JBL HDI 1600 VS Quad Z2 HiFi Speaker Sound Demo Comparison !

[@mikepaul2372]

I think the Quads are a bit better on the vocals but when I listen to Jazz and Rock, I wonder if the JBL would be better fit. Thank you for your tireless hard work, it truly helps when trying to purchase new speakers in the $2000 range.

[@L00peey]

the quads sound a little too clear and airy also but because its clearer you also hear more fine details but its just overdone. jbl is also known for hitting the right mids with a crisp sound its just a little muddy at times on some speakers i guess. jbl is like flat but the quads are refined so like mixing playback

[@javierbarraganrincon5830]

Gana jbl

[@palerider55]

Well, I have to be contrary to the majority of opinions here but I have to give it to the JBL's. They're just a tiny bit more articulate. The Quads lack clarity compared to the JBL's. The JBL's sound more alive and engaging, and the Quads sounded colored. I like to hear what was recorded more than the color that has been built into a speaker.

[@apmihai82]

both are very good speakers. I am a Quad owner so i am biased but i'd pick the JBLs in a heartbeat for a house party. anything else the Z2s. There should be a lot more Quad S and Z series reviews out there to let people know what terrific value for money they are. Thanks Terry!

[@pickyaudiophile]

...not to mention "Castle Avon" series by that brand, S series' transmission line sibling.

[@garyalexander5686]

I didn't hear a great deal of difference between these two speakers. I though they sounded more alike than different. Thanks for a great demo.

[@shanestephenson8423]

The star of the show is that ribbon tweeter Terry. It just had a nicer presentation, l didn't mind the bass. With that particular speak you can always add a sub, but if you can't get the mids and the top end right you're buying a different speaker 🔊.....nice🙂👍🎧

[@paulgillard5094]

Logical. Well said.

[@Ensignpeak]

I've owned high end JBL horn speakers for years, and recently bought Quad S2 speakers. I am continually shocked how much more sheer enjoyment I get from these Quads and now considering buying Z2's and replacing my JBL horns...

[@hondaphan4172]

I came here for the JBL's which are quite possibly my next speaker purchase, actually an end-game speaker purchase, but I have to say the Quads impressed me greatly. I don't think you could go wrong with either of them. At this point I've narrowed it down to the JBL HDI-1600's and Martin Logan XT B100's. The competition at this level is fierce to say the least. Decisions, decisions.

[@sebastianhasbun3846]

A properly tuned ribbon setup is very very hard to beat especially at this price range

[@richards3192]

Quads kill it. Tighter, punchy, good separation, clarity, not boxy, not blowsy, like comparing Prosecco to a can of stout on an MDF coaster.

[@Zoneho]

Very difficult because both sound very good! The quad bikes brought me a certain emotion, the ribbon has the particularity of going very high. This brings an aereation, more pronounced details. But ... JBLs are fun, maybe they don't have the perks mentioned above, but they have a warmth that Quads don't. The lower midrange is very good. I find the choice difficult, because it will also depend on the music you listen to. But it seems to me that the very musical side of the JBL is an asset, because in the end, when you listen to music in general, shouldn't it rhyme with pleasure? sorry for the bad translation

[@CovertOperative]

Track 3 - JBL reproduced a more enveloping presentation with demse and arriculate sub-bass. Apart from that, the Quad's airy presentation invokes precise seperation with natural tone and timbre of the superb mid range vocals and instrumements.

[@Harry-ck5rw]

Achter 3 years searching ,i going to buy the JBL as my front speakers. I love them , not to big , fantastic sound , Nice looks for my small living room . Greetings from Belgium , thanks for the great review . Please listen to the last cd's from Lana del Rey, they're unbelievble .

[@roybrolsbeak]

waar heeft u ze gekocht ?

[@Harry-ck5rw]

Sorry , ik heb ze nog steeds niet gekocht , gebrek aan money . Ik denk aan een Nederlandse hifiwinkel .

