What is Harman Kardons audio group?
The Harman Kardon audio group is the umbrella portfolio for Harman's family of audio brands, spanning consumer, professional, and automotive products, and it sits within Harman International Industries, a subsidiary of Samsung Electronics.
In more detail, Harman Kardon refers to both the heritage brand and the broader set of audio labels that Harman operates. Since Samsung Electronics acquired Harman in 2017, the Harman business has functioned as part of Samsung’s electronics division, coordinating three main lines of business: consumer audio, professional solutions, and automotive audio systems. The “audio group” typically denotes the collection of brands and products that fall under Harman’s consumer-facing and premium audio offerings.
Corporate structure and ownership
Harman International Industries was founded in 1953 and built its reputation by consolidating several influential audio brands under one umbrella. In 2017, Samsung Electronics completed an acquisition of Harman for roughly $8 billion, integrating Harman into Samsung’s broader electronics business. Today, Harman operates as a global audio powerhouse within Samsung, organized into three primary business areas: Consumer, Professional Solutions, and Automotive. The Harman audio group specifically refers to the consumer-facing brands and products within that larger portfolio.
The brand portfolio
The core brands that form Harman's audio group for consumers and premium home audio are:
- JBL
- Harman Kardon
- AKG
- Lexicon
- Mark Levinson
- Revel
Collectively, these brands cover a broad range of products from loudspeakers and amplifiers to premium headphones and high-end home theater components, serving different market segments and price points.
Other brands and business segments
Beyond the six core consumer brands, Harman operates substantial professional-audio and automotive divisions. In the professional realm, the group includes Crown (amplifiers), dbx (signal processing), BSS Audio (signal processing), and Soundcraft (mixing consoles). In the automotive segment, Harman provides integrated audio and infotainment solutions for vehicle manufacturers, leveraging its brand capabilities across JBL, Harman Kardon, and related technologies.
Summary
Harman Kardon's audio group represents the umbrella of Harman's brands within Harman International Industries, now part of Samsung Electronics. The portfolio spans consumer, professional, and automotive audio, with core consumer brands including JBL, Harman Kardon, AKG, Lexicon, Mark Levinson, and Revel driving the lineup and market reach.
What brands are Harman Kardon audio?
Harman markets its products under various brands, including AKG, AMX, Arcam, Becker, BSS Audio, Crown, dbx, Harman Kardon, Infinity, JBL, Lexicon, Mark Levinson, Martin, Revel, and Soundcraft.
Is Harman Kardon owned by Samsung?
Yes, Samsung acquired Harman International, the parent company of Harman Kardon, in 2017. Harman now operates as a subsidiary of Samsung, which also owns other audio brands like JBL, AKG, and recently, brands like Bowers & Wilkins, Denon, and Marantz.
- Acquisition: Samsung completed its acquisition of Harman International in March 2017 for $8 billion.
- Relationship: Harman Kardon and other Harman brands operate as part of this subsidiary, though Harman continues to operate independently in many aspects, particularly in the automotive and high-end audio markets.
- Expanded portfolio: Samsung's ownership has expanded to include more high-end audio brands, most recently those acquired through Harman's acquisition of the consumer audio division of Masimo, which includes brands like Bowers & Wilkins, Denon, and Marantz.
Is Harman Kardon owned by JBL?
No, JBL is not owned by Harman Kardon; it is the other way around, with JBL being a brand under the Harman International umbrella, which is in turn owned by Samsung Electronics. Harman Kardon itself is a brand division of Harman International, not its owner.
- Parent company: Samsung Electronics acquired Harman International Industries in 2017.
- Intermediate company: Harman International is the parent company for many audio brands, including both JBL and Harman Kardon.
- Brand relationship: Therefore, both JBL and Harman Kardon are subsidiaries of the same parent company, Harman International, which is owned by Samsung.
Does Harman Kardon sound better than Bose?
Neither brand is universally better; the choice between Harman Kardon and Bose depends on user preference for sound and features. Harman Kardon is often preferred for a more accurate and balanced sound reproduction, which is why it's frequently used in recording studios. Bose is typically favored for a more powerful sound with enhanced bass and clearer audio, making it popular for movies and casual listening.
Harman Kardon
- Pros:
- Accurate sound: Aims to reproduce the original recording as closely as possible, making it a strong choice for audiophiles.
- Balanced tone: Known for a balanced sound signature, especially in the midrange.
- Studio heritage: Its professional sound quality is a legacy of its use in recording studios.
- Cons:
- May lack impact: Some users find its bass less impactful compared to Bose, especially at higher volumes.
- Fewer smart features: Can have less advanced smart home integrations like Alexa or AirPlay on some models, though it often includes Chromecast.
Bose
- Pros:
- Powerful and clear sound: Often praised for powerful bass and clear audio, which is great for movies and music with a strong beat.
- Advanced smart features: Tends to have more robust smart features, including multi-room audio, voice commands, and user-friendly apps.
- Durable and versatile: Some models are built to be durable and splash-resistant, making them suitable for a wider range of environments.
- Cons:
- "Colored" sound: Some listeners find Bose's sound to be overly processed or "colored" to achieve its powerful sound signature.
- Higher price point: Can be more expensive than comparable Harman Kardon products.
How to choose
- Choose Harman Kardon if: You prioritize an accurate, balanced, and natural sound that is closer to how the music was originally recorded.
- Choose Bose if: You prefer a more powerful and bass-heavy sound profile, especially for home theater systems, and want more integrated smart features.
