OVERALL
ALTERNATIVES
SPECS
VS AVERAGE
REVIEWS
Scored using Headphones Methodology v1.0
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Products in this category are scored under Frontum Headphones Methodology v1.0: technical specifications plus authentic consumer ratings, with 0% commercial bias.
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Harman Kardon Ni Review | 93 Data compared

Avg. price:~£80Form factor:in-earConnectivity:wiredBattery life:N/A hoursActive noise cancellation (ANC):no

Harman Kardon Ni Review: Compare 93 technical specifications and user reviews to see how this product ranks in the Headphones category and whether it is worth buying.

Harman Kardon Ni
5.7/10

Overall score

Score
5.7/ 10
✕
What it is
An overall evaluation of the headphones' quality, based on technical analyses and user reviews.
When it matters
When you need a quick reference to identify the best headphones on the market.
Score distribution
â–¼
<55-66-77-88-99-10
â–¼ Worse than 79% of models
Score components

80%

5.3

Technical score

20%

7.2

User score

â–¼Worse than 79% of headphones
7.0

Value for money

Value for money
7.0/ 10
✕
What it is
An indicator that combines the headphones' overall rating with their cost.
When it matters
When you are looking for headphones that offer a strong balance of performance, features, and price.
Score distribution
â–¼
<55-66-77-88-99-10
â–¼ Worse than 73% of models
Score components

70%

5.7

Overall score

30%

10

Price

â–¼Worse than 73%
5.3

Technical score

Technical score
5.3/ 10
✕
What it is
An assessment of technical performance for products in the Headphones category across these key areas: Sound, Calls & Controls, Connectivity, Features, Battery, Design.
When it matters
When you want to compare headphones based on technical performance and available features.
Score distribution
â–¼
<55-66-77-88-99-10
â–¼ Worse than 83% of models
Score components

52%

5.5

Sound

20%

4.4

Features

10%

7.2

Design

8%

4.6

Connectivity

6%

4.0

Battery

4%

6.4

Calls & Controls

â–¼Worse than 83%
7.2

User score

User score
7.2/ 10
✕
What it is
A rating that combines user reviews and the total number of reviews received by the headphones.
When it matters
When you want to understand how headphones perform in real listening and how reliable they are in terms of comfort, audio quality, battery life, and long-term use.
Score distribution
â–¼
<55-66-77-88-99-10
â–¼ Worse than 82% of models
Score components

70%

8.0

User ratings

30%

5.3

Number of reviews

â–¼Worse than 82%
  • harman-kardon-ni
harman-kardon-ni
Where to buy
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Best rankings
Available: ranking among products currently available (including other versions of this product).All: ranking among all products in the database.
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Technical Specifications of pair of headphones Harman Kardon Ni

Technical score
Technical score
5.3/ 10
✕
What it is
An assessment of technical performance for products in the Headphones category across these key areas: Sound, Calls & Controls, Connectivity, Features, Battery, Design.
When it matters
When you want to compare headphones based on technical performance and available features.
Score distribution
â–¼
<55-66-77-88-99-10
â–¼ Worse than 83% of models
Score components:

52%

5.5

Sound

20%

4.4

Features

10%

7.2

Design

8%

4.6

Connectivity

6%

4.0

Battery

4%

6.4

Calls & Controls

5.3
User score
User score
7.2/ 10
✕
What it is
A rating that combines user reviews and the total number of reviews received by the headphones.
When it matters
When you want to understand how headphones perform in real listening and how reliable they are in terms of comfort, audio quality, battery life, and long-term use.
Score distribution
â–¼
<55-66-77-88-99-10
â–¼ Worse than 82% of models
Score components

70%

8.0

User ratings

30%

5.3

Number of reviews

7.2
Popularity
Popularity
5.3/ 10
✕
What it is
An indicator based on the number of reviews received by the headphones.
When it matters
When you prefer headphones that have already been chosen and reviewed by many other users.
Score distribution
â–¼
<55-66-77-88-99-10
â–¼ Worse than 57% of models
Popularity:
Harman Kardon Ni has a popularity score of 5.3 points, which is lower than that of 55.5% of products in this category.
5.3
Value for money
Value for money
7.0/ 10
✕
What it is
An indicator that combines the headphones' overall rating with their cost.
When it matters
When you are looking for headphones that offer a strong balance of performance, features, and price.
Score distribution
â–¼
<55-66-77-88-99-10
â–¼ Worse than 73% of models
Score components:

