In this review, we will be comparing SX6 and S 803, two Passive Bookshelf speakers from Fluance and Jamo.
Let's have a brief look at the main features
of Fluance SX6 and Jamo S 803 first before getting into our more
detailed comparison.
| Key Specs | Fluance SX6 | Jamo S 803 |
|---|
| Brand | Fluance
Canada · founded 1999 | Jamo
Denmark · founded 1966 |
|---|
| Design | 2-way | 2-way |
|---|
| Tweeter | 1" Soft-Dome | 1" Soft-Dome |
|---|
| Woofer | 5" Polymer treated | 5" Aluminized Polyfiber |
|---|
| Frequency response | 60-20k Hz | 57-26k Hz |
|---|
| Sensitivity | 89 dB | 87 dB |
|---|
| Impedance | 8 ohms | 8 ohms |
|---|
| Power range | 30-100 watts | up to 80 watts |
|---|
| Weight | 5.10kg / 11.2lbs | 5.40kg / 11.9lbs |
|---|
| Dimensions (H x W x D) | 12-11/16" x 8-3/8" x 9-3/4"
322.0 x 213.0 x 248.0mm | 13.8" x 7.5" x 9.9"
353.0 x 191.0 x 252.0mm |
|---|
What size room are the Fluance SX6 and Jamo S 803 speakers good for?
The size of the room in which you are planning to use these loudspeakers is an important decision
factor. Here we have compared their suitability to various sizes of environments considering their size
and max power parameters:
| Listening Environment* |
Fluance SX6 |
Jamo S 803 |
| Near-field |
Good |
Average |
| Small Room |
Good |
Good |
| Mid-size Room |
Average |
Average |
| Large Room |
Poor |
Poor |
| Very Large Room |
No way |
Bad |
(* Approximate Room sizes: Small < 100sq. ft / 9 m2,
Mid-size: 100-220 sq. ft / 9-20 m2, Large 220-400 sq. ft / 20-36 m2, Very Large: >
400 sq. ft / 36 m2.
Average Floor Height: 9" / 2.7m. Typical room sizes differ from country to country, and the actual
listening experience changes depending on floor height, room shape, surface materials, listening
position, speaker locations, etc.)
The sections below take each area in turn: drivers, frequency response, physical size and what you get in the box.
Drivers
Both SX6 and S 803 are 2-way speakers.
Fluance SX6Jamo S 803
TweeterWoofer
Front view, drawn to scale - cabinets and drivers share one scale, so sizes are directly comparable. Hover a driver for its size.
| Driver |
Fluance SX6 |
Jamo S 803 |
|
Driver Setup
|
2-way
|
2-way
|
|
Tweeter
|
1-inch
|
1-inch
|
|
Midrange
|
- |
- |
|
Woofer
|
1 x 5-inch
|
1 x 5-inch
|
SX6 features a 1" Silk Soft-Dome Tweeter and 1 x 5" Polymer treated Woofer with a Crossover frequency at 3500Hz. On the other hand, the S 803 features a 1" Soft-Dome Tweeter and 1 x 5" Aluminized Polyfiber Woofer.
Frequency Response
SX6 has a frequency range of 60-20k Hz whereas S 803 has a frequency range of 57-26k Hz. With a minimum frequency of 57Hz, the S 803 can go slightly deeper then the SX6's min frequency of 60Hz.
The graph below depicts how these two speakers compare with the max, min and average Low Frequency values of other speakers in the Bookshelf class in our database.
Low Frequency
Bookshelf Speakers
Neither pair reaches down to 20Hz, the usual definition of full-range, which is normal for speakers of this size. If you want the bottom octave for movies or bass-heavy music, add a subwoofer to whichever you choose. Visit our Powered Subwoofers section to find out more about the available options.
Impedance and Sensitivity
SX6 and S 803 have the same Impedance of 8 ohms but where they differ is the sensitivity levels. SX6 sensitivity is rated at 89 dB and the S 803's is at 87 dB. This 2 dB difference makes the Fluance SX6 a more sensitive speaker compared to Jamo S 803, hence will play louder with the same amount of watts.
Sensitivity
Bookshelf Speakers
Power Range
Power
range is the range of input power in watts RMS that a loudspeaker is designed to handle. Staying
within that range gives nominal performance; driving the speaker beyond its maximum wattage can damage it.
SX6 can handle a max power of 100 watts RMS, whereas S 803 has a max power handling value of 80 watts RMS, 20 watts less than the SX6.
Note that higher power handling does not make a speaker louder: that depends mainly on
sensitivity and impedance. The calculator below shows how loud each of these actually plays
on a real amplifier.
Which plays louder on your amplifier?
Starting with a popular amplifier - change it to the one you own, or any you are
considering, and watch both numbers move.
Input Type and Bi-Amping / Bi-Wiring
SX6 features Post type posts and S 803 has a Post type posts. None of these speakers feature bi-amping/bi-wiring.
Jamo S 803's Post terminals
Cabinet Type and Port Position
SX6 has a rear firing port whereas S 803 has a front firing ports. Jamo S 803's front-firing port gives more flexibility in placement in regards to proximity to walls compared to Fluance SX6 with its rear-firing port.
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 Fluance SX6's and Jamo S 803's external dimensions. Fluance SX6 has external dimensions of 322.0 x 213.0 x 248.0mm (12-11/16 x 8-3/8 x 9-3/4inch) whereas Jamo S 803 has external dimensions of 353.0 x 191.0 x 252.0mm (13.8 x 7.5 x 9.9inch).
