In this review, we will be comparing Synchrony B600 and HDI-1600, two Passive Bookshelf speakers from PSB and JBL.
Let's have a brief look at the main features
of PSB Synchrony B600 and JBL HDI-1600 first before getting into our more
detailed comparison.
PSB Synchrony B600 Key Specs
- 2-way Design
- 1" Hard-Dome Tweeter
- 6.5" Carbon fiber Woofer
- 55-20k Hz Frequency Response
- 88 dB Sensitivity
- Impedance: 6ohms
- Power Range:15-150watts
- Weight:10.45kg
- Dimensions (H x W x D): 402.0" x 9-1/8" x 13-9/16"( 402.0 x 232.0 x 345.0mm )
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 PSB Synchrony B600 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* |
PSB Synchrony B600 |
JBL HDI-1600 |
| Near-field |
Poor |
Poor |
| Small Room |
Average |
Average |
| Mid-size Room |
Good |
Good |
| Large Room |
Average |
Average |
| Very Large Room |
Poor |
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 PSB Synchrony B600 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
Both Synchrony B600 and HDI-1600 are 2-way speakers.
| Driver |
PSB Synchrony B600 |
JBL HDI-1600 |
|
Driver Setup
|
2-way
|
2-way
|
|
Tweeter
|
1-inch
|
1-inch
|
|
Midrange
|
- |
- |
|
Woofer
|
1 x 6.5-inch
|
1 x 6.5-inch
|
Synchrony B600 features a 1" Hard-Dome Tweeter and 1 x 6.5" Carbon fiber Woofer with a Crossover frequency at 2200Hz. On the other hand, the HDI-1600 features a 1" Horn-Loaded Tweeter and 1 x 6.5" Aluminum Woofer .
Frequency Response
Synchrony B600 has a frequency range of 55-20k 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 Synchrony B600's min frequency of 55Hz.
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
High Frequency
Bookshelf 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
Synchrony B600 is a 6 ohms speaker compared to the HDI-1600 which has a nominal impedance of 4 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-1600 can provide this impedance level.
These two speakers also have different sensitivity levels. Synchrony B600 sensitivity is rated at 88 dB and the HDI-1600's is rated at 85 dB. This 3 dB difference makes the PSB Synchrony B600 a more sensitive speaker compared to JBL HDI-1600, hence will play louder with the same amount of watts.
Sensitivity
Bookshelf 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.
Synchrony B600 can handle a max power of 200 watts RMS from the amp the whereas Synchrony B600 has a max power handling value of 150 watts RMS , 50 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 Synchrony B600 and HDI-1600 features dual binding post speaker terminals for bi-amping or bi-wiring.
PSB Synchrony B600's Binding post terminals allows Bi-amping or bi-wiring
JBL HDI-1600's 5-way post terminals allows Bi-amping or bi-wiring
Cabinet Type and Port Position
Both Synchrony B600 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 PSB Synchrony B600's and JBL HDI-1600's external dimensions. PSB Synchrony B600 has external dimensions of 402.0 x 232.0 x 345.0mm ( 15-13/16 x 9-1/8 x 13-9/16inch) 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) .
Below you can see the front view size comparison of PSB Synchrony B600 and JBL HDI-1600 in scale.
Comparison image of PSB Synchrony B600 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 PSB Synchrony B600 is approximately 800.4cm2 / 124.1inch2 and base area of the JBL HDI-1600 is approximately 670.5cm2 / 103.9inch2. The Synchrony B600 requires 19% more surface area than the HDI-1600 which gives it a small disadvantage 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 PSB Synchrony B600 weighs 10.45kg / 23lbs and the JBL HDI-1600 weighs 9.98kg / 22lbs. This makes the Synchrony B600 5% heavier than the HDI-1600.
Here is a comparison of how Synchrony B600 and HDI-1600's weights compare with the average, max and min weights in Passive Bookshelf class.
Weight
All Bookshelf Speakers
What's in the Box of PSB Synchrony B600?
Here are the items that are included inside the box of Synchrony B600:
Bookshelf loudspeakrGrille2 Binding-post jumpers (pre-installed)Owners ManualWarranty Card
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
 Sensitivity |
88 dB
vs
85 dB
|
Play louder with same amount of amplification power |
 Nominal Impedance |
6 ohms
vs
4 ohms
|
Less selective with amplifiers |
 Max Input Power |
200 watts
vs
150 watts
|
Handle more power from your amplifier |
 Low Frequency Response |
40 Hz
vs
55 Hz
|
Generates deeper bass |
 High Frequency Response |
30k Hz
vs
20k Hz
|
Generates higher frequency |
 Height |
383mm
vs
402mm
|
Easier to fit in smaller spaces |
 Base Surface Area |
670cm2
vs
800cm2
|
Takes less floor space |
 Price per pair* |
1980USD
vs
2500USD
|
costs less (*prices may change depending on the seller, location and time) |
| General |
PSB Synchrony B600 |
JBL HDI-1600 |
| Brand |
PSB |
JBL |
| Speaker Type |
Bookshelf speakers |
Bookshelf speakers |
| Power Range |
15-150 watts |
15-200 watts |
| Sensitivity |
88 dB |
85 dB |
| Impedance |
6 ohms |
4 ohms |
| Impedance |
4 ohms |
n/a |
| Frequency Response |
55-20k Hz |
40-30k Hz |
Drivers |
|
|
| Woofer Quantity |
1 |
1 |
| Woofer Size |
6.5" |
6.5" |
| Woofer Composition |
Carbon fiber |
Aluminum |
| Woofer Surround Material |
Rubber |
Rubber |
| Tweeter Size |
1" |
1" |
| Tweeter Type |
Hard-Dome |
Horn-Loaded |
| Aimable Tweeter |
No |
No |
| Midrange Driver |
No |
No |
| Crossover Frequency |
2200Hz |
n/a |
| Firing Direction |
rear |
rear |
Physical Specs |
|
|
| Height |
402.0mm (15.8") |
383.0mm (15.1") |
| Width |
232.0mm (9.1") |
232.0mm (9.1") |
| Depth |
345.0mm (13.6") |
289.0mm (11.4") |
| Weight |
10.45kg (23lbs) |
9.98kg (22lbs) |
| Enclosure |
Bass Reflex |
Bass Reflex |
| Finish |
MDF/Lacquer |
MDF/Wood-veneer |
| Available Colors |
Gloss Black, Satin Walnut |
Walnut,Black,Oak |
| Mounting Bracket |
No |
No |
| Recommended Stand Height |
24-26" |
22-26" |
| 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 |