How will Samsung utilize it's acquisition of Harman?

[KEW]

Note that there is a link to the full press release in this link:
https://www.manchestertimes.com/entertainment/national/samsung-and-harman-kardon-collaborate-to-provide-perfect-sound-in/article_60a86235-a0e7-54e3-be0f-6ed8946b91b1.html

Of particular note:

These new soundbars were largely developed by Samsung, with Harman Kardon certifying the audio quality through sophisticated sound quality testing.

Hopefully they are doing this right, but it really seems like a long shot since it puts HK in an awkward "don't bite the hand that feeds you" position!
But the idea of Samsung adopting HK as their "certification" agency is a pretty interesting tact!

 

[everettT]

Had Digital Trends do a similar piece today
https://apple.news/AwwfXTWtVQsKyRc2HuRg7yQ

 

[TheWarrior]

And because more than 25 Million cars and counting have Harman tech in them, too!

 

[BoredSysAdmin]

Call me crazy, but having a Bose vs HK audio system in my cars has been partially driving my car choices decisions. On my 2nd Outback with HK system and I've been very happy with the sound (electronics, not as much, but they are decent)

 

[everettT]

Just leased a Hyundai Kona for my daughter with the Infiniti system, couldn't be more pleased with it. 8 speakers and a subwoofer in a sub compact SUV, external amp with dsp makes for easy upgrades, but doesnt seem needed.

 

[TheWarrior]

Call me crazy, but having a Bose vs HK audio system in my cars has been partially driving my car choices decisions. On my 2nd Outback with HK system and I've been very happy with the sound (electronics, not as much, but they are decent)

My Dad's Q7 has the Bose system, and I think I prefer our standard Subaru stereo!

 

[William Lemmerhirt]

My Dad's Q7 has the Bose system, and I think I prefer our standard Subaru stereo!

My wife has a Blose system in her daily driver. Except for the powered speakers and ability to play fairly loud, it sounds a little strange. I THINK it’s a dsp thing but not sure. Me don’t like...

 

[Drunkpenguin]

What the heck? You guys dont put after markets in yours cars? I figured everybody in the AV hobby would be custom doing cars too.

 

[William Lemmerhirt]

What the heck? You guys dont put after markets in yours cars? I figured everybody in the AV hobby would be custom doing cars too.

No damn money left!!! Lol

 

[Dave Williams]

What the heck? You guys dont put after markets in yours cars? I figured everybody in the AV hobby would be custom doing cars too.

Car Audio is where my obsession began, so.... yeah!


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

 

[shadyJ]

What the heck? You guys dont put after markets in yours cars? I figured everybody in the AV hobby would be custom doing cars too.

Stock systems are so good nowadays, there is no need to. The stock systems can be geared toward the acoustics of that particular cabin in a way third party systems just can not match anymore.

 

[slipperybidness]

What the heck? You guys dont put after markets in yours cars? I figured everybody in the AV hobby would be custom doing cars too.

As shadyJ said, the factory systems tend to be pretty good nowadays, likely the best system that "most" people own.

Furthermore, with all the integrated navigation and infotainment systems, it isn't really feasible for the end user to make a swap of a head unit on modern cars.

It just doesn't make sense to jack with it on modern vehicles!

 

[TheWarrior]

What the heck? You guys dont put after markets in yours cars? I figured everybody in the AV hobby would be custom doing cars too.

https://news.harman.com/releases/harman-raises-the-bar-with-smart-audio-solutions-designed-to-shape-the-future-of-in-car-experience-at-ces-2017

The nature of listening in a closed composite cabin structure with large panes of glass everywhere means that accurate sound is ideally left up to the engineers.

In doing so, they've been able to redesign the interiors to allow for more storage and ergonomics:

 

[Kvn_Walker]

https://news.harman.com/releases/harman-raises-the-bar-with-smart-audio-solutions-designed-to-shape-the-future-of-in-car-experience-at-ces-2017

The nature of listening in a closed composite cabin structure with large panes of glass everywhere means that accurate sound is ideally left up to the engineers.

In doing so, they've been able to redesign the interiors to allow for more storage and ergonomics:

That only occurs when they actually give a crap, and the amount of crap they give is always proportional to the price of the car. Otherwise there would be only one stereo trim level for each model of car. If an Accord is an Accord is an Accord, then why do the LX, EX, and EX-L have different radio / speaker combinations, considering the same sheet metal, glass and interior volume?

I've heard more than my share of factory speakers that had me checking to see if there was cotton stuffed in my ears. Heard some great ones too though. But I have never heard a Blose system in a car that wasn't horrible.

 

[Montucky]

My Chevy Trailblazer has a "Bose" system. My Volvo has a Dynaudio setup. Guess which one sounds better?

 

[slipperybidness]

My Chevy Trailblazer has a "Bose" system. My Volvo has a Dynaudio setup. Guess which one sounds better?

But, which one gets a blank stare when you brag to your friends?

 

[slipperybidness]

The Bose in my wife's Murano is actually pretty decent. I think it is 6 speakers and a powered sub.

 

[Montucky]

But, which one gets a blank stare when you brag to your friends?

Haha. That's hilariously true. When people ride in my TB, they're like "Ooh! It has a Bose stereo!" I always have to demonstrate how bad it actually sucks. It's even bad by Bose standards as I once had a Cadillac with a Bose setup that was far better than this one.

When they're in the Volvo and I show them it's Dynaudio, they're like "What the heck is that? Is that good?" What a tragic society we live in when every layman knows Bose, but very few even have a clue about Dynaudio. Almost brings a tear to me eye. Definitely the best factory car stereo I've ever had, by a LOT.

 

[Drunkpenguin]

I must be buying the wrong cars cause I've never had a good stock system. First thing I do is put a system in. When I bought my Z they gave me the option of a base stereo or a bose system. I said well, theyre both gonna suck so give me the cheap one since I'm gonna rip it out it anyways. The base system was embarrassingly bad in that car.

 

[Montucky]

I must be buying the wrong cars cause I've never had a good stock system. First thing I do is put a system in. When I bought my Z they gave me the option of a base stereo or a bose system. I said well, theyre both gonna suck so give me the cheap one since I'm gonna rip it out it anyways. The base system was embarrassingly bad in that car.

Hold different ballgame with some of the "premium" stereos that can come in luxo cars where you can get factory systems by B&W, Dynaudio (like my old XC70), Burmester, B&O, Krell, Revel, etc.

Mine was apparently like a $2000 option, but the Burmesters and others I listed can be like $5000 or more, so they better be good. Haha. Thank goodness for the used car market! I think my car's total value now is probably worth about as much as that stereo upgrade cost the original owner alone. Lol.