Short answer: the JBL HDI-1600 for a very flat midrange, the Dynaudio Heritage Special for enjoyment. The HDI-1600’s CEA2034 spinorama is very flat through the mid-to-upper frequencies with a slight bass boost, though a dip appears above 10kHz on-axis and the waterfall shows a 700Hz resonance. The Heritage Special was measured as flawed but genuinely enjoyed, with low-volume dynamics short of higher-sensitivity speakers. They are $5,020 apart.
Buy the Dynaudio Heritage Special. It is rated higher for sound quality, and the JBL HDI-1600 is discontinued, so it is only available used.
Still deciding? The full Passive Home rankings cover every ranked option.
Specifications Side By Side
| Dynaudio Heritage Special | JBL HDI-1600 | |
|---|---|---|
| Price | $7,000 per pair | $1980 per pair Discontinued |
| Ranked | #28 of 134 in Large Size Bookshelf Speakers | #45 of 134 in Large Size Bookshelf Speakers |
| Drivers | 18cm MSP cone woofer, 28mm Esotar 3 dome tweeter | 1” tweeter + 6.5” woofer |
| Dimensions | 15.2”H x 8.2”W x 12.6”D (385 x 208 x 320 mm) | 14.6”H x 9.1”W x 11.4”D (370.0 x 230.0 x 288.9 mm) |
| Weight | 24.3 lbs (11 kg) each | 53.4 lbs (24.2 kg) |
| Impedance | 5.1 ohms minimum, ported mode (measured, Erin’s Audio Corner) | 4 ohms nominal (measured, Audio Science Review) |
| Sensitivity | 85dB (measured at 2.83V/1m, Erin’s Audio Corner) | 85dB (2.83V/1m, measured, Audio Science Review) |
| Bass Extension (-3dB) | 52Hz (measured, Erin’s Audio Corner) | 55.7Hz (measured, Audio Science Review) |
| Bass Extension (-10dB) | 38Hz (measured, Erin’s Audio Corner) | 40Hz (derived, log-interpolated between spinorama.org -9dB/-12dB points) |
| Country | Denmark | - |
| Spinorama Preference Score | 4.32 | 5.37 (spinorama.org) |
| Spinorama Preference Score with Perfect Sub | 6.33 | 7.32 (spinorama.org) |
| DIY Kit | No | No |
| Woofer Cabinet | - | ported, rear |
Related Speaker Comparisons
How Dynaudio Heritage Special compares with other leading options:
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- KEF Reference 1 Meta vs Dynaudio Heritage Special
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- Audio First Cadentia 3 vs Dynaudio Heritage Special
Prices on this page were last checked October 3, 2026 at 10:26 PM UTC. Product prices and availability are accurate as of that date/time and are subject to change; the price and availability shown on Amazon at the time of purchase will apply to the purchase of this product.
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The Two Speakers In Full
Dynaudio Heritage Special: $7,000 per pair Safe and Sound HQ eBay
Pros: One of the rare cases where the reviewer measured a speaker as flawed but still genuinely enjoyed listening to it. A massive 4” voice coil on the midwoofer gives it exceptional output capability for a bookshelf speaker: averaged 100dB at 3.5 meters with no audible mechanical noise, port chuffing, or woofer bottoming even when deliberately pushed hard. Bass is very robust and doesn’t noticeably give up output as volume increases, staying solid at both low and high listening levels. Big, well-proportioned soundstage: wide without losing image focus. Limited run of 2,500 pairs with genuine collectible/heritage value; the tweeter (Esotar 3) and midwoofer both use premium Dynaudio-made drivers with an unusually wide, stout voice coil. Measured bass extension of 52Hz (-3dB), with a measured sensitivity of 85dB.
Cons: At lower listening volumes, dynamic range and kick-drum punch fell short of higher-sensitivity speakers the reviewer has tested (JBL 4367, KEF Reference 1 Meta): the sheer output ceiling is impressive, but it isn’t a highly dynamic-sounding speaker at modest levels. A degree of “softness” in the upper mid-range. Selective sibilance in the 4-6kHz treble region that shows up on some tracks but not others, which the reviewer found mildly aggravating and would want to EQ down given the choice. Neither the tweeter nor the woofer is fully flush-mounted to the baffle, likely intentional as part of the heritage-styled look, but the reviewer wonders how much this affected linearity. At $7000/pair (and a discontinued limited run, so used/open-box pricing around $5,000/pair is about the best you’ll do now), this is a serious investment for a bookshelf speaker.
Full Dynaudio Heritage Special review and specifications →
| Bass Extension (-10dB) | 38Hz (measured, Erin’s Audio Corner) |
|---|---|
| Bass Extension (-3dB) | 52Hz (measured, Erin’s Audio Corner) |
| Country | Denmark |
| DIY Kit | No |
| Dimensions | 15.2”H x 8.2”W x 12.6”D (385 x 208 x 320 mm) |
| Drivers | 18cm MSP cone woofer, 28mm Esotar 3 dome tweeter |
| Impedance | 5.1 ohms minimum, ported mode (measured, Erin’s Audio Corner) |
| Sensitivity | 85dB (measured at 2.83V/1m, Erin’s Audio Corner) |
| Spinorama Preference Score | 4.32 |
| Spinorama Preference Score with Perfect Sub | 6.33 |
| Weight | 24.3 lbs (11 kg) each |
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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 55.7Hz (-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) | 40Hz (derived, log-interpolated between spinorama.org -9dB/-12dB points) |
|---|---|
| Bass Extension (-3dB) | 55.7Hz (measured, Audio Science Review) |
| DIY Kit | No |
| Dimensions | 14.6”H x 9.1”W x 11.4”D (370.0 x 230.0 x 288.9 mm) |
| Drivers | 1” tweeter + 6.5” woofer |
| Impedance | 4 ohms nominal (measured, Audio Science Review) |
| Sensitivity | 85dB (2.83V/1m, measured, Audio Science Review) |
| Spinorama Preference Score | 5.37 (spinorama.org) |
| Spinorama Preference Score with Perfect Sub | 7.32 (spinorama.org) |
| Weight | 53.4 lbs (24.2 kg) |
| Woofer Cabinet | ported, rear |
- Links
- Reviews, Comparisons and Sound Samples
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