Jamo A407 HCS12 review

The Jamo A407 HCS12 formidable sound from a smart system, we’d just like a little more refinement to that top end Tested at £750.00

What Hi-Fi? Verdict

A formidable sound from a smart system, we’d just like a little more refinement to that top end

Pros

  • +

    Big, room-filling sound

  • +

    cohesive front three

  • +

    solid sub

  • +

    dynamic and exciting

Cons

  • -

    Could integrate better with rear speakers

  • -

    hardness to treble

Why you can trust What Hi-Fi? Our expert team reviews products in dedicated test rooms, to help you make the best choice for your budget. Find out more about how we test.

Jamo clearly isn't a company to try its hand at different things.

A glance at the Danish manufacturer's website shows all manner of different speakers, from its top-of-the-range Reference series right down to the more meagre A100 series of small-room solutions.

This package sits somewhere in the middle, offering a step-up in size and price over the A405HCS5, which we tested in June.

The eagle-eyed will have noticed this is the only option on test here featuring floorstanding speakers at the front, Jamo's A407s, which attractively screw into a triangular base plate.

This pair, along with the smaller, wall-mountable A402 speakers and the A400 CEN, have microscopic binding points, so kiss goodbye to banana plugs and drag out some bare wire for connection. The neat A400 sub completes the package.

We test out the Jamo system with a few bristling scenes from our Blu-ray copy of Letters of Iwo Jima, and we like what we hear.

The front three provide a formidable mass of detailed, dynamic sound, those floorstanders helping to ensure an expansive front end that throws gunfire into the corners of the room, while the centre channel is clear and solid.

Integration with the rears isn't quite as cohesive as others here, the smaller satellites struggling to involve themselves, but we're still left with a big sound for the size and money, no small part due to the impressively imposing subwoofer.

Treble costs Jamo a fifth star
We switch to Batman Begins on Blu-ray and again enjoy the Jamo's excitement, while also detecting an edge to the top end. As Batman flings himself on to a steel stairway, the clang of the treble sounds hard and harsh. Those teeth-grating winces, while far from unforgivable, will grate over time.

There's plenty to like here – it sounds punchy and fast with multichannel and stereo music – but we'd choose something a little smoother on top and more balanced at the back if push came to shove.

What Hi-Fi?

What Hi-Fi?, founded in 1976, is the world's leading independent guide to buying and owning hi-fi and home entertainment products. Our comprehensive tests help you buy the very best for your money, with our advice sections giving you step-by-step information on how to get even more from your music and movies. Everything is tested by our dedicated team of in-house reviewers in our custom-built test rooms in London, Reading and Bath. Our coveted five-star rating and Awards are recognised all over the world as the ultimate seal of approval, so you can buy with absolute confidence.


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