Best Harman Kardon Speaker For Quality Sound That You Should Own

A typical Harman Kardon speaker either boasts a futuristic, minimalistic, or a sleek design, although its sound quality is what has made it popular among audiophiles since the 70s. In fact, the company was the first one to introduce speakers with high-current capacitors to support heavy bass notes.

You should learn how speakers work so that you would be able to pick the best speaker within your budget. If you’re looking for a wireless speaker that delivers an impressive sound quality—lush midrange, crisp highs, clear vocals, rich instrumental sounds, full bass, and other micro details, you couldn’t go wrong with any Harman Kardon home speaker.

Best Harman Kardon Speaker For Quality Sound: Comparison Table

Product	Image	Price
Harman Kardon SoundSticks	[amazon fields=”B008YFD5G4″ value=”thumb” image_align=”center”]	[amazon fields=”B008YFD5G4″ value=”button” image_align=”center”]
Harman Kardon Speaker Aura Studio 2	[amazon fields=”B073FSM4QR” value=”thumb” image_align=”center”]	[amazon fields=”B073FSM4QR” value=”button” image_align=”center”]
Harman Kardon Speaker Onyx Mini	[amazon fields=”B01MSHLOFG” value=”thumb” image_align=”center”]	[amazon fields=”B01MSHLOFG” value=”button” image_align=”center”]
Harman Kardon Omni 10	[amazon fields=”B0108ZHTWS” value=”thumb” image_align=”center”]	[amazon fields=”B0108ZHTWS” value=”button” image_align=”center”]
Harman Kardon Speaker Esquire Mini Bluetooth	[amazon fields=”B00N11CKMG” value=”thumb” image_align=”center”]	[amazon fields=”B00N11CKMG” value=”button” image_align=”center”]
Harman Kardon Allure with Alexa	[amazon fields=”B076Q287YL” value=”thumb” image_align=”center”]	[amazon fields=”B076Q287YL” value=”button” image_align=”center”]
Harman Kardon Aura Plus	[amazon fields=”B01HDC247O” value=”thumb” image_align=”center”]	[amazon fields=”B01HDC247O” value=”button” image_align=”center”]
Harman Kardon Speaker Omni 20	[amazon fields=”B00TPA50LA” value=”thumb” image_align=”center”]	[amazon fields=”B00TPA50LA” value=”button” image_align=”center”]
Harman Kardon Speaker Onyx Studio 4	[amazon fields=”B075BM52PJ” value=”thumb” image_align=”center”]	[amazon fields=”B075BM52PJ” value=”button” image_align=”center”]
Harman Kardon Go + Play 2	[amazon fields=”B01KWNWEEO” value=”thumb” image_align=”center”]	[amazon fields=”B01KWNWEEO” value=”button” image_align=”center”]

Best Harman Kardon Speaker For Quality Sound That You Should Own

Harman Kardon SoundSticks

[amazon box=”B008YFD5G4″ rating=”5″]

With its orb-shaped subwoofer made of a clear plastic body that reveals the inside component, it stays true to its minimalistic, futuristic design. Of course, its popularity is not just tied to its iconic look, but also to its crisp and natural sound.

In terms of audio performance, SoundSticks outperforms its similarly priced competitors (or most speakers). It has a good bass that remains undistorted despite maxing out the volume, and has four drivers on each satellite speaker that deliver crisp and natural sound at mid-range.

What you can expect from SoundSticks is an almost perfect balance, making it ideal for music playing and movie watching. This could also be a good gaming PC speaker unless you’re specifically looking for an audio system that gives a more thundering sound.

Pros

• Impeccable sound quality
• Unique and attractive design
• Satellites can be adjusted to any angle

Cons

• No aux input and headphone jack for wired connectivity
• No remote

Where To Buy:

You can purchase it on harman.com, Amazon, walmart.com, bestbuy.com, and hsn.com.

