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Unleashing audio excellence: harman kardon vs sonos beam – the ultimate comparison

Rob is a seasoned home improvement writer with over 15 years of experience researching and recommending products for the home. Prior to starting Nurturing Homeaid, he wrote extensively for This Old House magazine and has been featured as a home expert on several TV and radio programs. An avid DIY-er,...

What To Know

  • The Citation MultiBeam 700 offers a more immersive sound experience and additional features, but the Sonos Beam is a more affordable option.
  • However, if you’re on a tighter budget or prefer a more compact design, the Sonos Beam is a solid option.
  • The Citation MultiBeam 700 delivers a more immersive soundstage and supports Dolby Atmos, while the Sonos Beam is more affordable and offers Trueplay Room Tuning.

Immerse yourself in a cinematic soundscape with the Harman Kardon Citation MultiBeam 700 soundbar and Sonos Beam. These premium soundbars offer exceptional audio experiences, but which one is the right choice for you? In this comprehensive comparison, we delve into the key features, performance, and design aspects of both soundbars to help you make an informed decision.

Features

Harman Kardon Citation MultiBeam 700

  • MultiBeam Surround Sound: 11 built-in drivers create a wide and enveloping soundstage, delivering immersive surround sound without the need for additional speakers.
  • Virtual Dolby Atmos: Supports Dolby Atmos content, providing an overhead sound experience for a more cinematic effect.
  • Voice Assistant Integration: Built-in Google Assistant and Amazon Alexa for hands-free control of music, smart home devices, and more.
  • Bluetooth and Wi-Fi Connectivity: Wireless connectivity options for easy streaming from your smartphone, tablet, or other devices.

Sonos Beam

  • Trueplay Room Tuning: Automatically adjusts the soundbar’s sound to the acoustics of your room using your smartphone’s microphone.
  • AirPlay 2 Support: Seamlessly stream music and audio from Apple devices and other AirPlay 2-compatible apps.
  • HDMI eARC: Supports HDMI eARC for high-quality audio transmission from compatible TVs.
  • Voice Control: Supports Amazon Alexa and Google Assistant for hands-free control of music, smart home devices, and more.

Performance

Sound Quality

Both soundbars deliver excellent sound quality, but the Citation MultiBeam 700 has a slight edge due to its larger driver count and wider soundstage. It produces a more immersive and dynamic sound, with clear dialogue and powerful bass.

Surround Sound

The Citation MultiBeam 700’s MultiBeam Surround Sound technology provides a truly immersive surround sound experience. It creates a wide and enveloping soundstage that fills the room with sound, making it perfect for movies and TV shows.

Voice Assistant Integration

Both soundbars offer voice assistant integration, but the Citation MultiBeam 700 supports both Google Assistant and Amazon Alexa. This gives you more flexibility in choosing your preferred voice assistant.

Design

Aesthetics

The Citation MultiBeam 700 has a sleek and modern design with a premium fabric cover. The Sonos Beam is also stylish, with a compact and understated design. Both soundbars will complement any home décor.

Dimensions

The Citation MultiBeam 700 is slightly larger than the Sonos Beam, measuring 1050 x 115 x 140mm compared to 651 x 100 x 69mm. Consider the size of your TV and entertainment center when choosing a soundbar.

Connectivity

Wireless Connectivity

Both soundbars support Bluetooth and Wi-Fi connectivity, allowing you to stream music and audio wirelessly from your devices.

HDMI Connectivity

The Citation MultiBeam 700 has an HDMI input, while the Sonos Beam has an HDMI eARC input. HDMI eARC supports higher-quality audio transmission than standard HDMI.

Price

The Harman Kardon Citation MultiBeam 700 is priced at $699, while the Sonos Beam is priced at $449. The Citation MultiBeam 700 offers a more immersive sound experience and additional features, but the Sonos Beam is a more affordable option.

Which Soundbar is Right for You?

If you’re looking for the most immersive and cinematic sound experience, the Harman Kardon Citation MultiBeam 700 is the better choice. However, if you’re on a tighter budget or prefer a more compact design, the Sonos Beam is a solid option.

The Verdict

Both the Harman Kardon Citation MultiBeam 700 and Sonos Beam are excellent soundbars that offer exceptional audio experiences. The Citation MultiBeam 700 delivers a more immersive soundstage and supports Dolby Atmos, while the Sonos Beam is more affordable and offers Trueplay Room Tuning. Ultimately, the best choice for you depends on your specific needs and budget.

Frequently Asked Questions

Q: Which soundbar has better sound quality?

A: The Harman Kardon Citation MultiBeam 700 has a slight edge in sound quality due to its larger driver count and wider soundstage.

Q: Which soundbar is more immersive?

A: The Citation MultiBeam 700’s MultiBeam Surround Sound technology provides a more immersive surround sound experience.

Q: Which soundbar is more affordable?

A: The Sonos Beam is more affordable than the Citation MultiBeam 700.

Q: Which soundbar is more compact?

A: The Sonos Beam is more compact than the Citation MultiBeam 700.

Q: Which soundbar supports Dolby Atmos?

A: The Citation MultiBeam 700 supports Dolby Atmos.

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Rob Sanders

Rob is a seasoned home improvement writer with over 15 years of experience researching and recommending products for the home. Prior to starting Nurturing Homeaid, he wrote extensively for This Old House magazine and has been featured as a home expert on several TV and radio programs. An avid DIY-er, Rob takes pride in testing out the latest tools and gadgets to see how they can make home projects easier. When it comes to heating systems, he's evaluated over 50 different furnace and boiler models over the years. Rob founded Nurturing Homeaid with his business partner Jim in 2020 to provide homeowners with genuine product recommendations they can trust. In his free time, Rob enjoys remodeling old homes with his family and traveling to visit architectural landmarks across the country. He holds a bachelor's degree in Journalism from Syracuse University.
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