70%

5.7

Overall score

30%

10

Price

7.0
Active noise cancellation (ANC)
no
This pair of headphones does not support active noise cancellation. 27.5% of headphones support active noise cancellation.
Driver type
dynamic
Driver size
9 mm
Market range: <10 mm – >50 mm
This pair of headphones uses a driver size of 9 mm, smaller driver size than 92.3% of headphones and equal to 2.6% of headphones.
Number of drivers
1
Market range: <1 – >4
This pair of headphones uses 1 drivers, fewer drivers than 4% of headphones and equal to 96% of headphones.
Lowest frequency
20 Hz
Market range: <5 Hz – >20 Hz
This pair of headphones reaches a lowest frequency of 20 Hz, higher lowest frequency than 50.8% of headphones and equal to 47.3% of headphones.
Show more
Noise-canceling microphone
no
This pair of headphones does not support a noise-canceling microphone. 39% of headphones support noise-canceling microphones.
Can be used as a headset
yes
This pair of headphones is headset-ready, 84.8% is not. 15.2% of headphones can be used as headsets.
Number of microphones
1
Market range: <0 – >4
This pair of headphones has 1 microphones, more microphones than 26.9% of headphones and equal to 50.9% of headphones.
Boom microphone
no
This pair of headphones does not include a boom microphone. 13.5% of headphones have a boom microphone.
Microphone SNR
?
Show more
Connectivity
wired
This pair of headphones supports wired connectivity, less flexible connectivity than 49.2% of headphones and equal to 50.8% of headphones.
Bluetooth version
N/A
Maximum Bluetooth range
N/A
Audio latency
N/A
Multipoint support
no
This pair of headphones does not support multipoint. 30.6% of headphones support multipoint.
Show more
Ambient sound mode
no
This pair of headphones does not offer ambient sound mode. 24.9% of headphones support ambient sound mode.
EQ support
no
This pair of headphones does not support EQ customization. 23.2% of headphones support EQ.
Companion app
no
This pair of headphones does not work with a companion app. 21.6% of headphones support companion apps.
Adjustable ANC levels
N/A
Voice assistant support
yes
This pair of headphones supports voice assistants. 39.2% of headphones support voice assistants.
Show more
Battery life
N/A
Battery life with ANC
N/A
Charging time
N/A
Quick charge
no
This pair of headphones does not support quick charging. 33.1% of headphones support quick charge.
Battery capacity
N/A
Show more
Brand name
Harman Kardon
Form factor
in-ear
Weight
17 g
Market range: <14 g – >340 g
This pair of headphones weighs 17 g, lighter than 87.3% of headphones and equal to 0.4% of headphones.
Acoustic design
closed-back
Clamp force
N/A
Show more

Harman Kardon Ni vs the average pair of headphones

246810TotalDesignSoundBatteryConnectivityCalls & ControlsFeatures
  • 92.2% lower weight
    This pair of headphones is lighter than the average pair of headphones (17 g vs 218 g). The average pair of headphones weighs 218 g.
    17 g vs 218 g
  • Direct 3.5 mm plug
    This pair of headphones includes a direct 3.5 mm plug, the average pair of headphones does not. 39.8% of headphones have a 3.5 mm male connector.
  • In-line controls
    This pair of headphones includes in-line controls, the average pair of headphones does not. 36.6% of headphones support in-line controls.
  • Quick mic mute
    This pair of headphones includes a quick mic mute, the average pair of headphones does not. 29.3% of headphones support a mute function.
  • 3 dB/mW higher sensitivity
    This pair of headphones has a higher sensitivity than the average pair of headphones (105 dB/mW vs 102 dB/mW). The average headphones have sensitivity of 102 dB/mW.
    105 dB/mW vs 102 dB/mW
  • 92.2% lower weight
    This pair of headphones is lighter than the average pair of headphones (17 g vs 218 g). The average pair of headphones weighs 218 g.
    17 g vs 218 g
  • 3 dB/mW higher sensitivity
    This pair of headphones has a higher sensitivity than the average pair of headphones (105 dB/mW vs 102 dB/mW). The average headphones have sensitivity of 102 dB/mW.
    105 dB/mW vs 102 dB/mW
  • Direct 3.5 mm plug
    This pair of headphones includes a direct 3.5 mm plug, the average pair of headphones does not. 39.8% of headphones have a 3.5 mm male connector.
  • In-line controls
    This pair of headphones includes in-line controls, the average pair of headphones does not. 36.6% of headphones support in-line controls.
  • Quick mic mute
    This pair of headphones includes a quick mic mute, the average pair of headphones does not. 29.3% of headphones support a mute function.
  • 31 mm smaller driver size
    This pair of headphones has smaller driver size than the average pair of headphones (9 mm vs 40 mm). The average headphones use a driver size of 40 mm.
    9 mm vs 40 mm
  • Non-replaceable earpads
    This pair of headphones has non-replaceable earpads, while the average pair of headphones has replaceable ones. 75.6% of headphones have replaceable earpads.
  • Fixed cable
    This pair of headphones has a fixed cable, while the average pair of headphones has a detachable one. 62% of headphones have a detachable cable.
  • 2 Hz weaker bass extension
    This pair of headphones has a higher lowest frequency than the average pair of headphones (20 Hz vs 18 Hz). The average headphones reach a lowest frequency of 18 Hz.
    20 Hz vs 18 Hz
  • No battery indicator
    This pair of headphones does not show battery level clearly, while the average pair of headphones does. 56.3% of headphones have a battery level indicator.
  • 11.1% lower user score
    User score
    7.2/ 10
    ✕
    What it is
    A rating that combines user reviews and the total number of reviews received by the headphones.
    When it matters
    When you want to understand how headphones perform in real listening and how reliable they are in terms of comfort, audio quality, battery life, and long-term use.
    Score distribution
    ▼▼
    <55-66-77-88-99-10
    Harman Kardon Ni
    the average pair of headphones
    Harman Kardon Ni has a lower user score than the average pair of headphones (7.2 vs 8).
    7.2 vs 8
  • 4.1% worse value for money
    Harman Kardon Ni has worse value for money than the average pair of headphones (6.99 vs 7.3).
    6.99 vs 7.27
  • 4 older release date
    This pair of headphones was released earlier than the average pair of headphones (2012 vs 2016). The average headphones were released in 2016.
    June 2012
    2012 vs 2016
  • 11.1% lower user score
    User score
    7.2/ 10
    ✕
    What it is
    A rating that combines user reviews and the total number of reviews received by the headphones.
    When it matters
    When you want to understand how headphones perform in real listening and how reliable they are in terms of comfort, audio quality, battery life, and long-term use.
    Score distribution
    ▼▼
    <55-66-77-88-99-10
    Harman Kardon Ni
    the average pair of headphones
    Harman Kardon Ni has a lower user score than the average pair of headphones (7.2 vs 8).
    7.2 vs 8
  • 4.1% worse value for money
    Harman Kardon Ni has worse value for money than the average pair of headphones (6.99 vs 7.3).
    6.99 vs 7.27
  • Non-replaceable earpads
    This pair of headphones has non-replaceable earpads, while the average pair of headphones has replaceable ones. 75.6% of headphones have replaceable earpads.
  • Fixed cable
    This pair of headphones has a fixed cable, while the average pair of headphones has a detachable one. 62% of headphones have a detachable cable.
  • 31 mm smaller driver size
    This pair of headphones has smaller driver size than the average pair of headphones (9 mm vs 40 mm). The average headphones use a driver size of 40 mm.
    9 mm vs 40 mm
  • 2 Hz weaker bass extension
    This pair of headphones has a higher lowest frequency than the average pair of headphones (20 Hz vs 18 Hz). The average headphones reach a lowest frequency of 18 Hz.
    20 Hz vs 18 Hz
  • No battery indicator
    This pair of headphones does not show battery level clearly, while the average pair of headphones does. 56.3% of headphones have a battery level indicator.
  • 4 older release date
    This pair of headphones was released earlier than the average pair of headphones (2012 vs 2016). The average headphones were released in 2016.
    June 2012
    2012 vs 2016

