In this review, we will be comparing S 803 and S10, two Passive Bookshelf speakers from Jamo and Polk Audio. Let's have a brief look at the main features
of Jamo S 803 and Polk S10 first before getting into our more
detailed comparison.
What size room are the Jamo S 803 and Polk S10 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 Polk S10 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 S10 are 2-way speakers.
Driver |
Jamo S 803 |
Polk S10 |
Driver Setup
|
2-way
|
2-way
|
Tweeter
|
1-inch
|
1-inch
|
Midrange
|
- |
- |
Woofer
|
1 x 5-inch
|
1 x 4-inch
|
S 803 features a 1" Soft-Dome Tweeter and 1 x 5" Aluminized Polyfiber Woofer . On the other hand, the S10 features a 1" Terylene Soft-Dome Tweeter and 1 x 4" Mica-reinforced polypropylene Woofer with a Crossover frequency at 2500Hz.
Frequency Response
S 803 has a frequency range of 57-26k Hz whereas S10 has a frequency range of 67-40k Hz. With a minimum frequency of 57Hz, the S 803 can go significantly deeper on the low side and provide stronger bass compared to the S10's min frequency of 67Hz.
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 S10 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.
S 803 can handle a max power of 100 watts RMS from the amp the whereas S 803 has a max power handling value of 80 watts RMS , 20 watts less than the S10.
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 S10 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 S10 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 Polk S10 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 Polk S10'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 Polk S10 has external dimensions of 214.0 x 127.0 x 155.0mm ( 8.4 x 5.0 x 6.1inch) .
Jamo S 803 is clearly the larger of the two speakers. Its body is 64mm wider, 139mm taller and 97mm deeper than Polk S10.
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 Polk S10 is approximately 196.9cm2 / 30.5inch2. The S 803 requires 144% more surface area than the S10 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 Jamo S 803 weighs 5.40kg / 11.9lbs and the Polk S10 weighs 2.73kg / 6lbs. This makes the S 803 98% heavier than the S10.
Here is a comparison of how S 803 and S10'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 Polk S10?
Here are the items that come with the S10:
2 Bookshelf loudspeakers2 Grille (attached)8 Self-adhesive rubber feetWall-mount templateOwners ManualOnline Product Registration
Woofer Size |
5 inches
vs
4 inches
|
Larger woofer |
Low Frequency Response |
57 Hz
vs
67 Hz
|
Generates deeper bass |
Port Position |
Front
vs
Rear
|
Gives more flexibility placing close to walls |
Max Input Power |
100 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 |
214mm
vs
353mm
|
Easier to fit in smaller spaces |
Base Surface Area |
196cm2 (127x155mm)
vs
481cm2 (191x252mm)
|
Takes less floor space |
General |
Jamo S 803 |
Polk Audio Signature S10 |
Brand |
Jamo |
Polk Audio |
Speaker Type |
Bookshelf speakers |
Satellite speakers |
Power Range |
up to 80 watts |
20-100 watts |
Sensitivity |
87 dB |
87 dB |
Impedance |
8 ohms |
8 ohms |
Frequency Response |
57-26k Hz |
67-40k Hz |
Drivers |
|
|
Woofer Quantity |
1 |
1 |
Woofer Size |
5" |
4" |
Woofer Composition |
Aluminized Polyfiber |
Mica-reinforced polypropylene |
Woofer Surround Material |
Rubber |
Butyl rubber |
Tweeter Size |
1" |
1" |
Tweeter Type |
Soft-Dome |
Soft-Dome |
Aimable Tweeter |
No |
No |
Midrange Driver |
No |
No |
Crossover Frequency |
n/a |
2500Hz |
Firing Direction |
front |
rear |
Physical Specs |
|
|
Height |
353.0mm (13.9") |
214.0mm (8.4") |
Width |
191.0mm (7.5") |
127.0mm (5") |
Depth |
252.0mm (9.9") |
155.0mm (6.1") |
Weight |
5.40kg (11.9lbs) |
2.73kg (6lbs) |
Enclosure |
Bass Reflex |
Bass Reflex |
Finish |
MDF/Vinyl |
Meddite MDF |
Available Colors |
Walnut, Black, White |
Black |
Mounting Bracket |
No |
Keyhole |
Recommended Stand Height |
24-28" |
28-31" |
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 |