Jamo R 909 Reference Audiophile Loudspeaker

R909 Reference Audiophile Loudspeaker

The perfect example of out of the box thinking, this ingenious floorstanding dipolar design - conceived by Jamo’s respected chief acoustic engineer Henrik Mortensen - dispenses with the conventional loudspeaker cabinet, and in doing so creates a radical new loudspeaker that is set to change the face of the high-end loudspeaker market.

Features & Specifications
For The More Technical At Heart...
Reviews

Establishing new standards for craftsmanship and performance in the high end speaker category, Jamo's flagship R909 also allows you to see the quality components that make it so remarkable: two massive 15" woofers, the Hard Conical Cone midrange 5½" driver and the Scanspeak Revelator premium textile dome 1" tweeter. From deep, precise bass to startlingly concert-like vocals, Jamo have spared no expense to deliver sound in its purest form.

The huge, newly developed bass drivers employ high quality open magnesium baskets plus lightweight paper cones with a polyurethane suspension. Paper cones may not be fashionable in some circles but they start/stop moving incredibly quickly and can reach very deep.

Jamo also had to design a new midrange driver to fulfil the R909 brief. Employing a patented Neodymium magnet arrangement, this unit uses a magnesium cone for its stiffness and low weight, both vital qualities for dynamic response. The result is a cone that can deliver output up to 9kHz without sonic break-up, a recipe for an amazingly transparent reproduction of vocals.

Complemented by a 43mm thick baffle with a complex 7-layer lacquered multi-ply construction, Danish company’s immense experience with traditional woodworking skills is evident from the ground up.

Equally as impressive is the groundbreaking open dipolar principle, where the sound from the front of the speaker is mirrored by the sound coming from the back. The result is an award-winning speaker that has garnered praise from audiophiles and sound professionals the world over.

This remarkable floor-standing loudspeaker is not designed for everyone; it’s for those who demand true high end audio performance as well as the ultimate in stylish, contemporary appearance. The Jamo R909 has been created for the increasing number of people who prefer a two-channel solution for music and a separate surround sound system for those times when they want to watch a movie.

This incredible unit features a textile dome that’s coated several times, along with low-distortion Symmetric Drive Technology. A double-damped chamber behind the magnet system is equipped with an anti-resonator plug to eliminate turbulence.

Such is the quality of construction here that there’s no need to resort to ferro-fluid to damp unwanted resonances… quite an achievement!

The end result? An exceptionally firm bass, with immense transient speed, precision and fluidity displayed throughout the frequency range.

Coloration and reverberation? There is none… it’s as simple as that.

Put on some good music, close your eyes and you’ll forget that there’s a loudspeaker there. You’ll be listening to the music, not the hardware.

The Reference R909 is a true statement product from one of the world’s premier loudspeaker manufacturers.

FEATURES:

• Ultimate high-performance audio technology
• Two massive 15-inch woofers
• A Seas magnesium midrange driver
• A customised Scan Speak Revelator tweeter
• A beautiful high-gloss, 1.7-inch thick baffle, with unique multi-ply construction
• 3-way dipole
• Detailed, lifelike sound for all your favourite music
• Hear bass as its meant to be: clean, reverberation-free
• Two high-gloss finishes
• Unique Danish design floor-standing speaker (No other high end loudspeaker sounds - or looks - quite like it)

R909 SPEAKER SPECIFICATIONS:

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For The More Technical At Heart...

Dipolar

Dipolar means the sound is distributed from both the front and rear of the speaker – in opposite phase.

The reason for using dipolar surround speakers is not that you should be able to pinpoint their physical location; on the contrary, they should add a ‘3D’ ambience to the surround effects, making you feel part of the action.

A dipolar front speaker’s sound radiation will emerge from the back and bounce from the rear and side wall before reaching your ears, creating a slight delay in the sound from the front and back. The 2nd order reflections adds ambience and gives you the impression of a much larger room.

A dipolar front speaker is to be angled in slightly from the rear wall. Due to the angling the rear sound will be bouncing off two boundaries before reaching your ears. The reflections add ambience and gives you the impression of a much larger room.

