The bottom line is that Jamo’s C 912 won’t wow you with its spec sheet. But we feel it has amazing value at well under 250 dollars. While the more expensive subwoofers offer a more premium experience, some affordable options offer good performance too. During our time testing the Jamo C912, we felt it checked all the right boxes. Looking for a quality sub for movies and music? We’ll break down how the C 912 might be worth your consideration. You can check here for the latest price.
Table of Contents
Initial Impressions and Setup
During our firsthand experience with the product, we noticed quickly that a few things stood out about the Jamo C 912. It was pretty easy to set up. While we didn’t use it, the sub supports a wireless connection with additional hardware. Users will also find the familiar RCA and LFE line-in for connecting to a receiver available on the rear panel. The optional tweed cover on the Black Jamo C 912 is a nice touch. It covers the 12″ woofer and front-firing bass port. A quick examination of the cabinet shows a nice wood grain finish. Around the back, you’ll find the typical controls for volume, frequency, and phase control. There’s also a power switch, the aforementioned connectivity options, and a port for the removable power cord.
In setting up the C 912, we found that while it’s not overly large, it’s not the most compact 12″ sub at 17.9″ H x 14″ W x 18.9″ D) and 41 pounds. We experimented with a few different placement settings and liked the convenience of the front-facing port. This makes placement closer to walls less likely to result in boomy bass.
Movie-Watching Performance
Having spent considerable time with the product, we can attest to what the Jamo C 912 excels at. It’s not a power behemoth, but you shouldn’t be worried about its 75W RMS power rating (300W peak). During the epic opening of Pacific Rim, it provides enough oomph to bring the movie to life. In our dedicated listening room, the impact was more than enough to get the couch and nearby walls shaking (if you like that sort of thing…).
Budget subs often struggle with sound quality and the output of low-frequency tones that aren’t muddy or overly distorted. In our extensive testing, we found that the Jamo C 912 outputs fairly accurate and smooth bass frequencies. There were no boosted bass notes. Bass lines and explosions were felt when present and necessary.
The C 912 doesn’t come without its faults, though. While watching Dune, the Jamo C 912 wasn’t able to hit the deepest bass notes. This isn’t all that surprising considering its frequency response rating only goes to 29 Hz. To be fair, you won’t find much lower in this price range.
Overall, we still found this sub to be a valuable addition to the experience. For watching movies and shows, it’s capable of smooth and balanced bass that blends well, but it’s also capable of booming bass notes when called for.
Testing For Music Listening
Exploring different music genres, we realized the smooth bass notes of the Jamo C 912 help it greatly for casual music listening. The sealed cabinet delivers the quick and punchy bass needed for hard-hitting hip-hop and EDM. The impactful but dialed-in bass doesn’t get too loose, even for songs with booming bass or thick bass lines. This is a huge plus when it comes to blending nicely with a stereo set-up.
Everyone will have different needs for placement, but this larger form factor won’t be ideal for smaller desk setups. Unlike the audio in many movies, the middling frequency response of the Jamo C 912 won’t be an issue. Music tracks rarely dip below 30 Hz, making the C 912 a fine companion for jamming out to tunes.
Pros and Cons of Jamo C 912 For Home Audio
No product is perfect, and everyone will have their own unique requirements. After extensive testing, our opinion of the Jamo C 912 is overwhelmingly positive. Here are a few takeaways.
What We Like
- Great overall value: While actual performance will always be extremely important, we understand how price can loom large in a buying decision. For just over $200, it offers features desirable to audiophiles and home theater hobbyists.
- Accurate Bass Response: For its price, this is good at outputting low frequencies with good accuracy without distortion or muddy bass.
- Flexible setup: Adding a WA2 kit allows the sub to be connected wirelessly. In addition, it has a front-firing bass port for flexible placement and a convenient auto on/off feature.
What We Don’t Like
- Power could be higher. Its rating of 75 Watts RMS (300W peak) won’t be ideal for the largest rooms or those seeking huge impact. While fair, this is still a sub capable of ground shaking-bass.
- Frequency response is just ok: The C 912 is only rated at frequencies down to 29 Hz. This should only concern those looking for a more premium home theater experience, which will mean more expensive subs. The sound of some movies will push below this limit and even hit sub-20 Hz tones.
Final Thoughts and Recommendations
In our listening test, we found the Jamo C 912 performs admirably for movies and music. It’s biggest flaws (frequency response and power) are both really limitations of price. Some will want to seek other options. That includes those with very large home theaters and those who simply want the most immersive experience (deeper and more impactful bass). Most other users will be happy with the C 912, as it offers a great experience at an exceptional price. Those considering purchasing the Jamo C 912 can find it here.
Keith Collins has been writing for over 15 years for various publications. He’s a lover of music, home theater, and excellent sound quality. His fondness for technology in addition to his non-stop curiosity fuels his writing ventures.