Harman Kardon Speaker Aura Studio 2

[amazon box=”B073FSM4QR” rating=”5″]

This orb-shaped speaker, which at a quick glance resembles the SoundStick’s design, is made of a clear plastic that reveals the top two-thirds of its minimalistic component, while the bottom part comes with a black solid cover to hide the possibly disarrayed wires and cables. The results: a futuristic and clean design that makes it an ideal prop for a sci-fi movie.

This plug-in speaker features Bluetooth and WiFi (via iOS app) connectivity, a micro-USB cable, and aux input. It supports hands-free calls, connects to other Aura Studio 2 speakers for a better sound immersion, and comes with a nice set of touch control buttons.

Sound-wise, many users have noted the Aura Studio 2’s rich sound that remains good despite jacking up the volume, decent bass amount, and crisp and natural mid-range. Meanwhile, pairing it with another unit can further promote great audio immersion.

Pros

• Simple setup
• Attractive design
• Offers different connection options
• check-circleGood sound quality
• check-circleSeamless connection to other home devices

Cons

• No built-in rechargeable battery
• Awkward touch controls on the speaker itself

Where To Buy:

You can purchase it on harman.com, Amazon, walmart.com, bestbuy.com, and hsn.com.

Harman Kardon Speaker Onyx Mini

[amazon box=”B01MSHLOFG” rating=”5″]

This disc-shaped Bluetooth speaker has enough volume for small to medium-sized rooms, although when paired with another unit it can provide a better stereo sound in a larger area. It comes with 3.5mm port, micro-USB port, and built-in speakerphone for hands-free calls.

Meanwhile, it comes with a built-in bass radiator to give a richer bass, which does not distort even when the volume is jacked up. But volume-wise, it is not as loud as other Harman Kardon home speakers, and so you may want to use it in small- to medium-sized rooms. In bigger areas, the sound may appear faded or pale unless you pair it with another unit.

Pros

• Offers various connectivity options.
• Comes with built-in speaker.
• Can be paired with another speaker for better sound immersion.
• check-circleNice audio quality with full bass and crisp highs

Cons

• While small compared with other home speakers, it still lacks portability features.
• No audio cable for the aux input
• Built-in speakerphone has limited coverage. (Ideally, you have to stand within a 3-foot radius of the speaker to enjoy a clear sound.)
• banA solely plug-in speaker due to the lack of built-in rechargeable battery

Where To Buy:

You can purchase it on harman.com, Amazon, walmart.com, bestbuy.com, and hsn.com.

Harman Kardon Omni 10

[amazon box=”B0108ZHTWS” rating=”5″]

This ball-shaped speaker offers WiFi and Bluetooth connectivity and produces awesome sound with its deep bass and crisp mid-range and high notes. It also comes with 3.5mm input and top panel buttons.

In terms of audio performance, the Omni 10 offers good sound quality and impressive volume, which you can further beef up by pairing it with another unit.

Pros

• Great design
• Nice sound quality

Cons

• No independent power source so it must be plugged in all the time.
• Firmware needs some improvement.

Where To Buy:

You can purchase it on harman.com, Amazon, walmart.com, bestbuy.com, and hsn.com.

Harman Kardon Speaker Esquire Mini Bluetooth

[amazon box=”B00N11CKMG” rating=”5″]

This Bluetooth speaker can serve as a charging device and has a built-in speakerphone with Noise and Echo Reduction Technology. Further complementing these features is the slim and portable design that makes it an ideal business travel companion.

It also has audio input, USB port, and 8-hour rechargeable battery.

Sound-wise, the Esquire Mini seems to be built with business travelers in mind, not for audiophiles. After all, it lacks bass and volume such that listening to music is almost comparable to what you get from your average smartphone.

Pros

• Sleek, portable design makes it ideal for travel.
• Built-in speakerphone
• It can serve as a power bank to charge your phone.

Cons

• It experiences slight audio distortion when bass-heavy music is played.