Front baffle

The 43mm thick front baffle is made from no less than seven layers of MDF board, glued together and shaped under high pressure. The rounded shape provides optimum working conditions for the drivers as it prevents diffraction and improves rigidity even further.

The baffle itself is attached to a 26kg cast-iron base housing the cross-over network and the bi-wiring XL binding posts, they connect directly to the crossover network placed inside the base, so securing the best possible signal path. A solid double 5x60mm stainless steel brace with a special damper ensures a rock solid connection between the baffle and the base.

Midrange

In order to fulfill the R909 brief Jamo also had to use state-of-the-art technology for the midrange driver. Employing a patented Neodymium magnet arrangement, the Seas unit uses a magnesium cone for its stiffness and low weight, both vital qualities for dynamic response. Thanks to the HCC (Hard Conical Cone) technology the driver is able to reach all the way to 9kHz before any significant cone break-ups occur.

This makes for extremely low distortion throughout the range plus a very open and detailed midrange for optimum voice reproduction. Turned from solid brass the centre-plug has a cooling effect on the voice-coil, providing greater power-handling capability and most importantly, extra sonic stability when playing at high volume levels.

Tweeter

There was only one choice when it came to choosing a tweeter to reproduce the delicate treble frequencies… the legendary Revelator from Scan Speak. However, since this model features a relatively large face-plate, it would have needed to have been placed further away from the midrange than would be ideal. So, in order to obtain a seamless transition with the midrange driver, Jamo chose to fit a smaller cast-alloy face plate.

The tweeter features a 1in textile dome which is coated several times to obtain a unique combination of dynamic linearity and resonance damping, the result being an incredibly smooth, linear, dynamic and incredibly transparent sound.

The driver´s Symmetric Drive Technology - a copper ring on the pole that extends past the voice coil, curving into the dome chamber - practically eliminates electrical phase shift. And, just as it does with the midrange, it also lowers distortion significantly.

To eliminate turbulence the double-damped, optimized chamber behind the magnet system is also equipped with an anti-resonator-plug. And the specially designed chamber under the cloth surround minimizes air noise and compression. Actually this tweeter is so carefully manufactured that damping unwanted resonances using ferro-fluid - the usual way - is rendered unnecessary!

Woofer

Most woofers are developed to work in a cabinet, and as a woofer constructed for a dipole application is very different from a traditional boxed one Jamo had to develop a special woofer for this open-baffle application.

These huge bass drivers employ high quality magnesium baskets plus lightweight, air-dried paper cones with a rubber suspension. The time-consuming process of letting the cones air-dry – instead of just pressing out the water in the former - has resulted in a thicker, and thus more rigid, material for the same low weight. Although paper cones might be out of fashion in some circles they have the ability to start/stop moving incredibly quickly, can reach very, very deep and they endow the drive unit with great sonic precision and musicality.

Crossover

As should be apparent from the drive unit descriptions, Jamo wanted to start out with drivers of immense fundamental quality, precisely so that they would only need minimal assistance from the crossover!

Consequently, the crossover in the Jamo R909 is of a relatively simple – in the most positive sense of the word – low-order configuration. The advantages of using the 2nd order filters that are in the R909 is that both electrical and phase angles are kept at very small values, something that´s of great importance both in terms of sound quality and the eventual load on the amplifier. The use of quality Solen foil-capacitors and air-coils in the crossover further ensures sound quality.

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REVIEWS:

Absolute Sound Golden Ear Award '07, US
January, 2008

"This remarkable speaker, which uses dynamic drivers in an open baffle, offers the openness and resistance to room problems of a dipole planar combined with a power, solidity, and bass extension that few planers can even dream of. Coherent, dynamic, extended in the bass (to 27Hz), very low in distortion, and tonally well balanced, and the R 909 does a positively spectacular job of reproducing the scope and power of large-scale music."

