Short answer: the JBL HDI-1600 for better sound quality, the Revel Concerta2 M16 for the lower price. The JBL HDI-1600 ranks #35 of 100 bookshelf speakers at $1980. The Revel Concerta2 M16 ranks #37 at $600, $1380 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.
The case for the Revel Concerta2 M16: CEA2034 spinorama shows an on-axis response that’s essentially flat from 200Hz to 10kHz, with some bass boost around 100Hz. The tradeoff: Harmonic distortion shows a notable peak around 80Hz and a sharp spike around 350Hz, plus the woofer appears to get a bit unhappy right before handing off to the tweeter.
Buy the JBL HDI-1600 if sound quality matters more than the price. Buy the Revel Concerta2 M16 if the price matters more than sound quality.
Specifications Side By Side
| JBL HDI-1600 | Revel Concerta2 M16 | |
|---|---|---|
| Price | $1980 Discontinued | about $600 used |
| Ranked | #35 of 100 in Large Size Bookshelf Speakers | #37 of 100 in Large Size Bookshelf Speakers |
| Bass Extension (-3dB) | 70Hz (measured, Audio Science Review) | 60.1Hz (measured, Audio Science Review) |
| Bass Extension (-10dB) | 55Hz (measured, Audio Science Review) | - |
| Impedance | 4 ohms nominal (measured, Audio Science Review) | 6 ohms |
| Sensitivity | 85dB (2.83V/1m, measured, Audio Science Review) | 86dB |
| Drivers | 1" tweeter + 6.5" woofer | 25mm tweeter + 165mm woofer |
| Discontinued | Yes | - |
| Weight | 53.4 lbs / 24.2 kg | 32 lbs / 14.5 kg |
| Dimensions | 14.6"H x 9.1"W x 11.4"D (370.0 x 230.0 x 288.9 mm) | 14.8"H x 8.6"W x 10.8"D (374.7 x 218.4 x 273.3 mm) |
| Woofer Cabinet | ported, rear | ported, rear |
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- Arendal 1723 Bookshelf S THX vs Power Sound Audio MT-110-M
- Philharmonic BMR (v1) vs Arendal 1723 Bookshelf S THX
- Emotiva Airmotiv XB2 vs StarkSound Beta 5
- Emotiva Airmotiv XB2 vs JBL HDI-1600
- JBL HDI-1600 vs ELAC DBR62
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 |
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- Links
- Reviews, Comparisons and Sound Samples
- Head-to-Head Comparisons
- JBL HDI-1600 vs Arendal 1723 Bookshelf S THX
- 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 ELAC DBR62
- JBL HDI-1600 vs Ascend Acoustics Sierra-LX
- See all 12 comparisons
Revel Concerta2 M16: about $600 used
Pros: CEA2034 spinorama shows an on-axis response that’s essentially flat from 200Hz to 10kHz, with some bass boost around 100Hz. Predicted in-room response is very nice, with just extra bass and a bit of roll-off above 20kHz - the reviewer calls it “nice!” Distortion is well controlled through most of the range at both test levels.
Cons: Harmonic distortion shows a notable peak around 80Hz and a sharp spike around 350Hz, plus the woofer appears to get a bit unhappy right before handing off to the tweeter. Cumulative spectral decay (waterfall) shows some lingering resonances in the 300Hz-1kHz region. The reviewer cautions not to over-cover the cabinet/grille area with thin fabric, as it can audibly affect the top-end response.
Full Revel Concerta2 M16 review and specifications →
| Bass Extension (-3dB) | 60.1Hz (measured, Audio Science Review) |
|---|---|
| Dimensions | 14.8"H x 8.6"W x 10.8"D (374.7 x 218.4 x 273.3 mm) |
| Drivers | 25mm tweeter + 165mm woofer |
| Impedance | 6 ohms |
| Sensitivity | 86dB |
| Weight | 32 lbs / 14.5 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
- Revel Concerta2 M16 vs ELAC DB63
- Revel Concerta2 M16 vs ELAC Uni-Fi Reference UBR62
- Revel Concerta2 M16 vs Emotiva Airmotiv XB2
- Revel Concerta2 M16 vs ELAC DBR62
- Revel Concerta2 M16 vs Yamaha NS-800A
- Revel Concerta2 M16 vs Definitive Technology Demand D11
- Revel Concerta2 M16 vs ELAC VELA BS 403
- Revel Concerta2 M16 vs Dynaudio Contour 20i
- See all 10 comparisons