Where To Buy:

You can purchase it on harman.com, Amazon, walmart.com, bestbuy.com, and hsn.com.

Harman Kardon Allure with Alexa

[amazon box=”B076Q287YL” rating=”5″]

The Harman Kardon Allure with Alexa has a 360-degree lighting with beautifully crafted design. It plays very loud with little distortion. More importantly, you need to have an Amazon account but you don’t need to have a Prime subscription. 

You can stream your music from your mobile device via Bluetooth. Also, you can connect to Alexa through dual band Wifi and access the newest Alexa skills and features.

Pros

• Compact size and functionality make it ideal for business travels.
• Hands-free voice control
• Powered by Amazon Alexa Voice service
• check-circlePowerful audio sound for its size
• check-circleFar-filled voice recognition

Cons

• Lacks deep bass

Where To Buy:

You can purchase it on harman.com, Amazon, walmart.com, bestbuy.com, and hsn.com.

Harman Kardon Aura Plus

[amazon box=”B01HDC2CE4″]

It’s a spitting image of the Aura Studio 2 with its curved dome and futuristic design. It also offers Bluetooth, DLNA and WiFi connectivity, 4.5-inch omnidirectional sound subwoofer, AirPlay to stream music from your computer’s iTunes library, and aux input.

Moreover, its powerful subwoofer delivers rich bass and crisp, natural mid-range sound, which you can particularly appreciate when watching movies on your tv or computer.

The remarkable sound reproduction remains unchanged regardless of the volume level.

Because it supports WiFi streaming (in addition to Bluetooth), you can expect better sound fidelity and coverage range.

Pros

• Great design
• It offers Bluetooth and WiFi connectivity for better sound fidelity and range.
• Impeccable sound quality

Cons

• It lacks an independent power source.
• A bit pricey

Where To Buy:

You can purchase it on harman.com, Amazon, walmart.com, bestbuy.com, and hsn.com.

Harman Kardon Speaker Omni 20

[amazon box=”B00ZYJ9WCE” rating=”5″]

This oval-shaped wireless speaker has good connectivity features that include 3.5 mm input to connect to a music player, Wi-Fi for wireless home network connection, and Bluetooth to stream music on other Bluetooth-enabled devices.

As with any Harman Kardon speaker, it gives a great sound quality and volume. But for a truly immersive audio experience, you can turn this into a multi-channel speaker system.

Because the speaker supports WiFi streaming, you can expect better sound quality than Bluetooth, which may slightly degrade the fidelity of audio due to the way it compresses data. But since Bluetooth is a more ubiquitous connection, the company decides to still include this technology, so we get the best of both worlds.

Pros

• Clear, powerful sound
• Attractive design
• Can be paired with multiple speakers via WiFi
• check-circleSupports iOS app for setup and control

Cons

• A bit pricey

Where To Buy:

You can purchase it on harman.com, Amazon, walmart.com, bestbuy.com, and hsn.com.

Harman Kardon Speaker Onyx Studio 4

[amazon box=”B075BM52PJ” rating=”5″]

This disc-shaped speaker delivers an impeccable sound quality and a powerful volume. It also comes with aux input, charging port, and micro-USB.

Compared to its similarly priced competitors, Onyx Studio 4 provides a deeper, more powerful bass. However, while it produces crisp and natural sound in mid-range, it experiences slight distortion when the music involves high-pitched notes.

Pros

• Its powerful sound and volume make it ideal for large areas.
• Splash-resistant design

Cons

• Nondescript battery life (The Onyx Studio 4’s built-in battery offers around eight hours of playback at normal volume, while its other siblings can last 12-15 hours.)

Where To Buy:

You can purchase it on harman.com, Amazon, walmart.com, bestbuy.com, and hsn.com.

