JBL HDI-3600 Speaker Review

[Jim Taylor]

Yes absolutely. I agree. I have a friend that found ELACs treble on the B6.2's to be bright to them and said Klipsch RP600M are not bright at all. I'm a total opposite. And we were both listening to these speakers in the same exact room together.

This is a good example of why giving people subjective advice regarding how something "sounds" is worthless not reliably productive.

Jim

 

[khaliss]

Yes absolutely. I agree. I have a friend that found ELACs treble on the B6.2's to be bright to them and said Klipsch RP600M are not bright at all. I'm a total opposite. And we were both listening to these speakers in the same exact room together.

you still have your JBL 3600s? I'm looking for a deal on a used pair... $1000 would be a good price!

 

[PeterNL]

you still have your JBL 3600s? I'm looking for a deal on a used pair... $1000 would be a good price!

JBL HDI-3600 Floorstanding Speakers - Walnut

This floorstanding speaker features a 2 ½-way design with patented HDI waveguide technology, 2410H-2 compression driver, and triple 6.5-inch Advanced Aluminium Matrix cone woofers for powerful dynamics and accurate sound reproduction. Its sophisticated curved cabinet and magnetically attached...

petertyson.co.uk

 

[Sal1950]

JBL HDI-3600 Floorstanding Speakers - Walnut

This floorstanding speaker features a 2 ½-way design with patented HDI waveguide technology, 2410H-2 compression driver, and triple 6.5-inch Advanced Aluminium Matrix cone woofers for powerful dynamics and accurate sound reproduction. Its sophisticated curved cabinet and magnetically attached...

petertyson.co.uk

Me? Yes I still have mine but they aren't for sale.
But you can buy brand new for around that price now if you shop.
Shipping is the fly in the oinment for the big heavy dudes.

 

[Gideon]

Hi there
I found these HDI-3600 new for 1.800€, is it a goood price as of today? are they worth it?

 

[Theriverlethe]

Hi there
I found these HDI-3600 new for 1.800€, is it a goood price as of today? are they worth it?

That price is certainly a good value vs MSRP, but my recommendation would be bookshelf speakers with subwoofers. Towers really only make sense if you have a large home theater, and I’m not even sure about that. Can you find the HDI-1600 on sale?

 

[Gideon]

That price is certainly a good value vs MSRP, but my recommendation would be bookshelf speakers with subwoofers. Towers really only make sense if you have a large home theater, and I’m not even sure about that. Can you find the HDI-1600 on sale?

I don't really like subwoofers, and the HDI-1600 is aprox. 1400€
To be honest, I do like the sound of towers (I had the Polk R700 and found them great)

 

[AVKS]

I don't really like subwoofers, and the HDI-1600 is aprox. 1400€
To be honest, I do like the sound of towers (I had the Polk R700 and found them great)

I fully agree with the tower vs bookshelf preference even with subwoofers. My choice is always towers for the (almost always) increased sensitivity, higher headroom, and just bigger overall perceived sound. Depending on your room characteristics these may or may not provide satisfactory bass performance but that seems a good deal if you're looking for this sound signature and debating between these or the bookshelves, especially if you would still need to get stands for the bookshelves.

 

[Sal1950]

I don't really like subwoofers, and the HDI-1600 is aprox. 1400€
To be honest, I do like the sound of towers (I had the Polk R700 and found them great)

I fully agree with the tower vs bookshelf preference even with subwoofers. My choice is always towers for the (almost always) increased sensitivity, higher headroom, and just bigger overall perceived sound. Depending on your room characteristics these may or may not provide satisfactory bass performance but that seems a good deal if you're looking for this sound signature and debating between these or the bookshelves, especially if you would still need to get stands for the bookshelves.

