Since the bookshelves were still connected to the McIntosh stack this morning in the store, a few of us gave them a listen and they were fantastic. We played a track by Lake Street Dive and the female's voice just floated above the stack and sounded so clean. These should be on everyone's list to demo.
I listened to the 3800's today and WOW these are some crazy awesome speakers. Huge sound with massive dynamics with no sense of strain or distortion and not a trace of harshness.
I keep getting pulled in to the demo room where these are set up, trying out tracks I have heard a million times, and I am very impressed! These HDI1600’s sure don’t sound like a bookshelf speaker. Big, bold, effortless presentation with lots of clean detail.
I just heard these in the JBL/Arcam room @ Bristol Hi-Fi Show. They played A Star is Born movie on one of the music pieces to show how these are musical and not just home theater speakers. I literally had goosebumps. Sweet Jesus it was SO good. I was completely impressed.
These are the speakers that JBL fans have been waiting for. Technology shared with legendary Synthesis speakers like the M2 and the 4367 while being more affordable and room friendly. I can't wait to play some bombastic classical on them at the Raleigh showroom.
Really excited to check these out! It's about time JBL made a speaker that will look good in a living room. Maybe I can finally leave the man cave now😂
I have owned so many JBLs in the last 30 years , my first being the LX-300 I mowed alot of grass in my neighborhood to by those at 13 or 14 years old , been a fan ever since just reviewed the Studio 530s and was pretty impressed for 599.00 US retail wrote Harmon for a pair to review of those HDI bookshelfs to review I habe many amps and a monster Sansui that will drive them easy 😆 Thanks for the video ! . Thanls for the video
Thank you for this review. I have been anxiously waiting for some feedback and reviews of these. Since the port is in the back, does JBL think these are okay to go behind an AT screen. Currently I am using three of the 708p for LCR but am highly considering the 3800 towers.
Jeff, Yes, these are fine to go behind a screen. Like all ported speakers the more room you can give them the better you may be. But, you do not need much if the space is not available.
You won't get near enough of their capabilities with a tiny amp. To get your moneys worth out of low sensitivity speakers, you need lots of power on tap.
What I would most definitely appreciate is if you can comment on if there is an improvement over the 2007 Expert Series Northridge 4 way towers. I am looking to upgrade but no one at JBL answered tech questions - I called multiple times and eventually asked to speak to a supervisor to no avail as he had no idea about the ES series that came out in 2007. So JBL HDI as good as the ES series or inferior? Is it worth the upgrade?
These should be much better than the older models. However, you could try contacting our experts at audioadvice.com via phone or chat for more help. Thanks!
Ha, yeah WAF. Fortunately my 580s and 530s are all in a carbon grey dedicated theater room where grills off they fit perfect and truely look the part. In person they look way better than the pictures . But look out of place in the living room. I am impressed with them, especially for what I paid... I habe a fair large room with great accoustis and all the 5 series just sound better and better the more you push them. So much so I am on the hunt for the 590s now...
The L20t3 was a great speaker back in the day and still sounds really nice. We think you'll find the new HDI stand mount speakers to sound much bigger and more effortless than the the L203 while providing a sweeter and smoother upper midrange and treble. This is due to the outstanding new horn loaded compression driver that JBL has developed over the last few years. They really are remarkable.
They are featured on the JBL Synthesis website. This is where JBL's high performance modles are located. www.jblsynthesis.com/products/loudspeakers/floorstanding-loudspeakers/HDI-3800.html?cgid=floorstanding-loudspeakers&dwvar_HDI-3800_color=Walnut-USA-Current
We just played "Domination" and "Walk" from Pantera at 87db average volume levels in one of our sound rooms. They played very cleanly with plenty of bass kick. Certainly passed the test.
The HDI series look very nice indeed. We’re in a very challenging time however and I think JBL and the dealers will have to lower prices considerably to move product, especially during a global pandemic and economic meltdown.
Haha, as an audio dealer I can tell you, demand has never been higher. The only problem we are having right now is getting product quickly. Supply is down, and demand is up.
They are still too expensive for non American made speakers. JBL made a huge mistake by not including matching surround models, Atmos overheads, nor adding wall mount attachment points for their bookshelf model. No in-wall's/in-ceiling's either. There is no way in hell I would spend double or triple for JBL Synthesis surrounds because they didn't design their HDI lineup correctly.
