Jamo S810 Sub Subwoofer
Fifty-year experience of creating a variety of speaker systems gives Jamo specialists more opportunities to implement their ideas and, exactly in this case, design ideas. S810 Sub belongs to the new series Jamo Studio 8, made in a strict conceptual style for conflict-free integration into the interior of a modern city apartment. For example, floor S809, which we have chosen as a stereo pair for testing the subwoofer in 2.1 configuration.
The case of S810 Sub is made in an unusual form factor - the sides' proportions are 5.1:4:2.3, so it takes less space in the room than a traditional cube. A 10-inch long-stroke driver with a synthetic polyfiber diffuser is installed on the wide lateral plane. It is closed with a frame with a stretched cord - the same is used for grills in the entire Studio 8 series. There are no external elements that show the belonging to sound-reproducing devices. The control panel, network input and the slotted port of the bass-reflex are located below and are not visible, therefore, theoretically, the subwoofer can be placed anywhere and on either side to the audience. In practice, everything is a little different, but let's discuss it below.
The built-in D class amplifier with a power of 75 W (150 W in peak) in combination with a sensitive driver is capable of creating sound pressure up to 110 dB, and this is a solid value for a subwoofer for such a cost. Operating range is from 36 to 200 Hz. The phase is inverted with a 0/180 degree toggle switch; automatic switching is provided when a signal appears at the input. Input is single - linear, mono. Finishing is as in the whole series, black or white matt or dark walnut. In combination with a relief fabric the narrow and tall case looks stylish.
In our system,Jamo S810 Sub was connected to an adjustable linear output of Emotiva TA-100 amplifier, and this is convenient - when adjusting the volume, the level ratio between the low-frequency channel and the front speakers did not change. The nature of bass also strongly depends on where the driver is directed. In our case, the optimal effect was achieved when the subwoofer was installed near the wall, "facing" it, not in parallel, but at a small angle so that the reflected wave had an exit. With a cut-off frequency of 55 Hz and a loudness of about ? of the maximum, a feeling of larger volume, thoroughness and fullness of sound appeared in the music. But we had to choose the level very carefully - a slightest overrun may cause buzzing notes in the upper case. You could easily get rid of them by turning the sub's driver out, but at the same time the power was weakened at the very bottom. However, setting of any 2.1 system takes time and patience.
Low-frequency effects were quite realistic at the playing test tracks with Blu-ray: neither compression nor obvious distortions were felt. Kick is impressive, even infra-low component was present. The main thing in such a system is to choose a combination of settings in order to avoid room resonances.
For small rooms Jamo S810 Sub is quite a suitable option, especially if the receiver has a bass manager with equalizer. In this case, the sub can really be put anywhere and in any way. But also in the 2.1 configuration with the usual amplifier it will give a noticeable increase in quality regardless of whether your system is - at floor or shelf. And it will become not only a part of the sound complex, but also an element of the interior, and this can't be said about every subwoofer.