Fluance SX6 is 31mm shorter and 4mm less deeper than Jamo S 803 but it is also 22mm 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.
Fluance SX6 needs about 10% more floor or shelf area. Jamo S 803 is 31mm 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 Fluance SX6 is approximately 528.2cm2 / 81.9inch2 and base area of the Jamo S 803 is approximately 481.3cm2 / 74.6inch2. The SX6 requires 10% more surface area than the S 803 which gives it a small disadvantage on placement in tight spaces.
Weight Comparison The weight of a loudspeaker can become an important factor if you need to move and reposition the unit often. Weight of a speaker can also "sometimes" be an indicator of the rigidity of the enclosure and the quality of the internal components used. The Fluance SX6 weighs 5.10kg / 11.2lbs and the Jamo S 803 weighs 5.40kg / 11.9lbs. This makes the S 803 6% heavier than the SX6.
Here is a comparison of how SX6 and S 803's weights compare with the average, max and min weights in Passive Bookshelf class.
Weight
All Bookshelf Speakers
What's in the Box of Jamo S 803?
Here are the items that come with the S 803:
- 2 Bookshelf loudspeakers
- 2 Grilles
- User Manual
- Important Safety Instructions
- Warranty Information
 Max Input Power |
100 watts
vs
80 watts
|
Handle more power from your amplifier |
 Sensitivity |
89 dB
vs
87 dB
|
Play louder with same amount of amplification power |
 Height |
322mm
vs
353mm
|
Easier to fit in smaller spaces |
 Price per pair* |
150USD
vs
229USD
|
costs less (*prices may change depending on the seller, location and time) |
 Low Frequency Response |
57 Hz
vs
60 Hz
|
Generates deeper bass |
 High Frequency Response |
26k Hz
vs
20k Hz
|
Generates higher frequency |
 Port Position |
Front
vs
Rear
|
Gives more flexibility placing close to walls |
 Base Surface Area |
481cm2
vs
528cm2
|
Takes less floor space |
| General |
Fluance SX6 |
Jamo S 803 |
| Brand |
Fluance |
Jamo |
| Speaker Type |
Bookshelf speakers |
Bookshelf speakers |
| Power Range |
30-100 watts |
up to 80 watts |
| Sensitivity |
89 dB |
87 dB |
| Impedance |
8 ohms |
8 ohms |
| Frequency Response |
60-20k Hz |
57-26k Hz |
Drivers |
|
|
| Woofer Quantity |
1 |
1 |
| Woofer Size |
5" |
5" |
| Woofer Composition |
Polymer treated |
Aluminized Polyfiber |
| Woofer Surround Material |
n/a |
Rubber |
| Tweeter Size |
1" |
1" |
| Tweeter Type |
Soft-Dome |
Soft-Dome |
| Aimable Tweeter |
No |
No |
| Midrange Driver |
No |
No |
| Crossover Frequency |
3500Hz |
n/a |
| Firing Direction |
rear |
front |
Physical Specs |
|
|
| Height |
322.0mm (12.7") |
353.0mm (13.9") |
| Width |
213.0mm (8.4") |
191.0mm (7.5") |
| Depth |
248.0mm (9.8") |
252.0mm (9.9") |
| Weight |
5.10kg (11.2lbs) |
5.40kg (11.9lbs) |
| Enclosure |
Bass Reflex |
Bass Reflex |
| Finish |
n/a |
MDF/Vinyl |
| Available Colors |
n/a |
Walnut, Black, White |
| Mounting Bracket |
|
No |
| Recommended Stand Height |
n/a |
24-28" |
| Grille |
Yes |
Yes |
| Moisture Resistancy |
No |
No |
Connections |
|
|
| Biamp Inputs |
No |
No |
Other |
|
|
| Parts Warranty |
Lifetime |
5 Years |
| Labor Warranty |
Lifetime |
5 Years |
No single best speaker here - they are built to different priorities, and the right one depends on your room, your amplifier and what you listen to.
| Area | Better | Why |
|---|
| Bass | B | Jamo S 803 digs deeper - 57Hz against 60Hz. A subwoofer would even that out. |
| Amplifier needs | A | Fluance SX6 is more sensitive (89dB vs 87dB), so it goes louder on the same amplifier. |
| Headroom | A | Fluance SX6 takes more power (100W vs 80W) - more in hand in a big room. |
| Size | depends | Similar cabinet size - neither is easier to fit. |
| Expandability | depends | Neither adds bi-amping, a sub output or height drivers. Jamo S 803 sits in a wider range (7 models), so a matched surround system is easier later. |
| Price | A | Fluance SX6 is cheaper - $150 against $229, about 34% less. |
A Fluance SX6 B Jamo S 803
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 speakers are judged; anything missing on either side is left out rather than guessed.
Which should you choose?
Fluance SX6 has the edge on paper, though the margin is not large. The rows marked "depends" may matter more to you than the score does. Match it to your room: we rate Fluance SX6 the better fit for near-field listening; elsewhere the two are rated the same. If your amplifier is modest, vintage or valve-based, Fluance SX6 is the safer partner - the other will want more current or more watts to sound its best.
And remember what a spec sheet cannot show: how each looks in your room and whether the finish suits it, what dealer support and warranty are like where you live, and how they actually sound to you. If you can hear them first - ideally with your own music - that will tell you more than any number above.