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Overview of the Harman Kardon SoundSticks Bluetooth Speaker Review

The 2.1-channel sound system enables you to stream audio from your PC, Mac, smartphone or tablet wirelessly. As with all of the best Bluetooth speakers on the market, we put the Harman Kardon SoundSticks to the test.

The main features of the SoundSticks are:

• Industrial Styling
• Rich Bass
• Multimedia System

The sophisticated-looking system has a unique setup consisting of three parts, rather than the single unit used by most modern Bluetooth speakers. The Harman Kardon SoundSticks package consists of a subwoofer with 6-inch bass driver and two satellite speakers that have a total of eight 1-inch full-range transducers between the pair.

There are dedicated buttons for power, volume, and mute, as well as the option to add an extra audio source via the 3.5mm jack in the back of the subwoofer. An AC plug comes in the box too.

Assessing the Benefits

The audio is standout quality, which is one reason it is a contender for the best Bluetooth speaker. Between the system’s two satellites and 40-watt output, listeners can expect great sound. The mid-range is silky, even when the subwoofer is on a low setting. The four transducers in the satellite pods complete the sound just as the composer wanted the user to hear it.

Enjoy deep bass with the 6-inch speaker cone in the subwoofer. The down-firing subwoofer spreads out the sound so that it waves off the surface on which the unit sits. There is even a separate bass knob from the volume knob, giving you complete control over how the audio sounds.


As for what type of audio you can play, it is not just for music, unlike the UE Megaboom. Harman Kardon has made their system to be multimedia, meaning you can listen to music, gaming audio, and high-def movies on it. If you have a CD or DVD player, the chances are good that you can connect it to the SoundSticks. If you are a gamer, as long as your system has a “Y” adapter cable, then it will work with the sophisticated audio system.

Special Features of Harman Kardon’s Bluetooth Speaker

We appreciate the industrial styling of the Harman Kardon Bluetooth Wireless 2.1 Channel System. It is transparent, unlike other top Bluetooth speakers like the JBL Charge 2+ Splashproof Portable Bluetooth Speaker. With many other Bluetooth speakers feature colorful casings, Harman Kardon’s system has a see-through design that stands apart from the competition. The black accents and white LED glow complete the elegant look. It is minimalistic design at its best, in our eyes.

While writing this Harman Kardon SoundSticks Bluetooth speaker review, we discovered that the quality audio performance achievable through wireless Bluetooth streaming comes from HARMON TrueStream. The advanced Bluetooth technology provides excellent sound and won’t come with every Bluetooth speaker on the market.

An Honest Look at the Drawbacks

We would be remiss not to point out in the Harman Kardon SoundSticks Bluetooth speaker review that the device has a few shortcomings. The most obvious one is that there are cables between the satellite pods and the subwoofer, which means the Harman Kardon SoundSticks are not totally “wireless.”

Unfortunately, the sound system is only wireless as far as it being a Bluetooth streaming device; there are wires that extend from the satellite pods to the subwoofer. This design is different than most of the other best Bluetooth speakers, which have internal batteries that keep the music flowing. As Harmon Kardon’s satellite units are wired, they are more difficult to move around the house or take with you on the go.

Also, the subwoofer’s power button and level knob are on the back rather than the front. Unfortunately, these controls are difficult to reach if the subwoofer is under a desk, which is exactly where many people would put it.

Is This the Best Bluetooth Speaker for You?

The ideal user will like modern design and want a great-looking system. The predecessor was put into the permanent collection at NYC’s Museum of Modern Art, so we are not the only ones saying it is a head turner.

The Bluetooth SoundSticks will also appeal to a person who is looking for a multimedia audio system rather than only one that plays music. As for the price of the Harman Kardon Wireless, it is mid-range amongst the best Bluetooth speakers, so it will not blow the budget.

Summing Up the Harman Kardon SoundSticks Bluetooth Speaker Review

This Bluetooth-enabled 2.1 speaker system from Harman Kardon offers rich bass and great sound with its 40 watts of amplification and down-firing subwoofer with satellite speakers. The price is not outrageous given the main features, which includes a cutting-edge design with translucent casing, black accents, and white LED glow.

The audio performance is top-notch when wirelessly streaming via Bluetooth, thanks to the easy-to-use HARMAN TrueStream. As well, the system is multimedia so that you can use it for all of your audio, from music to games and movies. It is obvious to us that the Harman Kardon Bluetooth SoundSticks System has a lot to offer without breaking the bank.

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