In this review, we will be comparing EVO4.1 and S 803, two Passive Bookshelf speakers from Wharfedale and Jamo.
Let's have a brief look at the main features
of Wharfedale EVO4.1 and Jamo S 803 first before getting into our more
detailed comparison.
| Key Specs | Wharfedale EVO4.1 | Jamo S 803 |
|---|
| Brand | Wharfedale
United Kingdom · founded 1932 | Jamo
Denmark · founded 1966 |
|---|
| Design | 2-way | 2-way |
|---|
| Tweeter | 1.18x2.36" AMT (Ribbon) | 1" Soft-Dome |
|---|
| Woofer | 5" Kevlar | 5" Aluminized Polyfiber |
|---|
| Frequency response | 64-22k Hz | 57-26k Hz |
|---|
| Sensitivity | 87 dB | 87 dB |
|---|
| Impedance | 8 ohms | 8 ohms |
|---|
| Power range | 25-100 watts | up to 80 watts |
|---|
| Weight | 7.80kg / 17.2lbs | 5.40kg / 11.9lbs |
|---|
| Dimensions (H x W x D) | 13.1" x 8.2" x 11.6"
335.0 x 210.0 x 295.0mm | 13.8" x 7.5" x 9.9"
353.0 x 191.0 x 252.0mm |
|---|
What size room are the Wharfedale EVO4.1 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:
| Listening Environment* |
Wharfedale EVO4.1 |
Jamo S 803 |
| Near-field |
Average |
Average |
| Small Room |
Good |
Good |
| Mid-size Room |
Average |
Average |
| Large Room |
Poor |
Poor |
| Very Large Room |
Bad |
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 EVO4.1 and S 803 are 2-way speakers.
Wharfedale EVO4.1Jamo S 803
TweeterWoofer
Front view, drawn to scale - cabinets and drivers share one scale, so sizes are directly comparable. Hover a driver for its size.
| Driver |
Wharfedale EVO4.1 |
Jamo S 803 |
|
Driver Setup
|
2-way
|
2-way
|
|
Tweeter
|
1.18x2.36-inch
|
1-inch
|
|
Midrange
|
- |
- |
|
Woofer
|
1 x 5-inch
|
1 x 5-inch
|
EVO4.1 features a 1.18x2.36" AMT (Ribbon) Tweeter and 1 x 5" Kevlar Woofer. On the other hand, the S 803 features a 1" Soft-Dome Tweeter and 1 x 5" Aluminized Polyfiber Woofer.
Frequency Response
EVO4.1 has a frequency range of 64-22k Hz whereas S 803 has a frequency range of 57-26k Hz. With a minimum frequency of 57Hz, the S 803 can go significantly deeper on the low side and provide stronger bass compared to the EVO4.1's min frequency of 64Hz.
The graph below depicts how these two speakers compare with the max, min and average Low Frequency values of other speakers in the Bookshelf class in our database.
Low Frequency
Bookshelf 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
EVO4.1 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. Staying
within that range gives nominal performance; driving the speaker beyond its maximum wattage can damage it.
EVO4.1 can handle a max power of 100 watts RMS, whereas S 803 has a max power handling value of 80 watts RMS, 20 watts less than the EVO4.1.
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
EVO4.1 features Binding post posts which make bi-amping or bi-wiring possible. S 803 has a Post which doesn't feature bi-amping/bi-wiring.
Wharfedale EVO4.1's Binding post terminals allows Bi-amping or bi-wiring
Jamo S 803's Post terminals
Cabinet Type and Port Position
EVO4.1 has a bottom 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 Wharfedale EVO4.1 with its rear-firing 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 Wharfedale EVO4.1's and Jamo S 803's external dimensions. Wharfedale EVO4.1 has external dimensions of 335.0 x 210.0 x 295.0mm (13.1 x 8.2 x 11.6inch) 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 19mm narrower and 43mm less deeper than Wharfedale EVO4.1 but it is also 18mm taller.
Below you can see the front view size comparison of Wharfedale EVO4.1 and Jamo S 803 in scale.
Comparison image of Wharfedale EVO4.1 and Jamo S 803 Size and External Dimensions
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 Wharfedale EVO4.1 is approximately 619.5cm2 / 96.0inch2 and base area of the Jamo S 803 is approximately 481.3cm2 / 74.6inch2. The EVO4.1 requires 29% more surface area than the S 803 which gives it a small disadvantage on placement in tight spaces.
Here is another comparison that shows both speakers on a BDI Octave Media Cabinet, next to a standard size amplifier and turntable in scale:
Size Comparison image of Wharfedale EVO4.1 and Jamo S 803 on a Media Console
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 Wharfedale EVO4.1 weighs 7.80kg / 17.2lbs and the Jamo S 803 weighs 5.40kg / 11.9lbs. This makes the EVO4.1 44% heavier than the S 803.
