Modern Jamo S 803's or ADS l300e's for a near field setup

[DAV1326]

Let me preface this with the fact that I don't know if this is the correct forum for this question, as this is the first time I've used this website. My apologies if I'm cluttering this section with an irrelevant question. Anyways, I am building my first hifi setup and I have everything except for the speakers. I am looking for a small set of speakers to fit on my desk, and they will each be in a corner. Due to this, I have decided against any speakers that are rear ported. The Jamo S 803's seemed like the best set of speakers for me at $130, but I decided to check if there was any good deals on used speakers near me. I found a pair of a/d/s l300e's with the matching sub 6 for $75, but I don't need the subwoofer since I already have a decent NHT 6in sub. Which set of speakers do you guys think would sound the best? I know that the Jamos have their v shaped sound signature similar to my meze 99 noir headphones, but would the a/d/s set have a flatter frequency response like my m50x's? Which speakers do you guys think would have more detail and sound better for a music/multimedia (mostly gaming) desk setup? Thanks for any help

 

[Grenadeslio]

Let me preface this with the fact that I don't know if this is the correct forum for this question, as this is the first time I've used this website. My apologies if I'm cluttering this section with an irrelevant question. Anyways, I am building my first hifi setup and I have everything except for the speakers. I am looking for a small set of speakers to fit on my desk, and they will each be in a corner. Due to this, I have decided against any speakers that are rear ported. The Jamo S 803's seemed like the best set of speakers for me at $130, but I decided to check if there was any good deals on used speakers near me. I found a pair of A/D/S l300e's with the matching sub 6 for $75, but I don't need the subwoofer since I already have a decent NHT 6in sub. Which set of speakers do you guys think would sound the best? I know that the Jamos have their v shaped sound signature similar to my meze 99 noir headphones, but would the ADS set have a flatter frequency response like my m50x's? Which speakers do you guys think would have more detail and sound better for a music/multimedia (mostly gaming) desk setup? Thanks for any help

both good options, ADS have a good following here and I really like my Jamo C-103's.

That said you could keep an eye on these, small speaker with some real punch.


These include an 8" passive radiator built into the side.



I'm currently using a pair as surrounds with my Jamos as mains and a Jamo C-10 as my center, all driven with dedicated amps. The Deftechs are powered with a Carver TFM 15cb with 150watts of power.

 

[David_NC]

I've used a pair of L300e's on my desk for a couple years. I made 8" riser stands out of 3/4" black iron pipe and fittings and a couple blocks of wood to elevate them a bit. Paired with an RBH subwoofer, it's an awesome setup desktop. I have ADS speakers in my other systems, and they have the same smoothness as the others with (obviously) less bass. Their size makes them ideal for such use, in my opinion. Mine are powered by a 15 watt Onkyo mini receiver, and that's plenty for nearfield use.

edit: That's a good price for the L300's these days, especially with no shipping involved.

 

[DAV1326]

both good options, ADS have a good following here and I really like my Jamo C-103's.

That said you could keep an eye on these, small speaker with some real punch.
View attachment 2148104

These include an 8" passive radiator built into the side.
View attachment 2148106


I'm currently using a pair as surrounds with my Jamos as mains and a Jamo C-10 as my center, all driven with dedicated amps. The Deftechs are powered with a Carver TFM 15cb with 150watts of power.

Thanks for the reply. Honestly I wasn't sure if I would find anyone on here with Jamo speakers, and I'm glad that you had a good experience with them. I'm gonna take that as a point towards the Jamos. I'll also take a look at that speaker you linked, I didn't know that definitve made more affordable speakers.

 

[Grenadeslio]

Thanks for the reply. Honestly I wasn't sure if I would find anyone on here with Jamo speakers, and I'm glad that you had a good experience with them. I'm gonna take that as a point towards the Jamos. I'll also take a look at that speaker you linked, I didn't know that definitve made more affordable speakers.

Those are used and the auction could go anywhere, just mentioned watching them, you might be able to snipe them for a good price just before the sale ends.

As you can see here these originally retailed for $500 when new 10yrs ago.


You can read the full review here.
https://hometheaterreview.com/defin...itor-350-bookshelf-loudspeakers-reviewed/amp/

 

[DAV1326]

I've used a pair of L300e's on my desk for a couple years. I made 8" riser stands out of 3/4" black iron pipe and fittings and a couple blocks of wood to elevate them a bit. Paired with an RBH subwoofer, it's an awesome setup desktop. I have ADS speakers in my other systems, and they have the same smoothness as the others with (obviously) less bass. Their size makes them ideal for such use, in my opinion. Mine are powered by a 15 watt Onkyo mini receiver, and that's plenty for nearfield use.

Yeah, power was one of my concerns. I was considering the Micca rb42's until I found out that they're really power hungry (I have a JVC jr-s300 that only provides 50wpc). Both of these speakers should be easily driven with my receiver though. How would you describe the sound of ADS speakers? Are they fairly neutral? I kinda want speakers that slightly favor the warm side so I wasn't sure about the sound of ADS's.

 

[DAV1326]

Those are used and the auction could go anywhere, just mentioned watching them, you might be able to snipe them for a good price just before the sale ends.

As you can see here these originally retailed for $500 when new 10yrs ago.
View attachment 2148133

You can read the full review here.
https://hometheaterreview.com/defin...itor-350-bookshelf-loudspeakers-reviewed/amp/

Yeah that's one downside of ebay auctions. Bidding late is the best strategy, and I don't know how effective this actually is, but I like to bookmark listings instead of watching them as to draw less attention and keep them lower on the search results.

