Short answer: both are discontinued, so this only matters if you are buying used. Used, the JBL HDI-3800 is the better pick: it ranks #26 of 228 floorstanding speakers by sound quality (rated 4.5/5), against #42 (rated 4.4/5) for the KEF R5. If you want one new, the MoFi SourcePoint 888 ranks #8 at $5,495.
The JBL HDI-3800 is the deeper-bass pick. A horn loaded tower with three 8 inch woofers, deep bass, high sensitivity and huge output for large home theaters. Its bass reaches about 37Hz before falling 3dB, against 77Hz for the KEF R5. The tradeoff: On-axis frequency response features a narrow upper-frequency elevation around 8-10kHz, performing noticeably smoother when toed out 10-20° off-axis.
Why pick the KEF R5: Slim floorstanding speakers with accurate sound and stable, precise imaging from a coaxial midrange and tweeter, now discontinued but worth buying used. The catch: The unusual gap between 77Hz F3 and 33Hz F10 indicates a gradual bass contour rather than flat deep-bass output; a subwoofer and roughly 80Hz high-pass are recommended for high-level playback.
Buy the JBL HDI-3800 only if you find one used in good condition; both are discontinued, and it is the better rated of the two. For a new speaker, start with the MoFi SourcePoint 888 instead.
Want more options? Browse the full Passive Home rankings.
Measured Differences
- Bass depth: the JBL HDI-3800 reaches 28 Hz (10 dB down) against 33 Hz for the KEF R5, about half an octave deeper. You hear more of the lowest bass notes and kick drums.
- Efficiency: the JBL HDI-3800 is rated at 92 dB sensitivity against 86 dB for the KEF R5, so it plays as loud with roughly a third of the amplifier power.
- Close enough not to matter: preference score with a subwoofer (7.0 vs 7.4).
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Specifications Side By Side
| JBL HDI-3800 | KEF R5 | |
|---|---|---|
| Price | $5,000 per pair Discontinued | $2,999 per pair Discontinued |
| Ranked | #26 of 228 in Large Size Floorstanding Speakers | #42 of 228 in Large Size Floorstanding Speakers |
| Bass Extension (-10dB) | 28Hz (measured, Erin’s Audio Corner) | 33Hz (measured, Erin’s Audio Corner) |
| Bass Extension (-3dB) | 37Hz (measured, Erin’s Audio Corner) | 77Hz (measured, Erin’s Audio Corner) |
| Dimensions | 43.3”H x 11.8”W x 16.4”D (1100.5 x 300.0 x 417.8 mm) | 40.4”H x 6.9”W x 13.5”D |
| Impedance | 4 ohms nominal (3.8 ohms minimum, measured by Erin’s Audio Corner) | Approximately 3.5 ohms minimum near 150Hz (measured, Erin’s Audio Corner) |
| Sensitivity | 92dB (measured average, Erin’s Audio Corner) | Approximately 86dB/2.83V/1m (measured, Erin’s Audio Corner) |
| Drivers | 1 in. 2410H-2 Teonex compression driver with HDI horn, triple 8 in. Advanced Aluminum Matrix cone woofers | 1” aluminum tweeter coaxial with 5” midrange; dual 5.25” woofers |
| Weight | 83.8 lbs (38.0 kg) each | 59.5 lbs (27 kg) each |
| Woofer Cabinet | ported, rear | ported, rear |
| Spinorama Preference Score | 5.62 | 5.78 |
| Spinorama Preference Score with Perfect Sub | 7.03 | 7.40 |
| DIY Kit | No | No |
Where the Ratings Come From
- JBL HDI-3800: Spinorama.org measurements and reviews by Erin’s Audio Corner.
- KEF R5: Spinorama.org measurements and reviews by Erin’s Audio Corner.
This comparison is generated from the ratings, specifications and measurements on each product’s own page, and it updates when that data changes. How we rank explains how each rating is decided.
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