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Scored using Portable Speakers Methodology v1.0
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Products in this category are scored under Frontum Portable Speakers Methodology v1.0: technical specifications plus authentic consumer ratings, with 0% commercial bias.
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Harman Kardon Citation Sub Review | 130 Data compared

Avg. price:~ÂŁ430Audio output power:200.00 WBattery life:?IP rating:?Bluetooth version:4.2Weight:14350 g

Harman Kardon Citation Sub 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.

6.9/10

Overall score

Score
6.9/ 10
âś•
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–Ľ
<55-66-77-88-99-10
â–˛ Better than 65% of models
Score components

80%

6.9

Technical score

20%

?

User score

â–˛Better than 65% of portable speakers
7.3

Value for money

Value for money
7.3/ 10
âś•
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–Ľ
<55-66-77-88-99-10
â–Ľ Worse than 79% of models
Score components

70%

6.9

Overall score

30%

8.3

Price

â–ĽWorse than 79%
6.9

Technical score

Technical score
6.9/ 10
âś•
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–Ľ
<55-66-77-88-99-10
â–˛ Better than 73% of models
Score components

32%

7.7

Audio

20%

7.0

Battery

18%

6.8

Durability

16%

6.5

Connectivity

8%

6.1

Controls

3%

1.5

Design

3%

9.5

Smart features

â–˛Better than 73%
?

User score

User score
8.0/ 10
âś•
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–Ľ
<55-66-77-88-99-10
â–Ľ Worse than 71% of models
Score components

70%

?

User ratings

30%

?

Number of reviews

  • No image
No image
Where to buy
    N/A~ ÂŁ430
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 Citation Sub

Technical score
Technical score
6.9/ 10
âś•
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–Ľ
<55-66-77-88-99-10
â–˛ Better than 73% of models
Score components:

32%

7.7

Audio

20%

7.0

Battery

18%

6.8

Durability

16%

6.5

Connectivity

8%

6.1

Controls

3%

1.5

Design

3%

9.5

Smart features

6.9
User score
User score
8.0/ 10
âś•
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–Ľ
<55-66-77-88-99-10
â–Ľ Worse than 71% of models
Score components

70%

?

User ratings

30%

?

Number of reviews

?
Popularity
Popularity
1.0/ 10
âś•
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–Ľ
<55-66-77-88-99-10
â–Ľ Worse than 99% of models
Popularity:
Harman Kardon Citation Sub has a popularity score of 1 point, which is lower than 59.2% of products in this category.
1.0
Value for money
Value for money
7.3/ 10
âś•
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–Ľ
<55-66-77-88-99-10
â–Ľ Worse than 79% of models
Score components:

70%

6.9

Overall score

30%

8.3

Price

7.3
Audio output power
200 W
Market range: <4 W – >100 W
This portable speaker has an audio output power of 200 W which is higher than that of 96.6% of portable speakers and equal to that of 0.7% of portable speakers.
Driver unit size
254 mm
Market range: <38 mm – >101 mm
This portable speaker has a driver unit size of 254 mm which is larger than that of 99.4% of portable speakers.
Number of drivers
1
Market range: <0 – >5
This portable speaker has 1 drivers, which is fewer than 75.6% of portable speakers and equal to the number in 24.4% of portable speakers.
Frequency response tolerance
?
Lowest frequency
35 Hz
Market range: <20 Hz – >120 Hz
This portable speaker has a lowest frequency of 35 Hz which is lower than that of 80.6% of portable speakers and equal to that of 1% of portable speakers.
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Bluetooth connectivity
yes
This portable speaker supports Bluetooth audio. 5.4% of portable speakers offer this feature.
Bluetooth version
4.2
Market range: <3 – >5.3
This portable speaker supports Bluetooth version 4.2 which is older than that of 53.8% of portable speakers and equal to that of 17.8% of portable speakers.
Maximum Bluetooth range
?
Bluetooth profiles supported
?
Bluetooth LE Audio
no
This portable speaker does not support Bluetooth LE Audio. 2.5% of portable speakers offer this feature.
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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.
Requires wired mains power and has no built-in rechargeable operating battery.
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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
?
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On-device controls placement
rear
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
?
Fast pairing
yes
This portable speaker supports fast pairing. 77.6% of portable speakers offer this feature.
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Weight
14,350 g
Market range: <200 g – >5.6k g
This portable speaker weighs 14,350 g which is heavier than that of 97.9% of portable speakers.
Height
33.4 cm
Market range: <5.79 cm – >29 cm
This portable speaker has a height of 33.4 cm which is taller than that of 93.2% of portable speakers.
Width
44.7 cm
Market range: <7.6 cm – >37 cm
This portable speaker has a width of 44.7 cm which is wider than that of 95.8% of portable speakers.
Depth
36.7 cm
Market range: <4.3 cm – >19.97 cm
This portable speaker has a depth of 36.7 cm which is deeper than that of 98.5% of portable speakers and equal to that of 0.1% of portable speakers.
Carry options
?
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Companion app name
Google Home
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
?
Voice assistant support
yes
This portable speaker supports voice assistants. 73.6% 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.
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Harman Kardon Citation Sub vs the average portable speaker

