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psjjw77

Audioholic Intern
The HDI 3600 doesn't perform as well as the HDI 3800 and won't handle as much dynamics.

Here's review from this serious site: https://www.audiosciencereview.com/forum/index.php?threads/jbl-hdi-3600-speaker-review.13027/#post-388992

And this is one review of the HDI 3800: https://forums.audioholics.com/forums/threads/jbl-hdi-3800-floor-standing-speaker-review.118345/
Arendal has the better center so woul
The HDI 3600 doesn't perform as well as the HDI 3800 and won't handle as much dynamics.

Here's review from this serious site: https://www.audiosciencereview.com/forum/index.php?threads/jbl-hdi-3600-speaker-review.13027/#post-388992

And this is one review of the HDI 3800: https://forums.audioholics.com/forums/threads/jbl-hdi-3800-floor-standing-speaker-review.118345/
Alright fellas, Arendal or jbl. Your help is definitely appreciated. In my journey to have a decent sounding setup
 
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Danzilla31

Audioholic Spartan
Arendal has the better center so woul
Alright fellas, Arendal or jbl. Your help is definitely appreciated. In my journey to have a decent sounding setup
Bro if you like a lot of rock music the JBL's all day any day. They are neutral amazing speakers. But their compression drivers and amazing dynamics will be awesome for rock music. My Studio 698's are amazing for rock but sound just as amazing with classical or any other type of music. Not many speakers can pull off that type of range

The suggestions from @Mark E. Long with the HDI 3800's plus the center channel he is suggesting would literally rock your socks off!!!!
 
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Danzilla31

Audioholic Spartan
If it was me I’d go with the HDI 3800’s and go with a Array 880 center a much better match than the HDI center but it is larger but for a 3 way center it’s way better than most in my room which is large it works better than any I’ve had . That can be had now for around 1.000 to 1.200 compared to the 4,400 when they were in jbl’s line up .
That's an awesome suggestion especially with the OP's preferences of rock music and listening loud
 
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shadyJ

Speaker of the House
Staff member
Arendal has the better center so woul
Alright fellas, Arendal or jbl. Your help is definitely appreciated. In my journey to have a decent sounding setup
The higher-set tweeters of the 3800s mean you need to be seated somewhat far back for the sound to cohere. Also, they have somewhat hot bass, and that can really get boosted in small or congested conditions. The 3800s are really meant for large rooms. The Arendals have tamer bass and a tweeter that is set much lower and will cohere at much closer listening distances. I would go for the Arendal's between those two because they are a bit more flexible.
 
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Danzilla31

Audioholic Spartan
The higher-set tweeters of the 3800s mean you need to be seated somewhat far back for the sound to cohere. Also, they have somewhat hot bass, and that can really get boosted in small or congested conditions. The 3800s are really meant for large rooms. The Arendals have tamer bass and a tweeter that is set much lower and will cohere at much closer listening distances. I would go for the Arendal's between those two because they are a bit more flexible.
That's a great point @shadyJ how far back will the op be sitting from the speakers and what size is the OP's room. Is it an open room and a big room to handle the HDI's bass and output? I didn't think of that
 
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Danzilla31

Audioholic Spartan
If it was me I’d go with the HDI 3800’s and go with a Array 880 center a much better match than the HDI center but it is larger but for a 3 way center it’s way better than most in my room which is large it works better than any I’ve had . That can be had now for around 1.000 to 1.200 compared to the 4,400 when they were in jbl’s line up .
Man I looked up that JBL array center that thing is a beast! Its hard to find though for sale I did find one for sale on eBay
 
Mark E. Long

Mark E. Long

Audioholic General
That's an awesome suggestion especially with the OP's preferences of rock music and listening loud
With out seeing the op’s room I believe it’s L shaped lot of open area this will get loud I’ve got a decent sized room . The Array 880 is the center piece for movies some of the newer remasters from Pink Floyd and well recorded concert dvd’s even good cd’s sound stunning, but I do recommend good dual subs to round it all out . And a crazy amount of Carver power helps too lol .
 
William Lemmerhirt

William Lemmerhirt

Audioholic Overlord
Man I looked up that JBL array center that thing is a beast! Its hard to find though for sale I did find one for sale on eBay
Man I looked up that JBL array center that thing is a beast! Its hard to find though for sale I did find one for sale on eBay
That center looks awesome. It’s hard thinking about application in someone else room. I think Shady is probably right about the arendals for OP. But in my room, the 3800 wins the day. I’m 14’ from the mains and they’d be perfect. I have to try and remember context. IMO that big JBL center would blend well with the 3800’s as well as my s312’s and many others too.
Well, I’ve just been inspired. One of the best live BD’s I have is Staind, live at Mohegan Sun. Takes awhile for Aaron’s voice to warm up, but the band and room sound great. Really like being in there. Guess what I’m going do!
 
