Klipsch and Jamo are two renowned and well respected brands in the audio industry that produces high quality speakers, headphones, soundbars, and subwoofers.
In this article, we will cover a general overview of both brands, looking specifically at sound quality, durability, price and so on. Of course, each brand has different devices at different price points, however, we will compare them as closely as we can.
Klipsch products are known for their powerful, bright sound and high-quality construction, while Jamo products are known for their excellent sound quality and wide range of products.
Pros and Cons of Klipsch:
- Pros: Known for producing high-quality speakers and headphones with excellent sound quality and strong bass response. Many of their products are designed to be aesthetically pleasing and can be a good fit for a home theater setup.
- Cons: Some of their products can be expensive, and some users have reported issues with durability.
Pros and Cons of Jamo:
- Pros: Jamo is kown for producing high-quality speakers and home theater systems with excellent sound quality and strong bass response. Many of their products are well-regarded for their value for money.
- Cons: Some users have reported issues with durability and reliability of some of their products.
Quick History
Klipsch Quick History
Klipsch Audio Technologies (also known as Klipsch Speakers or Klipsch Group, Inc.) is an American loudspeaker manufacturing company based in Indianapolis, Indiana. The company was founded in Hope, Arkansas, in 1946 by Paul W. Klipsch. Klipsch audio also makes loudspeaker drivers and enclosures, as well as complete loudspeakers for high-end, high-fidelity sound systems, public address systems, and personal computers.
It has expanded a lot and has undergone a lot of changes since its establishment. Klipsch audio still manufactures some legacy speakers that have been around since the days when the genius of P.W. Klipsch made his first speakers.
Jamo Quick History
Jamo, (pronounced yah-mo) is a Danish manufacturer of audio products like home theatres, soundbars and speakers. The company started off in 1966 with Preben Jacobsen building loudspeakers and was later joined in 1968 by Julius Mortensen— Jamo is formed from the first two letters of their names. The company is based in Glyngøre, Denmark, where it was founded.
Sound Quality
Klipsch Sound Quality
Klipsch speakers are well-known for the high quality, stunningly precise sound they produce, which can be matched by only a few select brands. The speakers produce crisp highs, powerful bass, and full, encompassing sound with low distortion. However, many people don’t like the Klipsch sound because it can tend to sound ‘bright’ or harsh.
Klipsch speakers use a horn tweeter (Klipschorn), which is what makes horns and brass instruments sound more realistic. They are ideal for higher frequencies, which is why Klipsch speakers are often recommended when dealing with high-frequency sounds (like movies and certain music genres). This is also why high-efficiency design is a core Klipsch design principle.
Klipschorn design, patented by the founder, Paul W. Klipsch himself, is a fully horn-loaded three-way speaker, which means that it houses three separate speaker units, each with their own diaphragm and horn in three frequency ranges: high, mid and low. Separating the frequencies in this way ensures less frequency modulation distortion. The Klipschorn design is still used in many Klipsch speakers, which explains their quality audio and energy efficiency.
Jamo Sound Quality
Jamo devices deliver decent audio output, though you can’t expect the purity of more high end brands. They produce clear midtones and crisp highs, but the bass is soft and shallow in some devices. Nevertheless, they have exceptional detail and clarity.
Features
Klipsch Features
Klipsch devices are best known for the premium sound they produce, but they also have a host of features to ensure a wholesome experience for users.
Below are some common features that Klipsch speakers are known for:
- HDMI-eARC connectivity: Single Cable, Single Remote
- Dolby Atmos Decoding for immersive surround sound, stereo multiple channel systems
- 8K Video Pass-Through
- Dialogue enhancement mode for crystal clear voices
- Bluetooth, NFC, WiFi, HDMI, USB Audio, and Analog/AUX and optical audio input connectivity
- Built-in universal wifi for existing Smart Home ecosystems- featuring Amazon Alexa, Google Assistant, and Spotify Connect
- Klipsch Connect and Klipsch stream are two apps that can be used with your speakers. There are a lot of features included in the apps apart from controlling your Klipsch sound system. They are available for both iOS and Android.
- Efficiency and low power consumption: Due to the company’s use of horn-loaded speakers, they are able to manufacture speakers with high sensitivity (efficiency). It also makes the speakers consume less power compared to similarly performing speakers.
Jamo Features
Here are some features that Jamo devices come bundled with:
- Several Optical and Analog Audio Inputs
- Dolby Audio® Decoding Built In for all Dolby media contents
- Bluetooth® Wireless Technology for connecting to all Bluetooth devices
- Virtual Surround Mode for immersive three-dimensional sound
Build Quality
Klipsch Build Quality
High-efficiency design is a core Klipsch design principle, and this is evident in all their products. Klipsch devices are very popular for the quality and sturdy materials that are used in their construction. This gives their products excellent performance and remarkable durability.
The materials used in construction, such as wood, cerametallic material or plastic, are carefully selected for their acoustic, aesthetic and durability properties.
Jamo Build Quality
The clean finish of Jamo devices betrays their midrange prices, featuring the sophisticated and elegant looks associated with high-end brands like Klipsch or B&W. Both internal and external components are constructed from durable and efficient materials for long life and maximum enjoyment.