Home Studio, Holland
January, 2008

• Easy to play loudspeaker • Great separation of high and low frequencies • Extremely stable sound • A very fascinating speaker • Crystal clear sound • Very precise

Australian Hi-Fi, Australia
February, 2007

“What really frightened me after listening to these speakers is the thought that were it not for Henrik Mortensen's dedication and persistence, Jamo's R909s may never have seen light of day, which would have meant that the world would have missed out on a truly great loudspeaker, one that I predict will achieve immortality in the same way as Quad's original electrostatic.”

Hjemmekino, Norway
February, 2007

“You won’t believe it before you hear it” •Surprisingly easy to integrate in the room • Awesome raw design • Excellent sound picture • Cool Download full PDF in Norwegian here

Sound & Image Award, Australia
February, 2007

LOUDSPEAKER OF THE YEAR OVER $ 2,500 The revolutionary Jamo R909 Reference Loudspeaker has just taken out two major awards, back to back. Hot on the heals of coveted European Title ‘Best High-End Loudspeaker‘, the R909 is back on stage again, this time receiving Australian ‘Loudspeaker of the Year over $ 2,500’.

The Absolute Sound, US
December, 2006

“The Jamos have glorious, full yet precise and extended bass, a bass undreamed of by any but truly enormous electrostatics. They are also free of the middle-bass “hole” that afflicts so many point source speakers. And as the symphony proceeded, the Jamos turned out to have a dynamic capacity beyond electrostatic realms. I was tempted to subtitle this review “the electrostatic perfected.” And while that might have been a bit mean-spirited it would not have been inappropriate, for the Jamos do have the same kind of low distortion, transparency, coherence, and smoothness ’stats have, but with a power and fullness that electrostatics can only dream of.” “The Jamo is not just superb at reproducing large-scale music. With its cost-no-object midrange and tweeter it does superbly well with the small-scaled music, too. The Water Lily recording of Arturo Delmoni playing solo violin was right on the mark as to tone, while the reverberant acoustics of the church where the recording was made were revealed naturally, with clarity but no exaggeration.”

HI-FI CHOICE, UK
June, 2006

“In short, this is a speaker with personality. What you get here is an enormous sense of scale, far exceeding conventional speakers, even big ones like B&W´s larger 800 Series models. And yet somehow Jamo has conspired to deliver this scale without any obvious sins of overhang or “boom”. The sense of drama, of the physical presence of musical performers right there in the listening room, appears to be intrinsic, where more conventional speakers with a similar balance often sound overblown.” “From one point of view, the big easy and relaxed sound of this speaker is one of its greatest strengths, especially as it is achieved without loss of detail, and without sounding “blowsy” or out of control. And this is exactly what the R 909 does achieve. Sure, it is perceptibly warm, but the bass is unusually tuneful and well proportioned in its own right. Orchestral entries are well timed, with the kind of balance and weight you might well be looking for when seated, say, one third to one half of the way to the back of many concert halls; the kind of balance that allows a rich, yet complex sound from the cellos and double basses.” “Conclusion An individual take on the high-end loudspeaker, the R 909 is relatively easy to integrate into real world systems and rooms, and its proportions look just right (not a given at this end of the market), the shallow depth being especially striking.” Editor’s choice Overall score: 89%.

WHAT HI-FI?, UK
June, 2006

"And the Jamos are very room-friendly: we had our largest room earmarked for them, but we were encouraged to try them in a smaller space, where they worked just fine on the end of our Naim/Krell reference system. Whatever you’ve heard about the problems of room interaction with dipole speakers like these, the R 909s just get on with the job, provided they have a metre or so of space behind them and a gentle toe-in toward the listening position. While these speakers can indubitably do ‘big’, with a rich, powerful and well-defined bass, their main characteristics is subtlety, whether with the finer details of voices or the way in which they reveal the recorded acoustic." "They slam, they deliver the rush of a full orchestra, they let you hear each breath a singer takes and, above all, they’re special." "Verdict: The new Jamos are as accomplished as they are daring, with a sound that more than lives up to their price: lovely!"

