OVERALL
ALTERNATIVES
SPECS
VS AVERAGE
REVIEWS
Scored using Portable Speakers Methodology v1.0
Portable Speakers Methodology v1.0
Mathematical & Unbiased Scoring
Products in this category are scored under Frontum Portable Speakers Methodology v1.0: technical specifications plus authentic consumer ratings, with 0% commercial bias.
Explore Portable Speakers Methodology v1.0

Harman Kardon Aura Review | 130 Data compared

Avg. price:~£240Audio output power:60.00 WBattery life:?IP rating:?Bluetooth version:3.0Weight:3600 g

Harman Kardon Aura Review: Compare 130 technical specifications and user reviews to see how this product ranks in the Portable Speakers category and whether it is worth buying.

Harman Kardon Aura
7.3/10

Overall score

Score
7.3/ 10
✕
What it is
An overall evaluation of products in the Portable Speakers category, based on technical analysis and user reviews.
When it matters
When you need a quick reference for identifying the best products in the Portable Speakers category.
Score distribution
â–¼
<55-66-77-88-99-10
â–² Better than 84% of models
Score components

80%

7.1

Technical score

20%

8.2

User score

â–²Better than 84% of portable speakers
7.9

Value for money

Value for money
7.9/ 10
✕
What it is
An indicator that combines the overall score of products in the Portable Speakers category with their prices.
When it matters
When you are comparing products in the Portable Speakers category and want a good balance between quality and price.
Score distribution
â–¼
<55-66-77-88-99-10
â–² Better than 76% of models
Score components

70%

7.3

Overall score

30%

9.3

Price

â–²Better than 76%
7.1

Technical score

Technical score
7.1/ 10
✕
What it is
An assessment of technical performance for products in the Portable Speakers category across these key areas: Audio, Connectivity, Battery, Durability, Controls, Design, Smart features.
When it matters
When you want to compare products in the Portable Speakers category by technical performance, specifications, and available features.
Score distribution
â–¼
<55-66-77-88-99-10
â–² Better than 81% of models
Score components

32%

7.7

Audio

20%

7.3

Battery

18%

6.4

Durability

16%

6.9

Connectivity

8%

6.6

Controls

3%

5.6

Design

3%

7.5

Smart features

â–²Better than 81%
8.2

User score

User score
8.2/ 10
✕
What it is
A rating that combines user reviews with the total review volume for products in the Portable Speakers category.
When it matters
When you want to know how products in the Portable Speakers category perform in everyday use and how reliable owners find them over time.
Score distribution
â–¼
<55-66-77-88-99-10
â–² Better than 73% of models
Score components

70%

9.4

User ratings

30%

5.4

Number of reviews

Based on ratings from across the web.
â–²Better than 73%
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Where to buy
*As an Amazon Associate, we earn from qualifying purchases.
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 portable speaker Harman Kardon Aura

Technical score
Technical score
7.1/ 10
✕
What it is
An assessment of technical performance for products in the Portable Speakers category across these key areas: Audio, Connectivity, Battery, Durability, Controls, Design, Smart features.
When it matters
When you want to compare products in the Portable Speakers category by technical performance, specifications, and available features.
Score distribution
â–¼
<55-66-77-88-99-10
â–² Better than 81% of models
Score components:

32%

7.7

Audio

20%

7.3

Battery

18%

6.4

Durability

16%

6.9

Connectivity

8%

6.6

Controls

3%

5.6

Design

3%

7.5

Smart features

7.1
User score
User score
8.2/ 10
✕
What it is
A rating that combines user reviews with the total review volume for products in the Portable Speakers category.
When it matters
When you want to know how products in the Portable Speakers category perform in everyday use and how reliable owners find them over time.
Score distribution
â–¼
<55-66-77-88-99-10
â–² Better than 73% of models
Score components

