JBL's high-end HDI Series speakers are now available

(Image credit: JBL)

JBL's HDI speaker range is now finally available.

We first got wind of the high-end speaker range back in September at CEDIA, at which point we were expecting them to start shipping in January. We are now happy to report that the four models are available – in the US and Australia anyway, ranging from $1800 to $5000 (AU$3500 to AU$9000) per pair. (There's no word yet on UK availability.)

The HDI Series is headed up by the flagship HDI-3800 2.5-way floorstander ($5000 / AU$9000), which sports three of JBL’s 8-inch patented 2410H-2 compression drivers and JBL Professional’s D2 tweeter. Then there's the smaller HDI-3600 2.5-way floorstander ($3800 / AU$7000) with three 6.5inch versions of the compression drivers, and the HDI-1600 2-way bookshelf ($1800 / AU$3500) with a 6.5in compression driver and the optional HDI-FS stands ($400).

Each HDI model, which is available in high-gloss black, satin walnut wood veneer, and satin gray oak wood veneer, features the same Advanced Aluminum Matrix woofer cones and "cutting-edge" motor structures. According to Harman Luxury Audio's Jim Garrett, the JBL HDI range has been "designed on mathematics that no other manufacturer has graduated to and built with components that few can match". Hopefully, at some point in the future, we'll be able to find out for ourselves!

Becky is a hi-fi, AV and technology journalist, formerly the Managing Editor at What Hi-Fi? and Editor of Australian Hi-Fi and Audio Esoterica magazines. With over twelve years of journalism experience in the hi-fi industry, she has reviewed all manner of audio gear, from budget amplifiers to high-end speakers, and particularly specialises in headphones and head-fi devices.

In her spare time, Becky can often be found running, watching Liverpool FC and horror movies, and hunting for gluten-free cake.