Harman Kardon Nova Review | 130 Data compared

The PCMag review for the Harman Kardon Nova highlights an attractive, translucent stereo pair that delivers powerful, clear audio with rich lows, while offering versatile connectivity including Bluetooth, optical, and 3.5mm inputs. However, the speakers experience distortion at maximum volume, especially with deep bass, and feature frustratingly designed, inconsistent capacitive controls.

The Expert Reviews assessment of the Harman Kardon Nova highlights these desktop speakers as a highly functional, attractive system with generally good Bluetooth audio quality that trends slightly "brighter" than a standard wired connection. Key advantages include an accessible 3.5mm headphone port, automatic Windows detection, and the ability to remember up to five paired Bluetooth devices, although the speakers suffer from a finicky touch-sensitive volume slider, lack a built-in microphone, and do not support the high-quality AptX Bluetooth streaming codec.

The Audioholics review of the Harman Kardon Nova Bluetooth Speakers highlights their fantastic aesthetics, versatile connectivity (Bluetooth, 3.5mm, optical), and impressive, neutral sound quality driven by dedicated drivers and a passive radiator. While praised for performance, the system is criticized for lacking a physical remote, non-functional app control, high-frequency distortion, and overly sensitive touch controls that are easily triggered.

The Sound & Vision review of the Harman Kardon Nova wireless desktop speakers highlights a 2.0 system with versatile connectivity (analog, optical, Bluetooth, NFC), an attractive aesthetic, and impressive volume without distortion. While offering a helpful bass boost, the speakers initially sound treble-heavy, requiring roughly an hour of burn-in time and lacking the deep, room-shaking bass of a dedicated subwoofer.

The NikkTech review recommends the Harman Kardon NOVA Wireless Stereo Speaker System for its unique, translucent design and high-performance 80W output, which delivers clear mids, highs, and robust bass via dual passive radiators and DSP. Versatile connectivity includes Bluetooth, NFC, and optical input, though the system is limited by a short 1.5-meter speaker connection cable and audio depth that falls just short of strict audiophile expectations.

The Indian Express review of the Harman Kardon Nova highlights the premium 2.0 speaker system for its exceptional audio clarity, rich bass, and versatility via Bluetooth and optical inputs. While praised for performance, the review identifies significant drawbacks, including audio distortion at maximum volume on heavy bass tracks and the necessity of being plugged into a wall outlet, making it a stationary desktop system rather than truly portable.

Joe Wilcox praises the Harman/Kardon Nova wireless desktop speakers for delivering a spectacular, dynamic soundstage with rich treble separation and 80 watts of power. While the two-speaker setup offers space-saving benefits, the review highlights significant drawbacks, including the unexpectedly enormous, melon-sized design, difficult-to-use touch controls, and obnoxiously loud connection beeps.

The Harman Kardon Nova 2.0 received the Editor's Choice Award from StereoWise Plus for its blend of striking, transparent aesthetic design and high-performance audio, supported by versatile connectivity including Bluetooth, NFC, and optical inputs. The 80W system utilizes custom DSP and passive radiators for clear, boosted low-end sound. While the design is a highlight, potential drawbacks include a finicky touch-capacitive control panel and slight distortion at maximum volume, as noted in the review.

The PCMag Australia review concludes the $299.95 Harman Kardon Nova desktop speakers offer striking aesthetics, exceptional vocal clarity, and rich, detailed audio with diverse connectivity options. However, the system suffers from deep bass distortion at maximum volumes due to the lack of a dedicated subwoofer and features inconsistent, frustratingly sensitive capacitive controls.

The PCMag UK review of the Harman Kardon Nova highlights the 2.0 desktop speaker system for its visually striking, translucent design and strong, versatile connectivity including Bluetooth and optical inputs. While the system delivers wide soundstage and powerful, clear audio, it suffers from distortion on heavy bass tracks at high volumes, and its capacitive touch controls are described as frustrating to operate.

The Digital Trends review describes the Harman Kardon Nova as a distinct 2.0 desktop system featuring a futuristic, transparent design, versatile connectivity (Bluetooth, NFC, optical), and a big sound with punchy bass. While the speakers excel in design and power, the review notes drawbacks including less precise treble and a frustratingly sensitive, inconsistent touch-capacitive control interface.