The Bookshelf Speaker That Punches Above Its Class: Jamo C705PA MKII Reviewed
The Jamo C705PA MKII is an active bookshelf speaker with a built-in 90W RMS Class D amplifier (45W x 2), making it a self-contained solution for a premium listening room without the need for a separate stereo amp. It connects via Bluetooth 5.0 (aptX HD), HDMI eARC, USB-C, optical, and RCA inputs, and includes a 3-band EQ for room-specific sound tuning. Available in seven finishes, it combines Nordic design with genuine hi-fi performance, making it ideal for turntable setups, TV audio, or desktop listening spaces.
Building a premium listening room isn’t just about square footage and acoustic treatment – it’s about choosing components that deliver genuine performance without demanding a wall of separate amplifiers, receivers, and cabling. The Jamo C705PA MKII Active Bookshelf Speaker is designed precisely for that goal: a compact, self-powered speaker that punches well above its size, while still looking the part of a design centrepiece.
Power and Drivers Built for Clarity
At the heart of the C705PA MKII is a 2-way active design driven by a 90W RMS Class D amplifier (45W x 2), giving each speaker its own dedicated power rather than relying on a shared external amp. The tweeter uses Jamo’s ADW (Anti-Diffraction WaveGuide) and TDR (Tweeter Distortion Reduction) technologies, which are engineered to refine treble reproduction and allow more flexible speaker placement – a genuine advantage in listening rooms where ideal symmetry isn’t always possible.
The 4-inch woofer pairs HCCC (Hybrid Composition Conical Cone) construction with a Long Displacement Surround (LDS), aimed at controlled damping and linearity for lower distortion and a more accurate transient response. An aluminium phase plug – a signature Jamo design touch – further smooths frequency response and improves power handling at the top end of the driver’s range.
A Hub for Every Source in the Room
A premium listening space typically pulls audio from multiple sources – a turntable, a TV, a laptop, maybe a games console – and the C705PA MKII is built to be the single hub for all of them. Its connectivity suite includes:
- Bluetooth 5.0 with aptX/aptX HD, SBC, and AAC support
- HDMI eARC for direct TV connection
- USB-C input supporting up to 24-bit/96kHz
- Optical (TOSLINK) digital input
- RCA and 3.5mm AUX inputs
- Stereo RCA sub-out (20Hz–200Hz) for adding a subwoofer
This range means the speaker can anchor a turntable-based vinyl setup one moment and switch to TV or streaming audio the next, without needing extra boxes or switching gear.
Room-Tuning Flexibility
Every room has its own acoustic quirks, and the C705PA MKII addresses this with a 3-band EQ covering Low (100Hz), Mid (1kHz), and High (10kHz) adjustments. This allows to compensate for room reflections, shelf placement, or personal tonal preference – a meaningful feature for anyone serious about optimising sound in a specific space rather than settling for factory-flat tuning.
Combined with a frequency bandwidth of 55Hz–20kHz (±3dB), a sensitivity of 85dB, and a 2000Hz crossover point, the specs point to a speaker tuned for balanced, full-range performance in small-to-medium rooms – exactly the scale most dedicated listening rooms or high-end desk setups occupy.
Designed to Be Seen, Not Just Heard
A premium listening room is as much a visual statement as a sonic one, and Jamo leans into this with seven bold finish options – including High Gloss Black, Yellow, Blue, and Green, alongside more restrained Matte Grey and White tones. The Nordic design language behind the C705PA MKII means it can serve as a genuine style centrepiece rather than something to hide behind other furniture, with a removable magnetic grille for switching between an exposed-driver look and a cleaner cabinet finish.
The Practical Case for Active Speakers
Because the C705PA MKII is a fully active speaker – amplification built in rather than external – it removes several complications from a premium build:
- No separate stereo amplifier or receiver required
- Fewer cables and less rack space needed
- A more streamlined signal path from source to driver
- Simpler system matching, since the amp and drivers are pre-tuned as a pair
For anyone assembling a high-quality listening space without wanting a full separates-based hi-fi rack, this all-in-one approach lowers the barrier to genuinely good sound.
Final Thoughts
The Jamo C705PA MKII brings together considered driver engineering, a versatile connectivity suite, room-tuning EQ, and standout Nordic design into a single active bookshelf speaker. For a premium listening room – whether that’s a dedicated hi-fi corner, a turntable setup, or a high-end desk system – it offers a rare combination: serious acoustic engineering and a piece that looks intentional in the room, not just functional.