In this review, we will be comparing HDI-4500 and HTM72 S2, two Passive Center Channel speakers from JBL and Bowers Wilkins.
Let's have a brief look at the main features
of JBL HDI-4500 and BW HTM72 S2 first before getting into our more
detailed comparison.
JBL HDI-4500 Key Specs
- 2-way Design
- 1" horn-loaded high-frequency compression Tweeter
- 4 x 5.25" Advanced Aluminum Matrix cone Woofer
- 50-30k Hz Frequency Response
- 90 dB Sensitivity
- Impedance: 4ohms
- Power Range:20-250watts
- Weight:20.15kg
- Dimensions (H x W x D): 197.0" x 33-1/8" x 12-3/16"( 197.0 x 842.0 x 310.0mm )
BW HTM72 S2 Key Specs
- 2-way Design
- 1" Decoupled Carbon Dome Tweeter
- 2 x 5" Continuum Woofer
- 70-28k Hz Frequency Response
- 87 dB Sensitivity
- Impedance: 8ohms
- Power Range:30-120watts
- Weight:9.14kg
- Dimensions (H x W x D): 169.0" x 18-15/16" x 10-15/16"( 169.0 x 482.0 x 278.0mm )
What size room are the JBL HDI-4500 and BW HTM72 S2 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-4500 |
BW HTM72 S2 |
| Near-field |
Poor |
Poor |
| Small Room |
Poor |
Average |
| Mid-size Room |
Good |
Good |
| Large Room |
Good |
Average |
| 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-4500 and BW HTM72 S2 compare and hopefully end up with enough arguments to decide which one of these loudspeakers is the better choice for you.
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Drivers
Both HDI-4500 and HTM72 S2 are 2-way speakers.
| Driver |
JBL HDI-4500 |
BW HTM72 S2 |
|
Driver Setup
|
2-way
|
2-way
|
|
Tweeter
|
1-inch
|
1-inch
|
|
Midrange
|
- |
- |
|
Woofer
|
4 x 5.25-inch
|
2 x 5-inch
|
HDI-4500 features a 1" horn-loaded high-frequency compression Tweeter and 4 x 5.25" Advanced Aluminum Matrix cone Woofer . On the other hand, the HTM72 S2 features a 1" Decoupled Carbon Dome Tweeter and 2 x 5" Continuum Woofer .
Frequency Response
HDI-4500 has a frequency range of 50-30k Hz whereas HTM72 S2 has a frequency range of 70-28k Hz. With a minimum frequency of 50Hz, the HDI-4500 can go significantly deeper on the low side and provide stronger bass compared to the HTM72 S2's min frequency of 70Hz.
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 Center Channel class in our database.
Low Frequency
Center Channel Speakers
High Frequency
Center Channel Speakers
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-4500 is a 4 ohms speaker compared to the HTM72 S2 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-4500 can provide this impedance level.
These two speakers also have different sensitivity levels. HDI-4500 sensitivity is rated at 90 dB and the HTM72 S2's is rated at 87 dB. This 3 dB difference makes the JBL HDI-4500 a more sensitive speaker compared to BW HTM72 S2, hence will play louder with the same amount of watts.
Sensitivity
Center Channel Speakers
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-4500 can handle a max power of 250 watts RMS from the amp the whereas HTM72 S2 has a max power handling value of 120 watts RMS, 130 watts less than the HDI-4500.
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
HTM72 S2 features Binding post posts which make bi-amping or bi-wiring possible. HDI-4500 has a 5-Way post which doesn't feature bi-amping/bi-wiring.
JBL HDI-4500's 5-Way post terminals
Cabinet Type and Port Position
Both HDI-4500 and HTM72 S2 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.
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-4500's and BW HTM72 S2's external dimensions. JBL HDI-4500 has external dimensions of 197.0 x 842.0 x 310.0mm ( 7-3/4 x 33-1/8 x 12-3/16inch) whereas BW HTM72 S2 has external dimensions of 169.0 x 482.0 x 278.0mm ( 6-5/8 x 18-15/16 x 10-15/16inch) .
JBL HDI-4500 is clearly the larger of the two speakers. Its body is 360mm wider, 28mm taller and 32mm deeper than BW HTM72 S2.
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-4500 is approximately 2610.2cm2 / 404.6inch2 and base area of the BW HTM72 S2 is approximately 1340.0cm2 / 207.7inch2. The HDI-4500 requires 95% more surface area than the HTM72 S2 which gives it a small disadvantage on placement in tight spaces.