70%

9.4

User ratings

30%

5.4

Number of reviews

Based on ratings from across the web.
8.2
Popularity
Popularity
5.4/ 10
✕
What it is
An indicator based on the number of reviews received by products in the Portable Speakers category.
When it matters
When you prefer products in the Portable Speakers category that have been chosen and reviewed by many other buyers.
Score distribution
â–¼
<55-66-77-88-99-10
â–² Better than 59% of models
Popularity:
Harman Kardon Aura has a popularity score of 5.4 points, which is higher than 58.5% of products in this category.
5.4
Value for money
Value for money
7.9/ 10
✕
What it is
An indicator that combines the overall score of products in the Portable Speakers category with their prices.
When it matters
When you are comparing products in the Portable Speakers category and want a good balance between quality and price.
Score distribution
â–¼
<55-66-77-88-99-10
â–² Better than 76% of models
Score components:

70%

7.3

Overall score

30%

9.3

Price

7.9
Audio output power
60 W
Market range: <4 W – >100 W
This portable speaker has an audio output power of 60 W which is higher than that of 79.9% of portable speakers and equal to that of 4.5% of portable speakers.
Driver unit size
38 mm
Market range: <38 mm – >101 mm
This portable speaker has a driver unit size of 38 mm which is smaller than that of 89.8% of portable speakers and equal to that of 4.5% of portable speakers.
Number of drivers
7
Market range: <0 – >5
This portable speaker has 7 drivers, which is more than 98.1% of portable speakers and equal to the number in 1.2% of portable speakers.
Frequency response tolerance
?
Lowest frequency
50 Hz
Market range: <20 Hz – >120 Hz
This portable speaker has a lowest frequency of 50 Hz which is lower than that of 59.9% of portable speakers and equal to that of 9.1% of portable speakers.
Show more
Bluetooth connectivity
yes
This portable speaker supports Bluetooth audio. 5.4% of portable speakers offer this feature.
Bluetooth version
3
Market range: <3 – >5.3
This portable speaker supports Bluetooth version 3 which is older than that of 85.4% of portable speakers and equal to that of 6.5% of portable speakers.
Maximum Bluetooth range
10 m
Market range: <10 m – >30 m
This portable speaker has a maximum Bluetooth range of 10 m which is longer than that of 4.3% of portable speakers and equal to that of 70.2% of portable speakers.
Bluetooth profiles supported
A2DP; AVRCP
Bluetooth LE Audio
no
This portable speaker does not support Bluetooth LE Audio. 2.5% of portable speakers offer this feature.
Show more
Battery life
?
Battery capacity
?
Charging time
?
Maximum charging input power
?
Built-in rechargeable battery
no
This portable speaker does not have a built-in rechargeable battery. 81.4% of portable speakers offer this feature.
Show more
IP rating
?
Water resistance
no
This portable speaker is not water resistant. 61.7% of portable speakers offer this feature.
Dust resistance
?
Waterproof depth rating
?
Drop resistance
no
This portable speaker lacks an impact-resistance rating. 32.8% of portable speakers offer this feature.
Show more
On-device controls placement
?
Touchscreen
no
This portable speaker does not have a touchscreen. 0.3% of portable speakers offer this feature.
Smartphone app control
yes
This portable speaker supports smartphone app control. 46.1% of portable speakers offer this feature.
Compatible mobile app provides speaker control or settings.
Remote control
no
This portable speaker does not include a remote control. 15% of portable speakers offer this feature.
Fast pairing
no
This portable speaker does not support fast pairing. 22.5% of portable speakers offer this feature.
Show more
Weight
3,600 g
Market range: <200 g – >5.6k g
This portable speaker weighs 3,600 g which is heavier than that of 84.2% of portable speakers and equal to that of 0.5% of portable speakers.
Height
27.6 cm
Market range: <5.79 cm – >29 cm
This portable speaker has a height of 27.6 cm which is taller than that of 89.1% of portable speakers.
Width
?
Depth
25.2 cm
Market range: <4.3 cm – >19.97 cm
This portable speaker has a depth of 25.2 cm which is deeper than that of 93.6% of portable speakers.
Carry options
none
Show more
Companion app name
Harman Kardon Remote
Firmware updates
yes
This portable speaker supports firmware updates. 52.9% of portable speakers offer this feature.
Supports user-accessible firmware updates.
Firmware update method
OTA; App; USB
Voice assistant support
no
This portable speaker does not support voice assistants. 26.5% of portable speakers offer this feature.
Supports direct voice-assistant control.
Spotify Connect
yes
This portable speaker supports Spotify Connect. 89.3% of portable speakers offer this feature.
Show more

