Thanks Terry. I Owned both the Evoke 20s and the 1600s until recently. I sold the Evokes in favor of the JBLS because I had a different experience in my room. The JBLs sounded more immediate and engaging than the Evokes which were a bit too laid back and lacking in emotion . I also noticed something in the Evoke 20 midrange I didn't like. Could be something in my supporting gear. I never quite identified the problem but I don't hear it in my other speakers. I favor the CSS Criton over both of them but can't quite get to the point of letting the JBLs go. I enjoy them too much.
How would you compare the Evokes’ soundstage to JBL ? Evokes have a wide soundstage and are fun to listen to. They have a warm maybe a tad dark presentation. I owned Evokes but I would like to hear your comparison to JBL.
I have to say I liked the 16unless you have an overly aggrieve system. I dont think the 1600 would disappoint but it's personal choice as you know.while a good speaker, the 1600 never seemed to hit a stride in spite of good reviews by Guttenberg etc. @@marcusaurelius2988
I love how it looks, that colour in that finish looks real unique! I can see some people going for such a speaker but honestly, many cheaper speakers can do the same. That response from 10k is just not acceptable for a speaker in this price category. Great to see a vid from you again Terry!
@@droidzhunterz6861 some people say that gr research is snake oil, I 100% believe with a kit worth half this speakers price it could be a great speaker. But at 2400 bucks, you could a super flat speaker like Revel, which could be also improved upon with a better crossover parts. Its a never ending cycle. Lol!
Nice review, very helpful thanks. I'd love to see a comparison to/with the Polk Reserve R200--the one measurements set I saw online was very impressive.
Thanks Terry , And your correct the HDI is intended for both Stereo/Hometheater Would be so cool if you done a budget speaker like the JBL studio 530 that bookie blows me away Terry for pricepoint of around 299.00US I mean Terry i have 14 amps and my Yamaha AS-1100 and my 59 pound Doge 10 Mk2 B tube integrated with kt120s sounds beautiful. But my New 40th 🔺 Comete ohhh man !! The Santos rosewood venner is so nice looking made in France at $2200US though
Quite surprising review Terry. Horn wave guide that is not "horny", as in lively, forward and bright. These JBLs would be a massive success, if they were priced at half their retail asking price. For speakers manufactured in China, with meh looks, JBL has simply overpriced these middle of the road sounding stand mounts. Love the indepth frequency response analysis. Thanks Terry
Actually the JBL Studio 6 series is roughly priced at half of the HDI line and they have a very similar compression driver and waveguide. Would love to see that comparison.
The Studio series center is what sucked me into the JBL line. I listened to multiple centers from companies like SVS, KEF and Sonis Faber. They all sounded like they had a blanket over them compared to the JBL’. The JBL sounded open clean and detailed. How does the HDI series Center compare to the Studio center?
Thank You for review, well done! 👍 This video helped me with choice acoustic sistems. I want to buy JBL HDI 1600 to my stereo receiver ONKYO TX-8150. I think it will sound good. 🎵🎼
Nice review, Terry! I think that these are REALLY smart looking with the rounded corners and the gray wood-tone, with all the black accents. Very smart! Apparently they sound as good as they look in spite of the oddities in your test curve at the high end. Well done! 👍🏼
Nice review. Hope you will test the Arendal 1723 S line. They are a bit smaller but should have the same sound as the bigger brother but less expensive. Besides sound the looks of the speaker is also very important. I dislike the JBL's looks. But that's my opinion.
Nice review, they definitely look sweet. But i also agree with others that the arendal might be better overall choice) especially with the quality of their components in their equipment.
Would these sound good as surround speakers in a home theater set up? I'm not an audiophile, and I haven't bought speakers since I was in college in the mid-90s. I bought JBL G series speakers at the time, G500 towers for front L and R, G-center for the center channel, and G200 for surrounds in the back. Since I bought JBLs then, I thought to look at JBLs first now.
How would you compare them to the Wharfedale Linton? I loved them both, Even though they are quite different. The JBL is a 30% more expensive here, What do you think?
@@jked7463 yes and that is what you see in the measurements but at the same time you an see how loads of different speakers have measured in here across all my reviews and it's not quite as black and white as you think. It surprises me still. Also the freq looks hot but my room has a very low reverb time as low as I can get it so I am doing all I can to mitigate that as a problem and in fact with Dirac I generally use it to my advantage
@@PursuitPerfectSystem don't get me wrong I am not criticizing, just pointing out some trends I see. I have been professionally involved in audio and acoustics for years. Yes there will always be anomalies. I am just looking at the last few reviews. I am relatively new to your channel.
@@jked7463 I didnt see it as a criticism you are only being honest and right with what you see, its the hand I have been dealt and it's been a huge factor on my audio journey into acoustic treatments and dsp because it's a bastard of a bass peak
At 4:09 you show a graph with measurements. You compare the 2 starting with the highs and then jump down to the bsss levels without ever talking about the HUGE dip at 1.75KH on the JBL4309's. That didn't show up in any listening tests? Went by it like it wasn't even there. Making a fuss about the treble, but missed the most important freq of all?? What's up with that??
