Jamo HYG 5 Puts A Complete Streaming System In One Speaker

The Jamo HYG 5 combines a network streamer, amplifier and active speaker system in one compact cabinet. That makes it a simple route into better home listening if you want more than a small Bluetooth speaker but do not have room for separate HiFi boxes.

It can play music directly from several streaming services, receive audio from a phone or computer, and accept a wired source through its stereo RCA input. Jamo has also angled the two main drivers to spread the sound more widely around a room.

Quick Reference

• Type: all-in-one Wi-Fi active speaker with built-in streaming and amplification
• Price: £349 in the UK, €399 in Europe and $399 in the US
• Drivers: two 2.5-inch full-range drivers and one 4-inch down-firing woofer
• Power: 30 watts RMS
• Streaming: Spotify Connect, TIDAL Connect, Qobuz Connect and QPlay
• Wireless: Wi-Fi, AirPlay 2, Google Cast and Bluetooth 5.0
• Wired input: stereo RCA line-in
• Colours: Light Grey, Dark Grey and Amber Dune

A Whole System In One Cabinet

The HYG 5 is an active speaker, so its amplifier is already inside. You do not need to buy a separate amp or speaker cables. The built-in network streamer also means the speaker can fetch music over Wi-Fi rather than relying on a phone to send every track by Bluetooth.

Its three drivers have different jobs. Two 2.5-inch full-range units handle most of the music, while a 4-inch woofer fires downwards to cover the bass. Jamo quotes 30 watts RMS of amplifier power, a 45Hz to 18kHz frequency response and a maximum sound level of 96dB.

Streaming And Wired Sources

Spotify Connect, TIDAL Connect, Qobuz Connect and QPlay are built in. AirPlay 2 and Google Cast provide another way to send music and can link the HYG 5 with compatible speakers in other rooms. Bluetooth 5.0 supports the SBC and AAC codecs, while the system can handle digital audio up to 24-bit and 96kHz.

The stereo RCA line-in is useful if you want to add a CD player, a games system or another analogue source. A turntable can also be used, but it will need its own phono preamp or a separate one because Jamo does not list a phono stage in the HYG 5.

Sound Designed To Spread Around The Room

The two full-range drivers point slightly upwards and outwards. Jamo says this produces 125 degrees of horizontal sound dispersion, measured at minus 6dB from one metre. The idea is to make the sound useful from several places in a room instead of one tightly defined listening position.

The down-firing woofer works with two flared ports under the cabinet. Jamo gives the speaker an in-room bass extension figure of 40Hz, although the result will depend on the room and where the speaker is placed.

Controls And Everyday Use

A hand movement wakes the speaker and resumes the last source. The top touch controls dim when the HYG 5 is in standby. The Jamo Play app handles setup, playback, equaliser adjustment and the company’s V-Shape sound presets.

A warm light ring shines onto the surface below the speaker. Its built-in sensor can adjust the brightness as the room changes, or you can select one of five settings in the app. The cabinet measures 222 x 200 x 222mm including its handle and weighs 2.9kg.

Price And Availability

The Jamo HYG 5 is available now in Light Grey, Dark Grey and Amber Dune. It costs £349 in the UK, €399 in Europe and $399 in the US.

What The Terms Mean

Active speaker: A speaker with its amplifier built in.

Network streamer: A device that plays music from online services or a home network over Wi-Fi or Ethernet.

RMS power: A useful continuous power rating for an amplifier, rather than a short peak figure.

Full-range driver: A speaker driver designed to reproduce a wide part of the audible frequency range.

Woofer: The driver that handles lower frequencies and bass.

Frequency response: The range of pitches a product is designed to reproduce.

Codec: A method used to encode and decode digital audio for transmission.

Phono preamp: A circuit that boosts the very small signal from a turntable cartridge to a normal line level.

EQ: Equalisation, which lets you adjust parts of the sound such as bass and treble.

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