All JAMO’d Up [C-403 vs. C-603]

[Ponzio]

Newbie here, so be gentle.

Everything about the JAMO’s I’ve read and heard so far [at World Wide Stereo] has me ready to purchase. The problem I’m having is that I heard the C-403 today at a WWS 20’x20’ sound room and was favorably impressed overall except with the bass response. But for $128 brand spanking new, not bad. Yes, I know this a bookshelf and yes, I can install a sub to give them a little more oomph but I’ve never been completely impressed with the overall sound when using a sub in conjunction with towers/bookshelf speakers. I can’t put my finger on it but something’s lacking [is “soundstage” the right term?]. Plus I would have to purchase a C-400 series sub, adding another $120 to $200 to the price.

My question is; someone here on the site is selling a pair of C-603’s for $300 and I would expect them to sound better, but will the bass response be better enough to go without a sub? And keep in mind that they’re used.

I’m going to install them in my 14’x14’ office, hooked up to a Yamaha RX-V1070 [power not an issue] and they must be a bookshelf model. I’m tired of listening to the Department of War (aka the Missus) yapping about how “ugly” my old black ash Polk LS-70 towers are.

Any and all opinions welcome, including other brands that you feel will give me a better sound/cost option.

Thanks.

 

[sholling]

It sounds like the subs that you have heard were either incorrectly setup or of poor quality. A good quality sub setup correctly will compliment speakers not muddy the bass.

 

[Ponzio]

That well may be [the room was a mess acoustically; standard office ceiling tile, the left side of the room filled with all kinds of receivers, amps, DV units, etc. sticking out on racks another 2’] but this isn’t the first time I’ve been unhappy listening to this type of setup.

The music just didn’t sound unified to me; if that makes any sense. Keep in mind that I’m 55 and my ears have taken a beating over the years with all the concerts, clubs, riding a motorcycle without ear plugs once in awhile and let’s not forget having to listen to Man of War for the last 30 years.

 

[TjMV3]

The C603 does have a better and stronger bass response than the C403.

I know this because I have heard both off them, in the same system.

But I have no idea if it will satisfy your own personal bass needs.


What kind of music do you listen to? What are you using as a source for the music?

How will you be setting them up (placement)? On bookshelf speaker stands?

On your desk? Other?

They are a rear ported design, so they do deliver their best bass roughly 18 to 24 inches off the backwall. If you place them up against a backwall or only a few inches from the backwall; you will be disappointed in the bass response.

How far from the sidewalls will each C603 be placed?

How far from the speakers is your sitting/listening position?

The C603 won't have a problem cranking in a 14' X 14' room. I know this because I had them in a very similar 15' X 15' room and they sounded great.

I don't know much about your receiver, so I have no idea how the C603 will mate with it. But they are a 6 ohm speaker and they do drop down to 3 ohm and hang around the 4 ohm area when there's deep bass. They like good quality power. They responded wonderfully to seperate amplifiers, too.

A quality receiver withn a quality power supply.......should have no problem driving them and pumping excellent bass.

How you define excellent bass, is another story in itself.

In other words, your guess is as good as mine

 

[sholling]

BTW there are some Vanns sales on Jamo setups posted in the the deals area. I've never heard them so can't give an opinion.

 

[Ponzio]

Sorry for the late response … little family crisis.

TjMV3:

They will be hooked up to a Yamaha RX-V1070 [110W RMS at 8 ohm] with 2 sources, a Philips CD player and the line out from my PC audio card to the Yamaha tape in. Power is not an issue.

The speakers will be placed on a shelf of a 3 tier entertainment center at ear level 9 feet apart. I should be able to come off about 14” from the back of the shelf, which would put the speakers about 6 feet in front of me. It’s funny that you say I should be 18” to 24” from the back of the wall. The salesman told me the exact opposite but he didn’t seem to be the sharpest tool in the shed to begin with. He quoted me $200 for the 403’s and when I got home the WWS web site has them advertised for $119.98.

sholling:

Thanks for the heads up.

 

[TjMV3]

14" from the wall is not ideal for the C603, but you'll get pretty good bass response with that.

I have no way of knowing if the Jamo C603 are the speakers for you, though. I have no idea if their bass response and overall sound is what you're looking for.

Any chance you can find some dealer in your area who may have them, so you can audition them?

And Sholling is right. The subs you heard must have been setup incorrectly and not dialed in at all. Subwoofers may be the way for you to go, if you're really looking for the best bass slam for your money; regardless of what bookshelf speakers you decide to buy. But again, it's difficult to determine what your idea of "better bass" is.

