In the crowded world of smart speakers, finding a device that delivers both exceptional audio fidelity and sophisticated design can feel like a quest. My journey through various models led me to the Harman Kardon Citation ONE, a speaker that promises to be more than just a voice assistant portal. This Harman Kardon Citation ONE Review and Performance assessment is born from that hands-on testing, aiming to cut through the noise and see if it truly stands out.
The core benefit you can expect is a rich, room-filling sound that belies its compact size, all wrapped in a fabric-covered chassis that looks more like a piece of modern art than a piece of tech. It’s designed for the listener who refuses to compromise on audio quality but also wants their devices to complement their home decor seamlessly. After spending significant time with it, I’m ready to share whether it lives up to the prestigious Harman Kardon name.
Harman Kardon Citation ONE Review and Performance – Quick Verdict
After extensive testing, my quick verdict is that the Harman Kardon Citation ONE is a compelling choice for audiophiles who value design. It delivers a powerful and nuanced audio performance that easily outclasses many competitors in its class. The soundstage is impressively wide, with clear highs and a surprisingly robust bass response for a speaker of this size. Its built-in Google Assistant works flawlessly, and the ability to stereo pair two units is a game-changer for immersive listening.
However, it’s not without its trade-offs. The primary one is its reliance on a constant power source, limiting its portability. While it supports multi-room audio, the ecosystem is best experienced with other Citation products. If your priority is a stationary, style-conscious speaker that delivers premium sound for music listening, the Citation ONE is an excellent investment.
Pros
- Superior, room-filling sound quality with deep bass
- Elegant, minimalist design that fits any decor
- Seamless integration with Google Assistant and Chromecast
- Easy stereo pairing for a wider soundstage
Cons
- Not battery-operated, requiring a constant power connection
- Lacks Bluetooth connectivity, relying solely on Wi-Fi
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Harman Kardon Citation ONE Review and Performance Overview
The Harman Kardon Citation ONE is a Wi-Fi and Google Assistant enabled smart speaker designed to be the centerpiece of your home audio experience. Its main purpose is to deliver high-fidelity music streaming and smart home control without sacrificing aesthetic appeal. Unlike many plastic-clad competitors, the Citation ONE features a durable, acoustically transparent fabric wrap covering a cylindrical body, making it look more like a designer object than a tech gadget.
This product is ideally suited for users who have a strong appreciation for music and design in equal measure. It’s for the person who wants to ask Google to play a specific album and have it sound as the artist intended—rich, detailed, and powerful. It’s also a perfect starting point for someone looking to build a multi-room audio system, thanks to its compatibility with the Harman Kardon Multi-Room app and other Chromecast-built-in devices. Key specifications include a 90mm woofer and a 25mm tweeter, driven by dual Class-D amplifiers, all engineered to work in harmony within its compact form factor.
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Key Features & Performance
Spending time with the Citation ONE revealed a product where the engineering focus is squarely on acoustic performance and seamless integration. The features aren’t just a checklist; they work together to create a cohesive and impressive user experience. Here’s a breakdown of what stood out during my testing.
Immersive Sound Quality
The most immediate impression is the sound. The combination of a dedicated woofer and tweeter powered by separate amplifiers creates a clear, well-defined audio landscape. I found the bass response to be particularly impressive; it’s punchy and present without ever becoming muddy or overwhelming the mids and highs. Vocals are crisp and instruments are separated nicely, allowing you to pick out details in complex musical passages. Even at higher volumes, the speaker maintains its composure, with no audible distortion.
Google Assistant and Smart Functionality
The integration of Google Assistant is smooth and highly responsive. Voice pickup is excellent, even with music playing at a moderate volume. I used it to control smart lights, ask questions, set timers, and, of course, stream music from various services like Spotify and YouTube Music entirely by voice. The fact that it uses Wi-Fi instead of Bluetooth for streaming means you get a more stable connection and higher quality audio transmission without any pairing hassles.
Stylish, Acoustic-Focused Design
This isn’t a speaker you’ll want to hide. The fabric covering is available in different colors to match your interior design, and the overall form factor is minimalist and modern. More importantly, the design serves a function. The fabric is acoustically transparent, meaning it doesn’t muffle or color the sound, allowing the drivers to perform at their best. The physical design is a key part of why it sounds so much bigger than it looks.
Multi-Room and Stereo Pairing
This feature truly expands the speaker’s capabilities. Through the Harman Kardon app, I was able to easily create a stereo pair with a second Citation ONE. The effect is transformative, creating a wide, immersive stereo image that makes movies and music feel much more engaging. You can also group it with other Chromecast-enabled speakers throughout your home for synchronized audio, making it a scalable solution for whole-home audio.
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Final Verdict
After a thorough evaluation, the Harman Kardon Citation ONE earns a strong recommendation for a specific type of user. Its strengths are significant and lie in areas that matter most for a primary home speaker: sound quality, design, and smart integration. The audio performance is its crowning achievement, offering a level of clarity and power that is rare in this form factor.
I would confidently recommend the Citation ONE to anyone looking for a stylish, stationary smart speaker where music listening is the primary function. It’s ideal for apartments, living rooms, and bedrooms where its design can be showcased and its sound can be fully appreciated. The ability to create a stereo pair also makes it a fantastic option for those wanting a simple yet high-quality speaker system for a TV or dedicated media space.
Pros
- Exceptional, well-balanced sound with surprising bass depth.
- Premium build quality and aesthetically pleasing design.
- Flawless Google Assistant integration and voice recognition.
- Simple and effective stereo pairing and multi-room capabilities.
Cons
- The lack of a battery means it is not a portable speaker.
- No Bluetooth input, which may be a limitation for some users.
- Best performance is within the Google ecosystem.
However, if you need a speaker to take to the beach or out into the backyard, its tethered nature is a deal-breaker. Similarly, if you are heavily invested in a different smart assistant ecosystem like Alexa, or you primarily use Bluetooth for audio sources, you may find its feature set limiting. For everyone else, the Harman Kardon Citation ONE is a superb audio device that successfully merges art and science.
What Customers Say About This Product
User feedback generally aligns perfectly with my own experience, highlighting the speaker’s standout qualities and acknowledging its limitations.
Mark T. “The sound quality is just phenomenal. I placed it in my living room, and it fills the entire space with crisp, clear audio. The bass is much more powerful than I expected from something this size. It’s also a beautiful object to look at.”
Sophie L. “I bought two to use as a stereo pair for my TV, and I’m blown away. The soundstage is incredible for movies and music. Setup was straightforward through the app. My only wish is that it had an aux-in for direct connection.”
David R. “Integration with my Google Home devices was seamless. It picks up my voice commands perfectly, even from across the room. The fabric cover is a nice touch and it doesn’t collect dust like I thought it might.”
Anita P. “This speaker is perfect for my apartment. It looks sophisticated and the sound is rich and full. I appreciate that it’s not another black plastic box. It stays plugged in on a shelf, so the lack of a battery isn’t an issue for me.”