Harman Kardon Aura vs the average portable speaker

246810TotalAudioConnectivityBatteryDurabilityControlsDesignSmart features
  • 5 more speaker drivers
    This portable speaker has more speaker drivers than the average portable speaker (7 vs 2).
    7 vs 2
  • 40 W more audio output power
    This portable speaker has more audio output power than the average portable speaker (60 W vs 20 W).
    60 W vs 20 W
  • Supports Wi-Fi connectivity
    This portable speaker supports Wi-Fi connectivity, while the average portable speaker does not support Wi-Fi connectivity.
  • Provides 360-degree sound
    This portable speaker provides 360-degree sound, while the average portable speaker does not provide 360-degree sound.
    Provides omnidirectional 360° sound radiation.
  • Includes a subwoofer
    This portable speaker includes a subwoofer, while the average portable speaker does not include a subwoofer.
    Has an integrated active subwoofer driver.
  • 1 more multipoint connections
    This portable speaker has more multipoint connections than the average portable speaker (2 vs 1).
    2 vs 1
  • Has a noise-canceling microphone
    This portable speaker has a noise-canceling microphone, while the average portable speaker does not have a noise-canceling microphone.
    Uses microphone noise/echo cancellation for calls or voice.
  • Supports AirPlay
    This portable speaker supports AirPlay, while the average portable speaker does not support AirPlay.
  • 5 more speaker drivers
    This portable speaker has more speaker drivers than the average portable speaker (7 vs 2).
    7 vs 2
  • 40 W more audio output power
    This portable speaker has more audio output power than the average portable speaker (60 W vs 20 W).
    60 W vs 20 W
  • Provides 360-degree sound
    This portable speaker provides 360-degree sound, while the average portable speaker does not provide 360-degree sound.
    Provides omnidirectional 360° sound radiation.
  • Includes a subwoofer
    This portable speaker includes a subwoofer, while the average portable speaker does not include a subwoofer.
    Has an integrated active subwoofer driver.
  • Has a noise-canceling microphone
    This portable speaker has a noise-canceling microphone, while the average portable speaker does not have a noise-canceling microphone.
    Uses microphone noise/echo cancellation for calls or voice.
  • Has built-in stereo speakers
    This portable speaker has built-in stereo speakers, while the average portable speaker does not have built-in stereo speakers.
    Provides true stereo output within the unit.
  • 10 Hz deeper bass extension
    This portable speaker has deeper bass extension than the average portable speaker (50 Hz vs 60 Hz).
    50 Hz vs 60 Hz
  • Supports Wi-Fi connectivity
    This portable speaker supports Wi-Fi connectivity, while the average portable speaker does not support Wi-Fi connectivity.
  • 1 more multipoint connections
    This portable speaker has more multipoint connections than the average portable speaker (2 vs 1).
    2 vs 1
  • Supports AirPlay
    This portable speaker supports AirPlay, while the average portable speaker does not support AirPlay.
  • Has a TOSLINK optical input
    This portable speaker has a TOSLINK optical input, while the average portable speaker does not have a TOSLINK optical input.
    Has a physical TOSLINK optical audio input.
  • Supports DLNA media sharing
    This portable speaker supports DLNA media sharing, while the average portable speaker does not support DLNA media sharing.
  • Has Ethernet support
    This portable speaker has Ethernet support, while the average portable speaker does not have Ethernet support.
  • Supports AAC Bluetooth audio
    This portable speaker supports AAC Bluetooth audio, while the average portable speaker does not support AAC Bluetooth audio.
  • Has a power bank function
    This portable speaker has a power bank function, while the average portable speaker does not have a power bank function.
  • Includes a power adapter
    This portable speaker includes a power adapter, while the average portable speaker does not include a power adapter.
  • 5 °C higher maximum operating temperature
    This portable speaker has a higher maximum operating temperature than the average portable speaker (45 °C vs 40 °C).
    45 °C vs 40 °C
  • Has an equalizer