 

[ohskigod]

I hear ya on the wife approval factor. thats a shame as I am quite familiar with those LS70's. That was a very underated line of speakers (I had the LS90's and still miss them). If you really have to replace them, go with a tower. it's not about wether you can go without a sub, it's about it requiring the sub to cut off at lower frequencies (which helps reduce the "HI, I'M A SUB AND HERE I AM IN THIS ROOM" factor.....basically, if you're running a sub and you can tell there is a sub in the room, the sub is not set up right.

in my experience, getting a sub to blend right has been easier with towers, but obviously this is not an absolute rule. If you're actually watching movies and whanot, you're going to need the sub no matter what.

if it's all for music? thats a different story.

 

[Ponzio]

I love my LS70’s but when you think about it they are bit overkill for a 14”x14 room. I knew whatever I replace them with I was never going to get the depth and soundstage, especially in a bookshelf, unless I spent above what I have currently budgeted. Even a smaller/thinner tower than the LS70’s will place me beyond what I want to spend, so I’m trying to get the most bang for the buck and hopefully down the road a sub will pop up on Craig’s List or this site to round it out. For all my toys [electronics, computers, motorcycles], one of my self-imposed virtues is patience; otherwise I’d be broke or divorced.

My office [aka The Fortress of Solitude] is geared toward music; I have a perfectly good HT system in my living room. My biggest problem right now is finding a local sound shop with a set of C603’s to listen to. I’ve called 3 authorized JAMO dealers with no success. I’m waiting for a call back from the 4th store. The kid who answered the phone told me that “Andy” wasn’t in and he didn’t know if they had any on display since he took care of the video section ... Uh?

I haven't bought any major audio equipment in 10 years and Internet commerce has been both a blessing and a curse. I can get a great price for a speaker but I can’t listen to it. The dealers are constantly trying to scare you, saying that if you buy off the internet the manufacturer will not honor the warranty. There has to be a better way.

 

[ohskigod]

I get your frustration. if you have this system just for music (already having a theater in the livingroom), I would make this a 2 channel system. There are bookeshelves out there that will sound great in a 14' by 14' room without the need for a sub.

I usually don't buy new speakers unless I can get ears on it, or get feedback from a number of people I trust. IF I get speakers sound unheard, I stick to the used market as you have a far better chance recovering your money on resale. Thats just me though.

I've heard Jamo speakers about 5 years ago, can't remember what store they were in. I remember them being pretty good, espescially for the price.

I don't remember details, and definitly not model numbers.

 

[Ponzio]

There are bookeshelves out there that will sound great in a 14' by 14' room without the need for a sub.

Absolutely, we just remodeled the kitchen and I installed a 30W Onkyo micro-component system with a set of PSB cherry Alpha B-1’s for the Missus and she loves it, especially since they match the cabinets. The sound is fantastic wherever you’re sitting and makes my occasional appearances in there bearable. Originally I hooked up a spare set of Athena AS-B1’s but aesthetically the black ash didn’t pass muster for her so I put them in with the HTS as surrounds and now we have peace in the valley.

Worse case scenario I’ll just get another pair of the Alpha B-1’s [$239, including shipping] and “suffer” with them in the office.

 

[Ponzio]

Well I took a little dip in the pond; I purchased a set of C403’s. The price was too good to pass up at WWS [taxes & tags = $127].

My initial reaction hasn’t changed much from the store demo; great mid-range [vocals, piano & horns just shine throughout; playing Dr. John’s “In a Sentimental Mood” cd right now] and good highs but ever so slightly lacking in the bass department. As TjMV3 correctly pointed out though, speaker placement with the Jamo’s is very important, there’s not much room for error. My office is still in anarchy mode and only the right speaker has the recommended 24” off the back wall placement and I noticed an immediate difference. Will a 30-40 hour burn in make a difference? Don’t know but your fearless reporter will let you know.

As I stated in my previous post, if I’m not satisfied with these puppies, they will make great surrounds in my HTS. So it’s back to musical chairs with the Athena’s and PSB speakers; though I doubt the wife will give them up voluntarily. Meanwhile I’m getting dirty looks from the LS70’s.

 

[Ponzio]

Can anyone recommend a 36” speaker stand for the C403 or similarly sized speaker?

The American Recorder (ART) Studio Monitor model has caught my eye and the Sanus Natural Foundations NF36c less so.