harman/kardon SB16 Sound Bar & Wireless Sub Review

So, I hear your wife won't let you install a real 5.1 system in her living room... Wait, let me try that again. So you're in an apartment and can't hang those surround speakers on your ceiling... Whatever the reason, soundbars are a viable alternative for those who - try as they might - can't pull off a true discrete speaker system. We were kinda excited about this Soundbar because it's from harman/kardon. Those guys know speakers. It didn't mean that this one, the harman/kardon SB 16 Active Speaker Soundbar would necessarily sound great - but it definitely gave it a fighting chance.

Like most higher end sound bars, this one includes a wireless subwoofer. As should they all. But instead of a flimsy "afterthought" subwoofer, harman put in a 10" driver and gave it some room to breathe. The box of the sub has a 13-1/2" surface area that sits around 19" tall. It's imposing, but also beautiful, with a piano gloss black finish and a shrouded screen that surrounds the elevated cavity where the downfiring driver sits. A rear port delivers a bit more output from the 100 watt amplifier and it looks like something that enhances the decor of a room rather than detracts from it.

I know, we're reviewing a sound bar and spending all our time on the sub, but let's just get it out of the way. Since it's wireless, harman/kardon didn't need to add any actual inputs on the back. This saved on production costs and the SB 16 is meant to be a system, anyway. There's not even a sub output on the soundbar itself. At a retail price of just under $600, I think this was a smart move. On the back of the sub what you DO have is a volume control and a crossover control that lacks any real precision markings, so it's a "turn it til it sounds right" feature. We thought straight up was pretty close for our tastes. The SB 16 sub also comes with a phase switch and a 4-position wireless code switch in the event you decide to use multiple SB 16 systems throughout your home. I put one in my bathroom...

Going back to the Soundbar, the idea is that you connect it to the output of your TV. With a system like this, the thought is that your TV will function as your entertainment hub. It will also function as your volume control... Which is important because the SB 16 doesn't come with a remote. Once you set the volume on the Soundbar, the source component determines the volume level. You can program the Soundbar to work with your existing remote, but be aware that it's best to use something other than your TV remote or you'll be controlling two devices simultaneously, which can get awkward. Onboard controls are also simplified. There's a surround FX button, volume controls, power and source buttons. That's it. On the back you've got analogue inputs and both coax and optical digital inputs, each of which can be selected discretely by the Source button.

"Big whoopie-do", you say... How did it sound? Fair enough. Pretty dang snappy. To get specific, I'd say that the SB 16 did a great job of producing a truly wide soundstage. It sounded like two decent speakers that had some space between them, not like a Soundbar that had to contend with a pair of 3" speakers and 3/4" dome tweeters in close proximity. And... and... It played ridiculously loud. It's truly frightening how loud this speaker will play without distorting. We hit 102 dB from the Soundbar from 3' away and that was without turning up the subwoofer beyond where it sounded natural. And even at that volume it STILL sounded good

If its not yet clear. I love this Soundbar. It's not the fanciest. It doesn't come with a remote... Or a front panel display. Or AirPlay. Or a USB input. Or Bluetooth support. But it sounds awesome. And this is Audioholics, so that rates. Big time. If you want a great sounding Soundbar and sound quality is the most important thing for you, we have yet to hear one that sounds better at this price. It surprised us, it really did. But maybe it shouldn't have.

So this weeks question is: sound bars... Love 'em? or hate them? Let us know by leaving us a comment on our video and while you're there subscribe to our channel. It's kind of like giving us a tip, except that it doesn't cost you anything.  For more reviews, 'Like' us at Facebook.com/Audioholics and if you want to know to know our thoughts as they happen follow us on Twitter @AudioholicsLive.

Get more info at www.harmankardon.com

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