In this review, we will be comparing S 803 and A120, two Passive Bookshelf speakers from Jamo and JBL. Let's have a brief look at the main features
of Jamo S 803 and JBL A120 first before getting into our more
detailed comparison.
What size room are the Jamo S 803 and JBL A120 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 Jamo S 803 and JBL A120 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 S 803 and A120 are 2-way speakers.
Driver |
Jamo S 803 |
JBL A120 |
Driver Setup
|
2-way
|
2-way
|
Tweeter
|
1-inch
|
1-inch
|
Midrange
|
- |
- |
Woofer
|
1 x 5-inch
|
1 x 4.5-inch
|
S 803 features a 1" Soft-Dome Tweeter and 1 x 5" Aluminized Polyfiber Woofer . On the other hand, the A120 features a 1" aluminum Hard-Dome Tweeter and 1 x 4.5" Polycellulose Woofer .
Frequency Response
S 803 has a frequency range of 57-26k Hz whereas A120 has a frequency range of 60-40k Hz. With a minimum frequency of 57Hz, the S 803 can go slightly deeper then the A120's min frequency of 60Hz.
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
S 803 is a 8 ohms speaker compared to the A120 which has a nominal impedance of 6 ohms.
These two speakers also have different sensitivity levels. S 803 sensitivity is rated at 87 dB and the A120's is rated at 86 dB. This 1 dB difference makes the Jamo S 803 a more sensitive speaker compared to JBL A120, 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.
S 803 can handle a max power of 125 watts RMS from the amp the whereas S 803 has a max power handling value of 80 watts RMS , 45 watts less than the A120.
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
S 803 features 5-way post type posts and A120 has a 5-way post type posts. None of these speakers feature bi-amping/bi-wiring.
Cabinet Type and Port Position
S 803 has a front firing port whereas A120 has a rear firing ports. Jamo S 803's front-firing port gives more flexibility in placement in regards to proximity to walls compared to JBL A120 with its rear-firing port.
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 Jamo S 803's and JBL A120's external dimensions. Jamo S 803 has external dimensions of 353.0 x 191.0 x 252.0mm ( 13.8 x 7.5 x 9.9inch) whereas JBL A120 has external dimensions of 286.0 x 172.0 x 189.0mm ( 11-1/4 x 6-3/4 x 7-7/16inch) .
Jamo S 803 is clearly the larger of the two speakers. Its body is 19mm wider, 67mm taller and 63mm deeper than JBL A120.
Below you can see the front view size comparison of Jamo S 803 and JBL A120 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 Jamo S 803 is approximately 481.3cm2 / 74.6inch2 and base area of the JBL A120 is approximately 325.1cm2 / 50.4inch2. The S 803 requires 48% more surface area than the A120 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 Jamo S 803 weighs 5.40kg / 11.9lbs and the JBL A120 weighs 3.82kg / 8.4lbs. This makes the S 803 41% heavier than the A120.
Here is a comparison of how S 803 and A120'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 are included inside the box of S 803:
2 Bookshelf loudspeakers 2 Grilles User Manual Important Safety Instructions Warranty Information
What's in the Box of JBL A120?
Here are the items that come with the A120:
2 Bookshelf loudspeakers2 Grilles2 Foam plugs4 Brackets8 Rubber feet8 Screws (M6 x 8mm)Owner-feets ManualWarranty Card
Sensitivity |
87 dB
vs
86 dB
|
Play louder with same amount of amplification power |
Nominal Impedance |
8 ohms
vs
6 ohms
|
Less selective with amplifiers |
Woofer Size |
5 inches
vs
4.5 inches
|
Larger woofer |
Low Frequency Response |
57 Hz
vs
60 Hz
|
Generates deeper bass |
Port Position |
Front
vs
Rear
|
Gives more flexibility placing close to walls |
Price per pair* |
229USD
vs
250USD
|
costs less (*prices may change depending on the seller, location and time) |
Max Input Power |
125 watts
vs
80 watts
|
Handle more power from your amplifier |
High Frequency Response |
40k Hz
vs
26k Hz
|
Generates higher frequency |
Mounting Bracket |
Yes
vs
No
|
Allows mounting on walls |
Height |
286mm
vs
353mm
|
Easier to fit in smaller spaces |
Base Surface Area |
325cm2 (172x189mm)
vs
481cm2 (191x252mm)
|
Takes less floor space |
General |
Jamo S 803 |
JBL Stage A120 |
Brand |
Jamo |
JBL |
Speaker Type |
Bookshelf speakers |
Bookshelf speakers |
Power Range |
up to 80 watts |
20-125 watts |
Sensitivity |
87 dB |
86 dB |
Impedance |
8 ohms |
6 ohms |
Frequency Response |
57-26k Hz |
60-40k Hz |
Drivers |
|
|
Woofer Quantity |
1 |
1 |
Woofer Size |
5" |
4.5" |
Woofer Composition |
Aluminized Polyfiber |
Polycellulose |
Woofer Surround Material |
Rubber |
Rubber |
Tweeter Size |
1" |
1" |
Tweeter Type |
Soft-Dome |
Hard-Dome |
Aimable Tweeter |
No |
No |
Midrange Driver |
No |
No |
Firing Direction |
front |
rear |
Physical Specs |
|
|
Height |
353.0mm (13.9") |
286.0mm (11.3") |
Width |
191.0mm (7.5") |
172.0mm (6.8") |
Depth |
252.0mm (9.9") |
189.0mm (7.4") |
Weight |
5.40kg (11.9lbs) |
3.82kg (8.4lbs) |
Enclosure |
Bass Reflex |
Bass Reflex |
Finish |
MDF/Vinyl |
MDF, Vinyl |
Available Colors |
Walnut, Black, White |
Black |
Mounting Bracket |
No |
Keyholes w/ bracket |
Recommended Stand Height |
24-28" |
26-28" |
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 |