    This portable speaker has an equalizer, while the average portable speaker does not have an equalizer.
    Offers user-selectable EQ, tone adjustment, or sound presets.
  • Supports playback mute
    This portable speaker supports playback mute, while the average portable speaker does not support playback mute.
    Speaker playback audio can be directly muted.
  • 1 more EQ presets
    This portable speaker has more EQ presets than the average portable speaker (1 vs 0).
    1 vs 0
  • Supports multi-room audio
    This portable speaker supports multi-room audio, while the average portable speaker does not support multi-room audio.
    Supports synchronized multi-room playback.
  • Supports Spotify Connect
    This portable speaker supports Spotify Connect, while the average portable speaker does not support Spotify Connect.
  • Supports firmware updates
    This portable speaker supports firmware updates, while the average portable speaker does not support firmware updates.
    Supports user-accessible firmware updates.
  • Is not water resistant
    This portable speaker is not water resistant, while the average portable speaker is water resistant.
  • 12 mm smaller main driver
    This portable speaker has a smaller main driver than the average portable speaker (38 mm vs 50 mm).
    38 mm vs 50 mm
  • Does not have a built-in rechargeable battery
    This portable speaker does not have a built-in rechargeable battery, while the average portable speaker has a built-in rechargeable battery.
  • 2 Bluetooth levels older
    This portable speaker has an older Bluetooth version than the average portable speaker (3 vs 5).
    3 vs 5
  • Does not include a passive radiator
    This portable speaker does not include a passive radiator, while the average portable speaker includes a passive radiator.
  • Does not support stereo pairing
    This portable speaker does not support stereo pairing, while the average portable speaker supports stereo pairing.
  • Does not support True Wireless Stereo
    This portable speaker does not support True Wireless Stereo, while the average portable speaker supports True Wireless Stereo.
  • 2,800 g heavier
    This portable speaker is heavier than the average portable speaker (3,600 g vs 800 g).
    3,600 g vs 800 g
  • 2.67x more expensive
    Harman Kardon Aura is more expensive than the average portable speaker (£240 vs £90).
    £240 vs £90
  • 12 mm smaller main driver
    This portable speaker has a smaller main driver than the average portable speaker (38 mm vs 50 mm).
    38 mm vs 50 mm
  • Does not include a passive radiator
    This portable speaker does not include a passive radiator, while the average portable speaker includes a passive radiator.
  • 2 Bluetooth levels older
    This portable speaker has an older Bluetooth version than the average portable speaker (3 vs 5).
    3 vs 5
  • Fewer Wi-Fi band options
    This portable speaker lists 2.4 GHz for Wi-Fi bands, while the average portable speaker lists 2.4 GHz/5 GHz.
    2.4 GHz vs 2.4 GHz/5 GHz
  • Does not have a built-in rechargeable battery
    This portable speaker does not have a built-in rechargeable battery, while the average portable speaker has a built-in rechargeable battery.
  • Does not have a battery level indicator
    This portable speaker does not have a battery level indicator, while the average portable speaker has a battery level indicator.
  • Is not water resistant
    This portable speaker is not water resistant, while the average portable speaker is water resistant.
  • Does not support stereo pairing
    This portable speaker does not support stereo pairing, while the average portable speaker supports stereo pairing.
  • Does not support True Wireless Stereo
    This portable speaker does not support True Wireless Stereo, while the average portable speaker supports True Wireless Stereo.
  • 2,800 g heavier
    This portable speaker is heavier than the average portable speaker (3,600 g vs 800 g).
    3,600 g vs 800 g
  • 15.2 cm taller
    This portable speaker is taller than the average portable speaker (27.6 cm vs 12.4 cm).
    27.6 cm vs 12.4 cm
  • 16.9 cm deeper
    This portable speaker is deeper than the average portable speaker (25.2 cm vs 8.3 cm).
    25.2 cm vs 8.3 cm
  • 5 older
    This portable speaker was released earlier than the average portable speaker (2014 vs 2019).
    2014 vs 2019

