Jamo S 805 HCS Review: Chic Design, But Is the Sound Worth It?

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The Jamo S 805 HCS Home Cinema Speaker Package is a mid-range, 5.0-channel speaker system that offers impressive sound quality at an affordable price. Part of Jamo’s Studio 8 Series, this package includes two front-firing floor standing speakers (S 805), a centre channel speaker, and two bookshelf speakers (S 801) for surround sound, creating an immersive setup for home theatres. For those looking for a high-quality audio system without the expense of separate subwoofers, the S 805 HCS aims to provide an excellent starting point. But does it deliver?

Jamo S 805 HCS Design and Build

The speaker package stands out for its minimalist, Scandinavian aesthetic, characterised by smooth, clean lines, a woodgrain vinyl finish, and magnetic fabric grilles that add a retro flair. Each speaker is compact and designed with living spaces in mind, meaning they can fit into smaller rooms without dominating the area. The white colour option provides a unique and chic look, contrasting with the darker designs common in many speaker setups. The build quality is solid; the cabinets feel sturdy, with MDF construction to reduce vibrations and ensure durable sound quality. Additionally, the floor standing speakers are quite slim, fitting snugly in most room layouts while maintaining stability.

Technical Specifications

• System: 5.0 channel (S 805 x2, S 801 x2, and S 81 CEN)
• Frequency Response: 49Hz – 26kHz for S 805
• Sensitivity: 88dB
• Impedance: 8 Ohms
• Power Handling:
  • S 805 Floor standing: Up to 80W RMS
  • S 801 Bookshelf: Up to 60W RMS
  • S 81 CEN Centre: Up to 60W RMS
• Driver Configuration:
  • S 805: 1” soft dome tweeter, 5” polyfibre woofer
  • S 801: 1” soft dome tweeter, 4” polyfibre woofer
  • S 81 CEN: 1” soft dome tweeter, dual 4” polyfibre woofers
• Crossover Frequency: 2.5kHz
• Dimensions:
  • S 805: 787 × 191 × 252 mm
  • S 801: 285 × 156 × 163 mm
  • S 81 CEN: 184 × 435 × 228 mm

Performance

The Jamo S 805 HCS offers a well-rounded soundstage with a balance across frequencies, providing clear highs, detailed mids, and tight lows. The S 805 floor standing speakers are known for handling dialogue and vocals well, making this setup ideal for watching movies.

• Midrange and Highs: The 1” soft dome tweeter helps deliver crisp high frequencies without harshness, while the polyfiber woofers in each speaker offer clarity in mid-range sounds. This makes dialogues in movies clear and immersive.
• Lows and Bass: While the S 805 HCS lacks a dedicated subwoofer, the S 805 floor standing speakers produce reasonably deep bass for a 5.0 system, though audiophiles may want to add a subwoofer for enhanced low-end punch.
• Surround Sound: The S 801 bookshelf speakers handle surround sound effects with precision, creating an immersive environment for action movies and video games.

This speaker package excels in small to medium-sized rooms, and its front-firing ported design enables the speakers to work well when placed close to walls.

User Experience

The Jamo S 805 HCS is user-friendly, with straightforward setup thanks to its speaker wiring terminals, which are compatible with a range of receivers. The magnetic grilles are easily removable and can be swapped to change the look of the setup. Despite lacking advanced tuning options or companion apps, the passive speaker design keeps the user experience straightforward and accessible to both beginners and seasoned users.

Compatibility and Ecosystem

The Jamo S 805 HCS integrates smoothly with standard AV receivers, given its 8-ohm impedance and moderate power requirements. Users can also expand their system with additional subwoofers or Dolby Atmos toppers, as the S 805 speakers are designed to work with Jamo’s S 8 ATM for Atmos sound. Jamo’s parent company, Klipsch, ensures cross-compatibility with other Klipsch-branded gear for those wanting to expand the setup.

Value for Money

With a price typically around £300-£400, the Jamo S 805 HCS package offers excellent value for those looking to enhance their home theatre without breaking the bank. Its performance is competitive in the price range, and while the lack of a subwoofer limits bass depth, the sound quality, stylish design, and expandability make it a strong contender among budget-friendly options.

Comparison with Other Products

• Klipsch Reference Theatre Pack: While pricier, it includes a wireless subwoofer, making it more bass-capable but smaller in overall speaker size, lacking the aesthetic appeal of the Jamo system.
• Polk Audio T Series: This series offers solid performance and also includes a subwoofer, but the design is less refined, and some users find its sound less balanced, with bass sometimes overpowering other frequencies.
• Yamaha NS-P41: This budget option comes with a subwoofer and produces balanced audio; however, the design is more conventional and doesn’t match the Jamo’s contemporary appeal.

Conclusion

The Jamo S 805 HCS Home Cinema Speaker Package is a fantastic choice for anyone looking to add a stylish and functional 5.0 system to their home theatre. It delivers clear sound with articulate midrange and crisp highs, ideal for dialogues in movies, music, and casual viewing. While the absence of a dedicated subwoofer may not satisfy bass enthusiasts, this package has enough versatility for casual listeners and even intermediate audiophiles, with the option to add a subwoofer if desired.

Pros:

Cons:

Overall Rating: 4.2/5

In summary, the Jamo S 805 HCS package is an excellent mid-range option, blending performance and aesthetics in a budget-friendly setup. The white finish offers a modern aesthetic that sets it apart from most traditional speaker packages, and its expandable design keeps it future-proof for those considering adding Atmos or additional subwoofers. For those who prioritize style and sound quality on a budget, the S 805 HCS stands as a worthy investment in Jamo’s portfolio.