In this review, we will be comparing ES35 and C 9 CEN II, two Passive Center Channel speakers from Polk Audio and Jamo. Let's have a brief look at the main features
of Polk ES35 and Jamo C 9 CEN II first before getting into our more
detailed comparison.
What size room are the Polk ES35 and Jamo C 9 CEN II 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 Polk ES35 and Jamo C 9 CEN II 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 ES35 and C 9 CEN II are 2-way speakers.
| Driver |
Polk ES35 |
Jamo C 9 CEN II |
|
Driver Setup
|
2-way
|
2-way
|
|
Tweeter
|
1-inch
|
1-inch
|
|
Midrange
|
- |
- |
|
Woofer
|
6 x 3-inch
|
2 x 4-inch
|
ES35 features a 1" Terylene High-res dome Tweeter and 6 x 3" mica-reinforced polypropylene Dynamic Balance Woofer . On the other hand, the C 9 CEN II features a 1" soft dome with an integrated waveguide Tweeter and 2 x 4" HCCC (Hybrid Composition Conical Cone) Woofer .
Frequency Response
ES35 has a frequency range of 66-40k Hz whereas C 9 CEN II has a frequency range of 55-24k Hz. With a minimum frequency of 55Hz, the C 9 CEN II can go significantly deeper on the low side and provide stronger bass compared to the ES35's min frequency of 66Hz.
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
ES35 is a 8 ohms speaker compared to the C 9 CEN II which has a nominal impedance of 6 ohms.
These two speakers also have different sensitivity levels. ES35 sensitivity is rated at 89 dB and the C 9 CEN II's is rated at 88 dB. This 1 dB difference makes the Polk ES35 a more sensitive speaker compared to Jamo C 9 CEN II, 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.
ES35 can handle a max power of 150 watts RMS from the amp the whereas C 9 CEN II has a max power handling value of 140 watts RMS, 10 watts less than the ES35.
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
ES35 features 5-Way post type posts and C 9 CEN II has a 5-Way post type posts. None of these speakers feature bi-amping/bi-wiring.
Polk ES35's 5-Way post terminals
Jamo C 9 CEN II's 5-Way post terminals
Cabinet Type and Port Position
Both ES35 and C 9 CEN II 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 ES35 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 Polk ES35's and Jamo C 9 CEN II's external dimensions. Polk ES35 has external dimensions of 107.0 x 621.0 x 154.0mm ( 4-3/16 x 24-7/16 x 6-1/16inch) whereas Jamo C 9 CEN II has external dimensions of 183.0 x 466.0 x 231.0mm ( 7-3/16 x 18-5/16 x 9-1/16inch) .
Polk ES35 is 76mm shorter and 77mm less deeper than Jamo C 9 CEN II but it is also 155mm wider.
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 Polk ES35 is approximately 956.3cm2 / 148.2inch2 and base area of the Jamo C 9 CEN II is approximately 1076.5cm2 / 166.9inch2. The ES35 requires 11% less surface area than the C 9 CEN II 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 Polk ES35 weighs 6.36kg / 14lbs and the Jamo C 9 CEN II weighs 3.09kg / 6.8lbs. This makes the ES35 106% heavier than the C 9 CEN II.
Here is a comparison of how ES35 and C 9 CEN II'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 Polk ES35?
Here are the items that are included inside the box of ES35:
LCR loudspeakerGrille (attached)4 Self-adhesive rubber feetWall-mount templateOwners ManualOnline Product Registration
What's in the Box of Jamo C 9 CEN II?
Here are the items that come with the C 9 CEN II:
Center-channel loudspeakerGrille4 Rubber feet (pre-installed)2 Self-adhesive rubber bumpersUser ManualImportant Safety InstructionsWarranty Information
 Max Input Power |
150 watts
vs
140 watts
|
Handle more power from your amplifier |
 Sensitivity |
89 dB
vs
88 dB
|
Play louder with same amount of amplification power |
 Nominal Impedance |
8 ohms
vs
6 ohms
|
Less selective with amplifiers |
 Number of Woofers |
6
vs
2
|
More woofers |
 High Frequency Response |
40k Hz
vs
24k Hz
|
Generates higher frequency |
 Height |
107mm
vs
183mm
|
Easier to fit in smaller spaces |
 Base Surface Area |
956cm2 (621x154mm)
vs
1076cm2 (466x231mm)
|
Takes less floor space |
| Woofer Size |
4 inches
vs
3 inches
|
Larger woofer |
| Low Frequency Response |
55 Hz
vs
66 Hz
|
Generates deeper bass |
 Price per pair* |
344USD
vs
399USD
|
costs less (*prices may change depending on the seller, location and time) |
| General |
Polk Audio Signature Elite ES35 |
Jamo Concert 9 Series C 9 CEN II |
| Brand |
Polk Audio |
Jamo |
| Speaker Type |
Low-profile center channel speaker |
Center channel speaker (Black Ash) |
| Power Range |
20-150 watts |
50-140 watts |
| Sensitivity |
89 dB |
88 dB |
| Impedance |
8 ohms |
6 ohms |
| Frequency Response |
66-40k Hz |
55-24k Hz |
Drivers |
|
|
| Woofer Quantity |
6 |
2 |
| Woofer Size |
3" |
4" |
| Woofer Composition |
mica-reinforced polypropylene Dynamic Balance |
HCCC (Hybrid Composition Conical Cone) |
| Tweeter Size |
1" |
1" |
| Tweeter Type |
High-res dome |
soft dome with an integrated waveguide |
| Aimable Tweeter |
No |
No |
| Midrange Driver |
N/A" |
N/A" |
| Firing Direction |
rear |
rear |
Physical Specs |
|
|
| Height |
107.0mm (4.2") |
183.0mm (7.2") |
| Width |
621.0mm (24.4") |
466.0mm (18.3") |
| Depth |
154.0mm (6.1") |
231.0mm (9.1") |
| Weight |
6.36kg (14lbs) |
3.09kg (6.8lbs) |
| Enclosure |
Bass Reflex |
Bass Reflex |
| Finish |
MDF, Wood-grain vinyl |
n/a |
| Available Colors |
Black, Walnut, White |
Black Ash, White Oak,Dark Apple |
| Grille |
Yes |
Yes |
| Moisture Resistancy |
No |
No |
Connections |
|
|
Other |
|
|
| Parts Warranty |
5 Years |
5 Years |
| Labor Warranty |
5 Years |
5 Years |