Skip to main content
  1. Home
  2. Audio / Video
  3. News

Digital Trends may earn a commission when you buy through links on our site. Why trust us?

20-year-old design lives on in Harmon Kardon’s $300 Aura Studio 3 speaker

By

Wireless speakers that offer an extra-wide soundstage, like Apple’s $299 HomePod and Amazon’s $200 Echo Studio, are becoming increasingly popular as people look to get the most audio bang for their buck from a single speaker. Now buyers have another choice when it comes to expansive sound: Harmon Kardon’s $300 Aura Studio 3 Bluetooth speaker is now

available for pre-order

and is expected to start shipping July 1.

Harmon Kardon Aura Studio 3
Harmon Kardon

The Aura Studio 3 is the third generation of Harmon Kardon’s transparent-domed wireless speaker, which uses a design the company has been refining ever since it debuted as the bass module enclosure for its Apple iMac companion Soundsticks speakers in 2000.

Recommended Videos

Previous versions of the Aura speaker have looked visually similar to the Aura Studio 3, but the latest model is a departure from the past in a few notable ways. Older Aura models included an LED light source to provide a visual element along with the music, but the Aura Studio 3 uses an “elegant ripple effect,” which makes the light display more dynamic.

It’s also considerably more powerful than its predecessors. Previous versions used a pair of 15-watt amplifiers to power six circularly arranged midrange drivers (for the 360-degree sound field), while the down-firing woofer was equipped with a 30-watt amp. The Aura Studio 3 uses a similar midrange configuration, but its woofer is now powered by a 100-watt amp, which should give the speaker a much better presence and low-end kick.

However, it’s not all upside for the Aura Studio 3: unlike previous versions, it can’t be used as a speakerphone for making calls.

Perhaps the most surprising omission considering the Aura Studio 3’s price is the lack of Wi-Fi. Virtually all other wireless speakers at this price — and even some previous Aura models — have the option of Wi-Fi connectivity, which is a requirement for voice assistant functionality. It’s also the only way to stream higher-quality music to a wireless speaker.

While some companies, including Harmon Kardon’s sister brand JBL, have been working on providing multi-speaker support via Bluetooth, Harmon Kardon makes no mention of this possibility with the Aura Studio 3’s specs.

Given these considerable drawbacks and the Aura Studio 3’s steep price, it will have to offer truly exceptional sound in order to compete.

Want more news, reviews, guides, and features from Digital Trends? Follow us on Apple News, Google News, and Flipboard.

Topics
Simon Cohen
Simon Cohen
Contributing Editor, A/V
Simon Cohen covers a variety of consumer technologies, but has a special interest in audio and video products, like spatial…
Grab a 55-inch TV for just $210 in Amazon’s early sales
The Insignia 50-inch F30 Series 4K Smart Fire TV hangs in a living room.

Early Prime Day deals are underway, with the Prime Big Deal Days sale event officially kicking off October 8 and 9. If you simply can’t wait, you can still buy yourself a super cheap TV today. Over at Amazon, you can buy the Insignia 55-inch F30 Series 4K TV for just $210. It normally costs $350 so you’re saving a huge 40% or $140 off the regular price. Easily one of the cheapest Prime Big Deal Days TV deals around, it’s ideal for kitting out any room in your home for less. Combine it with a super cheap Insignia 80W Soundbar, which is currently just $78, and you’ve got yourself a great budget-friendly setup for less. Here’s what you need to know about the Insignia 55-inch F30 Series 4K TV.

Why you should buy the Insignia 55-inch F30 Series 4K TV
Insignia is an incredibly budget-friendly brand, so you won’t see it featuring in anyone’s look at the best TV brands. Its target audience is anyone who needs to keep costs down but simply can’t go without a TV. We’d wager a 55-inch TV is probably a little big for a bedroom, but it’ll suit a den or games room well, along with your living room too.

Read more
What is YouTube Music? Everything you need to know
iPhone 15 Pro Max showing the YouTube Music app.

YouTube, long renowned for its vast video library, has quietly established itself as a formidable music streaming service. Its dedicated app, YouTube Music, offers a curated collection of songs, albums, and podcasts catering to various music lovers. With millions of songs and countless music videos, YouTube Music boasts a comprehensive catalog that rivals industry giants like Spotify and Apple Music.

The app utilizes advanced algorithms to suggest music based on your listening habits, ensuring a tailored and enjoyable experience. YouTube Premium subscribers can download their favorite tracks for offline playback, perfect for commutes, workouts, or areas with limited internet connectivity.

Read more
Best Bose headphone deals: Save on QuietComfort and Earbuds II
A woman wearing the Bose QuietComfort 45 around her neck.

Bose is one of the top consumer audio brands, and while you can typically find some of its headphone models among the best headphone deals, right now there isn’t a lot to shop when it comes to Bose headphones. There are a couple of Bose headphone deals going on right now, however, and they’re definitely worth taking a look at. Read onward for today’s best Bose headphone deals, and if you’ve got your mind set on some Bose audio you may also want to take a look at today’s best soundbar deals and best subwoofer deals. If it’s headphones you’re after and these Bose headphone deals don’t offer enough for you, don’t miss today’s Sony headphone deals, Samsung Galaxy Buds deals, Beats headphone deals, and AirPods deals.
Today’s best Bose headphone deals
Bose headphone deals tend to come and go quickly, with it being rare to see more than two or three sets discounted at any time. Today’s best Bose headphone deals are on the Bose QuietComfort Earbuds II and the Bose QuietComfort 35 II headphones. Each is seeing a pretty significant discount and each offers a great listening experience.

When is the best time to shop Bose headphone deals?
There’s generally no better time than the holidays to land a great deal, with sales events like Black Friday and Cyber Monday often offering the largest discounts of the year. Prime Day is another great opportunity to land a deal, though the July event has now come and gone. That leaves us currently sandwiched between major shopping opportunities, and with a good amount of time before the next event arrives.

Read more