Harman Kardon's $600 smart speaker is basically a giant Google Home
Like the Google Home Max, but maybe even beefier.
- Named a Tech Media Trailblazer by the Consumer Technology Association in 2019, a winner of SPJ NorCal's Excellence in Journalism Awards in 2022 and has three times been a finalist in the LA Press Club's National Arts & Entertainment Journalism Awards.
Harman Kardon on Tuesday announced a new smart speaker, the Citation 500, that has Wi-Fi, Bluetooth, Google Cast to beam audio over your local network, and Google Assistant for voice control. And contrary to some earlier reports, it'll retail for $600, a representative confirmed to CNET.
That still makes it much more expensive than Google's own $400 Google Home Max, but it's possible Harman Kardon's device will offer more potent sound or other comforts. The Citation 500 features 200-watt stereo speakers, a color LCD touch control, and 24bit/96kHz HD audio streaming.
Harman Kardon, which is owned by Samsung, partnered with European textiles manufacturer Kvadrat to design the wool fabric covering the speakers.
"Consumers today are looking for superior sound and superior design, and with the Citation 500, that's exactly what they'll get," said Michael Mauser, president of Harman's lifestyle audio division, in a release (via Hexus.net).
The speakers will be showcased at IFA 2018 this week in Berlin, and can be preordered on Harman Kardon's website starting at the end of September.
Harman Kardon also has a speaker, the Invoke, that has Microsoft's Cortana voice assistant built-in.
