In this review, we will be comparing S 801 and R-51M, two Passive Bookshelf speakers from Jamo and Klipsch.
Let's have a brief look at the main features
of Jamo S 801 and Klipsch R-51M first before getting into our more
detailed comparison.
| Key Specs | Jamo S 801 | Klipsch R-51M |
|---|
| Design | 2-way | 2-way |
|---|
| Tweeter | 1" Soft-Dome | 1" Tractrix Horn |
|---|
| Woofer | 4" Aluminized Polyfiber | 5.25" Copper-spun IMG |
|---|
| Frequency response | 76-26k Hz | 62-21k Hz |
|---|
| Sensitivity | 85 dB | 93 dB |
|---|
| Impedance | 8 ohms | 8 ohms |
|---|
| Power range | up to 60 watts | Up to 85 watts |
|---|
| Weight | 2.70kg / 5.9lbs | 5.00kg / 11lbs |
|---|
| Dimensions (H x W x D) | 11.2" x 6.1" x 6.4"
285.0 x 156.0 x 163.0mm | 13.3" x 7.0" x 8.4"
338.0 x 178.0 x 215.0mm |
|---|
What size room are the Jamo S 801 and Klipsch R-51M 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* |
Jamo S 801 |
Klipsch R-51M |
| 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.
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Drivers
Both S 801 and R-51M are 2-way speakers.
Jamo S 801Klipsch R-51M
TweeterWoofer
Front view, drawn to scale - cabinets and drivers share one scale, so sizes are directly comparable. Hover a driver for its size.
| Driver |
Jamo S 801 |
Klipsch R-51M |
|
Driver Setup
|
2-way
|
2-way
|
|
Tweeter
|
1-inch
|
1-inch
|
|
Midrange
|
- |
- |
|
Woofer
|
1 x 4-inch
|
1 x 5.25-inch
|
S 801 features a 1" Soft-Dome Tweeter and 1 x 4" Aluminized Polyfiber Woofer. On the other hand, the R-51M features a 1" Tractrix Horn Tweeter and 1 x 5.25" Copper-spun IMG Woofer with a Crossover frequency at 1660Hz.
Frequency Response
S 801 has a frequency range of 76-26k Hz whereas R-51M has a frequency range of 62-21k Hz. With a minimum frequency of 62Hz, the R-51M can go significantly deeper on the low side and provide stronger bass compared to the S 801's min frequency of 76Hz.
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
S 801 and R-51M have the same Impedance of 8 ohms but where they differ is the sensitivity levels. S 801 sensitivity is rated at 85 dB and the R-51M's is at 93 dB. This 8 dB difference makes the Klipsch R-51M a more sensitive speaker compared to Jamo S 801, 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.
R-51M can handle a max power of 85 watts RMS, whereas S 801 has a max power handling value of 60 watts RMS, 25 watts less than the R-51M.
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
S 801 features Single Gold Plated Binding Posts - 5-way type posts and R-51M has a Single Gold Plated Binding Posts - 5-way type posts. None of these speakers feature bi-amping/bi-wiring.
Jamo S 801's Post terminals
Klipsch R-51M's Single Gold Plated Binding Posts - 5-way terminals
Cabinet Type and Port Position
Both S 801 and R-51M have rear firing ports. Rear ported speakers generally need more room between the backside of the speaker and the wall compared to sealed and front/bottom ported speakers. Placing the speakers too close to the walls may cause the bass to sound boomy.
If you are limited in space and can't get the speakers away from the backwall, check our Speakers with Front Firing Ports page.
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 Jamo S 801's and Klipsch R-51M's external dimensions. Jamo S 801 has external dimensions of 285.0 x 156.0 x 163.0mm (11.2 x 6.1 x 6.4inch) whereas Klipsch R-51M has external dimensions of 338.0 x 178.0 x 215.0mm (13.3 x 7.0 x 8.4inch).
Klipsch R-51M is clearly the larger of the two speakers. Its body is 22mm wider, 53mm taller and 52mm deeper than Jamo S 801.
Below you can see the front view size comparison of Jamo S 801 and Klipsch R-51M in scale.
Comparison image of Jamo S 801 and Klipsch R-51M 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 Jamo S 801 is approximately 254.3cm2 / 39.4inch2 and base area of the Klipsch R-51M is approximately 382.7cm2 / 59.3inch2. The S 801 requires 34% less surface area than the R-51M which gives it a small advantage on placement in tight spaces.
Here is another comparison that shows both speakers on a BDI Octave Media Cabinet, next to a standard size amplifier and turntable in scale:
Size Comparison image of Jamo S 801 and Klipsch R-51M on a Media Console
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 Jamo S 801 weighs 2.70kg / 5.9lbs and the Klipsch R-51M weighs 5.00kg / 11lbs. This makes the R-51M 85% heavier than the S 801.
