Harman Kardon Soundsticks vs Aura Speakers Comparison

An Overview of Harman Kardon Speakers

Harman Kardon is an American audio equipment brand known for manufacturing high-quality speakers. Founded in 1953, they have over 65 years of experience crafting premium sound solutions for home and professional settings. Their products feature innovative acoustic technology, appealing aesthetics, and reliable performance. In this guide, we will compare two of Harman Kardon's most popular Bluetooth speaker lines—the Soundsticks and Aura—to help you decide which best fits your needs.

Key Features of Harman Kardon Speakers

There are several signature features found across Harman Kardon's various speaker models:

• Advanced audio engineering that produces detailed sound with strong bass.
• Sleek and modern designs incorporating metal and glass.
• Intuitive controls and seamless Bluetooth connectivity.
• Durable builds with weather and shock resistance.

Their focus is crafting speakers that sound fantastic but also look great in any space. While audio quality is the top priority, aesthetic design is a huge consideration as well for the brand.

Overview of the Soundsticks and Aura Lines

The Soundsticks line features unique transparent speaker housings that showcase the inner audio components. The see-through design looks very modern and techy. Models in the line include the Soundsticks 4, which houses four speaker drivers.

Alternatively, the Aura line has a more understated look with solid color speaker coverings. The Aura 4 is a comparable model to the Soundsticks 4, utilizing four speaker drivers to produce sound. The Aura speakers have a broader shape compared to the tall and narrow Soundsticks.

Sound Quality Comparison

When it comes to audio performance, there are some notable differences between the Soundsticks 4 and Aura 4 models:

Sound Signature

The open-back design of the Soundsticks 4 results in very clear and detailed audio reproduction. The transparency allows soundwaves to bounce freely and widely. High frequencies really sparkle on the Soundsticks.

The Aura 4 delivers more powerful bass in a front-firing orientation. Its enclosed build gives the low frequencies a booming resonance not as present on the Soundsticks. Mids and highs are still very crisp.

Volume and Drivers

With 40 watts of power, the Aura 4 can reach much louder volumes than the 18-watt Soundsticks 4. The Aura's drivers are also larger with included subwoofers for expanded low-end.

Both models contain two 0.75” tweeter drivers for the highs and two 3” midrange drivers. But only the Aura 4 adds in two 3.5” subwoofers into the configuration for more complete range reproduction.

Connectivity and Controls

Both speakers utilize Bluetooth 5.0 for easy wireless pairing with devices. NFC tap-to-connect is also supported on the Aura 4 for quicker access. Buttons located on the speakers allow for power, volume, and playback adjustments.

Design Comparison

Here is a quick visual comparison of the sleek aesthetics of the Soundsticks 4 vs the Aura 4:

Soundsticks 4 Design

• Unique see-through tower shape
• Multi-part plastic transparent housing
• Internal components exposed
• Modern and flashy appearance

Aura 4 Design

• Understated matte color finish
• Wrapped unitary construction
• Internal drivers concealed
• Minimalist and classy look

The choice comes down personal taste. The Soundsticks 4 makes a bolder visual statement with its clear encasing while the Aura 4 is more subtle and refined.

Verdict: Which is Better?

When evaluating which speaker model performs best, it depends on your priorities:

Harman Kardon Soundsticks 4

The Soundsticks 4 is the better option if crisp highs and sparkly detail is most important. The semi-open housing give the soundwaves more room to breathe. The design is also eye-catching and futuristic.

Harman Kardon Aura 4

The enclosed Aura 4 edges out the victory when powerful bass and higher volumes are needed. Its drivers and power output produce a richer, more robust sound. The matte coloring helps it blend into backgrounds.

Overall, the Aura 4's audio capabilities make it slightly superior, but not by much. The Soundsticks 4 still outperforms most of the competition. It will come down to the aesthetics you prefer paired with great sound.

FAQs

What is the difference in sound between the Soundsticks 4 and Aura 4?

The open-back Soundsticks 4 produce very clear highs and detailed mids, while the closed-back Aura 4 generates deeper bass and can reach louder volumes.

Which Harman Kardon speaker looks more modern?

The transparent housing of the Soundsticks 4 highlights the inner audio components for a very modern, techy aesthetic compared to the more understated Aura 4.

Do both speakers have Bluetooth connectivity?

Yes, both the Soundsticks 4 and Aura 4 feature Bluetooth 5.0 for wireless pairing with devices. The Aura 4 also includes NFC tap-to-connect.

Which speaker is better for audio quality?

With larger drivers and more power, the Aura 4 slightly beats out the Soundsticks 4 when it comes to sound quality. But the Soundsticks 4 still performs very well with crisp highs.