Short answer: the JBL HDI-1600 for a flatter, more accurate response; the Yamaha NS-800A for cabinet build. The HDI-1600’s spinorama is very flat through the critical mid and upper frequencies with a slight bass boost and very smooth early-window directivity, its only knock a dip above 10kHz on-axis. The Yamaha is exceptionally well built and resonance-free, but a wide 2kHz-10kHz scoop leaves it laidback and soft, well below the reviewer’s Audio First Fidelia reference.
Buy the Yamaha NS-800A, since the JBL HDI-1600 is discontinued and only worth hunting down used.
Still deciding? The full Passive Home rankings cover every ranked option.
Specifications Side By Side
| JBL HDI-1600 | Yamaha NS-800A | |
|---|---|---|
| Price | $1980 per pair Discontinued | $4,999.90 per pair |
| Ranked | #45 of 134 in Large Size Bookshelf Speakers | #58 of 134 in Large Size Bookshelf Speakers |
| Bass Extension (-3dB) | 55.7Hz (measured, Audio Science Review) | 68Hz (measured, Erin’s Audio Corner) |
| Bass Extension (-10dB) | 40Hz (derived, log-interpolated between spinorama.org -9dB/-12dB points) | 35Hz (measured, Erin’s Audio Corner) |
| Impedance | 4 ohms nominal (measured, Audio Science Review) | 6 ohms nominal, 4.3 ohms minimum (measured above 80Hz, Erin’s Audio Corner) |
| Sensitivity | 85dB (2.83V/1m, measured, Audio Science Review) | 84.9dB (measured average 300Hz-3kHz @ 2.83V/1m, Erin’s Audio Corner; 86.5dB manufacturer specified) |
| Drivers | 1” tweeter + 6.5” woofer | 1.25” dome tweeter, 6.5” mid-woofer |
| Weight | 53.4 lbs (24.2 kg) | 28.7 lbs (13.0 kg) each |
| Dimensions | 14.6”H x 9.1”W x 11.4”D (370.0 x 230.0 x 288.9 mm) | 16.5”H x 9.1”W x 14.1”D (419.1 x 231.8 x 358.8 mm) |
| Woofer Cabinet | ported, rear | Bass reflex |
| Spinorama Preference Score | 5.37 (spinorama.org) | 4.66 |
| Spinorama Preference Score with Perfect Sub | 7.32 (spinorama.org) | 6.43 |
| DIY Kit | No | No |
| Crossover Frequency | - | 2600Hz |
| Power Handling | - | 40W nominal, 120W max |
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The Two Speakers In Full
JBL HDI-1600: $1980 per pair Discontinued Crutchfield eBay
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. Measured bass extension of 55.7Hz (-3dB), with a measured sensitivity of 85dB.
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) | 40Hz (derived, log-interpolated between spinorama.org -9dB/-12dB points) |
|---|---|
| Bass Extension (-3dB) | 55.7Hz (measured, Audio Science Review) |
| DIY Kit | No |
| Dimensions | 14.6”H x 9.1”W x 11.4”D (370.0 x 230.0 x 288.9 mm) |
| Drivers | 1” tweeter + 6.5” woofer |
| Impedance | 4 ohms nominal (measured, Audio Science Review) |
| Sensitivity | 85dB (2.83V/1m, measured, Audio Science Review) |
| Spinorama Preference Score | 5.37 (spinorama.org) |
| Spinorama Preference Score with Perfect Sub | 7.32 (spinorama.org) |
| Weight | 53.4 lbs (24.2 kg) |
| Woofer Cabinet | ported, rear |
- Links
- Reviews, Comparisons and Sound Samples
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Yamaha NS-800A: $4,999.90 per pair The Music Room eBay
Pros: Exceptionally well-built cabinet with no internal resonance issues at all: confirmed clean in both burst decay and impedance measurements. Good, wide directivity (~75 degrees horizontal) that stays consistent enough to EQ successfully. Distortion is low, staying under 3% at 96dB, and dynamic range holds up well until right near its 102dB limit. A shallower, higher-frequency bass rolloff profile (F3 68Hz, F10 35Hz) means it can be placed closer to the wall (about a foot) without turning boomy, actually gaining bass presence rather than losing it. Measured bass extension of 68Hz (-3dB), with a measured sensitivity of 84.9dB.
Cons: A wide, roughly 2kHz-10kHz scoop in the upper-midrange/lower-treble gives it a laidback, soft, low-attack character: notably worse than the reviewer’s Audio First Fidelia reference in an A/B comparison. On top of that, treble breaks up badly above 10kHz, swinging up as much as 8dB: a significant, named flaw. Sounds inconsistently voiced as a result (bright on some material like cymbals and shakers, dull/laidback on vocals and instrument attack) until corrected with real parametric EQ (the reviewer needed a +2dB boost around 4.5kHz at Q0.5 plus taming the treble spike to bring it to life) combined with near-wall placement and 30-degree toe-out. Without that combination, it’s a tough sale for a $5000 bookshelf speaker.
Full Yamaha NS-800A review and specifications →
| Bass Extension (-10dB) | 35Hz (measured, Erin’s Audio Corner) |
|---|---|
| Bass Extension (-3dB) | 68Hz (measured, Erin’s Audio Corner) |
| Crossover Frequency | 2600Hz |
| DIY Kit | No |
| Dimensions | 16.5”H x 9.1”W x 14.1”D (419.1 x 231.8 x 358.8 mm) |
| Drivers | 1.25” dome tweeter, 6.5” mid-woofer |
| Impedance | 6 ohms nominal, 4.3 ohms minimum (measured above 80Hz, Erin’s Audio Corner) |
| Power Handling | 40W nominal, 120W max |
| Sensitivity | 84.9dB (measured average 300Hz-3kHz @ 2.83V/1m, Erin’s Audio Corner; 86.5dB manufacturer specified) |
| Spinorama Preference Score | 4.66 |
| Spinorama Preference Score with Perfect Sub | 6.43 |
| Weight | 28.7 lbs (13.0 kg) each |
| Woofer Cabinet | Bass reflex |
- Links
- Reviews, Comparisons and Sound Samples
- Head-to-Head Comparisons
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