and whether this is mainly for films or mainly for music will settle it long before the specs do.
| Area | Better | Why |
|---|
| Bass depth | A | Yamaha NS-SW050 goes deeper - 28Hz against 39Hz. A real difference, though most music has little content below 39Hz. |
| Amplifier power | evenly matched | Much the same amplifier (50W vs 50W RMS) - under 1dB apart. |
| Driver area | evenly matched | Near-identical radiating area (8" against 8"). |
| Enclosure | evenly matched | Both are ported designs, so they roll off in much the same way. |
| Driver placement | depends | Yamaha NS-SW050 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. |
| Price | B | Jamo S 808 SUB costs less - $149 against $220, about 32% less. |
A Yamaha NS-SW050 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?
Yamaha NS-SW050 is ahead, but on only 1 of the measured areas, and it costs about 48% more. Jamo S 808 SUB is the sensible buy unless your room is large enough to need the extra.
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.