Video reviews

Hands-on testing, unboxing, and real-world video evaluations

Not graded yet

Expert reviews

In-depth analysis and verdict from leading tech publications

I
ilounge.com
14/05/2021
Summary of the review
Review: Harman/Kardon AE + NI In-Ear Headphones
L
letemsvetemapplem.eu
20/05/2013
Summary of the review
Harman Kardon NI Review: Don't judge headphones by their packaging
C
cieri.net
12/12/2012
Summary of the review
Earphone Review - Harman Kardon NI
hifitest.de
28/02/2013
Listening test · In-ear headphones
Verdict
The Harman Kardon NI is a comfortable, well-fitting in-ear with a distinctive look, but its sound stays subdued without a good source.
kopfhoerer.de
22/02/2016
Hands-on test · In-ear headphones
Verdict
The Harman Kardon NI looks stylish and includes a built-in mic for calls, but its sharp, piercing highs and fragile remote make it hard to recommend.
L
letemsvetemapplem.eu
20/05/2013
Summary of the review
Harman Kardon NI Test: Don't Judge Headphones by Their Packaging
(Translated)Show original
L
letemsvetemapplem.eu
20/05/2013
Summary of the review
Harman Kardon NI Review: Don't Judge Earphones by Their Packaging
(Translated)Show original

Third-party reviews

What customers like about Harman Kardon Ni

  • Clear sound quality and accuracy even at low volume levels
  • Elegant and sophisticated design featuring aluminum and black finishes
  • Comfortable fit with three sizes of silicone ear sleeves included
  • Apple-friendly three-button inline remote and microphone for easy calls and playback
  • Effective passive noise isolation when a tight seal is achieved
  • Tangle-resistant elastomer-coated cable for improved durability

What customers don't like about Harman Kardon Ni

  • Sound can feel flat or 'dull' at regular volumes, requiring higher volume to improve bass and soundstage
  • Recessed midrange and lack of bass prominence reported by some users
  • Audio quality may struggle with complex music passages, sometimes becoming 'muddy'
  • Full remote functionality (volume buttons) is generally not compatible with Android devices
  • Lacks advanced modern features like USB-C charging or active noise cancellation (it uses passive isolation)

Verdict

The Harman Kardon NI is a noise-isolating in-ear headphone featuring high-performance 9mm drivers that deliver a 20Hz–20kHz frequency response and a 28-ohm impedance. Its distinctive rectangular black housing is optimized for Apple devices, incorporating a three-button MFi remote and microphone for seamless playback and call control. Main pros include its lightweight 3-gram design, sonic clarity even at low volumes, and a durable, tangle-resistant elastomer-coated cable with a straight 3.5mm plug. However, potential cons include limited functionality of volume controls on Android devices and a sound profile that some users may find flat or dull unless listened to at higher volumes.

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