JBL makes amazing home sound systems, but they also know how to shrink that experience down to a portable one in both speaker and headphone forms. They have a new and exciting slate of devices coming out in 2023, so let’s dive in!
Harman and its subsidiary brands consistently deliver some of the best audio products on the market. Whether it be headphones, wireless speakers, home audio, or portable audio, there’s something for everyone. Some of the latest audio products we have to look forward to this year from Harman brands include the new Mark Levinson No. 5909 wireless headphones and new headphones, speakers, and a gaming microphone from JBL.
Cameras and microphones have become part of daily life for many of us during the pandemic. While most external video cameras have built-in microphones, they’re usually only slightly better than using the microphone integrated into a laptop. Unfortunately, the best external microphones are often rather complicated to use. However, the AKG Ara microphone is an excellent dual pattern USB mic, and it’s easy to use.
In recent weeks, Harman‘s Infinity Lab has released several different charging solutions; these include high-performance wall adapters and a range of external battery packs. They have sent me a number of their new products to try; this review will look at their new Infinity Lab InstantCharger 65W, a powerful USB-C and USB-A PD charger.
When you think of home theater set-ups, you usually picture a soundbar under the TV with speakers and a subwoofer set up around the room. That all changes with the Lovesac Sactionals StealthTech Sound + Charge System, which puts the home theater audio components inside your sofa, for a deep and immersive Harman Kardon sound experience that you can feel and hear but don’t see.
If a large display with a fast refresh rate, a speedy processor, and a solid camera for content creation on the go is essential to you, then you’ll want to take a look at the two new Xiaomi 11T series devices launched today. Both the 11T and the 11T Pro offer what Xiaomi calls “Cinemagic” cameras; they say you can leave the expensive video and photography equipment at home (or better yet, not buy it in the first place), go out and explore and get your best shots. Best of all, both phones are affordable.
To celebrate its 75th anniversary, JBL has expanded its headphone lineup with the new JBL Tour Series. These headphones, which will offer both an over-the-ear and a true-wireless option, are perfect for business professionals who want a sleek design with smart features and advanced technology.
Mark Levinson, by Harman, makes audio equipment that many of us can only ever aspire to own. I’ve been able to listen to several of their system set-ups in person, and each time I’ve walked away thinking that if I ever become rich and famous, I’d be tempted. If you’re already in a position to buy, then you’ll be glad to know that they’ve expanded their offering of luxury-line components. Even though the prices are still quite aspirational, they are a little more obtainable than Mark Levinson’s typical price-points.
This year, IFA will consist of a much smaller live convention coupled with a virtual show. Even though the pandemic travel restrictions have made it just about impossible for press from the states to attend, there will still be lots of news to share. One of the IFA press conferences I never miss is Harman’s, and even though things will be very different this year, there are still plenty of exciting new JBL offerings to check out.
For years the multi-room audio market was owned by Sonos. Amazon chipped away at that a bit by giving their Echo speakers multi-room functionality. Sonos responded by adding Alexa to their speakers. Well, things are changing, and Harman Kardon’s new Citation line of speakers is ready to give both a run for their money; the entry-level Citation ONE is superb.
The summer might be winding down, but JBL and Harman are just heating up with a few announcements this week at IFA 2018 that everyone should be interested in.
Last year when I reviewed the Huawei MediaPad M3, I called it the best Android tablet for the money; I was impressed with its solid build, sleek styling, Harman Kardon sound, and excellent price. Now comes the Huawei MediaPad M5, and what was already a fab tablet is now a possible iPad killer — assuming you don’t mind a non-iOS device.
If you’ve been burdened with Amazon’s Echo ruining your home Decor, it’s time for you to upgrade to the Harman Kardon Allure Portable Digital Assistant Speaker.
How does JBL follow their popular JBL Xtreme portable Bluetooth speaker? By going bigger. And that’s exactly what they did with the XTREME 2, an even MORE powerful follow up to one of JBL’s most sold electronics in 2017.
A good pair of headphones is hard to find, but if you’re tired of searching, then you might want to check out JBL’s recently updated Everest series. Sporting three different models, the JBL Everest collection (710GA, 310GA, and 110GA) are made with different wearers in mind, depending on if you like around ear, on-ear, and in-ear.
We are fans of the JBL Clip 2, and when we saw that the company had announced the 3rd edition of their Bluetooth speaker at CES in Vegas, we had to check it out. So what’s changed? And the answer is a whole lot. Taking evolution to a whole new level is the JBL Clip 3, a portable waterproof Bluetooth speaker that doesn’t slack on the features. With ten hours of battery life, an even better audio performance due to JBL tweaking the internals, the Clip 3 also adds a bit of flair with some new colors which will match…
AKG has been breaking barriers in audio technology for years, and the company looks to expand their popular N-Series with their AKG N5005 headphones. Flaunting studio quality sound and a brilliant design, the N5005 were made with precision, courtesy of AKG working with sound curves and frequency responses to give an optimal sound quality that listeners will love.
While at IFA, I had a chance to check out the JBL Boombox, their largest and most powerful portable speaker to date. Available in forest green or black, the Boombox offers a 20,000mAh battery, best in class sound, and up to 24 hours of battery life. Most importantly, it probably sounds better than most home stereo speakers. No, really.
Now and then a product comes along that doesn’t fit into an established category. The JBL Soundgear wearable audio device is one such product. The Soundgear isn’t a pair of headphones. It isn’t a Bluetooth speaker. It is a wearable music delivery system that creates an entirely new category. But I’m left to wonder, does it have a future?
On the surface, the smart speaker market is already pretty packed with competitors. The two most well-known of these, Google Home and Amazon Echo, dominate the market. So why would someone like Harman Kardon and Microsoft team up to create what is arguably a late entry into this competitive landscape?
What happens when you’re pining for a massive home theater TV system, but can’t possibly afford a 100” LED TV? You’ll want to consider Hisense’s new 4K Ultra HD Smart laser TV with Harman Kardon Audio.