which is better harmon kardon or bose?

Answer 1

Sound is personal so there is no single best speaker. That said, between Bose and HK I doubt you would find any informed audiophile who would pick Bose.

See the link for an interesting read.

Bose speakers are notorious for being overpriced for what they are, and for having a weak midrange. See the second link for consumer opinion on some HK speakers vs Bose that appear to support this conclusion.

That all said, speakers are subjective and I highly recommend you do some research by looking at comparative reviews of speakers in your intended pricerange and style of speaker (e.g. 5.1 system, bookshelf stereo, single speaker surround). Identify several possibilities and then try listening to them (if possible at the same store) using your music/movies. Only then can you judge which is best for you.

Finally, note that speaker placement, the electronics, wiring, and overall the room itself, play an important part in the eventual sound ... so don't expect to simply plug the new speakers in and have perfection. You will have to do some work to get the best out of any speaker.

Hope this helps.

Answer 2

Some things to consider:

- Harmon Kardon sells receivers that work with many different speakers. Bose does not.

- Bose advertises in every issue of AARP (American Association of Retired Persons) magazine and "Trailwise" and other magazines targeting the elderly. This is not a group known to have good audio perception. HK advertises in audiophile magazines.

- Bose spends 8 dollars in Marketing to every dollar in engineering. HK is closer to a 2 to 1 ratio.

- Bose forces retail stores to 'price fix' their products. No store can put them on sale except at special times, but then all the stores have the same sale price. This maintains a 'perception' that they are a high-end system. HK does not do this.

- Bose threatens legal action if any magazine tries to publish test results of their speakers. HK does not.

- Bose has been caught doing 'Road Shows' where their speakers have $5,000 of electronics (equalizers and amplifiers) between the CD players and the speakers, but give the audience the perception that this is just to compensate for a large demo room.

Answer 3

Harmon Kardon components can sound much better than Bose when configured and matched with proper complimenting units.

Bose does give good sound but the idea is flawed.

Trust your own ears !!!

Answer 4

harman kardon is just as good as bose is just bose has been out there and people know about bose more. if in my opinion JL, or db drive.

Answer 5

Bose. I would love to support this with better evidence other than I have used both for years and my Bose always send a better energy throughout my room. Love them.

Answer 6

Hi. You are the only person who can decide because we all have different preferences when it comes to sound reproduction. What one persons thinks is a great system another person thinks it is not.. You have to listen to both, then pick the one that you can live with.