Manage updates with the Download AppHarman Kardon HKTS 20BQ Video
Harman Kardon HKTS 20BQ Video Transcript
Hey, I'm Matthew Moskovciak at CNET.com and this is the Harman Kardon HKTS 20BQ. This is a 5.1 speaker system and is currently selling for around $470 online. Harmon Kardon has a reputation for stylish designs and this system is no exception. There are four identical satellite speakers and they're flat on the bottom so they'll sit on a tabletop and they each have a glossy black finish. Each of the satellites has a half inch tweeter and a 3-inch woofer behind the speaker grill. There's also a center channel which has a built-in stand on the bottom, plus the 200-watt subwoofer which has an 8-inch driver. Harmon also throws in wall mounts in the package and they actually have swivel capability which most competitors don't include. The sole design misstep are the speaker connectors on the back which only accepts bare wire so you can't use banana plugs, but Harmon does throw in speaker wire in the package so it will fit easily in the back. The Harmon sound quality is impressive especially for its size. Compared to other systems that has particularly detailed and clear sound, and it's adept at handling both music and movies. The subwoofer blends well with the satellite speakers. However, if you crank up the volume real loud, it doesn't sound quite as powerful as you might like. If you're someone that cares more about the quantity of bass rather than the quality, this probably isn't the best choice. Overall, the major hesitation with the Harmon system is that we couldn't think of a good reason to recommend over Energy's Take Classic 5.1 which sounds a little bit better and it's a little cheaper so for most buyers, that's gonna be the better value, but if you really prefer Harmon Kardon style, you won't be disappointed with this system and it's a solid value if you can get for under $500. I'm Matthew Moskovciak and this is the Harmon Kardon HKTS 20BQ.
Related Videos
Harman/Kardon Go + Play iPod boom box
The Harman/Kardon Go + Play is one of the best-sounding portable iPod speaker systems you can buy, but its high price and lack of compatibility with recent iPod models make it a limited recommendation.
The sexy Harman Kardon HS 300 delivers sophisticated styling, solid performance, and better connectivity and speakers than last year's model, if you can look past the quirky interface and high price.
Harman Kardon resurrects its premium boom box, but skimps on some of the features and sonic details that made the original so exceptional.
The Harman Kardon SB 16 features a premium price tag and some remote control quirks, but its excellent sound quality and exterior design make it worth the extra cash.
Harmon Kardon Guide + Play GPS-500
The Harman Kardon Guide + Play GPS-500 features a stylish design and a wide screen.
The Harman Kardon Drive + Play 2 is a stylish and functional aid for playing digital music in the car. Its iPod compatibility and dynamic channel creation function really separate it from the pack, although you pay for what you get.
The Harman Kardon GPS-810 is a unique in-car GPS device, and Brian Cooley had a chance to play with it.
The $170 Soundsticks III speakers offer light cosmetic upgrades (and unfortunately retains a few irritations) from the previous model, but if you're a fan of the iridescent design, this speaker system won't disappoint.
Harman Kardon sweet-sounding Classic headphones
Harman's $199.95 on-ear headphones combine good looks and excellent performance to create an enticing package.
Good design and some really nice-sounding speakers round out the Toshiba Satellite A505-S6980, a very affordable mainstream laptop with excellent battery life for its size.
Harman/Kardon HKTS 20BQ Review
The good: The Harman Kardon HKTS 20BQ is one of the sleekest 5.1 speaker systems available in this price range. The six-piece, 5.1 satellite/subwoofer system includes four two-way satellites, one two-way center channel, and a 200 watt, 8-inch powered subwoofer. Harman also includes convenient swivel wall-mounts for the speakers.
The bad: The subwoofer isn't as powerful as some competitors. The speaker connectors also only accept bare wire, so you can't use banana plugs. And the Energy Take Classic system sounds a little better for less money.
The bottom line: The Harman Kardon HKTS 20BQ is a very stylish and affordable 5.1 speaker system with a particularly detailed sound, but it's not our top pick for a system this size.
Harman/Kardon HKTS 20BQ Specs
Manufacturer: Harman
Part number: HKTS-20
- Product Specifications
Harman/Kardon HKTS 20BQ Prices
Online stores
| Store | Certified rating | Inventory | Price |
|---|---|---|---|
 |  Rate this store See store profile | In stock | $525.17 |
 | Rate this store See store profile | In stock | $525.17 |
 | Rate this store See store profile | In stock | $599.95 |
| Harman International |  Rate this store See store profile | In stock | $599.95 |
| Amazon.com Marketplace | Rate this store See store profile | In stock | $519.99 |
