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JBL HDI-3600 vs Klipsch RP-8000F Comparison

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JBL HDI-3600

Passive Floor-standing | 38-30k Hz

JBL HDI-3600
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Klipsch RP-8000F

Passive Floor-standing | 32-25k Hz

Klipsch Reference Premiere RP-8000F
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JBL HDI-3600 JBL HDI-3600
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Klipsch RP-8000F Klipsch RP-8000F
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JBL HDI-3600
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Klipsch RP-8000F
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JBL HDI-3600 vs Klipsch RP-8000F Speaker Comparison

In this review, we will be comparing HDI-3600 and RP-8000F, two Passive Floor-standing speakers from JBL and Klipsch.

Let's have a brief look at the main features of JBL HDI-3600 and Klipsch RP-8000F first before getting into our more detailed comparison.

JBL HDI-3600 Key Specs

  • 2-way Design
  • 1" Tweeter
  • 3 x 6.5" Aluminum Woofer
  • 38-30k Hz Frequency Response
  • 90 dB Sensitivity
  • Impedance: 4ohms
  • Power Range:20-250watts
  • Weight:28.09kg
  • Dimensions (H x W x D): 1028.0" x 10-3/16" x 13-9/16"( 1028.0 x 259.0 x 345.0mm )

Klipsch RP-8000F Key Specs

  • 2-way Design
  • 1" Tractrix Horn Tweeter
  • 2 x 8" Cerametallic Woofer
  • 32-25k Hz Frequency Response
  • 98 dB Sensitivity
  • Impedance: 8ohms
  • Power Range:up to 150watts
  • Weight:27.27kg
  • Dimensions (H x W x D): 1099.0" x 10-7/8" x 17-1/2"( 1099.0 x 277.0 x 445.0mm )

What size room are the JBL HDI-3600 and Klipsch RP-8000F speakers good for?

The size of the room in which you are planning to use these loudspeakers is an important decision factor. Here we have compared their suitability to various sizes of environments considering their size and max power parameters:

Listening Environment* JBL HDI-3600 Klipsch RP-8000F
Near-field Bad Bad
Small Room Poor Poor
Mid-size Room Average Good
Large Room Good Good
Very Large Room Average Poor

(* Approximate Room sizes: Small < 100sq. ft / 9 m2, Mid-size: 100-220 sq. ft / 9-20 m2, Large 220-400 sq. ft / 20-36 m2, Very Large: > 400 sq. ft / 36 m2. Average Floor Height: 9" / 2.7m. Typical room sizes differ from country to country, and the actual listening experience changes depending on floor height, room shape, surface materials, listening position, speaker locations, etc.)

In the following sections, we will get into more detail in order to better understand how the JBL HDI-3600 and Klipsch RP-8000F compare and hopefully end up with enough arguments to decide which one of these loudspeakers is the better choice for you.


**This post contains affiliate links, and I will be compensated if you make a purchase after clicking through my links. As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases.


Drivers

Both HDI-3600 and RP-8000F are 2-way speakers.

Driver JBL HDI-3600 Klipsch RP-8000F
Driver Setup 2-way 2-way
Tweeter 1-inch 1-inch
Midrange - -
Woofer 3 x 6.5-inch 2 x 8-inch

HDI-3600 features a 1" Tweeter and 3 x 6.5" Aluminum Woofer . On the other hand, the RP-8000F features a 1" Tractrix Horn Tweeter and 2 x 8" Cerametallic Woofer .

Frequency Response

HDI-3600 has a frequency range of 38-30k Hz whereas RP-8000F has a frequency range of 32-25k Hz. With a minimum frequency of 32Hz, the RP-8000F can go significantly deeper on the low side and provide stronger bass compared to the HDI-3600's min frequency of 38Hz.

Below graphs depict how these two speakers compare with the max, min and average values of the Min and Max Frequencies of other speakers in the Floor-standing class in our database.

Low Frequency

Floor-standing Speakers

HDI-3600
RP-8000F
Min
Average
Max
High Frequency

Floor-standing Speakers

JBL HDI-3600
Klipsch RP-8000F
Min
Average
Max

None of these speakers achieves full range experience which is commonly agreed as 20Hz-20kHz. In order to achieve lower lows / deeper bass, we recommend you pair these with a subwoofer. Visit our Powered Subwoofers section to find out more about the available options.

Impedance and Sensitivity

HDI-3600 is a 4 ohms speaker compared to the RP-8000F which has a nominal impedance of 8 ohms. Lower impedance speakers, especially the ones that are rated at 4 ohms may put more pressure on the amplifier unit especially when played at high volume levels, so make sure the amp you pair with the HDI-3600 can provide this impedance level.

These two speakers also have different sensitivity levels. HDI-3600 sensitivity is rated at 90 dB and the RP-8000F's is rated at 98 dB. This 8 dB difference makes the Klipsch RP-8000F a more sensitive speaker compared to JBL HDI-3600, hence will play louder with the same amount of watts.

Sensitivity

Floor-standing Speakers

HDI-3600
RP-8000F
Min
Average
Max

Power Range

Power range is the range of input power in watts RMS that a loudspeaker is designed to handle. While using an amplifier within this range ensures the nominal performance , inputting a power that is higher than the max wattage can result in a damaged speaker.

HDI-3600 can handle a max power of 250 watts RMS from the amp the whereas RP-8000F has a max power handling value of 150 watts RMS, 100 watts less than the HDI-3600.

Keep in mind that a higher max power handling value doesn't necessarily make that a louder speaker compared to a lower max handling speaker. Loudness or the sound level is also impacted by parameters such as Impedance, sensitivity and system efficiencies.

