In this review, we will be comparing Q550 and S 809, two Passive Floor-standing speakers from KEF and Jamo. Let's have a brief look at the main features
of KEF Q550 and Jamo S 809 first before getting into our more
detailed comparison.
What size room are the KEF Q550 and Jamo S 809 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 Q550 and Jamo S 809 compare and hopefully end up with enough arguments to decide which one of these loudspeakers is the better choice for you.
**This post contains affiliate links, and I will be compensated if you make a purchase after clicking
through my links. As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases.
Drivers
Both Q550 and S 809 are 2-way speakers.
Driver |
KEF Q550 |
Jamo S 809 |
Driver Setup
|
2-way
|
2-way
|
Tweeter
|
1-inch
|
1-inch
|
Midrange
|
- |
- |
Woofer
|
2 x 5.25-inch
|
3 x 5-inch
|
Q550 features a 1" vented aluminum Dome Tweeter and 2 x 5.25" Aluminum Woofer with a Crossover frequency at 2500Hz. On the other hand, the S 809 features a 1" Tweeter and 3 x 5" Aluminized Polyfiber Woofer with a Crossover frequency at 2000Hz.
Frequency Response
Q550 has a frequency range of 58-28k Hz whereas S 809 has a frequency range of 37-26k Hz. With a minimum frequency of 37Hz, the S 809 can go significantly deeper on the low side and provide stronger bass compared to the Q550's min frequency of 58Hz.
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 Floor-standing class in our database.
Low Frequency
Floor-standing Speakers
High Frequency
Floor-standing 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
Q550 and S 809 have the same Impedance of 8 ohms but where they differ is the sensitivity levels. Q550 sensitivity is rated at 87 dB and the S 809's is at 90 dB. This 3 dB difference makes the Jamo S 809 a more sensitive speaker compared to KEF Q550, hence will play louder with the same amount of watts.
Sensitivity
Floor-standing 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.
Q550 can handle a max power of 130 watts RMS from the amp the whereas S 809 has a max power handling value of 120 watts RMS, 10 watts less than the Q550.
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
Q550 features Post type posts and S 809 has a Post type posts. None of these speakers feature bi-amping/bi-wiring.
Cabinet Type and Port Position
Both Q550 and S 809 have front firing ports. front ported speakers offers more flexibility in placement in regards to proximity to walls&surfaces compared to rear ported speakers.
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 Q550's and Jamo S 809's external dimensions. KEF Q550 has external dimensions of 894.0 x 296.0 x 313.0mm ( 35-3/16 x 11-5/8 x 12-5/16inch) whereas Jamo S 809 has external dimensions of 1042.0 x 191.0 x 252.0mm ( 41.0 x 7.5 x 9.9inch) .
Jamo S 809 is 105mm narrower and 61mm less deeper than KEF Q550 but it is also 148mm taller.
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 Q550 is approximately 926.5cm2 / 143.6inch2 and base area of the Jamo S 809 is approximately 481.3cm2 / 74.6inch2. The Q550 requires 92% more surface area than the S 809 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 KEF Q550 weighs 14.55kg / 32lbs and the Jamo S 809 weighs 13.60kg / 29.9lbs. This makes the Q550 7% heavier than the S 809.
Here is a comparison of how Q550 and S 809's weights compare with the average, max and min weights in Passive Floor-standing class.
Weight
All Floor-standing Speakers
What's in the Box of KEF Q550?
Here are the items that are included inside the box of Q550:
Floorstanding loudspeaker2 Outrigger feet4 Spikes6 Screws6 Washers4 Rubber insertsHex-keyOwners ManualWarranty Information
What's in the Box of Jamo S 809?
Here are the items that come with the S 809:
2 Floorstanding loudspeakers2 Grilles8 Mounting feet16 ScrewsUser ManualImportant Safety InstructionsWarranty Information
Max Input Power |
130 watts
vs
120 watts
|
Handle more power from your amplifier |
Woofer Size |
5.25 inches
vs
5 inches
|
Larger woofer |
High Frequency Response |
28k Hz
vs
26k Hz
|
Generates higher frequency |
Passive Radiator |
2 x 5.25-inch
vs
None
|
Increases the bass performance |
Height |
894mm
vs
1042mm
|
Easier to fit in smaller spaces |
Sensitivity |
90 dB
vs
87 dB
|
Play louder with same amount of amplification power |
Number of Woofers |
3
vs
2
|
More woofers |
Low Frequency Response |
37 Hz
vs
58 Hz
|
Generates deeper bass |
Base Surface Area |
481cm2 (191x252mm)
vs
926cm2 (296x313mm)
|
Takes less floor space |
Price per pair* |
634USD
vs
1400USD
|
costs less (*prices may change depending on the seller, location and time) |
General |
KEF Q550 |
Jamo Studio S 809 |
Brand |
KEF |
Jamo |
Speaker Type |
Floor-standing speaker |
Floor-standing speaker |
Power Range |
15-130 watts |
120 watts |
Sensitivity |
87 dB |
90 dB |
Impedance |
8 ohms |
8 ohms |
Impedance |
3.5 ohms |
n/a |
Frequency Response |
58-28k Hz |
37-26k Hz |
Drivers |
|
|
Woofer Quantity |
2 |
3 |
Woofer Size |
5.25" |
5" |
Woofer Composition |
Aluminum |
Aluminized Polyfiber |
Woofer Surround Material |
Rubber |
Rubber |
Tweeter Size |
1" |
1" |
Tweeter Type |
Dome |
n/a |
Aimable Tweeter |
No |
No |
Midrange Driver |
No |
No |
Crossover Frequency |
2500Hz |
2000Hz |
Firing Direction |
front |
front |
Physical Specs |
|
|
Height |
894.0mm (35.2") |
1042.0mm (41") |
Width |
296.0mm (11.7") |
191.0mm (7.5") |
Depth |
313.0mm (12.3") |
252.0mm (9.9") |
Weight |
14.55kg (32lbs) |
13.60kg (29.9lbs) |
Enclosure |
Passive Radiator |
Bass Reflex |
Finish |
MDF/Wood-grain vinyl |
MDF/Vinyl |
Available Colors |
Walnut |
Walnut |
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 |