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KEF R3 Meta vs JBL HDI-1600 Comparison

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KEF R3 Meta

Passive Bookshelf | 58-28k Hz

KEF R3 Meta
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JBL HDI-1600

Passive Bookshelf | 40-30k Hz

JBL HDI-1600
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KEF R3 Meta KEF R3 Meta
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JBL HDI-1600 JBL HDI-1600
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KEF R3 Meta
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JBL HDI-1600
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KEF R3 Meta vs JBL HDI-1600 Speaker Comparison

In this review, we will be comparing R3 Meta and HDI-1600, two Passive Bookshelf speakers from KEF and JBL.

Let's have a brief look at the main features of KEF R3 Meta and JBL HDI-1600 first before getting into our more detailed comparison.

KEF R3 Meta Key Specs

  • 3-way Design
  • 12th Generation Uni-Q Driver
  • 1" Hard-Dome Tweeter
  • 5" Midrange
  • 6.5" Hybrid Aluminum Woofer
  • 58-28k Hz Frequency Response
  • 87 dB Sensitivity
  • Impedance: 4ohms
  • Power Range:15-180watts
  • Weight:12.41kg
  • Dimensions (H x W x D): 423.0" x 7-15/16" x 13-1/4"( 423.0 x 202.0 x 337.0mm )

JBL HDI-1600 Key Specs

  • 2-way Design
  • 1" Horn-Loaded Tweeter
  • 6.5" Aluminum Woofer
  • 40-30k Hz Frequency Response
  • 85 dB Sensitivity
  • Impedance: 4ohms
  • Power Range:15-200watts
  • Weight:9.98kg
  • Dimensions (H x W x D): 383.0" x 9-1/8" x 11-3/8"( 383.0 x 232.0 x 289.0mm )

What size room are the KEF R3 Meta and JBL HDI-1600 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* KEF R3 Meta JBL HDI-1600
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 KEF R3 Meta and JBL HDI-1600 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

One of the fundamental differences between these two speakers is that R3 Meta is a 3-way design whereas the HDI-1600 is a 2-way speaker. 3-way designs utilize a midrange driver in addition to the tweeter and woofer on 2-way designs. Designing a crossover for a 3-way speaker is a complicated process and generally increases the overall cost of the speaker.

Driver KEF R3 Meta JBL HDI-1600
Driver Setup 3-way 2-way
Tweeter 1-inch 1-inch
Midrange 1 x 5-inch -
Woofer 1 x 6.5-inch 1 x 6.5-inch

R3 Meta features a 1" Aluminum with MAT absorber Hard-Dome Tweeter , a 5" Midrange and 1 x 6.5" Hybrid Aluminum Woofer with a Crossover frequency at 420Hz and 2300Hz. On the other hand, the HDI-1600 features a 1" Horn-Loaded Tweeter and 1 x 6.5" Aluminum Woofer .

Frequency Response

R3 Meta has a frequency range of 58-28k Hz whereas HDI-1600 has a frequency range of 40-30k Hz. With a minimum frequency of 40Hz, the HDI-1600 can go significantly deeper on the low side and provide stronger bass compared to the R3 Meta's min frequency of 58Hz.

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 Bookshelf class in our database.

Low Frequency

Bookshelf Speakers

R3 Meta
HDI-1600
Min
Average
Max
High Frequency

Bookshelf Speakers

KEF R3 Meta
JBL HDI-1600
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

R3 Meta and HDI-1600 have the same Impedance of 4 ohms but where they differ is the sensitivity levels. R3 Meta sensitivity is rated at 87 dB and the HDI-1600's is at 85 dB. This 2 dB difference makes the KEF R3 Meta a more sensitive speaker compared to JBL HDI-1600, hence will play louder with the same amount of watts.

One thing to keep in mind that the lower impedance speakers, especially the ones that are rated at 4 ohms may put more pressure on the amplifier unit comared to higher impedance speakers especially at high volume levels, so make sure the amp you pair with the R3 Meta and the R3 Meta can provide this impedance level.

Sensitivity

Bookshelf Speakers

R3 Meta
HDI-1600
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.

R3 Meta can handle a max power of 200 watts RMS from the amp the whereas R3 Meta has a max power handling value of 180 watts RMS , 20 watts less than the HDI-1600.

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 R3 Meta and HDI-1600 features dual binding post speaker terminals for bi-amping or bi-wiring.

