In this review, we will be comparing S 83 CEN and Monitor XT30, two Passive Center Channel speakers from Jamo and Polk Audio. Let's have a brief look at the main features
of Jamo S 83 CEN and Polk XT30 first before getting into our more
detailed comparison.
What size room are the Jamo S 83 CEN and Polk XT30 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 83 CEN and Polk XT30 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 83 CEN and Monitor XT30 are 2-way speakers.
| Driver |
Jamo S 83 CEN |
Polk XT30 |
|
Driver Setup
|
2-way
|
2-way
|
|
Tweeter
|
1-inch
|
1-inch
|
|
Midrange
|
- |
- |
|
Woofer
|
2 x 5-inch
|
2 x 5.25-inch
|
S 83 CEN features a 1" soft dome with an integrated waveguide Tweeter and 2 x 5" polyfiber Woofer with a Crossover frequency at 2000Hz. On the other hand, the Monitor XT30 features a 1" Terylene High-res dome Tweeter and 2 x 5.25" bi-laminate paper cone Woofer .
Frequency Response
S 83 CEN has a frequency range of 65-26k Hz whereas Monitor XT30 has a frequency range of 55-40k Hz. With a minimum frequency of 55Hz, the Monitor XT30 can go significantly deeper on the low side and provide stronger bass compared to the S 83 CEN's min frequency of 65Hz.
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 83 CEN and Monitor XT30 have the same Impedance of 8 ohms but where they differ is the sensitivity levels. S 83 CEN sensitivity is rated at 87 dB and the Monitor XT30's is at 89 dB. This 2 dB difference makes the Polk XT30 a more sensitive speaker compared to Jamo S 83 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 83 CEN can handle a max power of 200 watts RMS from the amp the whereas S 83 CEN has a max power handling value of 80 watts RMS , 120 watts less than the Monitor XT30.
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 83 CEN features 5-Way post type posts and Monitor XT30 has a 5-Way post type posts. None of these speakers feature bi-amping/bi-wiring.
Jamo S 83 CEN's Binding post terminals
Polk XT30's 5-Way post terminals
Cabinet Type and Port Position
Both S 83 CEN and Monitor XT30 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
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 83 CEN's and Polk XT30's external dimensions. Jamo S 83 CEN has external dimensions of 216.0 x 499.0 x 247.0mm ( 8-1/2 x 19-5/8 x 9-11/16inch) whereas Polk XT30 has external dimensions of 166.0 x 485.0 x 208.0mm ( 6-1/2 x 19-1/16 x 8-3/16inch) .
Jamo S 83 CEN is clearly the larger of the two speakers. Its body is 14mm wider, 50mm taller and 39mm deeper than Polk XT30.
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 83 CEN is approximately 1232.5cm2 / 191.0inch2 and base area of the Polk XT30 is approximately 1008.8cm2 / 156.4inch2. The S 83 CEN requires 22% more surface area than the Monitor XT30 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 83 CEN weighs 6.80kg / 15lbs and the Polk XT30 weighs 5.91kg / 13lbs. This makes the S 83 CEN 15% heavier than the Monitor XT30.
Here is a comparison of how S 83 CEN and Monitor XT30'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 83 CEN?
Here are the items that are included inside the box of S 83 CEN:
Center-channel loudspeaker Grille User Manual Important Safety Instructions Warranty Information
What's in the Box of Polk XT30?
Here are the items that come with the Monitor XT30:
Center-channel loudspeakerGrille (attached)4 Self-adhesive rubber feetOwners ManualOnline Product RegistrationWall-Mount Template
 Max Input Power |
200 watts
vs
80 watts
|
Handle more power from your amplifier |
 Sensitivity |
89 dB
vs
87 dB
|
Play louder with same amount of amplification power |
 Woofer Size |
5.25 inches
vs
5 inches
|
Larger woofer |
| Low Frequency Response |
55 Hz
vs
65 Hz
|
Generates deeper bass |
 High Frequency Response |
40k Hz
vs
26k Hz
|
Generates higher frequency |
 Height |
166mm
vs
216mm
|
Easier to fit in smaller spaces |
 Base Surface Area |
1008cm2 (485x208mm)
vs
1232cm2 (499x247mm)
|
Takes less floor space |
 Price per pair* |
199USD
vs
229USD
|
costs less (*prices may change depending on the seller, location and time) |
| General |
Jamo S 83 CEN |
Polk Audio Monitor XT30 |
| Brand |
Jamo |
Polk Audio |
| Speaker Type |
Center channel speaker |
Center channel speaker |
| Power Range |
up to 80 watts |
30-200 watts |
| Sensitivity |
87 dB |
89 dB |
| Impedance |
8 ohms |
8 ohms |
| Frequency Response |
65-26k Hz |
55-40k Hz |
Drivers |
|
|
| Woofer Quantity |
2 |
2 |
| Woofer Size |
5" |
5.25" |
| Woofer Composition |
polyfiber |
bi-laminate paper cone |
| 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 |
216.0mm (8.5") |
166.0mm (6.5") |
| Width |
499.0mm (19.6") |
485.0mm (19.1") |
| Depth |
247.0mm (9.7") |
208.0mm (8.2") |
| Weight |
6.80kg (15lbs) |
5.91kg (13lbs) |
| Enclosure |
Bass Reflex |
Bass Reflex |
| Available Colors |
Black, White, Walnut |
Black |
| Grille |
Yes |
Yes |
| Moisture Resistancy |
No |
No |
Connections |
|
|
Other |
|
|
| Parts Warranty |
5 Years |
5 Years |
| Labor Warranty |
5 Years |
5 Years |