Mark E. Long

Mark E. Long

Audioholic General
Man I looked up that JBL array center that thing is a beast! Its hard to find though for sale I did find one for sale on eBay
Several on EBay the dude I got mine from was a synthesis dealer had new old stock it is a beast but like almost any 3 way center measures like any other but believe me it’s the best I’ve ever used . But it does need a large room as I sit 15 feet away there’s no dispersion problems my room is 28 long by 18 wide and is set up just for this rig not every body can do this . It’s a beast and build quality is as good as it gets iam a compression driver fan too .
 
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Mark E. Long

Mark E. Long

Audioholic General
That center looks awesome. It’s hard thinking about application in someone else room. I think Shady is probably right about the arendals for OP. But in my room, the 3800 wins the day. I’m 14’ from the mains and they’d be perfect. I have to try and remember context. IMO that big JBL center would blend well with the 3800’s as well as my s312’s and many others too.
Well, I’ve just been inspired. One of the best live BD’s I have is Staind, live at Mohegan Sun. Takes awhile for Aaron’s voice to warm up, but the band and room sound great. Really like being in there. Guess what I’m going do!
It blends very good with my HP-520’s actually I can’t tell there’s a difference in drivers in the system space is a must for big towers and compression drivers or it could be to much .my mains are 10 foot apart so that by itself lets the center stand out and at my distance blend and disappear into the soundstage but again big room helps . One of my favorites is Sound Garden Live from the Artist Den or Roger Waters Us+ Them .
 
William Lemmerhirt

William Lemmerhirt

Audioholic Overlord
It blends very good with my HP-520’s actually I can’t tell there’s a difference in drivers in the system space is a must for big towers and compression drivers or it could be to much .my mains are 10 foot apart so that by itself lets the center stand out and at my distance blend and disappear into the soundstage but again big room helps . One of my favorites is Sound Garden Live from the Artist Den or Roger Waters Us+ Them .
My room is almost the same as yours so I can totally relate. Also, roger waters “the wall” is excellent too.
 
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psjjw77

Audioholic Intern
The higher-set tweeters of the 3800s mean you need to be seated somewhat far back for the sound to cohere. Also, they have somewhat hot bass, and that can really get boosted in small or congested conditions. The 3800s are really meant for large rooms. The Arendals have tamer bass and a tweeter that is set much lower and will cohere at much closer listening distances. I would go for the Arendal's between those two because they are a bit more flexible.
Thank you, I came across some polk l600s for $ 2000. Or do.i go with the Arendal for $1000 I have a monolith 7x. For power
 
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shadyJ

Speaker of the House
Staff member
Thank you, I came across some polk l600s for $ 2000. Or do.i go with the Arendal for $1000 I have a monolith 7x. For power
Both are great speakers. The Polk Legend series has an outstanding center speaker to go along with the L600s. The Arendals will have more dynamic range. I would say if you have a wide listening area, go for the Polks for that center, but if this is going to be mostly just you in the sweet spot, go for the Arendals. But you can't go wrong with either.
 
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psjjw77

Audioholic Intern
Both are great speakers. The Polk Legend series has an outstanding center speaker to go along with the L600s. The Arendals will have more dynamic range. I would say if you have a wide listening area, go for the Polks for that center, but if this is going to be mostly just you in the sweet spot, go for the Arendals. But you can't go wrong with either.
Thank you sir, I appreciate everyone who helped with this decision shaping experience. Thank you all for your insights
 
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brian6751

Audioholic Intern
I would lean toward the Arendal speakers. The ML XT towers are supposedly good, but I have heard the new XT bookshelf speakers, and they are awful. Given that, I would not trust ML to execute their center speaker correctly. The Arendal center, on the other hand, is very good.
That goes to show you why one really needs to listen to speakers in person. I replaced my Arendal 1723 S setup with ML XT and I like them better all around, including the center channel.
 
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psjjw77

Audioholic Intern
That goes to show you why one really needs to listen to speakers in person. I replaced my Arendal 1723 S setup with ML XT and I like them better all around, including the center channel.
Yeah, that's what I think. I liked the paradigm 80fs also but these jbls look good and sound good to me
 
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