 

[Grenadeslio]

Yeah, power was one of my concerns. I was considering the Micca rb42's until I found out that they're really power hungry (I have a JVC jr-s300 that only provides 50wpc). Both of these speakers should be easily driven with my receiver though. How would you describe the sound of ADS speakers? Are they fairly neutral? I kinda want speakers that slightly favor the warm side so I wasn't sure about the sound of ADS's.

Here you go, best "little" speaker like it.

Canton Plus S, really surprising bass output and a smooth silk dome tweeter.


They made a matching passive sub the Plus C


My son is rocking this setup with my old 35watt Lafayette amp from the 70's.


They also came in white, and the much more rare wood veneer.



In this guise the subwoofer originally sold for $650 if memory serves, some really fine engineering.

You can often find the setup in white or black for under $200.

 

[David_NC]

Yeah, power was one of my concerns. I was considering the Micca rb42's until I found out that they're really power hungry (I have a JVC jr-s300 that only provides 50wpc). Both of these speakers should be easily driven with my receiver though. How would you describe the sound of ADS speakers? Are they fairly neutral? I kinda want speakers that slightly favor the warm side so I wasn't sure about the sound of ADS's.

I'd describe them as neutral to warm. They tend to be accurate but never harsh, in my experience. I own several models, and this carries over to all of them. I do not like harsh or bright speakers, which is probably one reason I like the ADS sound so much. They are very popular on these forums with many threads, so that might help, too. As for power... when you're sitting a yard or so from speakers, I don't think any really require a lot of power.

 

[Grenadeslio]

I'd describe them as neutral to warm. They tend to be accurate but never harsh, in my experience. I own several models, and this carries over to all of them. I do not like harsh or bright speakers, which is probably one reason I like the ADS sound so much. They are very popular on these forums with many threads, so that might help, too. As for power... when you're sitting a yard or so from speakers, I don't think any really require a lot of power.

but some require a robust amp to sound their best even if not taxing the amp

 

[DAV1326]

I'd describe them as neutral to warm. They tend to be accurate but never harsh, in my experience. I own several models, and this carries over to all of them. I do not like harsh or bright speakers, which is probably one reason I like the ADS sound so much. They are very popular on these forums with many threads, so that might help, too. As for power... when you're sitting a yard or so from speakers, I don't think any really require a lot of power.

That sounds great actually, that was exactly what I was looking for. I'll actually be able to demo them next weekend so I'll see how much I like them, and if I don't then I'll pick up the Jamos. Thanks!

 

[David_NC]

but some require a robust amp to sound their best even if not taxing the amp

Agreed. I suppose I should have said most smaller speakers that'd be used on a desk in a nearfield situation shouldn't need a lot of power. .

 

[David_NC]

That sounds great actually, that was exactly what I was looking for. I'll actually be able to demo them next weekend so I'll see how much I like them, and if I don't then I'll pick up the Jamos. Thanks!

It sounds like you'll have a nice, smallish system with that receiver and sub, once you add speakers. Let us know which you decide on.

 

[Grenadeslio]

Agreed. I suppose I should have said most smaller speakers that'd be used on a desk in a nearfield situation shouldn't need a lot of power. .

Ya, I have several smallish speakers that require quality power but I also wouldn't consider them desktop near field speakers either.

The Cantons above deserve quality power but are happy with lower powered receivers etc like the Lafayette I posted.

I have several pairs of the Canton Plus S, at least 1/2 dozen of the Minimus 7, a pair of the A/D/S L200, and used to have a pair of Vanco Compac 50's. All versions of the same little speaker, ranking as follows.

The Cantons first, they're the L200's equals in the upper registers only with more robust bass output.

The A/D/S second only to the Cantons due to lack of real bass.

The Vancos next, great power handling but thin in the lower registers and a bit bright.

The venerable Minimus 7 last but not least. these may not have the best bass, or smoothest highs (tweeter dependent), or handle the most power, but when on sale they sold for 1/3 the cost of the least expensive of the others, so they sold like hotcakes.

Canton also like A/D/S made larger versions of the mini speaker, similar to the L300 the GL260.

 

[Grenadeslio]

Thanks for the reply. Honestly I wasn't sure if I would find anyone on here with Jamo speakers, and I'm glad that you had a good experience with them. I'm gonna take that as a point towards the Jamos. I'll also take a look at that speaker you linked, I didn't know that definitve made more affordable speakers.

Jamo is not a well known name here, but they made outstanding speakers.

 

[DAV1326]

It sounds like you'll have a nice, smallish system with that receiver and sub, once you add speakers. Let us know which you decide on.

I went to look at the a/d/s speakers yesterday and while the housings were a little scratched up, the drivers looked perfect. I decided to buy them without testing them first, which was a risky move but it's one I'm glad I made. These things sound amazing. They have a soundstage and stereo separation that I haven't heard out of a set of speakers. The highs also sound great, cimbals and stuff sound clear. I'm also probably going to use the a/d/s subwoofer over the nht one just because its a lot smaller and I don't have to use a separate subwoofer amp. It also seems to get pretty loud.

 

[DAV1326]

So I got out my dad's old nht superzeros today and I thought I would add my opinion of those compared to the a/d/s speakers I recently picked up. The nht's are beat up pretty badly, and the surface of the tweeters looks rough, so maybe don't take the comparison real seriously. I really just wanted to make sure that the a/d/s' are as good as I think they are. Anyways, the nht's seem to be more mid centric and the treble seems to be a bit more recessed. Of course neither has any real deep bass response since they're tiny sealed bookshelves. They also don't have quite the soundstage of the a/d/s set. They do seem to be a little more detailed with the vocals and such, but they don't pull out the minute details as well. I still like the a/d/s speakers more, and since I have the matching center and subwoofer I may use them in a surround setup. I may also pick up a set of Cantons like the ones Grenadeslio mentioned and see how those stack up against the other two.