In this review, we will be comparing Prime Bookshelf and S 803, two Passive Bookshelf speakers from SVS and Jamo. Let's have a brief look at the main features
of SVS Prime Bookshelf and Jamo S 803 first before getting into our more
detailed comparison.
What size room are the SVS Prime Bookshelf and Jamo S 803 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 SVS Prime Bookshelf and Jamo S 803 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 Prime Bookshelf and S 803 are 2-way speakers.
Driver |
SVS Prime Bookshelf |
Jamo S 803 |
Driver Setup
|
2-way
|
2-way
|
Tweeter
|
1-inch
|
1-inch
|
Midrange
|
- |
- |
Woofer
|
1 x 6.5-inch
|
1 x 5-inch
|
Prime Bookshelf features a 1" aluminum Hard-Dome Tweeter and 1 x 6.5" Woofer with a Crossover frequency at 2300Hz. On the other hand, the S 803 features a 1" Soft-Dome Tweeter and 1 x 5" Aluminized Polyfiber Woofer .
Frequency Response
Prime Bookshelf has a frequency range of 48-25k Hz whereas S 803 has a frequency range of 57-26k Hz. With a minimum frequency of 48Hz, the Prime Bookshelf can go significantly deeper on the low side and provide stronger bass compared to the S 803's min frequency of 57Hz.
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
Prime Bookshelf and S 803 have the same Impedance of 8 ohms and their sensitivity is also same at 87 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.
Prime Bookshelf can handle a max power of 150 watts RMS from the amp the whereas S 803 has a max power handling value of 80 watts RMS, 70 watts less than the Prime Bookshelf.
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
Prime Bookshelf features Post type posts and S 803 has a Post type posts. None of these speakers feature bi-amping/bi-wiring.
Cabinet Type and Port Position
Prime Bookshelf has a rear firing port whereas S 803 has a front firing ports. Jamo S 803's front-firing port gives more flexibility in placement in regards to proximity to walls compared to SVS Prime Bookshelf with its rear-firing 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 SVS Prime Bookshelf's and Jamo S 803's external dimensions. SVS Prime Bookshelf has external dimensions of 337.8 x 203.2 x 261.6mm ( 13.2 x 8.0 x 10.2inch) whereas Jamo S 803 has external dimensions of 353.0 x 191.0 x 252.0mm ( 13.8 x 7.5 x 9.9inch) .
Jamo S 803 is 12.2mm narrower and 9.6mm less deeper than SVS Prime Bookshelf but it is also 15.2mm taller.
Below you can see the front view size comparison of SVS Prime Bookshelf and Jamo S 803 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 SVS Prime Bookshelf is approximately 531.6cm2 / 82.4inch2 and base area of the Jamo S 803 is approximately 481.3cm2 / 74.6inch2. The Prime Bookshelf requires 10% more surface area than the S 803 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 SVS Prime Bookshelf weighs 7.03kg / 15.5lbs and the Jamo S 803 weighs 5.40kg / 11.9lbs. This makes the Prime Bookshelf 30% heavier than the S 803.
Here is a comparison of how Prime Bookshelf and S 803's weights compare with the average, max and min weights in Passive Bookshelf class.
Weight
All Bookshelf Speakers
What's in the Box of SVS Prime Bookshelf?
Here are the items that are included inside the box of Prime Bookshelf:
2 Bookshelf loudspeakers 2 Grilles (pre-installed) 8 Self-adhesive rubber bumpers Owners Manual SVS brochure Online Product Registration Card
What's in the Box of Jamo S 803?
Here are the items that come with the S 803:
2 Bookshelf loudspeakers 2 Grilles User Manual Important Safety Instructions Warranty Information
Max Input Power |
150 watts
vs
80 watts
|
Handle more power from your amplifier |
Woofer Size |
6.5 inches
vs
5 inches
|
Larger woofer |
Low Frequency Response |
48 Hz
vs
57 Hz
|
Generates deeper bass |
Height |
337mm
vs
353mm
|
Easier to fit in smaller spaces |
High Frequency Response |
26k Hz
vs
25k Hz
|
Generates higher frequency |
Port Position |
Front
vs
Rear
|
Gives more flexibility placing close to walls |
Base Surface Area |
481cm2 (191x252mm)
vs
531cm2 (203x261mm)
|
Takes less floor space |
Price per pair* |
229USD
vs
600USD
|
costs less (*prices may change depending on the seller, location and time) |
General |
SVS Prime Bookshelf |
Jamo S 803 |
Brand |
SVS |
Jamo |
Speaker Type |
Bookshelf speakers |
Bookshelf speakers |
Power Range |
25-150 watts |
up to 80 watts |
Sensitivity |
87 dB |
87 dB |
Impedance |
8 ohms |
8 ohms |
Frequency Response |
48-25k Hz |
57-26k Hz |
Drivers |
|
|
Woofer Quantity |
1 |
1 |
Woofer Size |
6.5" |
5" |
Woofer Composition |
|
Aluminized Polyfiber |
Woofer Surround Material |
Polypropylene |
Rubber |
Tweeter Size |
1" |
1" |
Tweeter Type |
Hard-Dome |
Soft-Dome |
Aimable Tweeter |
No |
No |
Midrange Driver |
No |
No |
Crossover Frequency |
2300Hz |
n/a |
Firing Direction |
rear |
front |
Physical Specs |
|
|
Height |
337.8mm (13.3") |
353.0mm (13.9") |
Width |
203.2mm (8") |
191.0mm (7.5") |
Depth |
261.6mm (10.3") |
252.0mm (9.9") |
Weight |
7.03kg (15.5lbs) |
5.40kg (11.9lbs) |
Enclosure |
Bass Reflex |
Bass Reflex |
Finish |
MDF/Wood-grain vinyl |
MDF/Vinyl |
Available Colors |
Black Ash,Piano Gloss Black |
Walnut, Black, White |
Mounting Bracket |
No |
No |
Recommended Stand Height |
24-28" |
24-28" |
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 |