Here is a comparison of how S 801 and R-51M'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 801?
Here are the items that are included inside the box of S 801:
- 2 Bookshelf loudspeakers
- 2 Grilles
- User Manual
- Important Safety Instructions
- Warranty Information
What's in the Box of Klipsch R-51M?
Here are the items that come with the R-51M:
- 2 Bookshelf loudspeakers
- 2 Grilles (installed)
- 8 Self-adhesive rubber feet
- Quick Setup Guide
- Important Safety Instructions
- Warranty Information
 High Frequency Response |
26k Hz
vs
21k Hz
|
Generates higher frequency |
 Height |
285mm
vs
338mm
|
Easier to fit in smaller spaces |
 Base Surface Area |
254cm2
vs
382cm2
|
Takes less floor space |
 Price per pair* |
174USD
vs
359USD
|
costs less (*prices may change depending on the seller, location and time) |
 Max Input Power |
85 watts
vs
60 watts
|
Handle more power from your amplifier |
 Sensitivity |
93 dB
vs
85 dB
|
Play louder with same amount of amplification power |
 Woofer Size |
5.25 inches
vs
4 inches
|
Larger woofer |
|
Low Frequency Response |
62 Hz
vs
76 Hz
|
Generates deeper bass |
| General |
Jamo S 801 |
Klipsch Reference R-51M |
| Brand |
Jamo |
Klipsch |
| Speaker Type |
Bookshelf speakers |
Bookshelf speakers |
| Power Range |
up to 60 watts |
Up to 85 watts |
| Sensitivity |
85 dB |
93 dB |
| Impedance |
8 ohms |
8 ohms |
| Frequency Response |
76-26k Hz |
62-21k Hz |
Drivers |
|
|
| Woofer Quantity |
1 |
1 |
| Woofer Size |
4" |
5.25" |
| Woofer Composition |
Aluminized Polyfiber |
Copper-spun IMG |
| Woofer Surround Material |
Rubber |
Rubber |
| Tweeter Size |
1" |
1" |
| Tweeter Type |
Soft-Dome |
Tractrix Horn |
| Aimable Tweeter |
No |
No |
| Midrange Driver |
No |
No |
| Crossover Frequency |
n/a |
1660Hz |
| Firing Direction |
rear |
rear |
Physical Specs |
|
|
| Height |
285.0mm (11.2") |
338.0mm (13.3") |
| Width |
156.0mm (6.1") |
178.0mm (7") |
| Depth |
163.0mm (6.4") |
215.0mm (8.5") |
| Weight |
2.70kg (5.9lbs) |
5.00kg (11lbs) |
| Enclosure |
Bass Reflex |
Bass Reflex |
| Finish |
MDF/Vinyl |
MDF/Wood-grain vinyl |
| Available Colors |
Walnut, Black, White |
Black |
| Mounting Bracket |
No |
No |
| Recommended Stand Height |
28-31" |
24-28" |
| Grille |
Yes |
Yes |
| Moisture Resistancy |
No |
No |
Connections |
|
|
| Biamp Inputs |
No |
No |
Other |
|
|
| Parts Warranty |
5 Years |
5 Years |
| Labor Warranty |
5 Years |
5 Years |
These sit in different price classes - Klipsch R-51M costs roughly 2.1x what Jamo S 801 does. Expect it to lead on paper; the question is whether the gap is audible enough in your room to be worth it.
| Area | Better | Why |
|---|
| Bass |
B |
Klipsch R-51M digs deeper - 62Hz against 76Hz. |
| Amplifier needs |
B |
Klipsch R-51M is more sensitive (93dB vs 85dB), so it goes louder on the same amplifier. |
| Headroom |
B |
Klipsch R-51M takes more power (85W vs 60W) - more in hand in a big room. |
| Size |
depends |
Jamo S 801 is easier to place; Klipsch R-51M is bigger, which usually goes with fuller bass. Your room decides. |
| Price |
A |
Jamo S 801 is cheaper - $174 against $359, about 52% less; arguably a different class. |
A Jamo S 801
B Klipsch R-51M
depends neither is better in the abstract - it turns on your room, placement 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?
The usual trade-off: Klipsch R-51M measures better, Jamo S 801 costs about 52% less. Whether that gap is worth the money is the call only you can make - and in a normal room it is often smaller than the numbers suggest. If a subwoofer is in your plans, the bass gap largely stops mattering - you would be crossing over above 76Hz anyway, which makes the cheaper Jamo S 801 much easier to justify. Match it to your room: we rate Jamo S 801 the better fit for near-field listening; elsewhere the two are rated the same.
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.