Short answer: the JBL HDI-1600 on measured sound quality, the Klipsch RP-600M on price. The JBL HDI-1600 ranks #44 of 130 bookshelf speakers at $1980. The Klipsch RP-600M ranks #107 at $360.41, $1619.59 cheaper.
What the Klipsch RP-600M offers: More linear horizontal dispersion than the updated RP-600M II - as you move side-to-side, the tonal character changes less, a genuine advantage for off-axis listening consistency. Takes exceptionally well to EQ correction (miniDSP or similar), letting a knowledgeable owner fix its tonal shortcomings without needing to upgrade. Standard 6.5” woofer/horn-tweeter two-way design with reasonably gradual bass rolloff (F3 ~70Hz, F10 ~40Hz) rather than a steep vented-enclosure cutoff. Watch for: A strong, annoying resonance in the lower vocal range around 300Hz stands out clearly (though it can be EQ’d out). Overall tonal balance is notably less neutral than the newer RP-600M II, with a roughly 3-4dB suckout in the estimated in-room response. The waveguide doesn’t extend flush to the baffle edge, increasing diffraction compared to the redesigned version. Klipsch’s marketed sensitivity spec (about 96dB) is a half-space, in-room-style rating roughly 9dB above the true anechoic figure (closer to 85-86dB), which can mislead buyers comparing spec sheets. Elevated treble on-axis, similar to its successor, benefits from toe-out or careful placement. Vertical listening tolerance is limited to about ±10° from the tweeter axis. Still needs a subwoofer for real bass weight; a boost around 120Hz gives kick drums their “tambour” without the underlying “meat.”
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. Predicted in-room response in a simulated average listening room closely tracks the reviewer’s own preferred target curve. Watch for: 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.
Buy the Klipsch RP-600M if the price is the priority over sound quality, or the JBL HDI-1600 if sound quality is the priority over the price.
Skip the Klipsch RP-600M if sound quality matters to you. It ranks near the bottom of the 130 bookshelf speakers.
Still deciding? The full Passive Home rankings cover every ranked option.
Specifications Side By Side
| Klipsch RP-600M | JBL HDI-1600 | |
|---|---|---|
| Price | $360.41 per pair Discontinued | $1980 per pair Discontinued |
| Ranked | #107 of 130 in Large Size Bookshelf Speakers | #44 of 130 in Large Size Bookshelf Speakers |
| Bass Extension (-10dB) | 40Hz (measured, Erin's Audio Corner) | 55Hz (measured, Audio Science Review) |
| Bass Extension (-3dB) | 73Hz (measured, Erin's Audio Corner) | 70Hz (measured, Audio Science Review) |
| Dimensions | 15.7"H x 8"W x 11.9"D (398.8 x 203.2 x 302.3 mm) | 14.6"H x 9.1"W x 11.4"D (370.0 x 230.0 x 288.9 mm) |
| Impedance | 8 ohms nominal, 3.5 ohms minimum (measured, Erin's Audio Corner) | 4 ohms nominal (measured, Audio Science Review) |
| Sensitivity | 85.2dB (measured, Erin's Audio Corner) | 85dB (2.83V/1m, measured, Audio Science Review) |
| Drivers | 6.5" Cerametallic cone woofer, 1" titanium LTS vented tweeter with Tractrix horn | 1" tweeter + 6.5" woofer |
| Discontinued | Yes | Yes |
| Weight | 16.1 lbs (7.3 kg) each | 53.4 lbs (24.2 kg) |
| Woofer Cabinet | ported | ported, rear |
| Spinorama Preference Score | 3.07 | - |
| Spinorama Preference Score with Perfect Sub | 5.01 | - |
Related Speaker Comparisons
More worthwhile head-to-heads for JBL HDI-1600:
- KEF R3 Meta vs JBL HDI-1600
- KEF Q Concerto Meta vs JBL HDI-1600
- MoFi SourcePoint 8 vs JBL HDI-1600
- Dynaudio Heritage Special vs JBL HDI-1600
- Wharfedale Linton 85 vs JBL HDI-1600
Prices on this page were last checked September 14, 2026 at 1:47 AM UTC. Product prices and availability are accurate as of that date/time and are subject to change; the price and availability shown on Amazon at the time of purchase will apply to the purchase of this product.
