In this review, we will be comparing S 803 and Alpha P3, two Passive Bookshelf speakers from Jamo and PSB. Let's have a brief look at the main features
of Jamo S 803 and PSB P3 first before getting into our more
detailed comparison.
What size room are the Jamo S 803 and PSB P3 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 PSB P3 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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through my links. As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases.
Drivers
Both S 803 and Alpha P3 are 2-way speakers.
Driver |
Jamo S 803 |
PSB P3 |
Driver Setup
|
2-way
|
2-way
|
Tweeter
|
1-inch
|
0.75-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 Alpha P3 features a 0.75" anodized aluminum Hard-Dome Tweeter and 1 x 4.5" Polypropylene Woofer with a Crossover frequency at 3000Hz.
Frequency Response
S 803 has a frequency range of 57-26k Hz whereas Alpha P3 has a frequency range of 57-21k Hz.
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 and Alpha P3 have the same Impedance of 8 ohms and their sensitivity is also same at 87 dB.
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.
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 Alpha P3 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 Alpha P3 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 PSB P3 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 PSB P3'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 PSB P3 has external dimensions of 223.0 x 132.0 x 186.0mm ( 8-3/4 x 5-3/16 x 7-5/16inch) .
Jamo S 803 is clearly the larger of the two speakers. Its body is 59mm wider, 130mm taller and 66mm deeper than PSB P3.
Below you can see the front view size comparison of Jamo S 803 and PSB P3 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 PSB P3 is approximately 245.5cm2 / 38.1inch2. The S 803 requires 96% more surface area than the Alpha P3 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 PSB P3 weighs 2.23kg / 4.9lbs. This makes the S 803 142% heavier than the Alpha P3.
Here is a comparison of how S 803 and Alpha P3'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 PSB P3?
Here are the items that come with the Alpha P3:
2 Bookshelf loudspeakers 2 Grilles 8 Self-adhesive rubber feet Quick Start Guide Warranty Card
Woofer Size |
5 inches
vs
4.5 inches
|
Larger woofer |
High Frequency Response |
26k Hz
vs
21k Hz
|
Generates higher frequency |
Port Position |
Front
vs
Rear
|
Gives more flexibility placing close to walls |
Price per pair* |
229USD
vs
279USD
|
costs less (*prices may change depending on the seller, location and time) |
Height |
223mm
vs
353mm
|
Easier to fit in smaller spaces |
Base Surface Area |
245cm2 (132x186mm)
vs
481cm2 (191x252mm)
|
Takes less floor space |
General |
Jamo S 803 |
PSB Alpha P3 |
Brand |
Jamo |
PSB |
Speaker Type |
Bookshelf speakers |
Bookshelf speakers |
Power Range |
up to 80 watts |
10-80 watts |
Sensitivity |
87 dB |
87 dB |
Impedance |
8 ohms |
8 ohms |
Impedance |
n/a |
4 ohms |
Frequency Response |
57-26k Hz |
57-21k Hz |
Drivers |
|
|
Woofer Quantity |
1 |
1 |
Woofer Size |
5" |
4.5" |
Woofer Composition |
Aluminized Polyfiber |
Polypropylene |
Woofer Surround Material |
Rubber |
Rubber |
Tweeter Size |
1" |
0.75" |
Tweeter Type |
Soft-Dome |
Hard-Dome |
Aimable Tweeter |
No |
No |
Midrange Driver |
No |
No |
Crossover Frequency |
n/a |
3000Hz |
Firing Direction |
front |
rear |
Physical Specs |
|
|
Height |
353.0mm (13.9") |
223.0mm (8.8") |
Width |
191.0mm (7.5") |
132.0mm (5.2") |
Depth |
252.0mm (9.9") |
186.0mm (7.3") |
Weight |
5.40kg (11.9lbs) |
2.23kg (4.9lbs) |
Enclosure |
Bass Reflex |
Bass Reflex |
Finish |
MDF/Vinyl |
MDF, Wood-grain vinyl |
Available Colors |
Walnut, Black, White |
Walnut,Black Ash |
Mounting Bracket |
No |
No |
Recommended Stand Height |
24-28" |
28-30" |
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 |