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

The ultimate PC speakers?

(Credit: Harman Kardon)

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 quality. (At $1,000, they better sound good, right?) In fact, Harman claims it's "arguably the best 2.0 speaker system ever engineered" with numerous proprietary technologies that empower the speakers to create "clear and accurate high-impact sound with a large soundstage."

The side view has a more alien vibe.

(Credit: Harman Kardon)

Whether glass is the best material from which to fashion speakers is debatable, but Harman says its glass enclosure material is "the same as what is used in bulletproof glass." The material is put through an "annealing" process, which "includes baking each enclosure at 80 degree C for 4 hours."

The company adds: "This process provides increased dimensional stability by realigning the molecular structure of the enclosure material. To further enhance performance, the GLA-55's enclosure has a variable wall thickness which creates a stiff and resonance free enclosure. The net result of the annealing process and variable wall thickness enclosure is increased bass performance and a reduction in unwanted distortions and resonances."

Needless to say, I'm excited to get my hands on a pair. But I'm not so sure that in this economy people are as excited to drop a grand on these guys. Comments?

[Zen-Masta]

They look sweet but I can't afford em.

[Slacker1952]

I wonder what happens when you do the "Is it live or is it memorex" test.

[t26l]

Wow, clear speakers for $1K. I bet those sound way better than my in-ceiling speakers I found for $30 each!

Then again, I can still afford to go outside my house since I didn't blow a grand on two clear speakers which resemble ugly crystal figurines.

[tmullenaux]

What happens if you play one of those opera-singing-wine-glass-breaking types?

[mykick22]

If i had that kind of money, I would get them in a second.

[Pizzookie]

The glass material eliminates enclosure flex which allows you to here the speakers not the resonance of the enclosure, also the odd shape of the enclosure eliminates standing sound waves that muddy up the sound. This would be why they sound so good. Not something i can drop $1000 for though

[b_baggins]

oh, please. Resonance of the enclosure is what adds depth and richness to the audio. Ever hear of a violin? It's all about the resonance of the enclosure. And standing waves is just another word for resonance.

Just because you know big, complicated words doesn't mean you know what you are talking about.

[JimDibb]

I'm with you pizzookie on the resonance thing. Hey hobbit, we're trying to hear the resonance of the violin that is playing on the recording we're listening to. Not the resonance of the speaker cabinet. That's the antithesis ( I know big words too) of accurate sound reproduction.

No one wants to hear the speaker cabinet.

[drara07]

I think with 1 grand i would prefer to go for a 5.1 system. I would get a decent one for that price.

[c|net Reader]

A nit: "At $1,000, they better sound good, right?" That should be, "at $1,000, they'd better sound good, right?" (An executive editor should know that, right?)

[jasonbryanmiller]

I think the editor just likes to do that to get bizarre reactions out of anal retentive folks like yourself. Next time try and actually contribute to the discussion.

[dodgeman007]

may for one thousand bucks there are many many better speaker options out there. who still listens to a 2.0 system anyways? thats so 1990. today we play games and watch blu-ray on our computers and i dont know about anyone else but i need 5.1 or 7.1 not 2.0 wow... i feel sorry for whoever buys these things. im sure they sound good but a ferrari is a nice car too but how many of us are willing to WASTE 10 times our yearly income on one? not too many im sure.

[natronforever]

I doubt Ferrari has your particular tax bracket in mind when they manufacture their "waste" of money automobiles. Perhaps the same could be said of H/K?

[make_or_break]

For all of the ranting for the price of a single big one, you'd think that Carnoy had hit on a Chihuly fire sale. Instead we get a pair fugly speakers that goes to show how low Harmon International has gone.

It ain't about how it performs, it's all about how they look. Perfect for the iPod generation.

[bknowledge]

And people said that I was crazy to drop $300 on a set of pc speakers. But if there is anyone out there that buys them I will love to sell you shares in my new lunar oil exploration start-up.

[Philips]

It would be interesting to see (or rather hear) showdown with SoundSticks. I have the later and cannot be happier with quality of sound. Yet, for office, the glass pair looks to be suited better as I do not have space to put subwoofer under my table.

Also, at the Hi-Fi price point, I expect them to have good sensitivity and be capable of good playback at any volume. Low volume - near silent - playback is must for Office Space.

All in all I had a WOW reaction on the speakers. And -hey- right now I can afford them :)

[jaycustom]

GO**AMN THOSE THANGS ARE HIDEOUS!!!! Geez for a grand they could've at least installed a couple color selective LEDs..take advantage of the "clear" look . Or maybe even fill it with water and colored wax and a heating element lmao..to make a lave lamp outta it...hehe. HIDEOUS I SAY!!..anyone that buys these is a total idiot in my book..no sub either?! HA!

[iff2mastamatt]

Those gotta be on James Bond's new austin martin!

Can't wait for Cnet's review on these!

[DEC_42]

Seeing these are PC speakers, and have a 1 grand price tag, I think Harmon Kardon is asking you to supply your own Subwoofer with these, along with rear and side speakers (perhaps more of these?). If you've got enough money but no Coax or TOSLINK out (solved by a newish sound card...) I suppose you'd have the rest of the components.

[bacteria1984]

hahaha.. i would say awesome looking but Jaw-dropping price tag......