Best Speaker Under $300 - Polk XT20 vs Sony SSCS5 vs Jamo C93 II vs Emotiva B1+

[@nobody1841]

I chose the Polk xt20 because they go down to 38hz - after inserting soundproofing sheets w butel tape backing (Amazon) and lined the insides, added half a pillow worth of polyfill, and replaced the speaker posts' steel nuts & washers w brass ones. No more cabinet resonance ! No more muddy bass!! They sound tight & incredible, they really do.

[@Mark-ix8rz]

I've owned both the Jamo's and the Sony's. I still have the Sony's and after 3 weeks the Jamo's were sent back. I think describing the mid-range as lean is an understatement I found it to be completely lacking. I couldn't use depth and describing these because without the meat and potatoes of a speaker that being the mids it just sounds anemic. It's really too bad because the highs on it are outstanding. The Sony's on the other hand can be had for as little as $80 on sale and are a more well-rounded speaker. And with the low price and the mods that can be done to really make it a very good speaker which in my opinion makes it better than the Jamo. I honestly don't know why anyone would spend money on a speaker that is purposely built with a good portion of reproduction just missing. Reminds me of the old story of The Emperor's New Clothes

[@RobertSpiller]

Hey Mark,,,got a question...do you have or do you think there's a need for a subwoofer? I'm getting the Sony's too.

[@Mark-ix8rz]

@@RobertSpiller bought the 10-in powered sub from Dayton audio. It's cheap and it works really well. I would definitely consider using a sub with the Sony's

[@weaselpopper]

My Jamo C93II did not sound good on some tracks or poor recordings when new but after several weeks they sounded great. I love them now. They warm up and the smile EQ goes away a bit also. The Sony`s did nothing for me. I sent them to a guest room as basic tv speakers.

[@nc3419]

Did the sound characteristic really change that much or do you think you just got accustomed to them? Something about them really grated on me but I did like the resolution and detail. That these have.

[@OrdinaryKoopa]

I own the Sony speakers but really itching for the Jamos. Thank you for your review. You won a new subscriber in me.

[@MattCoykendall1]

Thanks for watching!

[@jma4038]

Thanks for posting on Reddit as well. Subscribed!

[@nc3419]

I really wanted to like the Jamos. Tried them in my system and liked their overall sound. Mids were more matter of fact, analytical than fluid but still nice enough for the price. In black, they were nothing special looking but didn't take up much space. as to resolution and detail, for the price you won't find anything that will outright beat them, these resolve better than many speakers at double the price. The issue I had and a big one, and something I never had with any other speaker was these somehow grated on me, not even so much as aurally but something about them got on my nerves to the point that around 20 minutes in I found them no longer enjoyable to listen to. It could be the extreme U shape curve where the highs shoot up considerably and may grate on one's nerves. As I stated, it was more a feeling than hearing something unpleasant. Very strange. If you are not experiencing that, and enjoy the sound, you got an excellent value in the speakers for the discounted price. If on the other hand you experienced more or less what I described, or if these are just to bright, then regardless of price, discount, etc., they will not be good to listen to. Easier with movies than music where I had most of the problem occur. As a sidenote, the smaller 91ii is not just a smaller sounding similar sound to the 93ii, that speaker is just too small and sounds anemic, bland, whose performance isn't even commensurate with an under $200 speaker. Only if you need rear speakers in a 4/5 channel setup, etc. They don't even perform well nearfield IMO.

[@MattCoykendall1]

Yeah listening to the Jamo is like that for a lot of people a fun listen but maybe not what I would pick for a long listen.

[@bmanh2355]

I compare to Polk Es20, no comparison. These Jamo’s lack depth. Crystal clear, but that’s it.

[@yvesboutin5604]

Hi Matt! Very nice presentation which highlight the strenghs and weaknesses of each models! If you could compared some Elac models with some Klipsch or JBL, that would be nice. Thanks for your effort!

[@MattCoykendall1]

I agree, next round I will try to bring in some of the familiar faces from other competitors.

[@yvesboutin5604]

@@MattCoykendall1 Thanks!

[@bentlyist]

Great review, thank you! I think the weights on the Sonys and Jamos may be off on your chart. (89+ lbs and 6+ respectively; you may want to check that)

[@MattCoykendall1]

Hey, thanks for the watch and good catch, you end up with 89lb Sony’s when you do your video editing while your sick haha, the Sony is 9lb 14oz and the Jamo is roughly 14lbs!

[@bentlyist]

@@MattCoykendall1 Thank you for the update!

[@moisesguerra4187]

Thanks, this is very useful. For home theater which would you recommend? Or is there one out of this bunch you recommend?

