ie8 fix

Harman/Kardon

MP3 Insider 132: Bulbous twoofers

Donald and Jasmine are back and ready to catch up on FLAC-compatible MP3 players, speakers that use "twoofers," headphones that use speakers, and a handy way to control your iPod while keeping your eyes on the road.

Plus, Jasmine offers some tips for taking your iTunes music collection to a non-Apple MP3 player, and Donald reviews an oldie but goodie.

Listen now: Download today's podcastRead more

Review: Harman/Kardon GO + PLAY iPod boombox

The Harman/Kardon GO + PLAY is an oldie-but-goodie and its review is long overdue. It was worth the wait, though, since I can't think of a single other portable iPod speaker that's come through CNET's doors that matches the GO + PLAY's sound quality. But then, few can match its $350 price tag, either.

It's a little disappointing that the GO + PLAY hasn't yet been updated to accommodate the iPhone and iPod Touch--nor can it charge many of the newer generations of iPods. With any luck, we'll see an update to the GO + PLAY … Read more

Harman Kardon's jaw-dropping bullet-proof glass PC speakers

Just came across this hot little number on Amazon: a set of Harman Kardon PC speakers made out of glass. They don't appear to be available quite yet, but Amazon is taking pre-orders at $999.99.

Harman's made other clear speakers in the past, including the well-received SoundSticks II system, but these are the first to use glass--and the GLA-55s really make a statement. From some angles they have a gem-like quality, from others--namely in profile--they look almost alien in nature.

While these speakers are obviously about design, Harman's also touting the GLA-55s' "impeccable" sound … Read more

If you listen to music at home--don't buy an AV receiver!

Today's audiovisual receivers are complicated things. They can be a real pain to use, have excruciatingly complicated menu systems, and many don't even accommodate turntables! Point is if you're mostly interested in playing music do yourself a big favor and buy a stereo receiver.

Like Harman Kardon's new HK 3490 two times 120 watt receiver ($449). In my opinion Harman makes the best sounding AV receivers, and I have every reason to expect their stereo models to be even better. The engineers invested in a high-performance phono preamp, pre-out/main-in jacks, and high-current amplification. You also … Read more

Harman Kardon announces three new AV receivers

While most audio manufacturers trot out a new line of AV receivers every year, Harman Kardon generally sits out of the "feature war" and lets its models stay in the product line longer. That's why it's a big deal that the company has announced three new receivers, bringing many cutting-edge features that were previously missing from the company's lineup. As always, these new receivers have Harman's typically refined look, and now that some of the models include updated features--like high-resolution audio decoding, a high-def graphical user interface, and video upconversion--you won't have to settle for beauty without brains. Let's take an in-depth look at the new line.

Harman Kardon 154

Key features of the Harman Kardon 154:

5.1 channels, 30 watts per channel Three HDMI 1.3a inputs… Read more

Harman Kardon's 'Bridge II' seems to fall short

Harman Kardon is releasing the second iteration of its iPod bridge dock, which connects the media player to a home sound system, but it seems like a case of too little too late. For one thing, the "Bridge II" is apparently designed specifically for other Harmon Kardon equipment. Second, there's no indication that it can work wirelessly, as do other products such as Monster's "iSoniCast," which also provides similar remote functions. And it's more expensive at $129, as listed on iLounge. But if you're already eyeing Harman's new AVR-354 receiver, you … Read more

Photos: Subaru adds Harman/Kardon audio

At the 2008 New York auto show, Subaru announced the addition of Harman/Kardon audio systems to its Legacy and Outback models. We take a look at, and a listen to, the new stereos at the show.

Click here for photos of the Harman/Kardon audio system in the Subaru Legacy and Outback.

Click here for more 2008 New York auto show coverage.

Hot deal: Harman Multimedia SoundSticks II for $135 shipped

If you're like a lot of urbanites, your PC or laptop is also your media center, home theater, and audio system. If your apartment is 120 square feet and you're paying $1300 a month in rent (hello San Francisco!), you want to save space and dollars, so an array of conventional speakers may not be an option for full-on audiophilic indulgence.

Harman Kardon to the rescue. The HK SoundSticks are legendary among computerists, design fans, and aficionados of ultraclear sound. And with this "II" version, they work equally well with a PC or a Mac. You'… Read more

Harman Kardon enters GPS traffic jam with the Guide + Play GPS-500

If you thought that LG's move into portable GPS devices was as much as the saturated market could take, think again. Car audio manufacturer Harman Kardon, famed more for bass and treble than lat and long, has its sights set on those customers not already served by the likes of Garmin, TomTom, Sony, Pioneer, Lowrance, and Navman. We got our hands on Harman's Guide + Play GPS-500 portable navigation device this week: in addition to wayfaring duties, it can handle digital audio and video playback via its 2GB of internal memory or its 4GB mini-SD card slot. Check out … Read more

Harman Kardon turns drive time into play time--again

Harman Kardon is just about to unleash the successor to its Drive + Play iPod interface, and we got a sneak preview of the new system this week. Imaginatively called the Drive + Play 2, the stylish device offers tons more features than its predecessor did, including the ability to show album art, an alphabetic search function, and a unique means of refining playlists on the move. The DP2 will be hitting shelves next week with a price tag of around $400. Check out our Crave slide show for all the info as well as some beauty shots.