Input Type and Bi-Amping / Bi-Wiring

Both HDI-3600 and RP-8000F features dual binding post speaker terminals for bi-amping or bi-wiring.

Klipsch RP-8000F Terminals
Klipsch RP-8000F's Post terminals allows Bi-amping or bi-wiring

Cabinet Type and Port Position

Both HDI-3600 and RP-8000F have rear firing ports. Rear ported speakers generally need more room between the backside of the speaker and the wall compared to sealed and front/bottom ported speakers. Placing the speakers too close to the walls may cause the bass to sound boomy.

If you are limited in space and can't get the speakers away from the backwall, check our Speakers with Front Firing Ports page.

Klipsch RP-8000F  Port
Klipsch RP-8000F Port

Physical Specs

Size of a speaker can sometimes become an important decision factor due to space constraints or in some cases purely for esthetic reasons. In this section, we are going to compare JBL HDI-3600's and Klipsch RP-8000F's external dimensions. JBL HDI-3600 has external dimensions of 1028.0 x 259.0 x 345.0mm ( 40-7/16 x 10-3/16 x 13-9/16inch) whereas Klipsch RP-8000F has external dimensions of 1099.0 x 277.0 x 445.0mm ( 43-1/4 x 10-7/8 x 17-1/2inch) .

Klipsch RP-8000F is clearly the larger of the two speakers. Its body is 18mm wider, 71mm taller and 100mm deeper than JBL HDI-3600.

Base Surface Area Comparison
Base surface area of a loudspeaker may become a determining factor when the space in your room or desk is limited. The base surface area of the JBL HDI-3600 is approximately 893.6cm2 / 138.5inch2 and base area of the Klipsch RP-8000F is approximately 1232.7cm2 / 191.1inch2. The HDI-3600 requires 28% less surface area than the RP-8000F which gives it a small advantage on placement in tight spaces.

Weight Comparison

The weight of a loudspeaker can become an important factor if you need to move and reposition the unit often. Weight of a speaker can also "sometimes" be an indicator of the rigidity of the enclosure and the quality of the internal components used. The JBL HDI-3600 weighs 28.09kg / 61.8lbs and the Klipsch RP-8000F weighs 27.27kg / 60lbs. This makes the HDI-3600 3% heavier than the RP-8000F.

Here is a comparison of how HDI-3600 and RP-8000F's weights compare with the average, max and min weights in Passive Floor-standing class.

Weight
All Floor-standing Speakers
JBL HDI-3600
Klipsch RP-8000F
Min
Average
Max

What's in the Box of JBL HDI-3600?

Here are the items that are included inside the box of HDI-3600:
  • Floorstanding loudspeaker
  • Grille
  • 2 Jumper-straps (pre-installed)
  • 4 Spike feet
  • Owners Manual
  • What's in the Box of Klipsch RP-8000F?

    Here are the items that come with the RP-8000F:
  • Floorstanding loudspeaker
  • Stabilizer feet (installed)
  • Grille (installed)
  • 2 Terminal jumpers (installed)
  • User Manual
  • Important Safety Instructions
  • Warranty Information

  • Reasons to choose JBL HDI-3600 over Klipsch Reference Premiere RP-8000F
    Max Input Power 250 watts vs 150 watts Handle more power from your amplifier
    Number of Woofers 3 vs 2 More woofers
    High Frequency Response 30k Hz vs 25k Hz Generates higher frequency
    Height 1028mm vs 1099mm Easier to fit in smaller spaces
    Base Surface Area 893cm2 vs 1232cm2 Takes less floor space

    Reasons to choose Klipsch Reference Premiere RP-8000F over JBL HDI-3600

    Sensitivity 98 dB vs 90 dB Play louder with same amount of amplification power
    Nominal Impedance 8 ohms vs 4 ohms Less selective with amplifiers
    Woofer Size 8 inches vs 6.5 inches Larger woofer
    Low Frequency Response 32 Hz vs 38 Hz Generates deeper bass
    Price per pair* 1658USD vs 4180USD costs less (*prices may change depending on the seller, location and time)
    JBL HDI-3600 vs Klipsch RP-8000F Specs Table
    Detailed comparison of specifications
    General JBL HDI-3600 Klipsch Reference Premiere RP-8000F
    Brand JBL Klipsch
    Speaker Type Floor-standing speaker Floor-standing speaker
    Power Range 20-250 watts up to 150 watts
    Sensitivity 90 dB 98 dB
    Impedance 4 ohms 8 ohms
    Frequency Response 38-30k Hz 32-25k Hz
    Drivers
    Woofer Quantity 3 2
    Woofer Size 6.5" 8"
    Woofer Composition Aluminum Cerametallic
    Woofer Surround Material Rubber Rubber
    Tweeter Size 1" 1"
    Tweeter Type n/a Tractrix Horn
    Aimable Tweeter No No
    Midrange Driver No No
    Firing Direction rear rear
    Physical Specs
    Height 1028.0mm (40.5") 1099.0mm (43.3")
    Width 259.0mm (10.2") 277.0mm (10.9")
    Depth 345.0mm (13.6") 445.0mm (17.5")
    Weight 28.09kg (61.8lbs) 27.27kg (60lbs)
    Enclosure Bass Reflex Bass Reflex
    Finish MDF/Wood-veneer MDF/Wood-grain vinyl
    Available Colors Grey Walnut, Black
    Grille Yes Yes
    Moisture Resistancy No No
    Connections
    Biamp Inputs Yes Yes
    Other
    Parts Warranty 5 Years 5 Years
    Labor Warranty 5 Years 5 Years

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