[@roybrolsbeak]

@@Harry-ck5rw bij kleinanzeige in duitsland hebben ze nu een grijs paar voor 1000 euro. Misschien iets voor jou..

[@Harry-ck5rw]

@@roybrolsbeak Thanks , ik probeer te sparen , maar intussen vergeet ik niet te genieten van men pas aangekochte cd's . I love my hobby .

[@michaelhughes9770]

the utter refinement of the ribbon tweeter makes this no contest especially on the last track

[@louishamilton9648]

They both have their strong points. Personally leaning the Quads, but you can’t go wrong with either one.

[@anekerbeker5828]

Very hard to choose but the sound of the JBL HDI 1600 seems fresher.

[@spooner1]

Well, the Quads airy tweeter seems to dance for you, the vocals are so more alive and the sound eminates around you whereas the JBL sound seems to stay in front of you. I liked the bottom end of the JBLs better. Need more comparitive listening if I were to purchase. But here the Quads win.

[@AbsoluteFidelity]

The Quads sound like Quad, the JBLs dont sound like JBL. That ribbon is killing it, just so much more resolution and air. The JBL sounded stiff and trapped, the Quads laid everything out.

[@Justwantahover]

If you want cheap speakers that don't sound stiff and trapped, just put a 5" FR driver on top of the box, open! And run it with a woofer in the box. You can do it with any 2-ways with bi wire capability. Just connect the woofer and piggyback connect the open FR driver, directly. The only hard part is MOUNTING the FR driver on top. For a start just use a lot of Blue Tack. And slope the open driver back a bit. Best speakers you will ever hear! 😅

[@adnoHis1]

JBL's sound better. More detailed and separation, depth much better. The Quads have a bit more detail on some highs though.

[@simonhawkins7004]

Quads sound more natural to me .. could imagine the artist and band is there on stage .. Jbls sounded like ..... erm.. a hifi system. .. Great series of demos , I'm always looking forward to the next ones 😀 👍

[@Alex55555]

I feel like the vocal on the Quad sounds much better (more natural and realistic). The JBL sounds like the sound waves are being thrown towards you.

[@stevengarner8524]

I come from a dj background and I love JBL but gotta say for me the quads win this one 🎧AKG +📱

[@thomasc1753]

I'm a dealer of both.... Better be right on. ertical axis with the Quad. The vertical dispersion/decay is poor duento the physical limitations of the ribbon. The JBL Synthesis HDI stomps it for movies and multi channel use.

[@hondaphan4172]

Thanks for the info. I'm here due to me considering the JBL HDI-1600's and the Martin Logan XT B100's as my end-game speakers. The competition at this level is fierce and I have to say the Quad Z2's sound very impressive in this demo.

[@mariuszradoszewski4691]

Quad sounds better for me. Great speakers. Excellent recording. 👍

[@nellyt2807]

People that give thumbs down to videos as good as these must have ears full of beef fkng dripping .

[@higobatman]

Please! Quad Z2 VS Arendal 1723 THX And Quad Z2 VS SF Sonetto 2.

[@pickyaudiophile]

...wait for the Neat Ministra, I guess the best is yet to come...☺

[@PursuitPerfectSystem]

I am running them in now

[@pickyaudiophile]

The interesting thing about the Quad Z series is the exceptional room-friendliness of the two floorstanders Z-3 and Z-4. Both of them feature a relatively limited low frequency extension for their respective size. Fade-out is rather steep with both models, just presented with an 8 Hz shift. Z-3 is considered sweet spot from that range for small rooms. On the contrary, even Z-4 won't fill large rooms with perceivable bass output below 42 Hz. The only thing from my experience is these tweeters don't like to be hammered. Low to upper medium volume listening, that's when they really shine. edit: To me the JBLs "won" that "competition" with a more consistent, unfettered and relaxed presentation, plus some easy flow and across the band.

