In this review, we will be comparing 3040c and S 807, two Passive Floor-standing speakers from Q Acoustics and Jamo.
Let's have a brief look at the main features
of Q Acoustics 3040c and Jamo S 807 first before getting into our more
detailed comparison.
| Key Specs | Q Acoustics 3040c | Jamo S 807 |
|---|
| Brand | Q Acoustics
United Kingdom · founded 2006 | Jamo
Denmark · founded 1966 |
|---|
| Design | 2-way | 2-way |
|---|
| Tweeter | 0.9" Dome | 1" |
|---|
| Woofer | 2 x 4.75" Paper composite | 2 x 5" Aluminized Polyfiber |
|---|
| Frequency response | 43-30k Hz | 42-26k Hz |
|---|
| Sensitivity | 88 dB | 90 dB |
|---|
| Impedance | 6 ohms | 8 ohms |
|---|
| Power range | 25-120 watts | up to 100 watts |
|---|
| Weight | 14.60kg / 32.1lbs | 11.80kg / 26lbs |
|---|
| Dimensions (H x W x D) | 37-1/16" x 11-1/4" x 11-1/16"
942.0 x 285.0 x 281.0mm | 36" x 7-1/2" x 9-15/16"
915 x 191 x 252 mm |
|---|
What size room are the Q Acoustics 3040c and Jamo S 807 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:
| Listening Environment* |
Q Acoustics 3040c |
Jamo S 807 |
| Near-field |
Poor |
Poor |
| Small Room |
Average |
Average |
| Mid-size Room |
Good |
Good |
| Large Room |
Average |
Poor |
| Very Large Room |
Poor |
Bad |
(* Approximate Room sizes: Small < 100sq. ft / 9 m2,
Mid-size: 100-220 sq. ft / 9-20 m2, Large 220-400 sq. ft / 20-36 m2, Very Large: >
400 sq. ft / 36 m2.
Average Floor Height: 9" / 2.7m. Typical room sizes differ from country to country, and the actual
listening experience changes depending on floor height, room shape, surface materials, listening
position, speaker locations, etc.)
The sections below take each area in turn: drivers, frequency response, physical size and what you get in the box.
Drivers
Both 3040c and S 807 are 2-way speakers.
Q Acoustics 3040cJamo S 807
TweeterWoofer
Front view, drawn to scale - cabinets and drivers share one scale, so sizes are directly comparable. Hover a driver for its size.
| Driver |
Q Acoustics 3040c |
Jamo S 807 |
|
Driver Setup
|
2-way
|
2-way
|
|
Tweeter
|
0.9-inch
|
1-inch
|
|
Midrange
|
- |
- |
|
Woofer
|
2 x 4.75-inch
|
2 x 5-inch
|
3040c features a 0.9" Dome Tweeter and 2 x 4.75" Paper composite Woofer with a Crossover frequency at 2400Hz. On the other hand, the S 807 features a 1" Tweeter and 2 x 5" Aluminized Polyfiber Woofer with a Crossover frequency at 2000Hz.
Frequency Response
3040c has a frequency range of 43-30k Hz whereas S 807 has a frequency range of 42-26k Hz. With a minimum frequency of 42Hz, the S 807 can go slightly deeper then the 3040c's min frequency of 43Hz.
The graph below depicts how these two speakers compare with the max, min and average Low Frequency values of other speakers in the Floor-standing class in our database.
Low Frequency
Floor-standing Speakers
Neither pair reaches down to 20Hz, the usual definition of full-range, which is normal for speakers of this size. If you want the bottom octave for movies or bass-heavy music, add a subwoofer to whichever you choose. Visit our Powered Subwoofers section to find out more about the available options.
Impedance and Sensitivity
3040c is a 6 ohms speaker compared to the S 807 which has a nominal impedance of 8 ohms.
These two speakers also have different sensitivity levels. 3040c sensitivity is rated at 88 dB and the S 807's is rated at 90 dB. This 2 dB difference makes the Jamo S 807 a more sensitive speaker compared to Q Acoustics 3040c, 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. Staying
within that range gives nominal performance; driving the speaker beyond its maximum wattage can damage it.
3040c can handle a max power of 120 watts RMS, whereas S 807 has a max power handling value of 100 watts RMS, 20 watts less than the 3040c.
Note that higher power handling does not make a speaker louder: that depends mainly on
sensitivity and impedance. The calculator below shows how loud each of these actually plays
on a real amplifier.
Which plays louder on your amplifier?
Starting with a popular amplifier - change it to the one you own, or any you are
considering, and watch both numbers move.
Input Type and Bi-Amping / Bi-Wiring
3040c features Binding post type posts and S 807 has a Binding post type posts. None of these speakers feature bi-amping/bi-wiring.
Jamo S 807's Binding post terminals
Cabinet Type and Port Position
3040c has a rear firing port whereas S 807 has a front firing ports. Jamo S 807's front-firing port gives more flexibility in placement in regards to proximity to walls compared to Q Acoustics 3040c with its rear-firing port.
Jamo S 807 Port
Physical Specs
The size of a speaker can sometimes be an important decision factor due to space constraints or in some cases purely for esthetic reasons. In this section, we are going to compare Q Acoustics 3040c's and Jamo S 807's external dimensions. Q Acoustics 3040c has external dimensions of 942.0 x 285.0 x 281.0mm (37-1/16 x 11-1/4 x 11-1/16inch) whereas Jamo S 807 has external dimensions of 915 x 191 x 252 mm (36 x 7-1/2 x 9-15/16 inch).
Q Acoustics 3040c is clearly the larger of the two speakers. Its body is 94mm wider, 27mm taller and 29mm deeper than Jamo S 807.
Size, drawn to scale
Both speakers and both views share one scale, so everything here is directly comparable. Hover a box for its dimensions.