If your referring to the measurement of course that’s the room but it’s also the truth of what happens in rooms hence the reason why so show it and talk all the time about acoustic treatment and excellent dsp. I have also measured speakers in hundreds of rooms all over the world lumpy bass is not only a small room problems it’s a room problem
The problem is that you’re “testing” all these speakers with dozens of other speakers in same room! The interaction between the other speakers (though the others may not be playing, they still interact!) This is particularly noticeable in the region below 300Hz!! All together your room response plus interaction with dozens of other speakers pretty much invalidates your review!!!
Certainly an ugly speaker, my goodness -- but what's more interesting to me is that the guys over at The Alpha Audio were just utterly blown away by these -- especially powered by the Hypex Nilai class-D kit amplifier. They tested some of the other speakers in this shootout, and while they were careful to hedge a little at the end, they clearly thought these were the winners. I wonder what to make of that.
Thanks Terry. I Owned both the Evoke 20s and the 1600s until recently. I sold the Evokes in favor of the JBLS because I had a different experience in my room. The JBLs sounded more immediate and engaging than the Evokes which were a bit too laid back and lacking in emotion . I also noticed something in the Evoke 20 midrange I didn't like. Could be something in my supporting gear. I never quite identified the problem but I don't hear it in my other speakers. I favor the CSS Criton over both of them but can't quite get to the point of letting the JBLs go. I enjoy them too much.
How would you compare the Evokes’ soundstage to JBL ? Evokes have a wide soundstage and are fun to listen to. They have a warm maybe a tad dark presentation. I owned Evokes but I would like to hear your comparison to JBL.
I have to say I liked the 16unless you have an overly aggrieve system. I dont think the 1600 would disappoint but it's personal choice as you know.while a good speaker, the 1600 never seemed to hit a stride in spite of good reviews by Guttenberg etc. @@marcusaurelius2988
I love how it looks, that colour in that finish looks real unique! I can see some people going for such a speaker but honestly, many cheaper speakers can do the same. That response from 10k is just not acceptable for a speaker in this price category. Great to see a vid from you again Terry!
@@droidzhunterz6861 some people say that gr research is snake oil, I 100% believe with a kit worth half this speakers price it could be a great speaker. But at 2400 bucks, you could a super flat speaker like Revel, which could be also improved upon with a better crossover parts. Its a never ending cycle. Lol!
The best reviews on YT.
Really digging your reviews, mate! Maybe the Buchardt Audio S400MKII can be included in this batch of speaker reviews.
Looking forward to your thoughts on the quads. Great review as always.
Great as always. Looking forward in the quad....
Great review as always!!
Do love the JBL reminds me of the stock on my Weihrauch 😂😂
The Quads 😍🇬🇧 need that review
Looking forward to the Quad review. I had the S2 speakers a short while ago and have always been tempted by their big brothers.
What's your thoughts on the S2?
Have you already gotten rid of your S2s as I'm looking for a pair.?
Nice review, very helpful thanks. I'd love to see a comparison to/with the Polk Reserve R200--the one measurements set I saw online was very impressive.
Thanks Terry , And your correct the HDI is intended for both Stereo/Hometheater
Would be so cool if you done a budget speaker like the JBL studio 530 that bookie blows me away Terry for pricepoint of around 299.00US I mean Terry i have 14 amps and my Yamaha AS-1100 and my 59 pound Doge 10 Mk2 B tube integrated with kt120s sounds beautiful.
But my New 40th 🔺 Comete ohhh man !! The Santos rosewood venner is so nice looking made in France at $2200US though
Quite surprising review Terry. Horn wave guide that is not "horny", as in lively, forward and bright. These JBLs would be a massive success, if they were priced at half their retail asking price. For speakers manufactured in China, with meh looks, JBL has simply overpriced these middle of the road sounding stand mounts. Love the indepth frequency response analysis.
Thanks Terry
Actually the JBL Studio 6 series is roughly priced at half of the HDI line and they have a very similar compression driver and waveguide.
Would love to see that comparison.
The Studio series center is what sucked me into the JBL line. I listened to multiple centers from companies like SVS, KEF and Sonis Faber. They all sounded like they had a blanket over them compared to the JBL’. The JBL sounded open clean and detailed. How does the HDI series Center compare to the Studio center?
Thank You for review, well done! 👍
This video helped me with choice acoustic sistems.
I want to buy JBL HDI 1600 to my stereo receiver ONKYO TX-8150.
I think it will sound good. 🎵🎼
Love what you do mate videos are great 👍
Nice review, Terry! I think that these are REALLY smart looking with the rounded corners and the gray wood-tone, with all the black accents. Very smart!
