In this review, we will be comparing LS50 and S 801, two Passive Bookshelf speakers from KEF and Jamo. Let's have a brief look at the main features
of KEF LS50 and Jamo S 801 first before getting into our more
detailed comparison.
What size room are the KEF LS50 and Jamo S 801 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 KEF LS50 and Jamo S 801 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 LS50 and S 801 are 2-way speakers.
Driver |
KEF LS50 |
Jamo S 801 |
Driver Setup
|
2-way
|
2-way
|
Tweeter
|
1-inch
|
1-inch
|
Midrange
|
- |
- |
Woofer
|
1 x 5.25-inch
|
1 x 4-inch
|
LS50 features a 1" Aluminum Vented dome Tweeter and 1 x 5.25" Magnesium/aluminum alloy Woofer with a Crossover frequency at 2200Hz. On the other hand, the S 801 features a 1" Soft-Dome Tweeter and 1 x 4" Aluminized Polyfiber Woofer .
Frequency Response
LS50 has a frequency range of 79-28k Hz whereas S 801 has a frequency range of 76-26k Hz. With a minimum frequency of 76Hz, the S 801 can go slightly deeper then the LS50's min frequency of 79Hz.
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
LS50 and S 801 have the same Impedance of 8 ohms and their sensitivity is also same at 85 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.
LS50 can handle a max power of 100 watts RMS from the amp the whereas S 801 has a max power handling value of 60 watts RMS, 40 watts less than the LS50.
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
LS50 features Post type posts and S 801 has a Post type posts. None of these speakers feature bi-amping/bi-wiring.
Cabinet Type and Port Position
Both LS50 and S 801 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 KEF LS50's and Jamo S 801's external dimensions. KEF LS50 has external dimensions of 302.0 x 200.0 x 278.0mm ( 11.8 x 7.8 x 10.9inch) whereas Jamo S 801 has external dimensions of 285.0 x 156.0 x 163.0mm ( 11.2 x 6.1 x 6.4inch) .
KEF LS50 is clearly the larger of the two speakers. Its body is 44mm wider, 17mm taller and 115mm deeper than Jamo S 801.
Below you can see the front view size comparison of KEF LS50 and Jamo S 801 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 KEF LS50 is approximately 556.0cm2 / 86.2inch2 and base area of the Jamo S 801 is approximately 254.3cm2 / 39.4inch2. The LS50 requires 119% more surface area than the S 801 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 KEF LS50 weighs 7.20kg / 15.8lbs and the Jamo S 801 weighs 2.70kg / 5.9lbs. This makes the LS50 167% heavier than the S 801.
Here is a comparison of how LS50 and S 801's weights compare with the average, max and min weights in Passive Bookshelf class.
Weight
All Bookshelf Speakers
What's in the Box of KEF LS50?
Here are the items that are included inside the box of LS50:
2 Bookshelf loudspeakers 2 Foam port plugs 8 Self-adhesive rubber feet Owner's Manual Warranty Registration Card
What's in the Box of Jamo S 801?
Here are the items that come with the S 801:
2 Bookshelf loudspeakers 2 Grilles User Manual Important Safety Instructions Warranty Information
Max Input Power |
100 watts
vs
60 watts
|
Handle more power from your amplifier |
Woofer Size |
5.25 inches
vs
4 inches
|
Larger woofer |
High Frequency Response |
28k Hz
vs
26k Hz
|
Generates higher frequency |
Low Frequency Response |
76 Hz
vs
79 Hz
|
Generates deeper bass |
Height |
285mm
vs
302mm
|
Easier to fit in smaller spaces |
Base Surface Area |
254cm2 (156x163mm)
vs
556cm2 (200x278mm)
|
Takes less floor space |
General |
KEF LS50 |
Jamo S 801 |
Brand |
KEF |
Jamo |
Speaker Type |
Bookshelf speakers |
Bookshelf speakers |
Power Range |
25-100 watts |
up to 60 watts |
Sensitivity |
85 dB |
85 dB |
Impedance |
8 ohms |
8 ohms |
Impedance |
3.2 ohms |
n/a |
Frequency Response |
79-28k Hz |
76-26k Hz |
Drivers |
|
|
Woofer Quantity |
1 |
1 |
Woofer Size |
5.25" |
4" |
Woofer Composition |
Magnesium/aluminum alloy |
Aluminized Polyfiber |
Woofer Surround Material |
Rubber |
Rubber |
Tweeter Size |
1" |
1" |
Tweeter Type |
Vented dome |
Soft-Dome |
Aimable Tweeter |
No |
No |
Midrange Driver |
No |
No |
Crossover Frequency |
2200Hz |
n/a |
Firing Direction |
rear |
rear |
Physical Specs |
|
|
Height |
302.0mm (11.9") |
285.0mm (11.2") |
Width |
200.0mm (7.9") |
156.0mm (6.1") |
Depth |
278.0mm (10.9") |
163.0mm (6.4") |
Weight |
7.20kg (15.8lbs) |
2.70kg (5.9lbs) |
Enclosure |
Bass Reflex |
Bass Reflex |
Finish |
Polymer/Lacquer |
MDF/Vinyl |
Available Colors |
Black, High Gloss Piano Black, High Gloss Piano White |
Walnut, Black, White |
Mounting Bracket |
No |
No |
Recommended Stand Height |
18-28" |
28-31" |
Grille |
n/a |
Yes |
Moisture Resistancy |
No |
No |
Connections |
|
|
Biamp Inputs |
No |
No |
Other |
|
|
Parts Warranty |
5 Years |
5 Years |
Labor Warranty |
5 Years |
5 Years |