JBL SVA1600 (Mid-1990s)

The JBL SVA1600 is a floorstanding loudspeaker from the company's Studio Series (SVA). The line was introduced in the mid-1990s and sat above the L-series and below the K2 series in JBL's consumer hierarchy. It's a 3-way design with dual 6.5-inch polypropylene mid-bass drivers and a 1-inch pure titanium dome tweeter. The woofers sit above and below the tweeter in the D'Appolito configuration. Audio (December 1997, p.74) noted JBL used that layout across the SVA line, with lobing minimized by the design and placement of the horn (p.81). The SVA1600 sits below the SVA1800 in the lineup.

The record on this model is thin in places. The fact sheet confirms an 8-ohm nominal impedance and a 2.5kHz crossover frequency from two independent sources. Power handling is listed at 200 watts. Dimensions are 40.5″ H × 9.6″ W × 10″ D, and each speaker weighs 48.5 lbs. Frequency response is given as either 31Hz - 40kHz or 30Hz - 40kHz (at -6dB), depending on the source. Sensitivity is given as either 91dB or 90dB @ 1W/1m. The sources disagree on both, so treat those figures as approximate.

A 1997 review in Audio (December 1997, p.81) found the bass output well above the average of speakers tested at the time. That's respectable given the cabinet size and woofer dimensions. The review also noted that horizontal off-axis response measured extremely uniform up to 12.5kHz (p.79), and that the woofer grilles caused no significant response change (p.79).

A later SoundStage! Network review from 2008 was more measured. It called the SVA1600 "a good speaker for the price, but not a great one." The same review described the bass as powerful but not tight, the midrange as slightly recessed, and the highs as detailed but potentially harsh on some recordings. It concluded the speaker was a reasonable choice for home theater but not for music-critical listening.

Type: 3-way floorstanding loudspeaker
Drivers: Dual 6.5″ polypropylene mid-bass, 1″ pure titanium dome tweeter
Impedance: 8 ohms
Crossover: 2.5kHz
Power handling: 200 watts
Dimensions: 40.5″ H × 9.6″ W × 10″ D
Weight: 48.5 lbs each

No original retail price, production years beyond the mid-1990s introduction, or finish options have surfaced in the available documentation.