Home > Consumer Reviews > Jamo i300B - iPod Speaker System - Black

I bought these speakers in probably the same circumstances as everyone else - looking for a decent docking station for my iPod. My first port of call was Bose - however, after reading numerous reviews, I came across a comment by a lady who mentioned that Bose weren't quite as good as everyone thought they were - a little-known company by the name of 'Jamo' were producing speakers that were cheaper with a better sound quality.

I subsequently switched my research to Jamo - and thanks to the kind buyers who took the time to write honest, informative comments about these speakers, I was able to make a wise choice that I would otherwise have missed. I won't go into the technical side of things - it's already been mentioned in great depth on other reviews - all I can say is that everyone on Amazon who has written a review on these speakers has got it exactly right - the sound quality is AMAZING - cranking up the volume does not distort the sound in any way and though the speakers are very small - don't be fooled, they really are mind-blowing. I've got them mounted on two corners of the ceiling and the subwoofer positioned between the two but under a sideboard - there's absolutely no clutter - or dust! - just a small docking kit, my iPod and fantastic sounds.

I will agree that the remote is more akin to something you'd expect on a child's play thing - it's flimsy and doesn't work in the way it's claimed, you need to be standing (or sitting) in front of the speakers for it to work and since all the buttons look and feel exactly the same, it's difficult to find the right one on a dark Winter evening. However, I couldn't reduce the 5 star rating for something as trivial as that, the quality of sound from this system deserves 10 out of 5 - it exceeded my expectations totally and for me the whole purpose of buying this system was to listen to some high quality sounds - Jamo have certainly come up trumps with that.

Buy with confidence, you won't regret it.

Ok, so it's a lot of money. But the sound, look and build quality explain why. I remember the big old Jamo speakers of the 90's they haven't lost their touch. I very rarely write reviews but this deserves one, if you thinking about about a Bose sounddock, but are prepared to sacrifice portability then get this, there is no comparison for a serious music lover.

Good:
The sound quality is excellent all frequencies are catered for with the treble and mid (and surprisingly some mid-low) being produced clearly at any volume form the reassuringly heavy (and wall mountable) satellites. The 6 inch sub (which houses the amp, satellite connections, iPod dock input and aux 3.5mm jack input) more than does itself justice, I have not managed to overwhelm it yet, plenty of floor vibrating good quality low end even at 80Hz and lower.

The iPod dock (which I don't actually use day to day - this is my PC sound output system using the aux in on the back of the sub) sits under my iMac and houses the volume jog wheel, a mute button (doubles as the power button) a sub button (push this and then use the jog wheel to set the sub level independently to the volume level), a second aux in and a video out (this is to transmit an iPod video out to a screen input).

Using the aux in on the back of the sub does not override the iPod dock or vice versa, so you can charge (or even play) your iPod whilst listening the any source plugged into the sub's aux in. However using the additional aux in on the back of the dock module does override the iPod dock itself.

Bad:
Not a lot really every thing on this list is very picky, but all added up deducts one star from a perfect system.

- Remote is crap, poor buttons, just handy for changing volume from bed in my case.
- Blue LED volume bar on the dock unit, poor design, looks a bit messy and inaccurate.
- Dock unit is not quite the same build quality as the rest of the system, shame.
- System does not work without the dock unit attached, as it houses the volume control/power button, which is a bit of a poor design with regards to flexibility of use.
- Apart from the sub level, the system has no EQ/Bass/Trebble controls (although an Ipod/iTunes Equaliser will sort this).

Summary:
You won't be disappointed, if your looking for a iPod/PC/iMac/DVD/console/mixer/TV output system for this price there is no alternative. This will do you for a small house party, as long as you don't require a portable system, buy it.

A truely awesome bit of kit. Extremely easy to set up, discreet speakers but dont be fooled by their size. They are wolves in sheeps clothing.
Check the internet, a better price can be found
A serious bit of kit for music lovers - be warned - put the pets out of the room !

Like another reviewer, I would really like to give this system 5 stars but after very disappointing customer service from Jamo I can't. Yes it is very well made with a great sound but has a couple of let downs. i) The docking connection is not good. My ipod classic sits unsupported in the connection. All of the adapters are a waste of time so I'm sure it's just a matter of time until the ipod it gets knocked whilst in place in the dock and the connections become bent or wobbly. ii) I dropped my rating to 4 stars (& considered 3) because Jamo have completely ignored my contacts over problems with the very tacky remote control. Contrary to the advertising ("..Using radio frequencies, it can transmit a signal from metres away and even through obstacles such as furniture, ceilings or walls. You can control the i300, your iPod and your music choices even if you're in a completely different room" - not true) this is a very poor remote. My control only works within a few metres of the unit, and then only if standing straight in front of it. It's battery also lasted just a couple of months. Not such a big deal maybe but I have I dropped my star rating simply because Jamo can't even be bothered to reply to polite emails pointing this out. I hope nothing more serious develops with this as I don't hold out hope of Jamo being interested.

I could not praise this system anymore than anyone else on here, they are all right, this system is perfect and plays my music superbly, from Meat loaf to Frank Sinatra it all sounds perfect and like you're in the studio watching them sing it live. I cannot praise the Jamo I300 enough, the quality is second to none and if you can get your hands on one of them I suggest you do so as it is by far the best i-pod docking player out there. I would even go as far as saying it beats most hi-fi systems too, it's replaced mine!

Happy music listening poeple.