Short answer: the JBL HDI-1600 for better sound quality, the ELAC DBR62 for the lower price. The JBL HDI-1600 ranks #35 of 100 bookshelf speakers at $1980. The ELAC DBR62 ranks #42 at $678.97, $1301.03 cheaper.
What the JBL HDI-1600 gets right: 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 catch: A dip appears above 10kHz on-axis.
The case for the ELAC DBR62: Two-way design with a 6.5” woofer and 1” dome tweeter in a shallow waveguide, with the tweeter positioned close to the woofer for near-point-source coherence - giving more vertical listening leeway than typical two-ways. The tradeoff: A slight recess in the 1-2kHz region reduces vocal presence somewhat compared to other speakers in direct comparison.
Buy the JBL HDI-1600 if sound quality matters more than the price. Buy the ELAC DBR62 if the price matters more than sound quality.
Specifications Side By Side
| JBL HDI-1600 | ELAC DBR62 | |
|---|---|---|
| Price | $1980 Discontinued | $678.97 |
| Ranked | #35 of 100 in Large Size Bookshelf Speakers | #42 of 100 in Large Size Bookshelf Speakers |
| Bass Extension (-3dB) | 70Hz (measured, Audio Science Review) | 53Hz (measured, Erin’s Audio Corner) |
| Bass Extension (-10dB) | 55Hz (measured, Audio Science Review) | 41Hz (measured, Erin’s Audio Corner) |
| Impedance | 4 ohms nominal (measured, Audio Science Review) | 6 ohms nominal, 5.2 ohms minimum (measured above 80Hz, Erin’s Audio Corner) |
| Sensitivity | 85dB (2.83V/1m, measured, Audio Science Review) | 84.3dB (measured average 300Hz-3kHz @ 2.83V/1m, Erin’s Audio Corner; 86dB manufacturer specified) |
| Drivers | 1" tweeter + 6.5" woofer | 6.5" Aramid Fiber woofer, 1" soft dome tweeter |
| Discontinued | Yes | - |
| Weight | 53.4 lbs / 24.2 kg | 18.1 lbs / 8.2 kg each |
| Dimensions | 14.6"H x 9.1"W x 11.4"D (370.0 x 230.0 x 288.9 mm) | 14.1"H x 8.2"W x 10.8"D (358.1 x 208.3 x 274.3 mm) |
| Woofer Cabinet | ported, rear | ported, front |
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More useful head-to-heads from the same speaker class:
- Power Sound Audio MT-110-M vs ELAC Uni-Fi Reference UBR62
- Arendal 1723 Bookshelf S THX vs Power Sound Audio MT-110-M
- ELAC Uni-Fi Reference UBR62 vs SVS Ultra Bookshelf
- JBL HDI-1600 vs Revel Concerta2 M16
- Emotiva Airmotiv XB2 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 →
| 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 Emotiva Airmotiv XB2
- 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 Ascend Acoustics Sierra-LX
- See all 12 comparisons
ELAC DBR62: $678.97 Amazon Crutchfield
Pros: Two-way design with a 6.5” woofer and 1” dome tweeter in a shallow waveguide, with the tweeter positioned close to the woofer for near-point-source coherence - giving more vertical listening leeway than typical two-ways. Notably forgiving of placement and aiming: sounds good from directly on-axis all the way to 30° of toe-out (parallel with the rear wall), making it more room-independent than many speakers this price. Wide horizontal radiation of about ±70° until the tweeter starts beaming, right in the reviewer’s preferred sweet spot. A mild, wide-Q bass bump centered around 100Hz adds a bit of extra punch that the reviewer personally likes. On-axis linearity within about ±2.5dB, with a strong measured preference score of 5.3. Distortion stays below 3% at both 86dB and 96dB until around 50Hz. Vertical sweet spot of about ±10-20° works well for multi-row home theater seating. The reviewer calls it “the epitome of a good speaker” for its price, with no reservations recommending it.
Cons: A slight recess in the 1-2kHz region reduces vocal presence somewhat compared to other speakers in direct comparison. A mild hot spot around 4-5kHz can read as slight sibilance when pointed directly on-axis. Low-to-mid sensitivity (about 84.3dB) combined with a current draw that behaves like roughly 2.4 ohms between 100-200Hz means it’s best driven by a dedicated 4-ohm-capable amplifier rather than an AVR. A diffraction dip from the baffle edge is visible in measurements - typical of any standard rectangular-baffle speaker and not correctable without a much more expensive curved-baffle design. Multitone distortion testing suggests some potential midrange distortion could be audible on certain material, though the reviewer didn’t personally notice it. Minor resonances appear around 700Hz and 1-1.5kHz, possibly tied to the enclosure, port, or cone/surround edge termination, though their audible impact appears minimal. F3 of 53Hz means a subwoofer is still needed for real bass extension below about 40Hz.
Full ELAC DBR62 review and specifications →
| Bass Extension (-10dB) | 41Hz (measured, Erin's Audio Corner) |
|---|---|
| Bass Extension (-3dB) | 53Hz (measured, Erin's Audio Corner) |
| Dimensions | 14.1"H x 8.2"W x 10.8"D (358.1 x 208.3 x 274.3 mm) |
| Drivers | 6.5" Aramid Fiber woofer, 1" soft dome tweeter |
| Impedance | 6 ohms nominal, 5.2 ohms minimum (measured above 80Hz, Erin's Audio Corner) |
| Sensitivity | 84.3dB (measured average 300Hz-3kHz @ 2.83V/1m, Erin's Audio Corner; 86dB manufacturer specified) |
| Weight | 18.1 lbs / 8.2 kg each |
| Woofer Cabinet | ported, front |
As an eBay Partner, we may be compensated if you make a purchase.
- Links
- Reviews, Comparisons and Sound Samples
- Erin’s Audio Corner: Top 3 Things You Need to Know About ELAC DBR62 Before You Buy
- Erin’s Audio Corner Website Elac DBR62
- Erin’s Audio Corner: 5 AWESOME SPEAKERS Under $1000 You Won’t Regret
- Erin’s Audio Corner: My Top Picks of 2023: Must-Haves Under $3000
- Audio Science Review Measurements
- Reddit Search for ELAC DBR62 Review
- Head-to-Head Comparisons
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