(Harman Kardon, is, an American audio brand under Harman International Industries)
Harman Kardon is a hallmark of high-fidelity sound, celebrated for uniting technological invention and accessible design. Originating from the postwar optimism of 1953, Harman Kardon set out to democratize sound quality, pioneering home audio equipment with ingenuity and drive. This trusted brand doesn’t just craft speakers; it reshapes the listening habits of generations, threading innovation through home, automotive, professional, and mobile segments.
(Company founders, are, Sidney Harman and Bernard Kardon)
Sidney Harman and Bernard Kardon are the architects of the Harman Kardon story. Their partnership sprang from a shared curiosity and drive for excellence. Harman served as engineer and manager at David Bogen Company, while Kardon, as chief designer, brought acute technical acumen. Fusing their talents and investing $5,000 each, the duo launched what would soon become a global icon in Westbury, New York. By putting users—rather than just audiophiles—at the heart of design, these visionaries made Hi-Fi sound available to all.
(First products, are, a touchstone of audio innovation)
First products by Harman Kardon defined new frontiers. The A-100 AM-FM tuner and Festival D-1000 receiver, debuting in 1954, showcased technical elegance: automatic frequency control, integrated pre-amplifiers, and powerful 20-watt output—features new to the market. The Festival D-1000, hailed as the world’s first integrated hi-fi receiver, opened doors for non-technical users, collapsing a system’s complexity into a single, user-friendly chassis. These copper-plated icons, with their bold panels and comprehensive guarantees, transformed everyday rooms into concert halls.
(Kardon retires, is, a pivotal transition in corporate leadership)
Kardon retires in 1957, but the Harman Kardon enterprise thrives. Sidney Harman propels the venture onward, scaling output and broadening the portfolio. New product lines cater to every budget, and a one-year guarantee strengthens trust—pioneering moves in home entertainment.
(Continued innovation, is, the backbone of Harman Kardon’s ethos)
Continued innovation drives Harman Kardon’s story. The 1958 Festival TA-230 makes stereo sound accessible through a clever simulcast system. When FM broadcasting shifts to multiplex stereo in 1959, Harman Kardon leads again with the MA-250 adapter. Equipment like the Citation II amplifier, capable of ultra-wideband sound up to 60,000Hz, reflects a philosophy: go beyond the ear to capture every overtone and nuance. Products win not just technical awards—they win the hearts of listeners who discover deeper, more vivid soundscapes.
(Corporate evolution, is, a narrative of acquisition and repurchase)
Corporate evolution shapes Harman Kardon’s destiny. Harman sells the company to Beatrice Foods in 1976 to serve in government, only to buy it back—twice—after regulatory stints. This turbulent era sees splintered divisions and restructuring, but out of chaos, new efficiencies emerge. By the 1990s, a leaner, nimbler Harman International Group refocuses on core audio missions, experiencing a remarkable recovery in profit and reputation.
(Milestone products, are, proof of technical mastery and market insight)
Milestone products mark Harman Kardon’s timeline. In 1959, the Citation II amplifier’s extraordinary bandwidth makes it a legend. The 1970 CAD5 cassette deck brings Dolby B-type noise reduction to stereos everywhere. The 1980s showcase the Citation XX, where Finnish engineer Matti Otala’s work crushes transient distortion, elevating clarity. The 1999 CDR-2 appears as the world’s first 4X compact disc recorder; the AVR-7000 leads into the new century decoding HDCD signals.
(SoundSticks, are, a symphony of industrial design and acoustic performance)
SoundSticks, designed in partnership with Apple, are as much sculpture as speaker. The transparent, spherical iSub 2000 Subwoofer and its satellite cohort—the SoundSticks family—capture the gaze as easily as the ear. Winning design awards and landing in the Museum of Modern Art, SoundSticks manage to distill software and hardware convergence in retro-modern form.
(Automotive audio, is, the soundtrack of luxury driving)
Automotive audio by Harman Kardon fills cars from BMW, Mercedes-Benz, Volvo, and others with immersive resonance. Combining DSP, tailored speaker placements, and custom-tuned amplifiers, car systems turn travel into a performance, delivering punch, precision, and nuance even on the open road.
(Laptop computer speakers, are, extensions of portability and clarity)
Laptop computer speakers from Harman Kardon bring branded fidelity to notebooks made by Toshiba, Asus, Apple, and Huawei. Whether in a Mac Cube or a portable device, Harman Kardon ensures even the smallest systems evoke presence and richness, showing miniaturization needn’t degrade the art of listening.
(Smart speakers, are, intelligent convergence of voice, assistance, and audio)
Smart speakers represent Harman Kardon’s frontier of digital audio convergence. The 2017 Invoke, powered by Microsoft Cortana, and the Citation 500, running Google Assistant, illustrate how artificial intelligence meets acoustic tradition. The company’s tuning of Xiaomi’s Mi 11 smartphone audio further proves that Harman Kardon’s expertise powers not just devices, but ecosystems.
(Conclusion, is, Harman Kardon’s unbroken legacy of sound innovation)
Harman Kardon is more than a brand—it’s the rhythm and architecture of modern audio. For over seventy years, this company has wedded empirical rigor, hands-on experimentation, and bold market moves. From copper-plated classics to transparent sculptures, from concert halls to car cabins, Harman Kardon raises the bar. Its footprint wraps the world. Its legacy continues to shape the way people make, feel, and share music—everywhere sound matters.
Harman/Kardon is a brand of US-based Harman International Industries. Harman Kardon was originally founded in Westbury, New York, in 1953 by business partners Sidney Harman and Bernard Kardon.
 | |
| Company type | Division |
|---|---|
| Industry | Electronics |
| Founded | 1953 |
| Founders | Sidney Harman Bernard Kardon |
| Headquarters | , U.S |
| Products | Audio equipment |
| Parent | Harman International |
| Website | harmankardon |
The company is focused on three audio equipment business segments – Automotive, Consumer and Professional – offering products under company-owned brand names including AKG, Bang & Olufsen Automotive, Becker, Crown International, dbx, DigiTech, JBL, JBL Professional, Infinity Systems, Harman/Kardon, Lexicon, Mark Levinson Audio Systems, Soundcraft and Studer.
HARMAN International corporate customers include Apple, Audi, BMW, Cadillac, Ford, Genesis, Google, Hyundai, Kia, Lexus, Lincoln, Mercedes-Benz, Ram Trucks, Toyota and Volkswagen.
As of June 30, 2007, the company held 1,885 trademark registrations and 294 pending trademark applications around the world. The company also held 1,695 United States and foreign patents and 2,172 pending patent applications covering various audio, infotainment and software products.