Harman Kardon Onyx Wireless Speaker System: Coolest Design in the Market for Medium Class
I have been on the lookout for a worthy wireless speaker system for some months. Though I did not spend a lot of energy in looking, I was always keen on the quality and performance level of any system I came across. Being a product of one of the best companies when it comes to sound quality, the Onyx Wireless speaker system captured my attention and it was not a disappointment.
Speaker Design: The Harman Kardon Onyx Wireless Speaker System features a truly beautiful design. Unlike any other speaker in the category, the Onyx is a true work of art. I immediately fell in love with the brushed stainless steel loop that doubles up as a foot and handle. The rounded shape also makes it a wonder to behold and the cloth grill and real leather in the back just set it apart. It also really fit in well with my décor, which is quite a fete in itself.
Wireless Connectivity: The Onyx speaker system supports all wireless modes you can imagine. You can connect via Bluetooth (which is also NFC compatible), AirPlay for apple and DLNA for those who use Android and Windows. Personally, I prefer the lossless transmission of AirPlay. It makes connecting from my iPhone and iPad a breeze. However, this is not to say that the Bluetooth and DLNA features don’t work. They do – perfectly. I tested them extensively and they all performed exceptionally well.
Drivers: This speaker has four drivers and passive radiators that create a well-balanced sound. This is quite an achievement for a speaker of its size and I have to say that Harman Kardon really did great.
Performance: Even though I have qualms with it, I must say that the sound quality of this speaker system is quite impressive. It however was way below my expectation. At volumes below 50%, it sounded rather flat and lifeless, which was a real frustration for me. Additionally, bass levels begin dropping and sound distortion sets in the more you crank the volume past 70%. This means that the best sound is obtained at 50% volume, which is pretty loud for when I want to take a nap. When I compared the overall sound quality between this speaker and the Klipsch KMC 3 that i already own, I found that the KMC 3 provides consistently better quality at all volume levels.
However, even though the sound quality was not as I expected, that was overcompensated with the internal battery. At a volume level of 55%, I was able to get five and half hours of uninterrupted wireless streaming. The manufacturer promises 6 hours and I’m sure that at volume levels of below 50%, this can be surpassed.
Range: I must say that the Onyx has a pretty decent range for its size. Considering the size of my house, I was able to hear it very clearly from the bedroom. I found this quite amazing.
Remote: This speaker system does not ship with a remote. Instead, you can download a remote app on your phone. The Harman Kardon Remote App is quite an intuitive design aspect from H-K. It provides a quick wireless way of setting up music streaming from any computer, mobile device or NAS connected to your home network. In addition to this, I appreciated the control I got with this app. I could access all audio settings directly from my phone via the app meaning I can change and tweak settings to suit my preference irrespective of where I am in the house.
PROS:
Very intuitive design that is the best design in Medium class
Easy to connect and set up with any device
CONS:
Sound quality not as good as expected. This is however well compensated by other features
Distortion is quite audible in high volume levels
The Harman Kardon Onyx speaker is a worth its price tag. It offers an awesome design that makes it an awesome addition to a home. Even though the sound quality is a little disappointing, other features like connectivity interfaces, portability and battery life compensate well. However, the success of a speaker is only measured in the quality of sound and the guys at Harman Kardon need to do something about that.
The Harman Kardon Onyx speaker is a worth its price tag. It offers an awesome design that makes it an awesome addition to a home. Even though the sound quality is a little disappointing, other features like connectivity interfaces, portability and battery life compensate well. However, the success of a speaker is only measured in the quality of sound and the guys at Harman Kardon need to do something about that.
Value For Price
8
Design
9.5
Sound Quality
7.8
Harman Kardon Onyx Wireless Speaker System
Harman Kardon Onyx is the first of its kind from the brand renowned for its acoustic innovation. Combining power, precision, and style, the Harman Kardon Onyx stands out like a piece of art in any room it’s placed. With built-in Bluetooth, AirPlay, and DLNA, it connects to all your home and mobile devices. The Harman Kardon Remote app simplifies set-up and lets you start streaming all your content.