Jamo devices use such components as Hybrid Composition Conical Cone (HCCC) woofers and silk dome tweeters for detailed and balanced audio. The chassis is constructed from sturdy plastic, wood, and aluminum.
Ease of Use
Klipsch Ease Of Use
Klipsch devices are very easy to set up and use. With a wide range of ports for easy connectivity, such as the HDMI Arc port, setting up is as easy as plugging in and playing. Remote control support and iOS and Android apps also make it much easier to use your Klipsch devices.
Jamo Ease Of Use
Jamo devices are quite easy to use, requiring just a plug-and-play installation. The clearly labeled controls and remote used with some devices make the operation quite easy for anyone.
Cost
Klipsch Cost
Because of the materials used in Klipsch speakers, they tend to have premium prices, such as the RP-8000F floorstanding speaker, which costs from $800 to $1000 apiece. But they deliver much more than what you pay for. If you really care about the quality of the sound and the durability of your speaker, it is easy to overlook the cost.
There are also a few Klipsch product lines that do not cost as much (the Klipsch Reference RSB-3 home cinema speaker costs from $150 to $300, while a Klipsch Reference On-Ear headphone costs from $99 to $200), but sometimes this results in lesser than premium sound quality.
Jamo Cost
Jamo devices are inexpensive, with many full home theater setups costing just a bit above $1000. The price ranges for some Jamo devices are given below:
- Soundbars: $100 – $500
- Subwoofers: $150 – $500
- Speakers: $60 – $800
- Home Theatres: $300 – 1600
Space Requirements
Klipsch Space Requirements
Klipsch speakers have a wide range of sizes, and therefore require different amounts of space for effective operation. For example, there are portable PC speakers that can be easily placed on a desk while there are large cinematic models that require much more space.
Jamo Space Requirements
Jamo devices have a wide range of sizes. These range from portable bookshelf speakers to full-sized floorstanders. The Jamo C 95 II floorstanding speaker measures 38.7 x 8.5 x 12.5 in (HWD) and weighs 43.8 lbs, compared to the Jamo J 112 Sub with dimensions of 17.63 x 17 x 18.5 mm (HWD) and a weight of 57.31 lbs.
Remote Controls
Klipsch Remote Controls
Klipsch supports some universal remote controllers as well as custom-made Klipsch remotes. This brings additional functionality to your devices.
Klipsch also has apps for both iOS and Android that can be used to control your Klipsch sound system remotely. The apps also allow for the use of voice assistants like Google Assistant, Spotify Connect, and Amazon Alexa, which respond to simple voice commands. Klips stream allows you to stream directly from music platforms such as Spotify and Amazon Music.
Jamo Remote Controls
Some Jamo devices come with a wireless remote control right out of the box. This can be used for basic controls like pause/play, mute, or more advanced functions such as digital and analogue signal processing.
Connectivity Options
Klipsch Connectivity Options
Klipsch devices have several connectivity options including both wired and wireless choices. These include Bluetooth, NFC, WiFi, HDMI, USB Audio and Analog/AUX, and so on.
This allows you to connect your Klipsch speaker to a lot of different devices such as phones, personal computer, TV or used as part of a system of other speakers. The support for voice assistants also allows quick WiFi connection for several different speakers.
Jamo Connectivity Options
Jamo devices can be connected in several ways. Some of the connection options are USB, Bluetooth, optical and analogue audio input, LFE RCA, and WA-2 Wireless Port.
Power Range
Klipsch Power Range
Klipsch speakers consume much less power compared to other speakers of the same performance range. This is largely due to the horn tweeter that is used in their speakers, which reduces the need for a high-powered amplifier to boost the sound produced. 1 Watt RMS produces a 105 decibel at 1 meter sound pressure level (SPL), which is about 14–20 decibels higher than ordinary speakers.
The power range is different for each of the various Klipsch devices, so it is advisable to check the information included in the user manual.
Jamo Power Range
The power output of Jamo devices is quite decent, but some might require an amplifier if you want really powerful sound. The Jamo C 95 II speaker has a power range from 165 to 330 W, which is only just powerful enough for a floor-standing speaker. The power range for their devices typically lies within the range of 50W to 700W.
Frequency Response
Klipsch Frequency Response
Klipsch speakers have very pleasing and natural frequency responses. The speakers all have frequency ranges that all lie within the recommended frequencies to produce full and natural sound.
Due to the diversity of devices produced by Klipsch, there is a wide range of frequencies ranging from about 30Hz to 15KHz. The information about the frequency response of a particular device can be obtained from the user manual.
Jamo Frequency Response
The frequency response for Jamo devices is close to the normal required frequency range, but it would be great if they go a little deeper on the low end. The frequency ranges for their devices generally lie within 20Hz to 30KHz. The frequency range of the Jamo studio SB 36 ranges from 55Hz – 18KHz
Conclusion
Klipsch has been in the speaker component manufacturing business for over seventy years and they have the experience to make great sounding speakers as shown in their array of quality devices. If premium quality sound is what you want, Klipsch speakers are great options to try out.
Jamo is a brand that manufactures high-performance devices with affordable price tags. Their devices deliver great value for money, but the sound output may not be the best for audiophiles.
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