Stereo & Video, Russia
March, 2006

“Key sonic features of R909 include a very spacious (almost natural-sized) soundstage, and a fantastically deep and powerful bass – which at the same time sounds absolutely true to life. Beyond any doubt, such an impeccable performance is an extremely rare treat even in the world of top-quality audio”. “The new Danish speakers scale up a musical event without distorting the delicately balanced proportions between the sound image elements. They create a vast soundstage with natural ambience and softly outlined borders, and enhance listeners’ emotional perception of music to a great extent. R909’s reproduction of symphonic and organ music is amazingly close to the original performance in a real concert hall or a gothic cathedral.” “The new Jamo speakers reveal the full potential of classical stereo reproduction. Their sound reproduction opportunities are really impressive and spacious. R909 is able to draw listeners’ attention to little-known music, and to cast fresh light on familiar records endowing them with surprising new quality.“

HiFi & Musik, Sweden
February, 2006

“These speakers sound almost like no other speakers we have encountered. Their effortless and natural way of playing possesses such an obvious authority that almost everything else sounds boxed-in, smeared out and slow. “ “With Jamo you are again reminded how absolutely spellbinding "trivial" stereo listening actually can be.” “The bass is firm and majestic in a way that now and then almost cancels the law of gravitation.” “Despite its natural and realistic way of playing, it is perhaps the unmovable and firm musical grip through the entire frequency range that is the most distinct Jamo characteristic, the ever sought for feeling of actually being there, to put it simply.”

CINEenCASA, Spain
January, 2006

“Treble (which I didn't expect problems with) is very correct, not aggressive nor too soft. The ScanSpeak unit used provides a very clean standard of reproduction. Same with midrange, which is in perfect harmony with the treble but with the necessary strength to give body to even to the most difficult instruments. The bass is of, quite honestly, spectacular quality. I really didn't think that a “cabinet” like this Jamo design could generate such a result. I'm stunned.” “Conclusion: The Jamo's R 909 are much more than a letter of intent. Their design removes several barriers to good listening and renews our faith in a loudspeaker concept that we always admired. There are no real caveats here and I can't imagine the R 909s failing to satisfy…. I fervently recommend listening to them. And if you do not feel satisfied, think instead about different partnering equipment, perhaps a bigger power amplifier or a larger listening rooms. One thing's for sure… it won't be the Jamo R 909s that are at fault…” “Verdict: 6 of 5 stars!”

Prestige Audio Video, France
January, 2006

“The R 909 might usefully be combined with a very high-end cabinet bass-speaker (subwoofer). However, the most impressive aspect of the performance of these speakers is their incredible impact. We are miles away from the sensations delivered by even the best cabinet bass-speakers of conventional design. There is no perceptible ghosting, and the speakers delivers a clean, crisp and spirited clarity of attack. Likewise, there is not the slightest coloration of the sound output. Transparency and naturalness of restitution of this quality are rarely achieved. The tonal balance is perfect, and the total absence of ghosting lends a striking relief to the sound.” “In conclusion With the R 909, Jamo have tackled the challenge of the open baffle, much beloved of audiophiles. By considering each of the problems raised by this technology and delivering appropriate solutions based upon new design concepts, this manufacturer has produced a remarkable speaker with and impressive performance, providing and unforgettable experience for the listener whose primary concern is to enjoy an unconstrained sound space, with impressive levels of realism. Some ungenerous souls might find fault with the lack of weight in the extreme bass register, but is it really natural to hear a double bass snorting like a compressor on a building site?”

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Jamo - Beauty & Practicality

Jamo's speakers are evidence of the Danish design tradition of style, simplicity and functionality. For Jamo, it’s about combining the delivery of great sound with how that delivery integrates into your living space.

Recognised globally for creating open, clear, coherent and undeniably musical products, Jamo is proud of its unique “Danish Sound Design”.

For centuries, the Danes have been known for their natural aptitude when it comes to architecture, construction and design. This essence is reflected in the contemporary, yet timeless, look of Jamo’s creations.

Jamo often works closely with imaginative and quality-conscious product visualizers, such as Smedegaard & Weiss, an award-winning female design team. This highly respected Danish duo is internationally known for their ability to combine technical excellence with an intuitive feel for consumer demand.

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