JBL, an American company, now owned by Korean, and made in China. I have JBL Studio 530, built quality is not good, the wood coating is split open on the edge of the box. To be honest, I like this speaker, but the build quality is pretty disappointed.
No such thing as 90dB efficiency. Efficiency can only be expressed as a percentage. Sensitivity can be expressed as 90dB though. Most speakers are 1% efficient.
Since the bookshelves were still connected to the McIntosh stack this morning in the store, a few of us gave them a listen and they were fantastic. We played a track by Lake Street Dive and the female's voice just floated above the stack and sounded so clean. These should be on everyone's list to demo.
I listened to the 3800's today and WOW these are some crazy awesome speakers. Huge sound with massive dynamics with no sense of strain or distortion and not a trace of harshness.
I keep getting pulled in to the demo room where these are set up, trying out tracks I have heard a million times, and I am very impressed! These HDI1600’s sure don’t sound like a bookshelf speaker. Big, bold, effortless presentation with lots of clean detail.
I just heard these in the JBL/Arcam room @ Bristol Hi-Fi Show. They played A Star is Born movie on one of the music pieces to show how these are musical and not just home theater speakers. I literally had goosebumps. Sweet Jesus it was SO good. I was completely impressed.
Glad to hear you enjoyed them! That would be quite a good demo to experience.
These are the speakers that JBL fans have been waiting for. Technology shared with legendary Synthesis speakers like the M2 and the 4367 while being more affordable and room friendly. I can't wait to play some bombastic classical on them at the Raleigh showroom.
I just ordered the 3800’s today in the Gray Oak, can’t wait! Question - did you experience a break-in period with the compression driver or woofers?
Man those speakers look sharp! Looks like awesome build quality. Beautiful finish. Cast frames, bonus!
Thank you! We agree. Good looking speaker.
I wish they would re-issue the 4311's. I would buy a pair in a heartbeat.
Really excited to check these out! It's about time JBL made a speaker that will look good in a living room. Maybe I can finally leave the man cave now😂
Glad you like them. They do look good! Come on out, lots to listen to :)
Love JBLs. Running a pair of G300 with my turntable. Would to try these out.
I have owned so many JBLs in the last 30 years , my first being the LX-300 I mowed alot of grass in my neighborhood to by those at 13 or 14 years old , been a fan ever since just reviewed the Studio 530s and was pretty impressed for 599.00 US retail wrote Harmon for a pair to review of those HDI bookshelfs to review I habe many amps and a monster Sansui that will drive them easy 😆
Thanks for the video ! .
Thanls for the video
Few companies can match JBL's rich history of innovation in both professional and home speaker design. They are an Icon in this business.
How do these compare to klipsch ...im thinking about the 3800 s....
How much distance from the back wall do they need to sound good?
What about the 3800s?
I am a Klipsch fan. How are these speakers compare to Klipsch RP series speakers (RP8000F and RP600M) ?
Thanks for your response.
I just listened to both and the 3800's smoked the RP's.
Thank you for this review. I have been anxiously waiting for some feedback and reviews of these. Since the port is in the back, does JBL think these are okay to go behind an AT screen. Currently I am using three of the 708p for LCR but am highly considering the 3800 towers.
Jeff,
Yes, these are fine to go behind a screen. Like all ported speakers the more room you can give them the better you may be. But, you do not need much if the space is not available.
@@AudioAdvice Thank you for the information.
Can 80watt amp drive them enough? Only 85db sensitive fors it need huge power?
You won't get near enough of their capabilities with a tiny amp. To get your moneys worth out of low sensitivity speakers, you need lots of power on tap.
What I would most definitely appreciate is if you can comment on if there is an improvement over the 2007 Expert Series Northridge 4 way towers. I am looking to upgrade but no one at JBL answered tech questions - I called multiple times and eventually asked to speak to a supervisor to no avail as he had no idea about the ES series that came out in 2007. So JBL HDI as good as the ES series or inferior? Is it worth the upgrade?
These should be much better than the older models. However, you could try contacting our experts at audioadvice.com via phone or chat for more help. Thanks!
These look awesome. Can't wait to hear them.
They are worth the time...
Could you do some sort of comparison of these horns as compared to characteristics of SEOS horns?
How do they compare to the JBL Studio 5 series?