246810TotalAudioConnectivityBatteryDurabilityControlsDesignSmart features
  • 180 W more audio output power
    This portable speaker has more audio output power than the average portable speaker (200 W vs 20 W).
    200 W vs 20 W
  • 204 mm larger main driver
    This portable speaker has a larger main driver than the average portable speaker (254 mm vs 50 mm).
    254 mm vs 50 mm
  • Supports Wi-Fi connectivity
    This portable speaker supports Wi-Fi connectivity, while the average portable speaker does not support Wi-Fi connectivity.
  • 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.
  • 25 Hz deeper bass extension
    This portable speaker has deeper bass extension than the average portable speaker (35 Hz vs 60 Hz).
    35 Hz vs 60 Hz
  • 153 mm larger built-in subwoofer
    This portable speaker has a larger built-in subwoofer than the average portable speaker (254 mm vs 101 mm).
    254 mm vs 101 mm
  • 80 ms lower audio latency
    This portable speaker has lower audio latency than the average portable speaker (5 ms vs 85 ms).
    5 ms vs 85 ms
  • Supports fast pairing
    This portable speaker supports fast pairing, while the average portable speaker does not support fast pairing.
  • 180 W more audio output power
    This portable speaker has more audio output power than the average portable speaker (200 W vs 20 W).
    200 W vs 20 W
  • 204 mm larger main driver
    This portable speaker has a larger main driver than the average portable speaker (254 mm vs 50 mm).
    254 mm vs 50 mm
  • 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.
  • 25 Hz deeper bass extension
    This portable speaker has deeper bass extension than the average portable speaker (35 Hz vs 60 Hz).
    35 Hz vs 60 Hz
  • 153 mm larger built-in subwoofer
    This portable speaker has a larger built-in subwoofer than the average portable speaker (254 mm vs 101 mm).
    254 mm vs 101 mm
  • 80 ms lower audio latency
    This portable speaker has lower audio latency than the average portable speaker (5 ms vs 85 ms).
    5 ms vs 85 ms
  • Supports Wi-Fi connectivity
    This portable speaker supports Wi-Fi connectivity, while the average portable speaker does not support Wi-Fi connectivity.
  • Has a USB Type-C port
    This portable speaker has a USB Type-C port, while the average portable speaker does not have a USB Type-C port.
    Has a physical USB-C port.
  • 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
  • Supports fast pairing
    This portable speaker supports fast pairing, while the average portable speaker does not support fast pairing.
  • Supports party mode
    This portable speaker supports party mode, while the average portable speaker does not support party mode.
    Supports synchronized multi-speaker party/group playback.
  • 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 voice assistants
    This portable speaker supports voice assistants, while the average portable speaker does not support voice assistants.
    Supports direct voice-assistant control.
  • 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.
  • 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.
    Requires wired mains power and has no built-in rechargeable operating battery.
  • 13,550 g heavier
    This portable speaker is heavier than the average portable speaker (14,350 g vs 800 g).
    14,350 g vs 800 g
  • 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 have a 3.5 mm AUX input
    This portable speaker does not have a 3.5 mm AUX input, while the average portable speaker has a 3.5 mm AUX input.
    No built-in 3.5 mm AUX input.
  • Does not support stereo pairing
    This portable speaker does not support stereo pairing, while the average portable speaker supports stereo pairing.
  • 1 fewer speaker drivers
    This portable speaker has fewer speaker drivers than the average portable speaker (1 vs 2).
    1 vs 2
  • 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.
  • 4.78x more expensive
    Harman Kardon Citation Sub is more expensive than the average portable speaker (ÂŁ430 vs ÂŁ90).
    ÂŁ430 vs ÂŁ90
  • 4.21x less popular
    Harman Kardon Citation Sub is less popular than the average portable speaker (1 vs 4.21).
    1 vs 4.21
  • 2.9% worse value for money
    Harman Kardon Citation Sub offers worse value for money than the average portable speaker (7.33 vs 7.5).
    7.33 vs 7.55
  • Does not include a passive radiator
    This portable speaker does not include a passive radiator, while the average portable speaker includes a passive radiator.
  • 1 fewer speaker drivers
    This portable speaker has fewer speaker drivers than the average portable speaker (1 vs 2).
    1 vs 2
  • Does not have a 3.5 mm AUX input
    This portable speaker does not have a 3.5 mm AUX input, while the average portable speaker has a 3.5 mm AUX input.
    No built-in 3.5 mm AUX input.
  • 1 fewer USB ports
    This portable speaker has fewer USB ports than the average portable speaker (0 vs 1).
    0 vs 1
  • 0.8 Bluetooth levels older
    This portable speaker has an older Bluetooth version than the average portable speaker (4.2 vs 5).
    4.2 vs 5
  • 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.
    Requires wired mains power and has no built-in rechargeable operating 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.
  • 13,550 g heavier
    This portable speaker is heavier than the average portable speaker (14,350 g vs 800 g).
    14,350 g vs 800 g
  • 21 cm taller
    This portable speaker is taller than the average portable speaker (33.4 cm vs 12.4 cm).
    33.4 cm vs 12.4 cm
  • 28.4 cm deeper
    This portable speaker is deeper than the average portable speaker (36.7 cm vs 8.3 cm).
    36.7 cm vs 8.3 cm
  • 26.6 cm wider
    This portable speaker is wider than the average portable speaker (44.7 cm vs 18.1 cm).
    44.7 cm vs 18.1 cm