[@svalbard01]

Through my headphones, instruments sounded better on the JBLs and voices sounded better on the Quads.

[@nellyt2807]

I agree on vocals much better on quads .k have to politely disagree about the instruments though .my son is a professional musician to me the instruments sounds so natural on the quads .that sound of the sticks on the skins to me is so natural sounding on the quads same goes for strings .that's what's great about audio we all get pleasure in maybe slightly different ways .

[@adnoHis1]

I agree. Voice detail is a bit better on Quads but my god, instruments are much better in JBL s. Impressive JBLs, separation is better, deeper. JBL for me.

[@krazyjun]

Sounds of quad z2 is a little better, but for the price you cannot beat jbl hdi1600! I got mine for $950 + tax! I paired them with martin logan dynamo1000 sounds great!!

[@kimmidgley5525]

Quads sound so alive, rich, better highs, more tonally engaging. I didn't expect to like them so much more than the JBLs. Switching back and forth back and forth on the same segment of several of the clips the JBLs eventually started to sound uninspiring. And the JBLs are nice speakers, but just don't have the musical engagement and scale of the Z2s for me.

[@jukeseyable]

My experience as well, could easily switch off from the JBL, and stop listening

[@mariusaslzos5764]

This is my opinion as well.Fantastic speakers this Quad Z2.Very clear and natural sound.

[@realitykicksin8755]

Quads sound way more immersive. They sound more expensive ... if that is a way to say it. The last song really nails it. The JBL does a wall of sound, the Quads put you inside.

[@harrisarp3841]

No1 youtube channel!!!Thank you Terry!!!About the speakers, difficult decision which is better!!!

[@PursuitPerfectSystem]

Cheers mate appreciate it

[@kingwillbisthebest]

Thanks for another great video! I just don't gel with those quads. Man they just sound all wrong to me.

[@MaharionPendragon]

Quads are clear. Very obviously better. Clear vocals, upfront staging, more personality even.

[@haysamd8643]

The last song says it all! JBL destroys Quad, listen to the vocals!

[@oluhamilton2121]

To my ears, the Quads sound livelier, although the JBLs vocals sound throatier. Jussayin'.

[@slave8077]

The Quad Z2 are a bit brighter, the midrange and treble are a bit better than the JBL. The JBL HDI 1600 also sounds nice.

[@adamfrandsen]

The Quads are on a different level - JBLs sound boxy compared.

[@majsterV]

Quad is technically in another league listening normal levels. But i can hear Ribbon tweeter have some problems and that can cause some problems with ssssssses that protrude even in midrange. This cause some problems with bad recorrding or overprocesed modern songs, espepecially on higher volumes. But if this may not be such a problem if you listen from far away in room which tame those esesssss good and you have smooth and warmer amplifier and other electronics behind this speaker.

[@davidrivera2165]

Quad delivers smoother mids and highs. The JBL is definitely the party speaker (last track). JBL does deliver decent details and dispersion. On this one it's a matter of preference. Both are decent stand mounts. The soundstage dynamics seem to be good for standmount speakers on both sets. Since I'm not a fan of AMT tweeters, or Horn waveguide, neither is to my personal taste. However, both sets of speakers are viable options for those who enjoy their sound signature. Thanks Terry.

[@juststuff5216]

Until - Dune - I was stuck. However, on the Dune track, the JBL's had it. The Quad's sounded slightly veiled/muddied.

[@mcm934ify]

Hello i can't understand the amplifier you use please

[@atwitsend592]

JBL has very clear, crisp bass. No parasitic resonances.

[@GT-Diaries]

The Quad has much better vocals.

[@ramires100]

For me JBL ❤Thanks

[@masudashizue777]

I listened mainly for the vocals and thought the JBLs sounded silkier.

[@victorrivera6375]

Hi, so my question for you because you seem to be the only one that has reviewed and demoed the Quad speakers is are the Quad z2 a major improvement over the Quad s2 which is what I own?

