Can cheap be good? That’s the question I am constantly trying to find a “yes” to. My main listening area is my desktop and I love auditioning near-field monitors, amps, DACs, and bookshelf speakers in the constant quest for better sound, but on a budget. Jamo is a budget audio brand and a sister company to the legendary Klipsch audio brand.

Jamo Studio Series S 801 Bookshelf Speakers

I recently was browsing Amazon in search of speakers when I spotted the Jamo Studio Series S 801 Bookshelf Speakers and away I went, let’s see how they perform.

Introduction

Jamo Studio Series S 801 Bookshelf Speaker

Before I jump into the review, I actually bought the S 801s as part of the “HCS-BLK Home Cinema System” pack of five speakers, since it was only about $100 more than just buying the speakers alone. The kit included the larger and more expensive 803s and a center channel. I ended up selling the center online and keeping the 803s and 801s. It’s an odd way to buy Jamo speakers, but if you’re looking for a deal, these are a great buy for under $200, since the 801s retail for even higher at $219 for a pair, but can be found on Amazon for around $90ish. Hey, now you have an extra set of speakers for another room, right?

Jamo Studio Series S 801 Bookshelf Speakers Specifications
Technology:

WaveGuide acoustic technology

Grille:

Seamless magnetic grille

Tweeter:

25mm (1″) soft dome tweeter

Woofer:

102mm (4″) poly-fiber woofer

Frequency Response:

76Hz – 26kHz (+/- 3dB)

Sensitivity:

85dB (2.83V @ 1m)

Power Handling:

60W / 120W

Impedance:

8 Ohms

Dimensions:

285mm x 156mm x 163mm 11.22” x 6.14” x 6.42”

Weight:

6 lbs. each

MSRP:

$219

Company:

Jamo

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Test System
Audio System:

Arylic a50+

PC:

Custom Desktop Computer

App:

Spotify Premium

First Impressions

Jamo Studio Series S 801 Bookshelf Speaker Front view

One of the reasons I picked up the Jamo S 801s is because they look more expensive than they actually are. The dark wood accents on the base and around the tweeter look stunning. They have some heft to them, so they don’t feel cheap when you take them out of the box. The grills are beautiful as well, not something I would expect from such budget speakers. However, the packaging was quite poor, I can see how these could easily be damaged in shipping.

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Sound

Jamo Studio Series S 801 Bookshelf Speaker Connectors

This is what really matters, how do the S 801s sound? Even though they’re not billed as near-field monitors, they sound really good on a desktop. Male and female vocals are clear and crisp. Their only serious downfall is a severe lack of bass and lower midrange. While my desk isn’t large enough for the bigger 803s, those will put the punch back in the low end. I really like how clean they sound without being overly bright or tinny. As the volume goes up, the soundstage broadens. While not the best I’ve heard, it’s still there and quite good for a pair of speakers this affordable.

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While a more powerful amp will likely bring out more bass from these speakers, I think for what they are, the bass is acceptable. The upper midrange really shines, and the highs always stay constant. The ability to crank the volume on these speakers and not hear distortion is astounding. If you can ignore or don’t need much bass, the S 801s are fantastic.

Conclusions

Jamo Studio Series S 801 Bookshelf Speaker At a Glance

For the price of five channels of speakers, the Jamo S 801s presents an awesome value. Even if you’re like me and just need two speakers, they’re still very affordable for what you get. While not the best desktop speakers I’ve heard, they are the best in the sub-$100 price category in my book. And they look amazing. If you need great-looking speakers that also sound great on a desktop, Jamo hits it out of the park!