Harman Kardon Home Theater and Soundsticks II Reviews With System and Speakers Specifications

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Harman Kardon Home Theater

Harman Kardon Soundsticks II

3-Piece Plug and Play Multimedia Speaker System
Harman Kardon’s SoundSticks II three-piece speaker system produces high-quality stereo sound for Music, MP3′s, movies and gaming experiences.
SoundSticks II encourages consumers to step out of the ordinary speaker world and offers sound in an original and unique package. The system, described as curvy, sleek and sexy, provides consumers with sound that is loud and clear.
SoundSticks II employs a new computer-optimized multi-band parametric equalization and Harman’s unique ”capacitance touch“ control buttons on the right satellite allow for direct access to volume control.
SPECIFICATIONS: Satellite
Transducers :    (4) 1 – inch full range per channel
Amplifier Power Output : 10 W RMS per channel
Dimensions :    2″ (50.8 mm) diam. x 10″ (254 mm)
Weight :    1.47 pounds 0.67 kg
Subwoofer
Woofer Size :    6″ (150mm)
Amplifier Power Output : 20 W RMS
Dimensions :    9.15″ (232 mm) diam. x 10.16″ (258 mm)
Weight :    4.93 pounds 2.24 kg
General
Frequency Range :    44Hz-20kHz
Power Consumption :    4 W idle, 65 W maximum
Interface : Analog (3.5mm)

“I’m a huge music/audio fan. I know when audio sounds right, when it sounds off, when it sounds good, when it sounds bad. I can hear things none of my friends pick up, except for one who’s also heavy into music and audio fidelity. Having said that, I can tell you these speakers are REALLY good for sound quality. A much better range than I thought they’d have. Highs sound crisp. Bass is really full. And it’s all balanced really well (bass doesn’t overpower the rest of the sound range, and vice/versa). I also dig the design of these speakers. They go perfectly with my mac and they look cool. There’s a dial on the sub-woofer to adjust the base level. The touch volume control is pretty darn cool too. I KINDA wish there was some visual prompts for sound level when you adjust the volume, but it’s not a huge deal because I mainly adjust my volume through my Mac’s interface anyway. There are better speakers out there but for computer speakers, these are pretty hard to touch!”

Harman Kardon Home Theater System CP 15

Featuring an audio/video receiver, DVD player, six speakers and powered subwoofer, this system has everything you need to create your own private theater. Wrap yourself in amazing sound with the six-channel amplifier. Forty watts per channel brings your music and movies to life with clear, powerful sound.
Key Features 
Included Components: Receiver · DVD Player · Radio Tuner
Number Of Speakers: 6 Speakers and Subwoofer
Front Speaker: 3 Way
Main Speakers Power Output: 40 Watts
Playable Disk Types: DVD Video · VCD · DVD-R · DVD-RW · DVD+R · DVD+RW · CD (Audio) · CD-R · CD-RW
Subwoofer Power Output: 100 Watts
Playable File Formats: MP3 · JPEG
Remote Control: Learning
Audio 
Surround Sound: DTS® · DTS ES® · Dolby Pro Logic II · DTS Neo:6
Dynamic Range: 100 dB
DVD 
Number of Discs: 1
Progressive Scan: With Progressive Scan
TV Resolutions: 480p (525p)
Outputs: Composite x 1 · S-Video x 1 · Component x 1 · Analog Audio x 1
OSD: Yes: English, German, French, Italian, Spanish
Built-in TV Tuner: NTSC
Playback Features 
Resume Function: Yes
Receiver 
Surround Analog Inputs: 6.1 Channels x 2
Tuner 
Built-in Radio Tuner: AM · FM
Tuner Presets: 30

“I’m not a hardcore audiophile– the kind who pays $400 for a 40 year old tube reciever on eBay just to spend another $600 to get it working– so take this review for what it’s worth.
I’m building out my basement into a rec room and wanted a decent HTiB to compliment a Samsung 46″ dlp TV. I wanted a one stop box: building a home theater system, component by component, would be too expensive and time consuming for me. My (and my wife’s) criteria were that the HTiB not be too expensive, have 6.1 channels, have clear sound and a strong subwoofer (10″ preferably), be unobtrusive (meaning no towers), and scalable if I ever decide to upgrade. I spent MANY hours reading reviews and forums on the net, driving to stores and listening to different systems, pricing out various deals. My interests went from the JVC THM 303 (cheap and loud), then the Onkyo 667 (good reviews), the Sony 6900 (best of both worlds), before I decided to buy Kenwood Fineline 720 (sleek, decent sound, feature rich).

That was all before I wandered past the HK CP-15 on display at Fry’s here in Atlanta. My first reaction was WOW! The sound and appearance of this unit was in a whole different league. I would put the other models in a “Disney Movie/Teenager Party” category, and put the HK CP 15 and others like the Denon 485 DV at the lowest end of the serious HTiB category. Like Denon, HK is a quality brand that is well known to audio buffs.
HK makes 2 other HTiB models that move into the Bose price range. HK’s HTiB’s are really just re-packaged receivers, DVD’s and speaker systems they usually sell separately. The CP 15 lists on the company site for $1199; I got it for $739 through an established e-store that honors the full factory warranty (I would call and ask before you go this route).
I spent a weekend reading through the manuals and setting it up. I put in LOTR Two Towers and then SW Attack of the Clones. The dialog and sound effects were amazingly clear. No doubt that’s partly because there are 2 speakers in each satellite, compared to only 1 in the other brands I looked at. The sub was also clear and ungarbled, unlike many of the other brands I listened to. I set the sub volume at only about 25% max, and it still shakes the couch!
Admittedly, the HK costs $200-$300 over than the more common brands I looked at. But for me the difference in quality and sound was well worth it.
On the downside, expect to spend a little time learning all of the features. (Skip the quick set up diagram and read the manuals!) ”