KEF R3 Meta Terminals
KEF R3 Meta's Custom 5-way bi-wire tool-less binding posts terminals allows Bi-amping or bi-wiring

JBL HDI-16005-way post Terminals
JBL HDI-1600's 5-way post terminals allows Bi-amping or bi-wiring

Cabinet Type and Port Position

Both R3 Meta and HDI-1600 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 KEF R3 Meta's and JBL HDI-1600's external dimensions. KEF R3 Meta has external dimensions of 423.0 x 202.0 x 337.0mm ( 16-5/8-inch x 7-15/16-inch x 13-1/4-inch) whereas JBL HDI-1600 has external dimensions of 383.0 x 232.0 x 289.0mm ( 15-1/16 x 9-1/8 x 11-3/8inch) .

JBL HDI-1600 is 40mm shorter and 48mm less deeper than KEF R3 Meta but it is also 30mm wider.

Below you can see the front view size comparison of KEF R3 Meta and JBL HDI-1600 in scale.

KEF R3 Meta vs JBL HDI-1600 Size Comparison - Front View
Comparison image of KEF R3 Meta and JBL HDI-1600 Size and External Dimensions

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 KEF R3 Meta is approximately 680.7cm2 / 105.5inch2 and base area of the JBL HDI-1600 is approximately 670.5cm2 / 103.9inch2. The R3 Meta requires 2% more surface area than the HDI-1600 which gives it a small disadvantage on placement in tight spaces.

Here is an another comparison that shows both speakers on a BDI Octave Media Cabinet, next to a standard size amplifier and turntable in scale:

KEF R3 Meta vs JBL HDI-1600 Size Comparison on a Media Console
Size Comparison image of KEF R3 Meta and JBL HDI-1600 on a Media Console
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 KEF R3 Meta weighs 12.41kg / 27.3lbs and the JBL HDI-1600 weighs 9.98kg / 22lbs. This makes the R3 Meta 24% heavier than the HDI-1600.

Here is a comparison of how R3 Meta and HDI-1600's weights compare with the average, max and min weights in Passive Bookshelf class.

Weight
All Bookshelf Speakers
KEF R3 Meta
JBL HDI-1600
Min
Average
Max

What's in the Box of KEF R3 Meta?

Here are the items that are included inside the box of R3 Meta:
  • 1 pair of R3 Meta loudspeakers
  • 1 pair of microfiber grilles
  • Rubber feet
  • Port bungs
  • User manual and warranty information
  • What's in the Box of JBL HDI-1600?

    Here are the items that come with the HDI-1600:
  • Bookshelf loudspeaker
  • Grille
  • 2 Jumper-straps (pre-installed)
  • 4 Self-adhesive rubber feet
  • Owner's Manual

  • Reasons to choose KEF R3 Meta over JBL HDI-1600
    Driver Setup 3-way vs 2-way Have a dedicated mid-range driver
    Sensitivity 87 dB vs 85 dB Play louder with same amount of amplification power

    Reasons to choose JBL HDI-1600 over KEF R3 Meta

    Max Input Power 200 watts vs 180 watts Handle more power from your amplifier
    Low Frequency Response 40 Hz vs 58 Hz Generates deeper bass
    High Frequency Response 30k Hz vs 28k Hz Generates higher frequency
    Height 383mm vs 423mm Easier to fit in smaller spaces
    Base Surface Area 670cm2 vs 680cm2 Takes less floor space
    Price per pair* 1980USD vs 2199USD costs less (*prices may change depending on the seller, location and time)
    KEF R3 Meta vs JBL HDI-1600 Specs Table
    Detailed comparison of specifications
    General KEF R3 Meta JBL HDI-1600
    Brand KEF JBL
    Speaker Type Bookshelf speakers Bookshelf speakers
    Power Range 15-180 watts 15-200 watts
    Sensitivity 87 dB 85 dB
    Impedance 4 ohms 4 ohms
    Impedance 3.2 ohms n/a
    Frequency Response 58-28k Hz 40-30k Hz
    Drivers
    Woofer Quantity 1 1
    Woofer Size 6.5" 6.5"
    Woofer Composition Hybrid Aluminum Aluminum
    Woofer Surround Material Rubber Rubber
    Tweeter Size 1" 1"
    Tweeter Type Hard-Dome Horn-Loaded
    Aimable Tweeter No No
    Midrange Driver 5" No
    Crossover Frequency 420Hz and 2300Hz n/a
    Firing Direction rear rear
    Physical Specs
    Height 423.0mm (16.7") 383.0mm (15.1")
    Width 202.0mm (8") 232.0mm (9.1")
    Depth 337.0mm (13.3") 289.0mm (11.4")
    Weight 12.41kg (27.3lbs) 9.98kg (22lbs)
    Enclosure Bass Reflex Bass Reflex
    Finish n/a MDF/Wood-veneer
    Available Colors Black Gloss, White Gloss, Walnut, Indigo Gloss Special Edition Walnut,Black,Oak
    Mounting Bracket No No
    Recommended Stand Height n/a 22-26"
    Grille n/a 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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