One scale for both, standing on the same surface and pushed back to the same wall, so the deeper one visibly sticks out further.
Q Acoustics 3040c needs about 66% more floor or shelf area. Q Acoustics 3040c is 29mm deeper, so it stands that much further out from the wall. Q Acoustics 3040c is 27mm 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 Q Acoustics 3040c is approximately 800.9cm2 / 124.1inch2 and base area of the Jamo S 807 is approximately 481.3cm2 / 74.6inch2. The 3040c requires 66% more surface area than the S 807 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 Q Acoustics 3040c weighs 14.60kg / 32.1lbs and the Jamo S 807 weighs 11.80kg / 26lbs. This makes the 3040c 24% heavier than the S 807.
Here is a comparison of how 3040c and S 807'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 Jamo S 807?
Here are the items that come with the S 807:
- 2 Floorstanding loudspeakers
- 2 Grilles
- 8 Mounting feet
- 16 Screws
- User Manual
- Important Safety Instructions
- Warranty Information
 Max Input Power |
120 watts
vs
100 watts
|
Handle more power from your amplifier |
 High Frequency Response |
30k Hz
vs
26k Hz
|
Generates higher frequency |
 Sensitivity |
90 dB
vs
88 dB
|
Play louder with same amount of amplification power |
 Nominal Impedance |
8 ohms
vs
6 ohms
|
Less selective with amplifiers |
 Woofer Size |
5 inches
vs
4.75 inches
|
Larger woofer |
|
Low Frequency Response |
42 Hz
vs
43 Hz
|
Generates deeper bass |
 Port Position |
Front
vs
Rear
|
Gives more flexibility placing close to walls |
 Dolby Atmos Drivers |
Optional Jamo S 8 ATM Dolby Atmos upward-firing speakers
vs
No
|
Dolby Atmos Compatibility |
 Height |
915mm
vs
942mm
|
Easier to fit in smaller spaces |
 Base Surface Area |
481cm2
vs
800cm2
|
Takes less floor space |
 Price per pair* |
519USD
vs
599USD
|
costs less (*prices may change depending on the seller, location and time) |
| General |
Q Acoustics 3040c |
Jamo Studio S 807 |
| Brand |
Q Acoustics |
Jamo |
| Speaker Type |
Floor-standing speaker |
Floor-standing speaker |
| Power Range |
25-120 watts |
up to 100 watts |
| Sensitivity |
88 dB |
90 dB |
| Impedance |
6 ohms |
8 ohms |
| Impedance |
4 ohms |
n/a |
| Frequency Response |
43-30k Hz |
42-26k Hz |
Drivers |
|
|
| Woofer Quantity |
2 |
2 |
| Woofer Size |
4.75" |
5" |
| Woofer Composition |
Paper composite |
Aluminized Polyfiber |
| Woofer Surround Material |
n/a |
Rubber |
| Tweeter Size |
0.9" |
1" |
| Tweeter Type |
Dome |
n/a |
| Aimable Tweeter |
No |
No |
| Midrange Driver |
No |
No |
| Crossover Frequency |
2400Hz |
2000Hz |
| Firing Direction |
rear |
front |
Physical Specs |
|
|
| Height |
942.0mm (37.1") |
915.0mm (36") |
| Width |
285.0mm (11.2") |
191.0mm (7.5") |
| Depth |
281.0mm (11.1") |
252.0mm (9.9") |
| Weight |
14.60kg (32.1lbs) |
11.80kg (26lbs) |
| Enclosure |
Bass Reflex |
Bass Reflex |
| Finish |
n/a |
MDF/Vinyl |
| Available Colors |
n/a |
Walnut |
| Grille |
Yes |
Yes |
| Moisture Resistancy |
No |
No |
Connections |
|
|
| Biamp Inputs |
No |
No |
Other |
|
|
| Parts Warranty |
5 Years |
5 Years |
| Labor Warranty |
5 Years |
5 Years |
A generation apart: Q Acoustics 3040c is the newer design, against a 2017 model. Newer is not automatically better, but the older one is more likely to be discounted or near run-out.
| Area | Better | Why |
|---|
| Bass | evenly matched | Much the same reach (43Hz vs 42Hz). |
| Amplifier needs | B | Jamo S 807 is more sensitive (90dB vs 88dB), so it goes louder on the same amplifier. |
| Amplifier match | B | Jamo S 807 is the easier load at 8 ohms. |
| Headroom | evenly matched | Similar power handling (120W vs 100W). |
| Size | depends | Jamo S 807 is easier to place; Q Acoustics 3040c is bigger, which usually goes with fuller bass. Your room decides. |
| Expandability | depends | Jamo S 807: Atmos drivers. Q Acoustics 3040c sits in a wider range (6 models), so a matched surround system is easier later. |
| Price | B | Jamo S 807 is cheaper - $519 against $599, about 13% less. |
A Q Acoustics 3040c B Jamo S 807
depends neither is better in the abstract - it turns on your room, your system or how you will use them. Only specs published for both speakers are judged; anything missing on either side is left out rather than guessed.
Which should you choose?
Jamo S 807 is the easier recommendation: it leads on most of the measured areas and costs less. Take Q Acoustics 3040c if its size, looks or fit in your room suit you better. Match it to your room: we rate Q Acoustics 3040c the better fit for a large room; elsewhere the two are rated the same. In a large or open-plan room, Q Acoustics 3040c has the cabinet volume to fill it more easily; in a small room, near a wall or at desk distance, Jamo S 807 is the easier speaker to get right.
And remember what a spec sheet cannot show: how each looks in your room and whether the finish suits it, what dealer support and warranty are like where you live, and how they actually sound to you. If you can hear them first - ideally with your own music - that will tell you more than any number above.