Short answer: the ELAC Vela FS 408.2. Both are rated 4.3/5 for sound quality (#76 and #63 of 226 floorstanding speakers), and the ELAC Vela FS 408.2 costs $3,699 against $3,800 for the JBL HDI-3600, and with sound quality even, the cheaper one is the better buy.
What the ELAC Vela FS 408.2 does well: A larger Vela tower with three 7” AS-XR drivers and the JET 6 tweeter, rated from 28Hz at 88.5dB. The tradeoff: No independent measurements yet, so its tonal balance and directivity can’t be compared with ranked speakers.
What the JBL HDI-3600 does well: CEA2034 spinorama shows a fairly even on-axis response and flat overall frequency response, with high 90dB sensitivity and very low distortion through the midrange. The tradeoff: A wide shelving-down above 2kHz affects the in-room response, and vertical dispersion is a bigger issue than horizontal: the reviewer noted the dip is wider here than on the smaller JBL HDI-1600, making it more audible.
Buy the ELAC Vela FS 408.2. Both are rated the same for sound quality, and it costs $101 less than the JBL HDI-3600.
Worth knowing: the ELAC Vela FS 408.2 has not been measured yet. Its rating is estimated from related models, with a likely range of 4.0 to 4.6, so treat this verdict as provisional.
Still deciding? The full Passive Home rankings cover every ranked option.
Specifications Side By Side
| ELAC Vela FS 408.2 | JBL HDI-3600 | |
|---|---|---|
| Price | $3699 per pair | $3800 per pair |
| Ranked | #76 of 226 in Large Size Floorstanding Speakers Estimated | #63 of 226 in Large Size Floorstanding Speakers |
| Drivers | 1x JET 6 folded ribbon tweeter, 1x 7” AS-XR cone midrange, 2x 7” AS-XR cone woofers | 2410H-2 1” compression driver, 3x 6.5” Advanced Aluminum Matrix woofers |
| Sensitivity | 88.5dB (manufacturer specified) | 89.5dB (2.83V/1m, measured, Audio Science Review) |
| Impedance | 4 ohms nominal (manufacturer specified) | 4 ohms nominal |
| Frequency Response | 28Hz - 50kHz (manufacturer specified) | 38Hz - 30kHz (+/-3dB) (Manufacturer specified) |
| Dimensions | 45”H x 10.9”W x 13.1”D (1142 x 276 x 332 mm) | 40.5”H x 10.2”W x 13.5”D (1029 x 260 x 343 mm) |
| Weight | 59.7 lbs (27.1 kg) | 61.7 lbs (28 kg) each |
| Enclosure | Bass reflex, down-firing port | - |
| Bass Extension (-3dB) | - | 78Hz - the on-axis curve also shows an unusual step/dip around 40-55Hz that may be a near-field-scan artifact for this tower (measured, Audio Science Review) |
| Bass Extension (-10dB) | - | 62Hz - the on-axis curve also shows an unusual step/dip around 40-55Hz that may be a near-field-scan artifact for this tower (measured, Audio Science Review) |
| Woofer Cabinet | - | ported, dual rear-firing |
| Spinorama Preference Score | - | 4.64 (spinorama.org) |
| Spinorama Preference Score with Perfect Sub | - | 6.95 (spinorama.org) |
| DIY Kit | - | No |
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Prices on this page were last checked October 11, 2026 at 4:59 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
ELAC Vela FS 408.2: $3699 per pair Estimated ELAC eBay
Same family: the ELAC Vela BS 403.2 (smaller bookshelf, estimated 4.4/5), the ELAC Vela BS 404.2 (larger bookshelf, estimated 4.3/5), the ELAC Vela FS 407.2 (smaller floorstanding, ranked higher, estimated 4.3/5), the ELAC Vela FS 409.2 (larger floorstanding, ranked higher, estimated 4.4/5) and the ELAC Vela CC 401.2 (center, estimated 4.1/5). See every ELAC Vela generation.
Pros: A larger Vela tower with three 7” AS-XR drivers and the JET 6 tweeter, rated from 28Hz at 88.5dB.
Cons: No independent measurements yet, so its tonal balance and directivity can’t be compared with ranked speakers. At 27.1 kg each it needs a medium to large room.
Full ELAC Vela FS 408.2 review and specifications →
| Released | 2024 (2 years ago) |
|---|---|
| Dimensions | 45”H x 10.9”W x 13.1”D (1142 x 276 x 332 mm) |
| Drivers | 1x JET 6 folded ribbon tweeter, 1x 7” AS-XR cone midrange, 2x 7” AS-XR cone woofers |
| Enclosure | Bass reflex, down-firing port |
| Frequency Response | 28Hz - 50kHz (manufacturer specified) |
| Impedance | 4 ohms nominal (manufacturer specified) |
| Sensitivity | 88.5dB (manufacturer specified) |
| Weight | 59.7 lbs (27.1 kg) |
- Links
- Reviews, Comparisons and Sound Samples
- No independent measurement review is linked for this model; it is ranked from hands-on listening and comparison against similarly priced speakers.
- Head-to-Head Comparisons
JBL HDI-3600: $3800 per pair Audio Advice eBay
Same family: the JBL HDI-1600 (bookshelf, rated 4.2/5), the JBL HDI-3800 (larger floorstanding, ranked higher, rated 4.5/5), the JBL HDI-4500 (center, rated 3.7/5) and the JBL HDI-1200P (subwoofer, rated 3.9/5).
Pros: CEA2034 spinorama shows a fairly even on-axis response and flat overall frequency response, with high 90dB sensitivity and very low distortion through the midrange. Triple 6.5” Advanced Aluminum Matrix woofers and a 1” compression driver in JBL’s HDI waveguide. Measured bass extension of 78Hz (-3dB), with a measured sensitivity of 89.5dB.
Cons: A wide shelving-down above 2kHz affects the in-room response, and vertical dispersion is a bigger issue than horizontal: the reviewer noted the dip is wider here than on the smaller JBL HDI-1600, making it more audible. Narrow vertical sweet spot means careful listener-height positioning matters more than usual.
Full JBL HDI-3600 review and specifications →
| Released | Jun 2020 (6 years ago) |
|---|---|
| Bass Extension (-10dB) | 62Hz - the on-axis curve also shows an unusual step/dip around 40-55Hz that may be a near-field-scan artifact for this tower (measured, Audio Science Review) |
| Bass Extension (-3dB) | 78Hz - the on-axis curve also shows an unusual step/dip around 40-55Hz that may be a near-field-scan artifact for this tower (measured, Audio Science Review) |
| DIY Kit | No |
| Dimensions | 40.5”H x 10.2”W x 13.5”D (1029 x 260 x 343 mm) |
| Drivers | 2410H-2 1” compression driver, 3x 6.5” Advanced Aluminum Matrix woofers |
| Frequency Response | 38Hz - 30kHz (+/-3dB) (Manufacturer specified) |
| Impedance | 4 ohms nominal |
| Sensitivity | 89.5dB (2.83V/1m, measured, Audio Science Review) |
| Spinorama Preference Score | 4.64 (spinorama.org) |
| Spinorama Preference Score with Perfect Sub | 6.95 (spinorama.org) |
| Weight | 61.7 lbs (28 kg) each |
| Woofer Cabinet | ported, dual rear-firing |
- Links
- Reviews, Comparisons and Sound Samples
- Head-to-Head Comparisons
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