In this review, we will be comparing S 81 CEN and ES30, two Passive Center Channel speakers from Jamo and Polk Audio. Let's have a brief look at the main features
of Jamo S 81 CEN and Polk ES30 first before getting into our more
detailed comparison.
What size room are the Jamo S 81 CEN and Polk ES30 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 81 CEN and Polk ES30 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 81 CEN and ES30 are 2-way speakers.
| Driver |
Jamo S 81 CEN |
Polk ES30 |
|
Driver Setup
|
2-way
|
2-way
|
|
Tweeter
|
1-inch
|
1-inch
|
|
Midrange
|
- |
- |
|
Woofer
|
2 x 4-inch
|
2 x 5.5-inch
|
S 81 CEN features a 1" soft dome with an integrated waveguide Tweeter and 2 x 4" polyfiber Woofer with a Crossover frequency at 2000Hz. On the other hand, the ES30 features a 1" Terylene High-res dome Tweeter and 2 x 5.5" mica-reinforced polypropylene Dynamic Balance Woofer .
Frequency Response
S 81 CEN has a frequency range of 71-26k Hz whereas ES30 has a frequency range of 55-40k Hz. With a minimum frequency of 55Hz, the ES30 can go significantly deeper on the low side and provide stronger bass compared to the S 81 CEN's min frequency of 71Hz.
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 Center Channel class in our database.
Low Frequency
Center Channel Speakers
High Frequency
Center Channel 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 81 CEN and ES30 have the same Impedance of 8 ohms but where they differ is the sensitivity levels. S 81 CEN sensitivity is rated at 86 dB and the ES30's is at 89 dB. This 3 dB difference makes the Polk ES30 a more sensitive speaker compared to Jamo S 81 CEN, hence will play louder with the same amount of watts.
Sensitivity
Center Channel 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 81 CEN can handle a max power of 125 watts RMS from the amp the whereas S 81 CEN has a max power handling value of 60 watts RMS , 65 watts less than the ES30.
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 81 CEN features 5-Way post type posts and ES30 has a 5-Way post type posts. None of these speakers feature bi-amping/bi-wiring.
Jamo S 81 CEN's Binding post terminals
Polk ES30's 5-Way post terminals
Cabinet Type and Port Position
Both S 81 CEN and ES30 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.
Polk ES30 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 81 CEN's and Polk ES30's external dimensions. Jamo S 81 CEN has external dimensions of 186.0 x 435.0 x 221.0mm ( 7-5/16 x 17-1/8 x 8-11/16inch) whereas Polk ES30 has external dimensions of 191.0 x 510.0 x 270.0mm ( 7-1/2 x 20-1/16 x 10-5/8inch) .
Polk ES30 is clearly the larger of the two speakers. Its body is 75mm wider, 5mm taller and 49mm deeper than Jamo S 81 CEN.
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 81 CEN is approximately 961.4cm2 / 149.0inch2 and base area of the Polk ES30 is approximately 1377.0cm2 / 213.4inch2. The S 81 CEN requires 30% less surface area than the ES30 which gives it a small advantage 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 81 CEN weighs 5.00kg / 11lbs and the Polk ES30 weighs 8.64kg / 19lbs. This makes the ES30 73% heavier than the S 81 CEN.
Here is a comparison of how S 81 CEN and ES30's weights compare with the average, max and min weights in Passive Center Channel class.
Weight
All Center Channel Speakers
What's in the Box of Jamo S 81 CEN?
Here are the items that are included inside the box of S 81 CEN:
Center-channel loudspeaker Grille User Manual Important Safety Instructions Warranty Information
What's in the Box of Polk ES30?
Here are the items that come with the ES30:
Center-channel loudspeakerGrille (attached)4 Self-adhesive rubber feetOwners ManualOnline Product Registration
 Height |
186mm
vs
191mm
|
Easier to fit in smaller spaces |
 Base Surface Area |
961cm2 (435x221mm)
vs
1377cm2 (510x270mm)
|
Takes less floor space |
 Price per pair* |
174USD
vs
299USD
|
costs less (*prices may change depending on the seller, location and time) |
 Max Input Power |
125 watts
vs
60 watts
|
Handle more power from your amplifier |
 Sensitivity |
89 dB
vs
86 dB
|
Play louder with same amount of amplification power |
 Woofer Size |
5.5 inches
vs
4 inches
|
Larger woofer |
| Low Frequency Response |
55 Hz
vs
71 Hz
|
Generates deeper bass |
 High Frequency Response |
40k Hz
vs
26k Hz
|
Generates higher frequency |
| General |
Jamo S 81 CEN |
Polk Audio Signature Elite ES30 |
| Brand |
Jamo |
Polk Audio |
| Speaker Type |
Center channel speaker |
Center channel speaker |
| Power Range |
up to 60 watts |
20-125 watts |
| Sensitivity |
86 dB |
89 dB |
| Impedance |
8 ohms |
8 ohms |
| Frequency Response |
71-26k Hz |
55-40k Hz |
Drivers |
|
|
| Woofer Quantity |
2 |
2 |
| Woofer Size |
4" |
5.5" |
| Woofer Composition |
polyfiber |
mica-reinforced polypropylene Dynamic Balance |
| Tweeter Size |
1" |
1" |
| Tweeter Type |
soft dome with an integrated waveguide |
High-res dome |
| Aimable Tweeter |
No |
No |
| Midrange Driver |
N/A" |
N/A" |
| Crossover Frequency |
2000Hz |
n/a |
| Firing Direction |
rear |
rear |
Physical Specs |
|
|
| Height |
186.0mm (7.3") |
191.0mm (7.5") |
| Width |
435.0mm (17.1") |
510.0mm (20.1") |
| Depth |
221.0mm (8.7") |
270.0mm (10.6") |
| Weight |
5.00kg (11lbs) |
8.64kg (19lbs) |
| Enclosure |
Bass Reflex |
Bass Reflex |
| Finish |
n/a |
MDF, Wood-grain vinyl |
| Available Colors |
Black, White, Walnut |
Black, Walnut, White |
| Grille |
Yes |
Yes |
| Moisture Resistancy |
No |
No |
Connections |
|
|
Other |
|
|
| Parts Warranty |
5 Years |
5 Years |
| Labor Warranty |
5 Years |
5 Years |