[@PursuitPerfectSystem]

Sorry I have not listened to the S2

[@victorrivera6375]

@@PursuitPerfectSystem I appreciate your response

[@Trollberg]

paid $800 for the JBL 1600 brand new for a pair Quad Z2 sound a little brighter

[@cooker4000]

JBL hands down winner for me. Richer and fuller

[@andrejsvis3451]

GREETINGS, do you have the same opportunity to make the same video on speaker systems like Quad revela2 and SCANSONIC MB 2.5 B?

[@PursuitPerfectSystem]

Sorry no I don’t have the speakers and I don’t make this style of video anymore sorry

[@CC-bg8gf]

"Fever" sounds fantastic with the JBLs here. Even better than the Arendal 1723 in the previous sound demo. On other songs, I prefer the JBL 4309 or the Arendal from the other demo. Weird that it is so song dependent, I would so much like to find one speaker that plays everything to my liking. (And the Quad Z2 are not for me, listening fatigue sets in quickly). Thanks Terry.

[@tomoreilly9932]

Quads have it by a fair bit.noticed more on the David gray song.

[@georgiehogman2001]

The second set I thought presented better although they came across a little boxy. Probably not the best way to describe them but they were better than the first set.

[@pickyaudiophile]

Well, yes... everything below crossover frequency sounds just a little bit "clinging to membrane" with the Quads. In other words, there is that well-known "Pph-pph"-sound signature each time e/g drums hit or other impactful impulses are reproduced. I think that could be agreed on.

[@PursuitPerfectSystem]

do factor bass is hard to record, especially a lot of it and its also heavy hit in the compression process to

[@johnshaw359]

JBL for me, Quad sounds muffled, and a bit shut in and a bit bass heavy. JBL better balanced throughout to my ears.

[@pickyaudiophile]

We are outnumbered by a majority but I share that perception with you. I just wouldn't say "bass heavy" but simplified and quite specious bass response by the Quads.

[@xsamitt]

JBL for me as well!!!

[@haysamd8643]

exactly the vocals from Quad seems coming off a tube, rather JBL sounded coming off a stage infront of you

[@MrGfunk215]

I dissent. I think the jbl’s sounded way more “lively”

[@Dr.Ignazio]

the quad beats up the Jbl in all ways man!

[@bryanjennings7821]

To my ears the quad have it, marginally, both very impressive

[@richardanderson5104]

Song 1 - Quads had better vocals Song 2 - JBLs had better impact and separation of drums Song 3 - ???? Toss up Song 4 - Quads but not by much Song 5 - JBLs had clearer vocals Really hard to pick a clear winner.

[@MrJorrma]

Quand för acustic Instrumentsi, jbl sounds funny with guitar 😅

[@kinggodzilla7647]

The sound from the JBL is a little bloated and muddy, especially the mids and bass, compared to the Quad.

[@badgerdms]

It's funny, I currently have two pairs of horn speakers in my house (Volti and Klipsch) and love how dynamic they are, but these JBLs scream horns in a bad way. Quads all day long for me between these two.

[@stuartkennedy4202]

It’s hard to judge when the music played is acoustic with no bass or drums certainly no5 full range music selection.

[@ericchen9876]

I’m disappointed how stuffy HDI 1600 sound, it’s like some vintage speakers sounded like from a can, it doesn’t really feel like it’s a pair of JBL, which is usually bright, dynamic and lively.

[@PursuitPerfectSystem]

Check the review for their in room response you will see why that is

[@SZTILER]

Quad best !

[@mozphet3030]

Quad airier, warmer. JBL tighter, more vibrancy.

[@pickyaudiophile]

That corresponds with the findings of other reviewers when it comes to the Quad Z.

[@Sup3riorr]

the quads have a huge advantage on micro details and presence and attack on my ears :D jbls has slightly wider stage while quads deeper and with a better reverb of sounds.

