Once known for sheer number and diversity of its Danish made loudspeakers, the JAMO brand was keeping low profile recently, following a chain of mergers and acquisitions initiated by multibrand corporate owners.
JAMO history brief
The company was founded as a speaker manufacturer in 1968 by two Danish brothers-in-law, one a furniture maker, another a sales manager. Their last names, Jacobsen and Mortensen, obviously are reflected in the brand moniker. From 1970 JAMO was increasing production until in 1994 it claimed being the largest hi-fi speaker manufacturer in the world. Danish journalists reported that by 1994 JAMO’s output totaled 10 million speakers and had 40% domestic market share! And we’re not talking bluetooth boxes which were non-existing then or other portable or small low-fi units: the company aimed at hi-fi separates and other decent sound quality markets. It should also be noted that historically Denmark was a major loudspeaker production country and the competition was fierce, so JAMO’s achievements were indeed impressive.
Unfortunately when labour force cost started to be a factor for market share, the company was unable to move production to China smoothly. Poor strategies and management errors resulted in massive losses. The factory in Denmark was closed in 2004 and in 2005 JAMO was sold to Klipsch, their direct competitor from the US.
As it happens so often, the new owners were not really interested in maintaining significant market presence for a brand that is in direct competition with other, more important one they own.
Newly founded Klipsch Group was acquired by Audiovox Corporation (later known as Voxx International) and in 2020 re-organised as Premium Audio Company LLC. When Premium Audio Company LLC was subsequently sold to Gentex Corporation in 2025, JAMO brand wasn’t a part of this purchase, because Premium Audio Company decided to sell JAMO, and its another speaker brand, Energy, to their Chinese distributor in 2024 for an amount close to 3.2 million US dollars.
JAMO revival strategy
Jamo Holding Limited was formed to manage new production and the new owners have extensive plans to revive the brand in 2026. Cinemaster’s CEO, Xiaodong Yan, said in a press-release that: “Jamo is a legendary brand for good reason — great sound and clever design never get old, and we have set up development to create speakers which meet all needs of the modern listener, from entry-level speakers to high-end systems. Production will be handled in both Denmark and China, and we can’t wait to show you more very soon”.
The Chinese owners employed new industrial design team to bring back the Nordic design feel. It includes Kim Michel, founder at Kim Michel Design, Red Dot design award winner in Stockholm, Sweden, with clients including Electrolux, Zanussi, AEG, Frigidaire, Ecovacs, and Jacob Jensen Design; Simon Matthews, creative director at UK design consultancy Studio ISO, whose background includes assignments from hi-fi brands (Focal, Bowers & Wilkins, Naim Audio), and Jamie Cobb, founder of Studio ISO. New team will join forces with previous design consultants — HarritSorensen Aps of Birkerød, Denmark, multiple times Red Dot Award winners as well.
First prototypes of new JAMO products are expected to be introduced at Vienna High End show this June.
Written by Sergei Taranov
We recommend exploring loudspeakers from PMC and Fyne Audio – both outstanding British brands – on our website.