Apparently they sound as good as they look in spite of the oddities in your test curve at the high end. Well done! 👍🏼
Nice review. Hope you will test the Arendal 1723 S line. They are a bit smaller but should have the same sound as the bigger brother but less expensive.
Besides sound the looks of the speaker is also very important. I dislike the JBL's looks. But that's my opinion.
Nice review, they definitely look sweet. But i also agree with others that the arendal might be better overall choice) especially with the quality of their components in their equipment.
Would these sound good as surround speakers in a home theater set up? I'm not an audiophile, and I haven't bought speakers since I was in college in the mid-90s. I bought JBL G series speakers at the time, G500 towers for front L and R, G-center for the center channel, and G200 for surrounds in the back. Since I bought JBLs then, I thought to look at JBLs first now.
How would you compare them to the Wharfedale Linton?
I loved them both,
Even though they are quite different.
The JBL is a 30% more expensive here,
What do you think?
Could I kindly ask for a few words on comparison between the HDI 1600 and KEF R3? Thank you!
Thanks Terry,, 🍻😎👍!
have you tried these JBL as matched LCR and tested with the rancor scene from return of the jedi.
How does this speaker compare to the JBL LSR studio series?
What about that Quad sitting there?
th-cam.com/video/PAdQjoPSebo/w-d-xo.html
It is very obvious that your room has a 60 + 40 hz room nodes. The larger jbl just excites those frequencies more.
Yes very much so hence my use of Dirac Live to manage my sound, but its not the size of the speaker that is at play here its the design
@@PursuitPerfectSystem agreed in general except that a driver that puts out more low frequencies which will excite the room nodes more easily.
@@jked7463 yes and that is what you see in the measurements but at the same time you an see how loads of different speakers have measured in here across all my reviews and it's not quite as black and white as you think. It surprises me still.
Also the freq looks hot but my room has a very low reverb time as low as I can get it so I am doing all I can to mitigate that as a problem and in fact with Dirac I generally use it to my advantage
@@PursuitPerfectSystem don't get me wrong I am not criticizing, just pointing out some trends I see. I have been professionally involved in audio and acoustics for years. Yes there will always be anomalies. I am just looking at the last few reviews. I am relatively new to your channel.
@@jked7463 I didnt see it as a criticism you are only being honest and right with what you see, its the hand I have been dealt and it's been a huge factor on my audio journey into acoustic treatments and dsp because it's a bastard of a bass peak
Thanks for the great review! Would you go 1600 over Evoke 20 for home theater?
HDI 1600, not even close, in different countries for HT.
You don't think your room is affecting things below 60hz. All the speakers exhibit a boosted lower frequency
Yes of course - but equally the same to them all so the differences still stand out
At 4:09 you show a graph with measurements. You compare the 2 starting with the highs and then jump down to the bsss levels without ever talking about the HUGE dip at 1.75KH on the JBL4309's. That didn't show up in any listening tests? Went by it like it wasn't even there. Making a fuss about the treble, but missed the most important freq of all?? What's up with that??
Poor you 😂
The lumpy bass behavior says more about your room than the speakers. Its typical of small rooms.
If your referring to the measurement of course that’s the room but it’s also the truth of what happens in rooms hence the reason why so show it and talk all the time about acoustic treatment and excellent dsp. I have also measured speakers in hundreds of rooms all over the world lumpy bass is not only a small room problems it’s a room problem
just got them for $800 new for a pair
Me too. At this price, it's a no brainer.
Might I know where u get them from?
@@robertng138 Harman audio
Wow that’s a great deal! I just got a pair for $940.00
The problem is that you’re “testing” all these speakers with dozens of other speakers in same room! The interaction between the other speakers (though the others may not be playing, they still interact!) This is particularly noticeable in the region below 300Hz!! All together your room response plus interaction with dozens of other speakers pretty much invalidates your review!!!
Let me guess, there will be no winner. Again.
Certainly an ugly speaker, my goodness -- but what's more interesting to me is that the guys over at The Alpha Audio were just utterly blown away by these -- especially powered by the Hypex Nilai class-D kit amplifier. They tested some of the other speakers in this shootout, and while they were careful to hedge a little at the end, they clearly thought these were the winners. I wonder what to make of that.
I think they look really nice in the walnut finish but I'm not a fan of the finish featured in this review.
Prediction for next week: The ribbon will kick the horn's butt. :)
i was recommended to steer away from ported speakers because they have a tendency to chuff and as ps paul would say fart.
there are pros and cons for ported and sealed speakers, its not all pros for one or the other - only badly designed speakers have port noise
It’s simply unacceptable that Harman/JBL’s high end speakers are made in China 🫣😱🤯……what with the hefty price!! Simply unacceptable!
iPhones are also made in China but nobody complains
@@richardkordts8656Point taken! But there are no iPhones costing $ 4000/- and above.