[@peterpixo]

well, "thats the difference" :) sounds like comaring 150€ speaker to 1000€ speaker :) (idk those models at all)

[@radimpalus]

I prefer the JBL’s. For me the Quads have a harsh treble.

[@tweedpenguin712]

You have hearing issues?

[@radimpalus]

@@tweedpenguin712 Yes, definitely! I hear higher frequencies than most of the people I know, so that is a real issue…

[@learose6166]

I agree,on birds the jbl sound much better

[@pembelatanahair1809]

No man its a caracteristic ofribbon tweeter

[@ANG3Lx0FxL1GHT]

For me it's the quads.

[@bobb.9917]

These two speakers are the visual stunners of the whole group….so who cares what they sound like. 🤐

[@TempoGroove]

It seems to me that the quads are missing something.....I think the jbl s sound better....

[@aussie8114]

Can you recommend a track from an album that can be used for experimenting with speaker placement to fine tune the phantom vocal centre channel? Something that would be on Apple Music.

[@PursuitPerfectSystem]

I use Rebekka Bakken Time to dial the centre image

[@aussie8114]

@@PursuitPerfectSystem Thanks, that’s on Apple so I’ll try that 👍🏼👍🏼

[@beaud4474]

Quads sounded like speakers . Jbl sounded more real .

[@Matrix...777]

Stredy sú lepšie na JBL , ale vyšie stredy a výšky už nie sú pekné , horn zafarbuje zvuk. Tie biele bedne presne opačne. Stredy sú príliš tvrdé a ploché dynamicky, ale od stredu vyšie je to nádhera.

[@temp7774]

Quad! But it calls for a sub.

[@aarthoor]

Quads, obviously.

[@user-tw8qo5dj8h]

Quad

[@shuckylad]

Is it just me, the quads sound more focused with a dead central image.

[@PursuitPerfectSystem]

Interesting feedback- there is a little more going on with the Quad treble which I think puts a bit more sound in the middle - the JBL have a better in room spread of sound but are a bit rolled off at the top which makes them sound less dynamic and you can hear that in my room really easily cos of all the treatment

[@shuckylad]

@@PursuitPerfectSystem I see, keep up the great work Terry. Any news if Bristol is happening next year??

[@PursuitPerfectSystem]

@@shuckylad yeah Bristol 2021 is confirmed mate its on

[@onderbecerik]

🙏👏👏

[@blackimp4987]

I really do appreciate your channel for the information you provide us with and the real tests. Unfortunately I always hear a "boxy" sound like there's an enphasys in the mid range. I think it depends on the recording system or resonance in the room. for comparison I found this channel: maybe you can understand better what I hear: kzbin.info/www/bejne/mp6un4iFnLFrbZo

[@PursuitPerfectSystem]

I listened to the sound demos on the other channel and it sounds like they used a close micd to the speaker setup which is not the truth of what you would hear in person in the room. I also found the sound demos totally 2 dimensional which is how I know they close micd the speakers as your not hearing that much room on the recording which is always not true if the mice are at the listening position because of how mics work. For me my recordings show you how the speakers sounded in my room you can hear much much more of the sound stage in my room and I am getting no mid range push in fact the difference between the tracks for vocals is vast and how it is in real life. What can I say your hearing it different to me. My room at this time had over 50 acoustics treatments in it with dsp too so it’s unlikely what your hearing is my room.

[@blackimp4987]

@@PursuitPerfectSystem thank you for your kind and exhaustive answer. I'll keep in account

[@victorlujan6186]

JBL over Quad easy!!!

[@word2RG]

sounds like Birds is mislabeled

[@PursuitPerfectSystem]

sorry what have I done wrong?

[@raybensinger8383]

Sounds over damped don't want my speakers sounding like a dead pair of closed back headphones could be your room or the narrow dispersion of the ribbon tweeter the jbl sounded much better

[@PursuitPerfectSystem]

Interesting the JBL is more rolled off at the top than the Quad