Harman Kardon Go + Play 2

[amazon box=”B01KWNWEEO” rating=”5″]

If your goal is to find a Bluetooth speaker that gives an impressive sound quality and loud volume for your next party—and you don’t mind the cumbersome design—the Go + Play 2 might be a perfect fit for you. It also comes with a USB port so you can charge an external device, and a 3.5 mm aux input for non-Bluetooth connectivity.

Despite its size, which is almost comparable to a medium-sized handbag, it is surprisingly light.

Sound-wise, it takes the number one spot for its rich sound.

The sound quality of this boombox-type speaker is impressive to the point that it might become a problem if you live in a shared house with poor acoustic insulation. The two large bass drivers emit deep and powerful bass that no similarly priced Bluetooth speaker comes anywhere close to.

Pros

• Outstanding sound quality that makes it ideal for audiophiles
• Powerful sound and volume
• Built-in speakerphone
• check-circlePhone charging capability

Cons

• Lacks WiFi support
• Slightly shorter battery life compared with other Harman Kardon speakers

Where To Buy:

You can purchase it on harman.com, Amazon, walmart.com, bestbuy.com, and hsn.com.

Product FAQs

1. Are All The Wireless Speakers Portable?

While the company is better known for their wireless home audio systems, they have also released portable mini speakers.

2. How Do I Choose The Best Harman Kardon Speaker?

The best one boils down to your needs. For instance, an audiophile can forgive a cumbersome design provided that the speaker delivers a clear and crisp sound, while a business traveler may forgive some slight audio distortion provided that his speaker comes with a long battery life, boasts nice Bluetooth features and pairing, and serves as a power bank.

3. How’s Their Design And Build?

Most, if not all, Harman Kardon home speakers have a stunning or at least an interesting design, and so they can work seamlessly with your interior. Fortunately, they are not the typical home speakers you want to hide from plain sight due to awkward size and construction.Meanwhile, their portable speakers come with a sleek, minimalist design.

4. Where Can I Buy Them?

You can purchase them on harman.com, Amazon, walmart.com, bestbuy.com, and hsn.com.

5. How Much Do They Cost?

Harman Kardon’s portable mini speakers typically cost around [amazon_link asins=’B00N11CKMG|B00N11CKMG|B00N11CKMG’ template=’PriceLink’ store=’gosoundshack_us-20|gosoundshack_ca-20|gosoundshack_uk-21′ marketplace=’US|CA|UK’], while most home and PC speakers are priced around [amazon_link asins=’B00M7WI7WM|B00M7WI7WM|B00M7WI7WM’ template=’PriceLink’ store=’gosoundshack_us-20|gosoundshack_ca-20|gosoundshack_uk-21′ marketplace=’US|CA|UK’]. Meanwhile, their most high-end home speakers can run as high as [amazon_link asins=’B01KWNWEEO|B01KWNWEEO|B01KWNWEEO’ template=’PriceLink’ store=’gosoundshack_us-20|gosoundshack_ca-20|gosoundshack_uk-21′ marketplace=’US|CA|UK’].

How We Reviewed

With a wide array of Harman Kardon speakers, which have their own notable features, it’s a bit tricky to pick a list of the top 10 without a tinge of bias. Hence, we’ve used the following criteria that include audio quality, connectivity and pairing features, price, build and design, and the pros and cons to give you the most accurate product review possible.

We have also picked up on customer reviews to give you an honest review.

The Verdict

Sound-wise, you can never go wrong with any Harman Kardon speaker for home and multi-room use, particularly the high-end versions such as the Go + Play 2, the Harman Kardon Allure Voice with Alexa, and the Aura Plus. 

But if budget is an issue, the Esquire Mini and the Omni 10 can still please most audiophiles.

Meanwhile, if you’re looking for a bona fide portable Bluetooth speaker, the Omni 20 is a great product fitted with functionalities that suit travelers.

It supports both Wifi streaming and bluetooth capabilities so you get the best of both worlds.

Featured image: CC0 by Republica via Pixabay