Much more WAF.
Yeah , that's the question
I heard they didn't like the American designer of the studio series , the studio is a really good design
Ha, yeah WAF. Fortunately my 580s and 530s are all in a carbon grey dedicated theater room where grills off they fit perfect and truely look the part. In person they look way better than the pictures . But look out of place in the living room.
I am impressed with them, especially for what I paid... I habe a fair large room with great accoustis and all the 5 series just sound better and better the more you push them. So much so I am on the hunt for the 590s now...
@@chrisj9008if you are in Minnesota, I can sell you mine.
Looks nice!
We agree!
Wondering how these bookshelf speakers compare to JBL L20t3’s?
The L20t3 was a great speaker back in the day and still sounds really nice. We think you'll find the new HDI stand mount speakers to sound much bigger and more effortless than the the L203 while providing a sweeter and smoother upper midrange and treble. This is due to the outstanding new horn loaded compression driver that JBL has developed over the last few years. They really are remarkable.
Gives you what you wanted yesterday ...
Love my cs3115. I just need a bigger room.
Why aren’t these advertised on their site?
They are featured on the JBL Synthesis website. This is where JBL's high performance modles are located. www.jblsynthesis.com/products/loudspeakers/floorstanding-loudspeakers/HDI-3800.html?cgid=floorstanding-loudspeakers&dwvar_HDI-3800_color=Walnut-USA-Current
Question -
Will a Anthem MCA 525 Gen 2 amp work good with them in a HT setup?
That would be a fantastic choice! Thanks for watching
@@AudioAdvice Great to hear! and thanks for the quick reply - really appreciate it.
Why aren't those wave guides seamless and flush with the cabinet for those prices?
How well do they plan metal?
We just played "Domination" and "Walk" from Pantera at 87db average volume levels in one of our sound rooms. They played very cleanly with plenty of bass kick. Certainly passed the test.
@@AudioAdvice only 87dB ??
Mi marca favorita tuve las jbl lx 44 nunca tuve algo mejor
Awesome! Thanks for watching!
The HDI series look very nice indeed. We’re in a very challenging time however and I think JBL and the dealers will have to lower prices considerably to move product, especially during a global pandemic and economic meltdown.
Haha, as an audio dealer I can tell you, demand has never been higher. The only problem we are having right now is getting product quickly. Supply is down, and demand is up.
@@Clint_the_Audio-Photo_Guy - Well finally some good economic news then! 👍
I hope so. When they do l will purchase them.
Not going to happen. The HDI Series are selling like hotcakes at MSRP. You can always wait … only to find out the dealers are sold out.
Man, the fact that these are finally on sale make my wallet quiver. Poor Studio 5s are inches away from being relegated to the kids playroom.
They are really impressive sounding. The fit and finish is top notch as well.
They are still too expensive for non American made speakers. JBL made a huge mistake by not including matching surround models, Atmos overheads, nor adding wall mount attachment points for their bookshelf model. No in-wall's/in-ceiling's either. There is no way in hell I would spend double or triple for JBL Synthesis surrounds because they didn't design their HDI lineup correctly.
This is suppose to be Audio Advice channel, it sounds and looks more like a product promotional one.
JBL, an American company, now owned by Korean, and made in China. I have JBL Studio 530, built quality is not good, the wood coating is split open on the edge of the box. To be honest, I like this speaker, but the build quality is pretty disappointed.
Made in China.... I am so gladi hang on to my old jbl s made in denmark and usa
No such thing as 90dB efficiency. Efficiency can only be expressed as a percentage. Sensitivity can be expressed as 90dB though. Most speakers are 1% efficient.
It sounds like a car model
JBL is looking more and more like Klipsch all the time.
Did he say $1600 for a pair of the bookshelves? Lol JBL is dreaming
How so? Seems right in line with the other competitors.
Go get some polks then.
Depends where you are on your hi fi journey . My next upgrade would be around this price range .
@@itsmorphed6416 Natalies definition of hifi is sitting on the discount section in Walmart.
தமிழ் Tamil
What in the he'll are you doing with your hands?!
N
This is not a review. It’s a sales pitch..
Go listen to them yourself, this vid will turn into an honest review after youve heard em.
Looks like they copied Klipsch 🤔
I wouldnt worry , jbl been building speakers for decades .