Video reviews

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

Expert reviews

In-depth analysis and verdict from leading tech publications

A
areadvd.de
08/06/2022
Summary of the review
Harman Kardon Citation Multibeam 1100 All-in-One Dolby Atmos Soundbar
(Translated)Show original
A
audiovision.de
19/04/2021
Summary of the review
Harman Kardon Citation Tower Review - audiovision
(Translated)Show original
E
elektrozine.be
20/11/2019
Summary of the review
Harman Kardon Citation Soundbar + Sub Review
(Translated)Show original
A
afdigitale.it
29/10/2019
Summary of the review
Harman Kardon Citation Sub review
(Translated)Show original
F
fwd.nl
20/10/2019
Summary of the review
Harman Kardon Citation Bar and Sub – beautiful sound experience
(Translated)Show original
H
hifi.nl
29/10/2019
Summary of the review
Harman Kardon Citation Bar Review - Hifi.nl
(Translated)Show original

Third-party reviews

What customers like about Harman Kardon Citation Sub

  • Delivers deep, powerful, and thundering bass performance.
  • Maintains a clean and responsive sound that does not become overly boomy.
  • Features a beautiful and elegant industrial design wrapped in premium Kvadrat fabric.
  • Integrates seamlessly into wireless multi-channel 5.1 home theatre setups.
  • Once configured, the wireless plug-and-play operation is highly convenient.

What customers don't like about Harman Kardon Citation Sub

  • Users frequently report intermittent wireless connection dropouts from the main soundbar.
  • The initial pairing process with the Citation Bar can be frustrating and counterintuitive.
  • Lacks physical control knobs on the subwoofer chassis itself.
  • Some compatibility issues where the sub fails to output bass when streaming audio via Bluetooth/smartphones.

Verdict

The Harman Kardon Citation Sub is a premium next-generation wireless subwoofer designed to deliver deep, thundering bass to home theater systems by pairing seamlessly with the Citation Bar or Citation Towers. Key technical specifications include a high-performance 10-inch subwoofer transducer, a powerful 200W RMS output power, a signal-to-noise ratio greater than 80dB, and a 5GHz WiSA transmitter frequency range for low-latency multi-channel audio configuration. Wrapped in sophisticated, dirt-repellent, and flame-retardant Kvadrat blended wool fabric, its main pros include thundering home cinematic bass performance, effortless plug-and-play wireless setup, and automatic OTA software updates. However, notable cons include its dependency on AC mains power as a stationary unit despite being classified in the broader wireless ecosystem, a lack of physical controls on the subwoofer enclosure itself, a high standalone price point, and strict compatibility limitations that restrict it to pairing exclusively with other Harman Kardon Citation series devices.

Compare Harman Kardon Citation Sub with other products in the Portable Speakers category

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