I've got 4 3600s in the corners of my surround music system along with the 4500 center and love them.
I first had a pair of the 1600s shipped to me and though they were nice and neutral sounding, I just found them to lack a bit of muscle in the low end.
I returned them for the 3600s and was much happier.
Over the decades I've gone back and forth between stand mounts and full range. Since in most cases they take up about the same floor footprint I see nothing
really gained by the smaller speaker and too much given up, if you can afford the extra cost.
JMHO

 

[Theriverlethe]

I fully agree with the tower vs bookshelf preference even with subwoofers. My choice is always towers for the (almost always) increased sensitivity, higher headroom, and just bigger overall perceived sound. Depending on your room characteristics these may or may not provide satisfactory bass performance but that seems a good deal if you're looking for this sound signature and debating between these or the bookshelves, especially if you would still need to get stands for the bookshelves.

Subwoofers present a challenge to integrate well, and automatic room correction can be hit or miss, in my experience. However, towers present similar challenges in bass frequencies while giving less flexibility in placement. You really need a measurement mic and parametric EQ for the best results in either case (or at least the measurement mic to double-check and tweak auto-correction).

 

[Sal1950]

However, towers present similar challenges in bass frequencies while giving less flexibility in placement.

Where's the loss in flexibility? Footprint of the stands is often nearly the same as a tower.

 

[AVKS]

Subwoofers present a challenge to integrate well, and automatic room correction can be hit or miss, in my experience. However, towers present similar challenges in bass frequencies while giving less flexibility in placement. You really need a measurement mic and parametric EQ for the best results in either case (or at least the measurement mic to double-check and tweak auto-correction)

Agreed on all points.

Where's the loss in flexibility? Footprint of the stands is often nearly the same as a tower.

That was referring to placement flexibility of a subwoofer vs towers when comparing bass performance tuning. If you're relying on L/R for bass then you're stuck with those locations compared to (generally speaking) being able to move a subwoofer anywhere in the room.

 

[Theriverlethe]

Where's the loss in flexibility? Footprint of the stands is often nearly the same as a tower.

I was arguing in favor of subwoofers vs full-range speakers. Sorry if that wasn’t clear. Speakers need to be placed for optimal imaging, which usually isn’t the best location for sub-bass interaction with room modes.

 

[Gideon]

I've got 4 3600s in the corners of my surround music system along with the 4500 center and love them.
I first had a pair of the 1600s shipped to me and though they were nice and neutral sounding, I just found them to lack a bit of muscle in the low end.
I returned them for the 3600s and was much happier.
Over the decades I've gone back and forth between stand mounts and full range. Since in most cases they take up about the same floor footprint I see nothing
really gained by the smaller speaker and too much given up, if you can afford the extra cost.
JMHO

Thank you!

 

[Sal1950]

I was arguing in favor of subwoofers vs full-range speakers. Sorry if that wasn’t clear. Speakers need to be placed for optimal imaging, which usually isn’t the best location for sub-bass interaction with room modes.

That's why I run dual SVS SB2000 subs also.

 

[Sean de Silva]

2026 marks the 80th anniversary of JBL, founded in 1946 by the legendary James Bullough Lansing. In memory of the great man and to honour his legacy, I added these modern-day monoliths to my hifi setup.

JBL Synthesis HDI-3600

 

[Sal1950]

I added these modern-day monoliths to my hifi setup.

Congrats ! I'm running 4 3600s with a 4500 center for my 5.2.4 Atmos rig here. Had them going on 6 years now and not looking at anything else.
Short of a catastrophe these just may take me to the grave.
cent' anni Sal

 

[Sean de Silva]

Congrats ! I'm running 4 3600s with a 4500 center for my 5.2.4 Atmos rig here. Had them going on 6 years now and not looking at anything else.
Short of a catastrophe these just may take me to the grave.
cent' anni Sal

Thank you! I've joined the global HDI-3600 syndicate It’s awesome to hear from someone living with these phenomenal floorstanders long-term. Six years without looking at anything else is the ultimate compliment for any speaker line. Appreciate the support - cent'anni !

 

[Head_Unit]

2026 marks the 80th anniversary of JBL, founded in 1946 by the legendary James Bullough Lansing. In memory of the great man and to honour his legacy, I added these modern-day monoliths to my hifi setup.

JBL Synthesis HDI-3600


View attachment 542531

It is the new Baby's Ass!

 

[Sean de Silva]

It is the new Baby's Ass!

The ultimate compliment for a JBL waveguide. It definitely has the curves to blow the diapers off the competition! Cheers!