In this review, we will be comparing Chorus 706 and S 803, two Passive Bookshelf speakers from Focal and Jamo. Let's have a brief look at the main features
of Focal Chorus 706 and Jamo S 803 first before getting into our more
detailed comparison.
What size room are the Focal Chorus 706 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:
In the following sections, we will get into more detail in order to better understand how the Focal Chorus 706 and Jamo S 803 compare and hopefully end up with enough arguments to decide which one of these loudspeakers is the better choice for you.
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Drivers
Both Chorus 706 and S 803 are 2-way speakers.
Driver |
Focal Chorus 706 |
Jamo S 803 |
Driver Setup
|
2-way
|
2-way
|
Tweeter
|
1-inch
|
1-inch
|
Midrange
|
- |
- |
Woofer
|
1 x 6.5-inch
|
1 x 5-inch
|
Chorus 706 features a 1" TNV2 AI/Mg inverted dome Tweeter and 1 x 6.5" Polyglass Woofer with a Crossover frequency at 3000Hz. On the other hand, the S 803 features a 1" Soft-Dome Tweeter and 1 x 5" Aluminized Polyfiber Woofer .
Frequency Response
Chorus 706 has a frequency range of 55-28k Hz whereas S 803 has a frequency range of 57-26k Hz. With a minimum frequency of 55Hz, the Chorus 706 can go slightly deeper then the S 803's min frequency of 57Hz.
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 Bookshelf class in our database.
Low Frequency
Bookshelf Speakers
High Frequency
Bookshelf Speakers
None of these speakers achieves full range experience which is commonly agreed as 20Hz-20kHz. In order to achieve lower lows / deeper bass, we recommend you pair these with a subwoofer. Visit our Powered Subwoofers section to find out more about the available options.
Impedance and Sensitivity
Chorus 706 and S 803 have the same Impedance of 8 ohms but where they differ is the sensitivity levels. Chorus 706 sensitivity is rated at 90 dB and the S 803's is at 87 dB. This 3 dB difference makes the Focal Chorus 706 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. While using an amplifier within this range ensures the nominal performance , inputting a power that is higher than the max wattage can result in a damaged speaker.
Chorus 706 can handle a max power of 120 watts RMS from the amp the whereas S 803 has a max power handling value of 80 watts RMS, 40 watts less than the Chorus 706.
Keep in mind that a higher max power handling value doesn't necessarily make that a louder speaker
compared to a lower max handling speaker. Loudness or the sound level is also impacted by parameters
such as Impedance, sensitivity and system efficiencies.
Input Type and Bi-Amping / Bi-Wiring
Chorus 706 features Post type posts and S 803 has a Post type posts. None of these speakers feature bi-amping/bi-wiring.
Cabinet Type and Port Position
Both Chorus 706 and S 803 have front firing ports. front ported speakers offers more flexibility in placement in regards to proximity to walls&surfaces compared to rear ported speakers.
Physical Specs
Size of a speaker can sometimes become an important decision factor due to space constraints or in some cases purely for esthetic reasons. In this section, we are going to compare Focal Chorus 706's and Jamo S 803's external dimensions. Focal Chorus 706 has external dimensions of 390.0 x 220.0 x 263.0mm ( 15.4 x 8.7 x 10.4inch) whereas Jamo S 803 has external dimensions of 353.0 x 191.0 x 252.0mm ( 13.8 x 7.5 x 9.9inch) .
Focal Chorus 706 is clearly the larger of the two speakers. Its body is 29mm wider, 37mm taller and 11mm deeper than Jamo S 803.
Below you can see the front view size comparison of Focal Chorus 706 and Jamo S 803 in scale.
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 Focal Chorus 706 is approximately 578.6cm2 / 89.7inch2 and base area of the Jamo S 803 is approximately 481.3cm2 / 74.6inch2. The Chorus 706 requires 20% more surface area than the S 803 which gives it a small disadvantage on placement in tight spaces.
Here is an another comparison that shows both speakers on a BDI Octave Media Cabinet, next to a standard size amplifier and turntable in scale:
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 Focal Chorus 706 weighs 8.20kg / 18lbs and the Jamo S 803 weighs 5.40kg / 11.9lbs. This makes the Chorus 706 52% heavier than the S 803.
Here is a comparison of how Chorus 706 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 Focal Chorus 706?
Here are the items that are included inside the box of Chorus 706:
2 Bookshelf loudspeakers 2 Cloth grilles (attached) User manual
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 |
120 watts
vs
80 watts
|
Handle more power from your amplifier |
Sensitivity |
90 dB
vs
87 dB
|
Play louder with same amount of amplification power |
Woofer Size |
6.5 inches
vs
5 inches
|
Larger woofer |
Low Frequency Response |
55 Hz
vs
57 Hz
|
Generates deeper bass |
High Frequency Response |
28k Hz
vs
26k Hz
|
Generates higher frequency |
Height |
353mm
vs
390mm
|
Easier to fit in smaller spaces |
Base Surface Area |
481cm2 (191x252mm)
vs
578cm2 (220x263mm)
|
Takes less floor space |
General |
Focal Chorus 706 |
Jamo S 803 |
Brand |
Focal |
Jamo |
Speaker Type |
Bookshelf speakers |
Bookshelf speakers |
Power Range |
25 - 120 watts |
up to 80 watts |
Sensitivity |
90 dB |
87 dB |
Impedance |
8 ohms |
8 ohms |
Impedance |
3.6 ohms |
n/a |
Frequency Response |
55-28k Hz |
57-26k Hz |
Drivers |
|
|
Woofer Quantity |
1 |
1 |
Woofer Size |
6.5" |
5" |
Woofer Composition |
Polyglass |
Aluminized Polyfiber |
Woofer Surround Material |
Rubber |
Rubber |
Tweeter Size |
1" |
1" |
Tweeter Type |
inverted dome |
Soft-Dome |
Aimable Tweeter |
No |
No |
Midrange Driver |
No |
No |
Crossover Frequency |
3000Hz |
n/a |
Firing Direction |
front |
front |
Physical Specs |
|
|
Height |
390.0mm (15.4") |
353.0mm (13.9") |
Width |
220.0mm (8.7") |
191.0mm (7.5") |
Depth |
263.0mm (10.4") |
252.0mm (9.9") |
Weight |
8.20kg (18lbs) |
5.40kg (11.9lbs) |
Enclosure |
Bass Reflex |
Bass Reflex |
Finish |
Lacquer/Leatherette |
MDF/Vinyl |
Available Colors |
Rosewood, Walnut, Black |
Walnut, Black, White |
Mounting Bracket |
No |
No |
Recommended Stand Height |
24-26" |
24-28" |
Grille |
Yes |
Yes |
Moisture Resistancy |
No |
No |
Connections |
|
|
Biamp Inputs |
No |
No |
Other |
|
|
Parts Warranty |
5 |
5 Years |
Labor Warranty |
5 |
5 Years |