[@MattCoykendall1]

All of these would fair well, one variable might be the size of the room and your preference for the top end. The Jamo and Sony may seem a bit more pronounced in dialogue which some will either like or dislike.

[@RAININGBLOOD78]

Hello, I'm just starting to learn about this topic and I began with a pair of Edifier r1280 speakers. I find that type of sound unpleasant, as if it's coming from a completely closed box, with the vocals in the background and little detail in the highs. I'm looking for something that allows me to enjoy Metal music and when watching series, I want the vocals to be more upfront and clearer. Among the options in the video, which one would be the best for me? I'm sorry if my question is silly, but my English isn't good, and I would like to confirm if the Jamo speakers are the right model for me. Thank you.

[@MattCoykendall1]

The Jamo and emotiva will bring great detail.

[@manzarek74]

Do you know how jamo compared to Dali spektor ?

[@СергейТерещенко-ы3с]

Hi Matt! What is better for techno/metal music without sub., Polk Audio XT20, Monitor Audio Monitor 100, Heco Victa Prime 302 ? Thanks.

[@MattCoykendall1]

I’m not familiar with the Hecto but I would say the monitor 100 is a step above the Polk and likely the Hecto is as well judging by what I read. The Polk is a great budget option though that can produce some very usable low end.

[@СергейТерещенко-ы3с]

@@MattCoykendall1 Thank you. What can you say about Jamo C93? Is this a full speaker without a subwoofer? In the Jamo C 93 ii line these are the top bookshelves for today. And as I understand it, they are already playing at the level of an average hi-fi. That is, it is Monitor Audio Silver or Dynaudio Emit. I understand correctly ? Thank you.

[@DieTabbi]

Did you buy the Monitor Audio? The Silver 100 is a speaker I ,isten to for ex ept Metal or Techno more Jazz.

[@Jeschitown]

polk audio xt20 or polk audio monitor 40s?

[@dinogiolitti2844]

Best one for metal in an 11x14 office?

[@jonathanginofilippi]

Watch gr research channel

[@amanieux]

what about powered studio monitors, will it have a better sound quality/price ratio than one of these passive speakers + aiyima a07 ?

[@donalddeorio2237]

I bought a pair of Sony's for my desktop system and I love it. Detail is good Bass is adequate. Got mine for $75 great buy

[@ShaileshPatel-le8cq]

Which Front Bookshelf speakers are better in medium budget with Yamaha HTR 3072 AVR

[@MattCoykendall1]

What price range you thinking?

[@asqmate]

Never thought id see speaker reviews a la hostage video

[@crazyprayingmantis5596]

😂 it feels like it

[@MattCoykendall1]

Ha, Fair enough!

[@timharbert7145]

Sonys vs the Kendall's?

[@PrezidentHughes]

Quite a take on the Jamo. Some have totally thrashed it for it's V-shaped EQ. You are much more forgiving. Something that probably could have been is the race is the Kanto YU 5.25 Passive, maybe. 🤷🏾‍♂️

[@MattCoykendall1]

Right, I wouldn't mind getting that Kanto in for review.

[@corkydukeII5898]

MOST of the affordable mass-market produced speakers are v-shaped

[@chrisy4011]

Airmotiv hands down.

[@MattCoykendall1]

It’s a great speaker option in this range

[@mikedinno8413]

The NHT SuperOne 2.1 has a 6.5 inch driver and is around that price point. Good speaker.

[@MattCoykendall1]

Hey Mike, thanks I will check that one out.

[@rickyla9892]

I want the 6.5 inches Polk but my experience with the Polk is lack of clarity from the tweeter except the killer bass that beats my Klipsh. Does the enhanced tweeter with the T20 do an acceptable job?

[@MattCoykendall1]

I think it does an acceptable job personally, not an ultra detailed sound but then again many don’t want that anyways. The Polk is also very forgiving on position with a wide dispersion.

[@rickyla9892]

Thx for your advice, I like the punching bass from Polk but can not play soft music like Klipsch . I tried the Sony and I returned it right away because it has no bass at all

[@MattCoykendall1]

@@rickyla9892 Bass is definitely not the selling point of those Sony's, pretty light on that side, I like them for a lot of other reasons but I need a sub with that pair.

[@rickyla9892]

I got the Polk Audio Monitor 40 sounds amazing, and I am buying the Polk XT20 for Trance and Techno I listen to a lot so bass is what I need. And I already tried the Sony SSCS5 but little disappointed without bass and I can't play that loud enough. And I have compared that to the entry level of Polk T15 that clearly demonstrated Sony is lack of any bass. I don't like to turn on my subwoofer all the time so speakers with bass is a big factor of my taste in purchase. Thx for your short and clear details for comparison!