CP-40 With 5 Kardon Speakers

The CP 40 home theater package combines style, functionality and clarity with an impressive 5.1-channel (30W x5), 24-bit digital A/V receiver (AVR-144) and a progressive-scan multi-format DVD player (DVD-27). The included HKTS-15 home theater 5.1-channel (500W) speaker system is packaged with four satellite speakers, one (2-Way) center speaker, and a powered subwoofer.
Key Features 
Included Components: DVD Player
Number Of Speakers: 5 Speakers and Subwoofer
Front Speaker: 2 Way
Main Speakers Power Output: 80 Watts
Playable Disk Types: DVD Video · VCD · DVD-R · DVD-RW · DVD+R · DVD+RW · CD (Audio) · CD-R · CD-RW
Subwoofer Power Output: 100 Watts
Playable File Formats: MP3 · JPEG
Remote Control: Universal · Yes
Audio 
Surround Sound: Dolby Digital® · DTS® · Dolby Pro Logic II · DTS Neo:6 · Dolby Pro Logic · DTS 96/24
Audio DAC: 192 kHz
DSP Processor Type(s): 24 bit Processor x 1
DVD 
Number of Discs: 1
Progressive Scan: With Progressive Scan
Inputs: Digital Audio (Coaxial) x 3
Outputs: Composite x 1 · S-Video x 1 · Component x 1 · Analog Audio x 2 · Digital Audio Coaxial x 1 · Digital Audio Optical x 1
Built-in TV Tuner: NTSC
Receiver 
Rear Input Connectors: RCA (2 Audio Channels) x 2 · Digital Coaxial x 3 · Digital Optical x 3 · Composite (Video) x 4 · S-Video x 4 · Component x 2
Front A/V Connections: Headphones x 1
Rear Output Connectors: Digital Coaxial x 1 · Composite (Video) x 2 · S-Video x 1 · Component x 1 · RCA (2 Audio Channels) x 1
Tuner 
Built-in Radio Tuner: AM · FM

Kardon HS 100

Key Features 
Included Components: DVD Player · Radio Tuner
Number Of Speakers: 5 Speakers and Subwoofer
Front Speaker: 2 Way
Main Speakers Power Output: 80 Watts
Playable Disk Types: DVD Video · VCD · SVCD · DVD-R · DVD-RW · DVD+R · DVD+RW · DVD Audio · CD (Audio) · CD-R · CD-RW
Subwoofer Power Output: 100 Watts
Playable File Formats: MP3 · WMA · JPEG
Remote Control: Yes
DVD 
Number of Discs: 1
Progressive Scan: With Progressive Scan
Built-in TV Tuner: NTSC
Tuner 
Built-in Radio Tuner: AM · FM

“I got this home theater sound system in a package deal at my local electronics store, there was a special price for this product with a dlp tv. Price was affordable and 2 years ago it was a pretty good deal. I paid around $500.00 for it. I wasn’t really looking for a good home theater system, I just wanted a large tv so I didn’t compared quality.
At beginning it was a great sound experience, it was the first time I was watching a movie with 5.1 sound. I didn’t experienced any problems, until bought a PS3 and played games on it. There is a sound glitch when playing PS3 games and it happens each 5-6 minutes : sound starts to glitch, then it mutes for 1 sec, then reinitialize for another 5-6 minutes. It does that everytime. I checked on PS3 forums and someone has the same problem than me, and he have the HS100 too. So the device is the problem, and apparently Harman Kardon are not aware of the issue. Hopefully blu ray, dvd and cable sound are all ok. It only happens with games.
I am using this system since 1 year and a half and honestly I am thinking about changing for a better model because I think this one is the cheapest home theater system from Harman Kardon. I know this company is used to make great systems, but this one is so so. Like I said I was looking for a tv at first and sound was a secondary objective. Now I want better sound and no glitch at all.
The speakers are not very powerful, they sound pretty good but the better is the subwoofer, even if I didn’t noticed a big difference when I increase volume from 5 to 10.
The DVD player is standard 480i (even with components): no big deal. I had 3 or 4 freezing issues with it, I had to restart the device.
Finally I wouldn’t recommend this product if you are looking for a real home theater system. I must admit that price is fair, considering you get 5 speakers sub and dvd player for $450. But never forget that usually you always get what you paid for.”

Kardon HS 500

Key Features 
Included Components: DVD Player · Radio Tuner
Number Of Speakers: 5 Speakers and Subwoofer
Front Speaker: 2 Way
Main Speakers Power Output: 65 Watt RMS
Playable Disk Types: DVD Video · VCD · SVCD · DVD-R · DVD-RW · DVD+R · DVD+RW · DVD Audio · CD-R · CD-RW
Subwoofer Power Output: 200 Watt RMS
Playable File Formats: DivX · MP3 · WMA · JPEG
Remote Control: Illuminated
Audio 
Surround Sound: Dolby Digital® · DTS® · Dolby Pro Logic II
DVD 
Progressive Scan: With Progressive Scan
TV Resolutions: 720p (750p) · 1080i (1125i)
Outputs: HDMI x 1
OSD: Yes
Tuner 
Built-in Radio Tuner: FM
Tuner Presets: 30

To view other brands use the menu on the right side of this page. If you would like to leave a comment or review of your home theater experience please use the form at the foot of the page and it will be reviewed and published on this site.

Harman Kardon Home Theater

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