Short answer: the Arendal 1723 Bookshelf S THX. It ranks #42 of 130 bookshelf speakers by sound quality at $1499; the JBL HDI-1600 ranks #44 and costs $1980, which makes this an easy call rather than a real tradeoff.
What the Arendal 1723 Bookshelf S THX offers: Exceptionally controlled radiation for a conventional two-way: Erin found the early-reflections directivity index smooth enough for broad-band EQ, while horizontal coverage remains orderly through the 1.5kHz crossover. Watch for: Erin measured only 81.6dB/2.83V/1m sensitivity, so substantial amplifier voltage is required.
What the JBL HDI-1600 offers: CEA2034 spinorama is very flat in the critical mid-to-upper frequencies, with a slight bass boost that should have a good subjective effect and very smooth early-window directivity. Watch for: A dip appears above 10kHz on-axis.
Buy the Arendal 1723 Bookshelf S THX. It ranks higher for sound quality than the JBL HDI-1600 and costs less, which settles it without a real tradeoff to make.
Still deciding? The full Passive Home rankings cover every ranked option.
Specifications Side By Side
| Arendal 1723 Bookshelf S THX | JBL HDI-1600 | |
|---|---|---|
| Price | $1,499 per pair | $1980 per pair Discontinued |
| Ranked | #42 of 130 in Large Size Bookshelf Speakers | #44 of 130 in Large Size Bookshelf Speakers |
| Bass Extension (-3dB) | ~80Hz (measured, Erin's Audio Corner) | 70Hz (measured, Audio Science Review) |
| Bass Extension (-10dB) | 44.6Hz (measured, Erin's Audio Corner) | 55Hz (measured, Audio Science Review) |
| Sensitivity | 81.6dB/2.83V/1m (measured, Erin's Audio Corner) | 85dB (2.83V/1m, measured, Audio Science Review) |
| Impedance | 4 ohms nominal | 4 ohms nominal (measured, Audio Science Review) |
| Drivers | 6.5-inch woofer; 28mm waveguided soft-dome tweeter | 1" tweeter + 6.5" woofer |
| Enclosure | HDF, sealed/ported | - |
| Spinorama Preference Score | 3.97 | - |
| Spinorama Preference Score with Perfect Sub | 6.77 | - |
| Discontinued | - | Yes |
| Weight | - | 53.4 lbs (24.2 kg) |
| Dimensions | - | 14.6"H x 9.1"W x 11.4"D (370.0 x 230.0 x 288.9 mm) |
| Woofer Cabinet | - | ported, rear |
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The Two Speakers In Full
Arendal 1723 Bookshelf S THX: $1,499 per pair Arendal Sound eBay
Pros: Exceptionally controlled radiation for a conventional two-way: Erin found the early-reflections directivity index smooth enough for broad-band EQ, while horizontal coverage remains orderly through the 1.5kHz crossover. Midbass attack around 120–160Hz is strong, the response is mostly neutral below the treble shelf, and dynamic compression remains under roughly 1dB even near 102dB/1m above the bass. The waveguided 28mm dome and heavy HDF enclosure support clean, cinema-capable output, and sealed/ported flexibility eases subwoofer integration. Measured bass extension of ~80Hz (-3dB), with a measured sensitivity of 81.6dB.
Cons: Erin measured only 81.6dB/2.83V/1m sensitivity, so substantial amplifier voltage is required. Anechoic output rolls off around 80Hz and 3% THD is crossed near 80Hz at 96dB, making an 80Hz subwoofer crossover effectively mandatory. The treble sits a couple dB high on-axis and can sound bright; Erin preferred roughly 20° toe-out or a ~2dB high shelf. A vertical cancellation appears above the tweeter axis, so multi-row installations need careful height/aiming.
Full Arendal 1723 Bookshelf S THX review and specifications →
| Bass Extension (-10dB) | 44.6Hz (measured, Erin's Audio Corner) |
|---|---|
| Bass Extension (-3dB) | ~80Hz (measured, Erin's Audio Corner) |
| Drivers | 6.5-inch woofer; 28mm waveguided soft-dome tweeter |
| Enclosure | HDF, sealed/ported |
| Impedance | 4 ohms nominal |
| Sensitivity | 81.6dB/2.83V/1m (measured, Erin's Audio Corner) |
| Spinorama Preference Score | 3.97 |
| Spinorama Preference Score with Perfect Sub | 6.77 |
- Links
- Reviews, Comparisons and Sound Samples
- Head-to-Head Comparisons
JBL HDI-1600: $1980 per pair Discontinued Crutchfield eBay
Pros: CEA2034 spinorama is very flat in the critical mid-to-upper frequencies, with a slight bass boost that should have a good subjective effect and very smooth early-window directivity. Predicted in-room response in a simulated average listening room closely tracks the reviewer’s own preferred target curve. Measured bass extension of 70Hz (-3dB), with a measured sensitivity of 85dB.
Cons: A dip appears above 10kHz on-axis. Cumulative spectral decay (waterfall) shows some messiness around the crossover along with a 700Hz resonance. Harmonic distortion rises to nearly 2% right at the 1.9kHz crossover point at 96dB SPL/1m. Discontinued.
Full JBL HDI-1600 review and specifications →
| Bass Extension (-10dB) | 55Hz (measured, Audio Science Review) |
|---|---|
| Bass Extension (-3dB) | 70Hz (measured, Audio Science Review) |
| Dimensions | 14.6"H x 9.1"W x 11.4"D (370.0 x 230.0 x 288.9 mm) |
| Discontinued | Yes |
| Drivers | 1" tweeter + 6.5" woofer |
| Impedance | 4 ohms nominal (measured, Audio Science Review) |
| Sensitivity | 85dB (2.83V/1m, measured, Audio Science Review) |
| Weight | 53.4 lbs (24.2 kg) |
| Woofer Cabinet | ported, rear |
- Links
- Reviews, Comparisons and Sound Samples
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