Short answer: the Emotiva Airmotiv XB2. It ranks #32 of 100 bookshelf speakers by sound quality at $549; the JBL HDI-1600 ranks #35 and costs $1980, so there is not much of a tradeoff to weigh.
What the Emotiva Airmotiv XB2 gets right: Very neutral, linear frequency response at the recommended toe-out angle, with better directivity than the similarly-priced ELAC DB63. The catch: Slight recessed upper-midrange around 2kHz from the tweeter-to-woofer handoff.
The case for the JBL HDI-1600: 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. The tradeoff: A dip appears above 10kHz on-axis.
Buy the Emotiva Airmotiv XB2. It ranks higher for sound quality than the JBL HDI-1600 and costs less, so there is no real case for the other one.
Specifications Side By Side
| Emotiva Airmotiv XB2 | JBL HDI-1600 | |
|---|---|---|
| Price | $549 | $1980 Discontinued |
| Ranked | #32 of 100 in Large Size Bookshelf Speakers | #35 of 100 in Large Size Bookshelf Speakers |
| Bass Extension (-10dB) | 43Hz (measured, Erin’s Audio Corner) | 55Hz (measured, Audio Science Review) |
| Bass Extension (-3dB) | 62Hz (measured, Erin’s Audio Corner) | 70Hz (measured, Audio Science Review) |
| Dimensions | 12.8" x 8.5" x 11.5" (325 x 216 x 292 mm) | 14.6"H x 9.1"W x 11.4"D (370.0 x 230.0 x 288.9 mm) |
| Impedance | 4 ohms nominal (safe with 8-ohm rated amps) | 4 ohms nominal (measured, Audio Science Review) |
| Sensitivity | 86dB (2.83V/1m, Manufacturer specified) | 85dB (2.83V/1m, measured, Audio Science Review) |
| Drivers | 1x 6" woven cone woofer, 1x 25x32mm AMT folded ribbon tweeter | 1" tweeter + 6.5" woofer |
| Weight | 18.1 lbs / 8.2 kg | 53.4 lbs / 24.2 kg |
| Woofer Cabinet | Bass reflex, rear ported | ported, rear |
| Frequency Response | 48Hz - 27kHz (+3/-3dB, Manufacturer specified) | - |
| Crossover Frequency | 2.6kHz | - |
| Output Power | 125W continuous, 200W peak | - |
| Discontinued | - | Yes |
Related Speaker Comparisons
More useful head-to-heads from the same speaker class:
- Arendal 1723 Bookshelf S THX vs Power Sound Audio MT-110-M
- Wharfedale Linton 85 vs ELAC DB63
- ELAC VELA BS 403 vs ELAC DB63
- JBL HDI-1600 vs Revel Concerta2 M16
- ELAC DB63 vs JBL HDI-1600
The Two Speakers In Full
Emotiva Airmotiv XB2: $549 Emotiva
Pros: Very neutral, linear frequency response at the recommended toe-out angle, with better directivity than the similarly-priced ELAC DB63. Decent bass extension for a bookshelf (F3 at 62Hz). AMT folded-ribbon tweeter with a rotating waveguide for placement flexibility. Great value - rated a top-three performer for the money by Erin’s Audio Corner.
Cons: Slight recessed upper-midrange around 2kHz from the tweeter-to-woofer handoff. Sounds noticeably bright pointed directly at the listener - needs toeing out 10-20 degrees, crossfiring behind the head, for the most linear result. Elevated multi-tone distortion at higher output leads to some grainy, compressed mids when pushed. Irregular compression deviations affect dynamics at higher volume. Needs a subwoofer for real bass authority.
Full Emotiva Airmotiv XB2 review and specifications →
| Bass Extension (-10dB) | 43Hz (measured, Erin's Audio Corner) |
|---|---|
| Bass Extension (-3dB) | 62Hz (measured, Erin's Audio Corner) |
| Crossover Frequency | 2.6kHz |
| Dimensions | 12.8" x 8.5" x 11.5" (325 x 216 x 292 mm) |
| Drivers | 1x 6" woven cone woofer, 1x 25x32mm AMT folded ribbon tweeter |
| Frequency Response | 48Hz - 27kHz (+3/-3dB, Manufacturer specified) |
| Impedance | 4 ohms nominal (safe with 8-ohm rated amps) |
| Output Power | 125W continuous, 200W peak |
| Sensitivity | 86dB (2.83V/1m, Manufacturer specified) |
| Weight | 18.1 lbs / 8.2 kg |
| Woofer Cabinet | Bass reflex, rear ported |
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- Links
- Reviews, Comparisons and Sound Samples
- Head-to-Head Comparisons
- Emotiva Airmotiv XB2 vs ELAC DB63
- Emotiva Airmotiv XB2 vs ELAC VELA BS 403
- Emotiva Airmotiv XB2 vs StarkSound Beta 5
- Emotiva Airmotiv XB2 vs Revel M126Be
- Emotiva Airmotiv XB2 vs Revel Concerta2 M16
- Emotiva Airmotiv XB2 vs Wharfedale Linton 85
- Emotiva Airmotiv XB2 vs ELAC Uni-Fi Reference UBR62
- Emotiva Airmotiv XB2 vs Monolith Encore B6
- See all 9 comparisons
JBL HDI-1600: $1980 Discontinued Crutchfield
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.
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 |
As an eBay Partner, we may be compensated if you make a purchase.
- Links
- Reviews, Comparisons and Sound Samples
- Head-to-Head Comparisons
- JBL HDI-1600 vs Arendal 1723 Bookshelf S THX
- JBL HDI-1600 vs Revel Concerta2 M16
- JBL HDI-1600 vs ELAC DB63
- JBL HDI-1600 vs ELAC VELA BS 403
- JBL HDI-1600 vs ELAC Uni-Fi Reference UBR62
- JBL HDI-1600 vs Revel M126Be
- JBL HDI-1600 vs ELAC DBR62
- JBL HDI-1600 vs Ascend Acoustics Sierra-LX
- See all 12 comparisons