As an eBay Partner, we may be compensated if you make a purchase.
The Two Speakers In Full
Klipsch RP-600M: $360.41 per pair Discontinued Amazon eBay
Pros: More linear horizontal dispersion than the updated RP-600M II - as you move side-to-side, the tonal character changes less, a genuine advantage for off-axis listening consistency. Takes exceptionally well to EQ correction (miniDSP or similar), letting a knowledgeable owner fix its tonal shortcomings without needing to upgrade. Standard 6.5” woofer/horn-tweeter two-way design with reasonably gradual bass rolloff (F3 ~70Hz, F10 ~40Hz) rather than a steep vented-enclosure cutoff. Measured bass extension of 73Hz (-3dB), with a measured sensitivity of 85.2dB.
Cons: A strong, annoying resonance in the lower vocal range around 300Hz stands out clearly (though it can be EQ’d out). Overall tonal balance is notably less neutral than the newer RP-600M II, with a roughly 3-4dB suckout in the estimated in-room response. The waveguide doesn’t extend flush to the baffle edge, increasing diffraction compared to the redesigned version. Klipsch’s marketed sensitivity spec (about 96dB) is a half-space, in-room-style rating roughly 9dB above the true anechoic figure (closer to 85-86dB), which can mislead buyers comparing spec sheets. Elevated treble on-axis, similar to its successor, benefits from toe-out or careful placement. Vertical listening tolerance is limited to about ±10° from the tweeter axis. Still needs a subwoofer for real bass weight; a boost around 120Hz gives kick drums their “tambour” without the underlying “meat.”. Discontinued.
Full Klipsch RP-600M review and specifications →
| Bass Extension (-10dB) | 40Hz (measured, Erin's Audio Corner) |
|---|---|
| Bass Extension (-3dB) | 73Hz (measured, Erin's Audio Corner) |
| Dimensions | 15.7"H x 8"W x 11.9"D (398.8 x 203.2 x 302.3 mm) |
| Discontinued | Yes |
| Drivers | 6.5" Cerametallic cone woofer, 1" titanium LTS vented tweeter with Tractrix horn |
| Impedance | 8 ohms nominal, 3.5 ohms minimum (measured, Erin's Audio Corner) |
| Sensitivity | 85.2dB (measured, Erin's Audio Corner) |
| Spinorama Preference Score | 3.07 |
| Spinorama Preference Score with Perfect Sub | 5.01 |
| Weight | 16.1 lbs (7.3 kg) each |
| Woofer Cabinet | ported |
- Links
- Reviews, Comparisons and Sound Samples
- Erin’s Audio Corner: The Truth about Klipsch’s “NEW” Sound. RP-600M Update. More from Erin’s Audio Corner →
- Erin’s Audio Corner Website Klipsch RP-600M
- GR-Research: We Bought The "NEW" RP-600M II Is KLIPSCH Listening?! More from GR-Research →
- Audio Science Review Measurements More from Audio Science Review →
- Audio Science Review Measurements (spinorama.org)
- Head-to-Head Comparisons
- Klipsch RP-600M vs Sonus Faber Lumina II Amator
- Klipsch RP-600M vs Wharfedale Diamond 9.1
- Klipsch RP-600M vs Triangle Borea BR03
- Klipsch RP-600M vs KEF Q350
- Klipsch RP-600M vs B&W 805S
- Klipsch RP-600M vs Sonus Faber Sonetto II G2
- Klipsch RP-600M vs Emotiva Airmotiv B2+
- Klipsch RP-600M vs Aperion Audio Verus V8B
- See all 30 comparisons
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 70Hz (-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) | 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 |
- Links
- Reviews, Comparisons and Sound Samples
- Head-to-Head Comparisons
- JBL HDI-1600 vs Aalto Speakers Aalto 3 Passive
- JBL HDI-1600 vs Arendal 1723 Bookshelf S THX
- JBL HDI-1600 vs Revel Concerta2 M16
- JBL HDI-1600 vs ELAC Debut 3.0 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
- See all 29 comparisons