Here is a comparison of how EVO4.1 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 Wharfedale EVO4.1?
Here are the items that are included inside the box of EVO4.1:
- 2 Bookshelf loudspeakers
- 2 Grilles
- 4 Jumper-bars (pre-installed)
- 8 Self-adhesive rubber feet
- Pair of white cloth gloves
- User Manual
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 |
100 watts
vs
80 watts
|
Handle more power from your amplifier |
 Bi-Amping and Bi-Wiring |
Yes
vs
No
|
Allows bi-amping and bi-wiring connections |
 Height |
335mm
vs
353mm
|
Easier to fit in smaller spaces |
 Low Frequency Response |
57 Hz
vs
64 Hz
|
Generates deeper bass |
 High Frequency Response |
26k Hz
vs
22k Hz
|
Generates higher frequency |
 Base Surface Area |
481cm2
vs
619cm2
|
Takes less floor space |
 Price per pair* |
229USD
vs
799USD
|
costs less (*prices may change depending on the seller, location and time) |
| General |
Wharfedale EVO4.1 |
Jamo S 803 |
| Brand |
Wharfedale |
Jamo |
| Speaker Type |
Bookshelf speakers |
Bookshelf speakers |
| Power Range |
25-100 watts |
up to 80 watts |
| Sensitivity |
87 dB |
87 dB |
| Impedance |
8 ohms |
8 ohms |
| Impedance |
3.5 ohms |
n/a |
| Frequency Response |
64-22k Hz |
57-26k Hz |
Drivers |
|
|
| Woofer Quantity |
1 |
1 |
| Woofer Size |
5" |
5" |
| Woofer Composition |
Kevlar |
Aluminized Polyfiber |
| Woofer Surround Material |
Rubber |
Rubber |
| Tweeter Size |
1.18x2.36" |
1" |
| Tweeter Type |
AMT (Ribbon) |
Soft-Dome |
| Aimable Tweeter |
No |
No |
| Midrange Driver |
No |
No |
| Firing Direction |
bottom |
front |
Physical Specs |
|
|
| Height |
335.0mm (13.2") |
353.0mm (13.9") |
| Width |
210.0mm (8.3") |
191.0mm (7.5") |
| Depth |
295.0mm (11.6") |
252.0mm (9.9") |
| Weight |
7.80kg (17.2lbs) |
5.40kg (11.9lbs) |
| Enclosure |
Bass Reflex |
Bass Reflex |
| Finish |
MDF/Wood-veneer |
MDF/Vinyl |
| Available Colors |
Walnut,Black,White |
Walnut, Black, White |
| Mounting Bracket |
No |
No |
| Recommended Stand Height |
24-26" |
24-28" |
| Grille |
Yes |
Yes |
| Moisture Resistancy |
No |
No |
Connections |
|
|
| Biamp Inputs |
Yes |
No |
Other |
|
|
| Parts Warranty |
5 Years |
5 Years |
| Labor Warranty |
5 Years |
5 Years |
These sit in different price classes - Wharfedale EVO4.1 costs roughly 3.5x what Jamo S 803 does. Expect it to lead on paper; the question is whether the gap is audible enough in your room to be worth it.
| Area | Better | Why |
|---|
| Bass | B | Jamo S 803 digs deeper - 57Hz against 64Hz. A subwoofer would even that out. |
| Amplifier needs | evenly matched | Similar sensitivity (87dB vs 87dB) - both want much the same power. |
| Headroom | A | Wharfedale EVO4.1 takes more power (100W vs 80W) - more in hand in a big room. |
| Size | depends | Similar cabinet size - neither is easier to fit. |
| Expandability | A | Wharfedale EVO4.1: bi-amping. |
| Price | B | Jamo S 803 is cheaper - $229 against $799, about 71% less; arguably a different class. |
A Wharfedale EVO4.1 B Jamo S 803
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?
Wharfedale EVO4.1 is ahead, but only on 1 of the measured areas, and it costs about 3.5x the price. That is a lot of money for a narrow margin on paper - Jamo S 803 looks like the sensible buy unless something else about the Wharfedale EVO4.1 appeals to you. If a subwoofer is in your plans, the bass gap largely stops mattering - you would be crossing over above 64Hz anyway, so judge these on the other rows instead. Think about the whole system, not just the speakers: the roughly $570 saved by taking the cheaper pair would buy a subwoofer or a better amplifier, and either usually does more for the sound than the difference between these two.
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.