[@aggiexc]

Thanks Matt! I've had my eye on this Jamo line and you review gave me more confidence until I audition or purchase them.

[@MattCoykendall1]

Yeah it’s a nice speaker, not sure how much longer they will be available, feels like it’s been on “close out” pricing for quite a while.

[@larryh.4629]

Grab them now because I hear jamo has been acquired by another firm and no longer klipsh owned. These prices are no accident. If you treat them well they may go up in value. I've got mine plus a spare pair. Nice Soundstage and fits my fixed income.

[@MattCoykendall1]

@@larryh.4629 Yes, these won’t be around for much longer!

[@bpalpha]

A set from Fluance would've added to the mix. Interesting review though. Also the JBL A130's.

[@MattCoykendall1]

Yes I agree and I will keep those in mind for another, appreciate the watch!

[@Space-O-2001]

Was thinking the exact same thing!

[@Alex-dn5hi]

The Sony weighs how much?

[@larryh.4629]

I own a pair not that I needed them but 8 months ago amazon had them for $73 how could I pass I'm sure you can get the vitals on Amazon but my guess would be 9.5 lb each. I won't say anything bad about them since my room is small and I've never had enough space to give them a real listen. But my jamos sing and I heard things I have never heard from a speaker. Ever. Budgetwise they are $118 pair now that's not bad and worth that or wait them out they go on sale when amazon needs room in the warehouse like I say I paid $73 and who knows but this economy you may never see them again

[@spoiler9112]

1:43 That would be 89.92 lbs. :)

[@HumbleTrader001]

Can't believe how much they play games with the pricing on the Sonys. I don't think I paid much more than $100 for the pair, and they were as low as $120 a couple of weeks ago, but now everyone is selling them for almost $200 a pair. LOL What's the deal with all the fluctuation on the pricing? Why are they playing games like that?

[@MattCoykendall1]

Yeah I remember picking them up for 79, not sure we will get that low again. 200 feels like a stretch but I think it’s still a fair buy as high as 150, just don’t pay that much if at all possible.

[@jimbo4203]

I just got a set of the Polk xt20 's at Best buy, open box excellent for 149 , and can't wait to hear them

[@Xantylon74]

I have some Jamo MFB 100 from 1979, they beat everthing here, believe me.

[@МаксимДолгов-е7е]

only in your dreams

[@nextari]

Thanks! My only visual preference is the Polk (just ordered with Sony, and Elac B6.2). Jamo I had to rule out on appearance alone, looks like a $10 K-Mart speaker.

[@y.k.9705]

Emotima is a good speaker. Gamo is good too.

[@NickyNicest]

JBL 530 smokes all of them when on sale for sub $300

[@MattCoykendall1]

I still need to get those in house.

[@pazi402]

I’ve got the 580 as mains and they are incredible! Just wish the line was bigger for the compression driver in-wall or in-ceiling.

[@KB-gt2xl]

Genuine question for you, with no hate intended at all...with reviewers like Erin's Audio Corner and AudioScienceReview being able to objectively review these speakers with their Klippel devices, what is the purpose of a purely subjective review like this? We have no idea how much of your opinion is biased by your own tastes, hearing, and room acoustics.

[@MattCoykendall1]

Hey KB, no worries on the question. My honest answer is measurements are not the end all be all, they are a really great guide and may be able to help identify what types of speakers you prefer but they are not everything when it comes to actually hearing the speakers. One great application for subjective listening is say I like speaker A because of its warm tone and to go even further I really like it with a particular genre of music, then I compare it to speaker B and say its none of these things. My viewer who could be you may have these same listening preferences and be led to speakers that match their preference, we can find commonalities in things we like. I completely appreciate everything Erins Audio Corner does, I'm a viewer myself, I enjoy the measurements as well as the subjective side of audio. Thanks for the question.

[@richi5831]

Word of advice, when someone says they’re not hating, they’re definitely hating. Great response to his question which they didn’t even bother to acknowledge.

[@chrisgibsonjr6777]

Sony looks the coolest Emotiva is weird but good looking. Polk is classic looking (good) Jamo is ugly.

[@jackdale9249]

now review the same sony SSCS5 speakers w/ the upgrade kit fr Danny of GR engineering and/ or fr Neil neilblanchard designs go ahead i dare you ! i double dare you ! LOL 🙂blind A-B test ! pick a winner !

[@AllenTolbert-ld9ms]

Everyone always just talks people play them🙄

[@zukispur5493]

Get yourself a pair of leak sandwich 600s . £200 £250. They'll slap up all these.

[@MattCoykendall1]

Leak Sandwich alone is a great name