Video reviews

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

Expert reviews

In-depth analysis and verdict from leading tech publications

P
pocket-lint.com
07/03/2014
Summary of the review
Harman Kardon Aura review - Pocket-lint
W
whathifi.com
17/04/2014
Summary of the review
Harman-Kardon Aura review - What Hi-Fi?
P
pcmag.com
14/07/2014
Summary of the review
Harman Kardon Aura Review - PCMag
S
soundvisionreview.com
24/07/2015
Summary of the review
Harman Kardon Aura Review | SoundVisionReview
C
consumerreports.org
No Date Provided
Summary of the review
Harman Kardon Aura Wireless & Bluetooth Speaker Review
A
areadvd.de
30/06/2014
Summary of the review
Harman Kardon Aura – Wireless Speaker System with Bluetooth, DLNA, and AirPlay
(Translated)Show original
S
satvision.de
31/07/2014
Summary of the review
Harman Kardon Aura Review - SATVISION
(Translated)Show original
L
lesnumeriques.com
07/01/2014
Summary of the review
Harman Kardon Aura Review: A Touch of Soundsticks Style
(Translated)Show original
0
01net.com
14/01/2014
Summary of the review
Review: The Harman-Kardon Aura speaker combines exceptional design and quality sound
(Translated)Show original
H
hablandodemanzanas.com
22/02/2024
Summary of the review
Harman Kardon Aura Studio 4 · Review and Opinion · Bass and Ambient Light
(Translated)Show original
T
tweakers.net
31/12/2013
Summary of the review
Harman Kardon Aura Black - NickvdB - Product reviews
(Translated)Show original
F
fwd.nl
23/10/2014
Summary of the review
Review: Harman Kardon Aura wireless speaker
(Translated)Show original
T
tweakers.net
27/12/2016
Summary of the review
Harman Kardon Aura Black - Skyrunner - Product reviews
(Translated)Show original

Third-party reviews

Based on ratings from across the web.
Reviews last updated: August 2026 · How we calculate this

What customers like about Harman Kardon Aura

  • Striking, transparent space-age dome design that serves as a visual centerpiece
  • Immersive 360-degree room-filling audio coverage
  • Deep, powerful bass response backed by a dedicated down-firing subwoofer
  • Mesmerizing built-in ambient LED lighting effects that sync with the music
  • Excellent audio clarity and volume output with minimal distortion at high levels

What customers don't like about Harman Kardon Aura

  • Relatively high premium price tag compared to similarly spec'd smart speakers
  • Outdated Bluetooth version support resulting in occasional lagging or audio range limitations
  • Lack of a dedicated physical remote or a reliable companion app for native EQ adjustments
  • Limited onboard physical controls that can be difficult to see or operate in dark environments
  • Heavy vibrations on high volume require a very sturdy surface to prevent sound rattling

Verdict

The Harman Kardon Aura is a uniquely designed home audio system featuring a transparent dome and an iconic aesthetic, though it is a wired system requiring a wall outlet rather than a truly portable, battery-powered speaker. Architecturally, it delivers 360-degree omnidirectional sound utilizing a 2.1-channel configuration comprised of six 1.5-inch mid-to-high-range transducers alongside a powerful 4.5-inch down-firing subwoofer, which output 15 watts per channel and 30 watts to the bass respectively across a 50 Hz to 20 kHz frequency response. Its chief advantages include rich, room-filling sound quality with deep bass, distinctive built-in LED ambient illumination, and versatile connectivity spanning Bluetooth, Wi-Fi, Apple AirPlay, DLNA, as well as 3.5mm auxiliary and optical inputs. Conversely, its primary drawbacks are its dependency on continuous AC power, a lacks of a built-in battery or voice assistant support, and highly sensitive, unintuitive touch controls that offer no physical or audible feedback.

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