Short answer: the JBL HDI-1600 for better sound quality, the Aperion Audio Verus V8B for the lower price. The JBL HDI-1600 ranks #34 of 84 bookshelf speakers at $1980. The Aperion Audio Verus V8B ranks #76 at $1499, $481 cheaper.
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.
What the Aperion Audio Verus V8B offers: Low-distortion bass that reaches a reasonable level for an 8-inch mid-woofer - the reviewer had no complaints about bass cleanliness, just extension. Watch for: A large mid-range scoop from about 100Hz-500Hz strips out the “meat” of male and female vocals, giving the speaker an overall dull, subdued character the reviewer specifically didn’t care for.
Buy the JBL HDI-1600 if sound quality matters more than the price. Buy the Aperion Audio Verus V8B if the price matters more than sound quality.
If sound quality matters at all to you, skip the Aperion Audio Verus V8B. It ranks near the bottom of the 84 bookshelf speakers, so look higher up the list instead.
Specifications Side By Side
| JBL HDI-1600 | Aperion Audio Verus V8B | |
|---|---|---|
| Price | $1980 Discontinued | $1,499 |
| Ranked | #34 of 84 in Large Size Bookshelf Speakers | #76 of 84 in Large Size Bookshelf Speakers |
| Impedance | 4 ohms nominal (measured, Audio Science Review) | 6 ohms nominal (manufacturer spec), 5.7 ohms nominal / ~3 ohms EPDR minimum (measured, Erin’s Audio Corner) |
| Sensitivity | 85dB | 85dB (measured average, Erin’s Audio Corner; 88dB manufacturer specified) |
| Drivers | 1" tweeter + 6.5" woofer | 8" Woven Kevlar long-throw woofer, 1.1" Custom Aperion ASR dome tweeter with ferrofluid |
| Discontinued | Yes | - |
| Weight | 53.4 lbs / 24.2 kg | 28 lbs each |
| Dimensions | 14.6"H x 9.1"W x 11.4"D (370.0 x 230.0 x 288.9 mm) | 17"H x 10.6"W x 13"D |
| Woofer Cabinet | ported, rear | ported, rear |
| Bass Extension (-3dB) | - | 55Hz (measured, Erin’s Audio Corner) |
| Bass Extension (-10dB) | - | 39Hz (measured, Erin’s Audio Corner) |
| Frequency Response | - | 30Hz - 35kHz ±3dB (manufacturer specified) |
| Recommended Power | - | 20-150W |
Related Speaker Comparisons
More useful head-to-heads from the same speaker class:
- Philharmonic BMR (v1) vs Arendal 1723 Bookshelf S THX
- Arendal 1723 Bookshelf S THX vs Power Sound Audio MT-110-M
- Triad In-Room Gold LCR vs ATC SCM19
- Arendal 1723 Bookshelf S THX vs JBL HDI-1600
- Ascend Acoustics Sierra-LX vs JBL HDI-1600
The Two Speakers In Full
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 →
| 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 |
| Weight | 53.4 lbs / 24.2 kg |
| Woofer Cabinet | ported, rear |
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Aperion Audio Verus V8B: $1,499 Aperion Audio
Pros: Low-distortion bass that reaches a reasonable level for an 8-inch mid-woofer - the reviewer had no complaints about bass cleanliness, just extension. Wide-enough horizontal radiation to give some room involvement without being uncomfortably narrow. HDF (high-density fiberboard) cabinet construction instead of the more typical MDF. Nice aesthetic in the gloss cherry finish (also available in black); solidly built at nearly 28 lbs each.
Cons: A large mid-range scoop from about 100Hz-500Hz strips out the “meat” of male and female vocals, giving the speaker an overall dull, subdued character the reviewer specifically didn’t care for. Two back-to-back resonant peaks (around 4kHz and 10kHz) cause sibilance and an overbearing hi-hat crispness on some tracks; toeing the speakers 30 degrees off-axis helps a little but doesn’t remove the underlying resonances. At $1,499/pair, the reviewer felt EQ shouldn’t be necessary to get a satisfying result out of the box. Minimum impedance (EPDR) dips to around 3 ohms despite a 5.7-ohm nominal rating, so a Class AB amplifier needs to be 4-ohm capable. Bass extension is modest for an 8” driver - measured F3 55Hz/F10 39Hz, getting into the mid-40s Hz in-room rather than truly deep bass.
Full Aperion Audio Verus V8B review and specifications →
| Bass Extension (-10dB) | 39Hz (measured, Erin's Audio Corner) |
|---|---|
| Bass Extension (-3dB) | 55Hz (measured, Erin's Audio Corner) |
| Dimensions | 17"H x 10.6"W x 13"D |
| Drivers | 8" Woven Kevlar long-throw woofer, 1.1" Custom Aperion ASR dome tweeter with ferrofluid |
| Frequency Response | 30Hz - 35kHz ±3dB (manufacturer specified) |
| Impedance | 6 ohms nominal (manufacturer spec), 5.7 ohms nominal / ~3 ohms EPDR minimum (measured, Erin's Audio Corner) |
| Recommended Power | 20-150W |
| Sensitivity | 85dB (measured average, Erin's Audio Corner; 88dB manufacturer specified) |
| Weight | 28 lbs each |
| 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