Harman Kardon Citation 200 – Let’s get mobile

It is a powerful, intelligent loudspeaker that extends the Harman Kardon Citation Series, making it “mobile”, the new Harman Kardon Citation 200, capable of playing music via WiFi as part of the Harman Kardon Citation Series multi-room audio streaming system, but also as a simple Bluetooth speaker.

The Harman Kardon company introduced the so-called Harman Kardon Citation Series to the market some time ago – specifically as part of IFA 2018 in Berlin. This product series is intended to prove itself as an extremely flexible streaming solution, offering a wide range of products for the most diverse application scenarios, from compact wireless speakers to sound bar systems and active hi-fi speaker systems.

The special feature of the Harman Kardon Citation Series is, above all, that it is not a new, independent streaming platform, but rather the company relies on the Google Chromecast technology platform, and even more, it also implements Google’s voice control, Google Assistant, and also relies entirely on the solutions of the Internet giant Google for control, thus ultimately offering so-called smart speakers, albeit in a version that is at a completely different quality level than similar systems from the “IT world”. Moreover, the company does not focus entirely on Google alone, as it also equips the solutions of the Harman Kardon Citation Series with Apple AirPlay 2 and misses this Bluetooth, so that the user can ultimately use these products very flexibly.

So far, the Harman Kardon Citation Series has included the Harman Kardon Citation OASIS, Harman Kardon Citation ONE MKII, Harman Kardon Citation 100 MKII, Harman Kardon Citation 300, Harman Kardon Citation 500 solutions, Harman Kardon Citation MB 700, Harman Kardon Citation BAR, Harman Kardon Citation SUB S, Harman Kardon Citation SUB, Harman Kardon Citation SURROUND, and as the crowning glory, the Harman Kardon Citation TOWER floorstanding loudspeaker systems. Now another solution is added at the bottom end, the new Harman Kardon Citation 200.

However, the Harman Kardon Citation 200 is not really that new, or at least we were able to report exclusively on some systems at the beginning of the year when Harman Industries International presented a series of solutions at the CES 2020 in Las Vegas that were intended to successively expand the Harman Kardon Citation series, including the Harman Kardon Citation 200 that is now actually available.

What makes the new Harman Kardon Citation 200 so special is obvious at first glance, as this new smart speaker of the Harman Kardon Citation Series is adorned with a stylish carrying handle, so it is designed as a mobile solution to provide music in the easiest way possible anywhere in the house, even on the balcony, terrace or garden. As with the entire product line, Google Chromecast, which is accessible via WiFi when integrated into the network, is of course also used here. But Bluetooth is also used, which is of course essential for a mobile speaker in order to be able to play music directly from a smartphone at any time and almost anywhere.

The new Harman Kardon Citation 200 is designed as a mobile solution with a width of 178 mm, a depth of 172 mm and a height of 219 mm and weighs no more than 2.85 kg. It is made of plastic in the usual way, with an attractive textile fabric from Kvadrat taking up the sides. The new Harman Kardon Citation 200 is IPX4 protected against splashing water. This means that it can be used outdoors not only in the event of a few raindrops, but also in the bathroom or kitchen.

Inside, a 25 mm tweeter and a 120 mm woofer do their job, while a Class D amplifier module delivers 50 watts. According to the manufacturer, a frequency range between 40 Hz and 20 kHz can be reproduced.

The easiest way to play music is to connect directly to a smartphone, for example, which is possible via Bluetooth 4.2.

It becomes more flexible if the Harman Kardon Citation 200 is connected to the network via WiFi, using a module according to IEEE 802.11ac.

Integrated into the network, the new Harman Kardon Citation 200 functions as a streaming client based on Google Chromecast, i.e. audio data can be played back at up to 24 bits and 96 kHz, and in a wide variety of formats. Google Chromecast can also be used for a wide range of streaming services, all that is required is that the appropriate app is installed on the smartphone or tablet. Of course, you can also play back your own content, with Google’s app serving as the central control.

Google is also providing the app to install the Harman Kardon Citation 200, Google Home, and while we’re at it, it’s also setting up the Google Assistant voice control. With this it is possible to call up various information by voice, to control smart home solutions such as lighting, heating and security systems, and of course to control music playback.

For the sake of completeness, it should again be mentioned that the new Harman Kardon Citation 200 also supports Apple AirPlay 2 and is therefore also open for Apple’s Smart Home solutions.

Finally, a mobile solution such as the new Harman Kardon Citation 200 should not be without information on battery life. The lithium-polymer battery with 3.6 V and 4,800 mAh is said to offer a playing time of up to eight hours away from the power outlet, whereby charging is carried out in the simplest case by means of a USB-C cable or via a charging station and should be completed after only three hours.

“The Harman Kardon customer expects a first-class listening experience at every moment. We are very happy to bring the exceptional sound and stunning design of the Citation range out of the confines of the house and free the music”.

Dave Rogers, President, HARMAN Lifestyle Division

With the new Harman Kardon Citation 200, you can once again choose between two design variants. In addition to winter grey, the black version is also available. Both versions should already be available in specialist shops these days. The manufacturer is quoting a recommended retail price of € 349,- or CHF 339,- for the new Harman Kardon Citation 200.

Getting to the point

What makes the new Harman Kardon Citation 200 so special is obvious at first glance, as this new Smart Speaker of the Harman Kardon Citation Series is adorned with a stylish carrying handle, so it is designed as a mobile solution to provide music anywhere in the house, even on the balcony, terrace or garden, in the simplest way possible. As with the entire product line, Google Chromecast, which is accessible via WiFi when integrated into the network, is of course also used here. But Bluetooth is also used, which is of course essential for a mobile speaker in order to be able to play music directly from a smartphone at any time and almost anywhere.