Short answer: the JBL HDI-3600 for better sound quality, the Emotiva Airmotiv T2+ for the lower price. The JBL HDI-3600 ranks #21 of 56 floorstanding speakers at $3800. The Emotiva Airmotiv T2+ ranks #22 at $999, $2801 cheaper.
What the JBL HDI-3600 offers: CEA2034 spinorama shows a fairly even on-axis response and flat overall frequency response, with high 90dB sensitivity and very low distortion through the midrange. Watch for: A wide shelving-down above 2kHz affects the in-room response, and vertical dispersion is a bigger issue than horizontal - the reviewer noted the dip is wider here than on the smaller HDI-1600, making it more audible.
The case for the Emotiva Airmotiv T2+: High-value three-way tower with strong output and unusually deep usable sealed-room bass for the price. The tradeoff: The nominal 4-ohm system approaches 3 ohms near 100Hz in Erin’s measurement, so a high-current amplifier is preferable.
Buy the JBL HDI-3600 if sound quality matters more than the price. Buy the Emotiva Airmotiv T2+ if the price matters more than sound quality.
Specifications Side By Side
| JBL HDI-3600 | Emotiva Airmotiv T2+ | |
|---|---|---|
| Price | $3800 | $999/pair |
| Ranked | #21 of 56 in Large Size Floorstanding Speakers | #22 of 56 in Large Size Floorstanding Speakers |
| Bass Extension (-3dB) | 78Hz - the on-axis curve also shows an unusual step/dip around 40-55Hz that may be a near-field-scan artifact for this tower (measured, Audio Science Review) | 62Hz (measured, Erin’s Audio Corner) |
| Bass Extension (-10dB) | 62Hz - the on-axis curve also shows an unusual step/dip around 40-55Hz that may be a near-field-scan artifact for this tower (measured, Audio Science Review) | 32Hz (measured, Erin’s Audio Corner) |
| Sensitivity | 89.5dB (2.83V/1m, measured, Audio Science Review) | Approximately 89.5dB/2.83V/1m (measured, Erin’s Audio Corner) |
| Impedance | 4 ohms nominal | Approximately 3 ohms minimum near 100Hz (measured, Erin’s Audio Corner) |
| Frequency Response | 38Hz - 30kHz (+/-3dB) (Manufacturer specified) | - |
| Drivers | 2410H-2 1" compression driver, 3x 6.5" Advanced Aluminum Matrix woofers | 32mm folded-ribbon tweeter; 5.25" midrange; dual 8" woofers |
| Weight | 61.7 lbs / 28 kg each | 56.9 lb each |
| Dimensions | 40.5"H x 10.2"W x 13.5"D (1029 x 260 x 343 mm) | 42.7"H x 12.2"W x 12.3"D |
| Woofer Cabinet | ported, dual rear-firing | ported, rear |
Related Speaker Comparisons
More useful head-to-heads from the same speaker class:
- Arendal 1961 Tower vs PSB Imagine T65
- Morel Avyra 633 vs KLH Model Five
- Arendal 1961 Tower vs Morel Avyra 633
- Focal Chora 816 vs JBL HDI-3600
- Revel Concerta2 F35 vs JBL HDI-3600
The Two Speakers In Full
JBL HDI-3600: $3800 Audioadvice
Pros: CEA2034 spinorama shows a fairly even on-axis response and flat overall frequency response, with high 90dB sensitivity and very low distortion through the midrange. Triple 6.5” Advanced Aluminum Matrix woofers and a 1” compression driver in JBL’s HDI waveguide.
Cons: A wide shelving-down above 2kHz affects the in-room response, and vertical dispersion is a bigger issue than horizontal - the reviewer noted the dip is wider here than on the smaller HDI-1600, making it more audible. Narrow vertical sweet spot means careful listener-height positioning matters more than usual.
Full JBL HDI-3600 review and specifications →
| Bass Extension (-10dB) | 62Hz - the on-axis curve also shows an unusual step/dip around 40-55Hz that may be a near-field-scan artifact for this tower (measured, Audio Science Review) |
|---|---|
| Bass Extension (-3dB) | 78Hz - the on-axis curve also shows an unusual step/dip around 40-55Hz that may be a near-field-scan artifact for this tower (measured, Audio Science Review) |
| Dimensions | 40.5"H x 10.2"W x 13.5"D (1029 x 260 x 343 mm) |
| Drivers | 2410H-2 1" compression driver, 3x 6.5" Advanced Aluminum Matrix woofers |
| Frequency Response | 38Hz - 30kHz (+/-3dB) (Manufacturer specified) |
| Impedance | 4 ohms nominal |
| Sensitivity | 89.5dB (2.83V/1m, measured, Audio Science Review) |
| Weight | 61.7 lbs / 28 kg each |
| Woofer Cabinet | ported, dual rear-firing |
As an eBay Partner, we may be compensated if you make a purchase.
- Links
- Reviews, Comparisons and Sound Samples
- Head-to-Head Comparisons
Emotiva Airmotiv T2+: $999/pair Emotiva
Pros: High-value three-way tower with strong output and unusually deep usable sealed-room bass for the price. Erin measured F3 at 62Hz and F10 at 32Hz, with sensitivity just under 90dB/2.83V/1m. Dual 8-inch woven-fiber woofers relieve the 5.25-inch midrange, and the 32mm folded-ribbon tweeter provides broad horizontal coverage. Approximately +/-2.5dB response linearity, solid cabinet bracing and low compression allow substantial playback levels; the gradual low-frequency roll-off integrates well with either room gain or a subwoofer.
Cons: The nominal 4-ohm system approaches 3 ohms near 100Hz in Erin’s measurement, so a high-current amplifier is preferable. Horizontal and especially vertical directivity through the midrange/tweeter transition is less uniform than the best waveguided or coaxial designs; listener height and nearby reflections matter, and EQ cannot correct the narrowing mismatch. The large rear-ported cabinet needs placement clearance, and its deep F10 should not be confused with flat 30Hz output at cinema levels.
Full Emotiva Airmotiv T2+ review and specifications →
| Bass Extension (-10dB) | 32Hz (measured, Erin's Audio Corner) |
|---|---|
| Bass Extension (-3dB) | 62Hz (measured, Erin's Audio Corner) |
| Dimensions | 42.7"H x 12.2"W x 12.3"D |
| Drivers | 32mm folded-ribbon tweeter; 5.25" midrange; dual 8" woofers |
| Impedance | Approximately 3 ohms minimum near 100Hz (measured, Erin's Audio Corner) |
| Sensitivity | Approximately 89.5dB/2.83V/1m (measured, Erin's Audio Corner) |
| Weight | 56.9 lb 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
- Emotiva Airmotiv T2+ vs Polk Audio Reserve R700
- Emotiva Airmotiv T2+ vs Q Acoustics 5040
- Emotiva Airmotiv T2+ vs KEF R11 Meta
- Emotiva Airmotiv T2+ vs Revel Concerta2 F35
- Emotiva Airmotiv T2+ vs PSB Imagine T65
- Emotiva Airmotiv T2+ vs ELAC DF63
- Emotiva Airmotiv T2+ vs Revel F206
- Emotiva Airmotiv T2+ vs JBL Studio 698
- See all 14 comparisons