Harman Kardon, fading away................

[kamaaina1]

Hello Folks!

What ever happen to Harman Kardon? Back in the day, I thought they were considered top of the line for mid-range Audiophile equipment. Don't hear them mentioned in conversation anymore. Seems they have faded away……

 

[M Code]

10 years ago, they disbanded the Northridge, CA USA R & D audio/video team...
Next they shifted all audio/video projects to Shenzen, China, then the China team did a mild facelift on certain audio products but never released any new audio/video platforms. Instead they concentrated on BT speakers and headphones abandoning component audio/video products. This would have never happened if Dr.Harman was still alive and involved...
But time moves on...
Next Samsung bought Harman International took the company private to concentrate on OE 12V infotainment systems....

Just my $0.02...

 

[AcuDefTechGuy]

I still think it sounds weird that Samsung owns the Revel Salon2 and JBL Synthesis Everest DD67000.

 

[M Code]

I still think it sounds weird that Samsung owns the Revel Salon2 and JBL Synthesis Everest DD67000.

Samsung's only interest in the Revel brand is to support the high-end image of the Revel OE 12V infotainment systems sold to Lincoln cars. The original JBL Everest was done for the Japanese domestic hi-fi market, I remember auditioning the prototypes 10 years ago with the JBL chief engineer Greg Timbers who has since retired...
@ that time I had no direct involvement for the development of Everest but was managing other audio/video platforms for Harman International. JBL for loudspeakers and Marantz for electronics, both brands were considered to be originators of high fidelity to the Japanese market.

Just my $0.02...

 

[Boilermaker86]

I had a Harman kardon 745 and it had great sound. It had so many quality issues I ended up get an Onkyo 805 instead. But I still wonder what it would be like if I had it or the 7550 receiver. I swear the Harman kardon had something the Onkyo doesn’t have but can’t put my finger on it....

 

[M Code]

The 7550HD was a great product, powerful high-current amplifiers, (2) TI DA710 DSPs, had Logic 7 which could overlay Dolby True Audio & DTS HD delivering an incredible 7.1 soundstage. I still have a 7550HD in 1 of my HT systems, that has been running fine for >10 years. What many may not know is that the HK AVR development team also designed AVRs for multiple Onkyo platforms including the 605/805...

Just my $0.02...

 

[Boilermaker86]

The 7550HD was a great product, powerful high-current amplifiers, (2) TI DA710 DSPs, had Logic 7 which could overlay Dolby True Audio & DTS HD delivering an incredible 7.1 soundstage. I still have a 7550HD in 1 of my HT systems, that has been running fine for >10 years. What many may not know is that the HK AVR development team also designed AVRs for multiple Onkyo platforms including the 605/805...

Just my $0.02...

Explains why I like both!

I was looking for a used 7550 but they do not come on the market often. I was thinking of getting a Marantz 8012 to replace my 805 as my next receiver.