Short answer: the Revel F208. It ranks #14 of 56 floorstanding speakers by sound quality at $2400; the JBL HDI-3600 ranks #21 and costs $3800, so there is not much of a tradeoff to weigh.
The case for the Revel F208: CEA2034 spinorama shows a fairly even on-axis response with sensitivity matching spec at ~87-88dB. The tradeoff: Some directivity error and tweeter-response ripple right at the 2.2kHz crossover point.
What the JBL HDI-3600 gets right: 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. The catch: 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.
Buy the Revel F208. It ranks higher for sound quality than the JBL HDI-3600 and costs less, so there is no real case for the other one.
Specifications Side By Side
| Revel F208 | JBL HDI-3600 | |
|---|---|---|
| Price | $2400 used, Discontinued | $3800 |
| Ranked | #14 of 56 in Large Size Floorstanding Speakers | #21 of 56 in Large Size Floorstanding Speakers |
| Bass Extension (-10dB) | 24Hz (measured, Audio Science Review) | 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) | 47Hz (measured, Audio Science Review) | 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 | 46.6"H x 13.5"W x 14.8"D (1183.6 x 342.9 x 375.9 mm) | 40.5"H x 10.2"W x 13.5"D (1029 x 260 x 343 mm) |
| Impedance | 8 ohms nominal, 3.5 ohms minimum (measured, Audio Science Review) | 4 ohms nominal |
| Drivers | Dual 8" (20 cm) Aluminum Cone, Cast-frame Woofers, 5.25" (13.3 cm) Aluminum Cone, Cast-frame Midrange, 1" (2.5 cm) Aluminum Tweeter with Acoustic Lens Waveguide | 2410H-2 1" compression driver, 3x 6.5" Advanced Aluminum Matrix woofers |
| Sensitivity | 88.2dB (measured by Audio Science Review; 88.5dB manufacturer specified) | 89.5dB (2.83V/1m, measured, Audio Science Review) |
| Weight | 79.4 lbs / 36 kg each | 61.7 lbs / 28 kg each |
| Woofer Cabinet | ported, front | ported, dual rear-firing |
| Discontinued | Yes | - |
| Frequency Response | - | 38Hz - 30kHz (+/-3dB) (Manufacturer specified) |
Related Speaker Comparisons
More useful head-to-heads from the same speaker class:
- JBL HDI-3800 vs Focal Chora 816
- KEF Reference 203 vs Focal Chora 816
- Revel F228Be vs JBL Studio 698
- KEF R5 Meta vs Revel F208
- JBL HDI-3600 vs PSB Imagine T65
The Two Speakers In Full
Revel F208: $2400 used, Discontinued
Pros: CEA2034 spinorama shows a fairly even on-axis response with sensitivity matching spec at ~87-88dB. Predicted in-room response is a smooth, textbook-quality downward slope that should translate well to most rooms without correction. Early reflections sum so cleanly with the direct sound that side-wall absorption isn’t recommended - it would work against the speaker’s naturally well-integrated off-axis behavior. Distortion stays below 0.5% from 100Hz up at 96dB/1m, with all distortion components falling below audible threshold above 200Hz. Very wide horizontal directivity of about ±75 degrees. Measured performance was judged very close to Revel’s own flagship Salon2, and Revel’s speakers (including this one) are developed using Harman’s double-blind listening test methodology. Preference score of 6.6 (7.7 with a subwoofer added).
Cons: Some directivity error and tweeter-response ripple right at the 2.2kHz crossover point. A notable on-axis dip at about 4kHz, attributed to probable cabinet diffraction. Cumulative spectral decay (waterfall) shows an unexplained resonance around 4-5kHz that the reviewer couldn’t pin down a clear cause for. Vertical directivity shows narrowband interference nulls just above and below the tweeter axis (roughly 2-3kHz), typical of a non-coaxial tower with vertically separated drivers, so listening height matters more than it would with a coincident design. Minimum impedance dips to 3.4 ohms, calling for a robust, high-current amplifier. Distortion climbs substantially below about 80-100Hz (up to ~5% in the deep bass) when driven hard, an excursion-limited trade-off typical of towers at high output. Isolating the woofers alone shows their usable range ending around 500-700Hz at the crossover, with somewhat elevated (though still low in absolute terms) 2nd/3rd harmonic distortion in the 100-300Hz region. Discontinued.
Full Revel F208 review and specifications →
| Bass Extension (-10dB) | 24Hz (measured, Audio Science Review) |
|---|---|
| Bass Extension (-3dB) | 47Hz (measured, Audio Science Review) |
| Dimensions | 46.6"H x 13.5"W x 14.8"D (1183.6 x 342.9 x 375.9 mm) |
| Discontinued | Yes |
| Drivers | Dual 8" (20 cm) Aluminum Cone, Cast-frame Woofers, 5.25" (13.3 cm) Aluminum Cone, Cast-frame Midrange, 1" (2.5 cm) Aluminum Tweeter with Acoustic Lens Waveguide |
| Impedance | 8 ohms nominal, 3.5 ohms minimum (measured, Audio Science Review) |
| Sensitivity | 88.2dB (measured by Audio Science Review; 88.5dB manufacturer specified) |
| Weight | 79.4 lbs / 36 kg each |
| Woofer Cabinet | ported, front |
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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.
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- Reviews, Comparisons and Sound Samples
- Head-to-Head Comparisons