Harman Kardon SoundSticks 5 Review: Iconic Design Meets Modern Hi-Fi, Transforming Living Room Audio!

For over twenty years, the SoundSticks have embodied the idea that an audio system can be both a sculpture and a genuine hi-fi product, to the point of becoming a design icon displayed in museums and placed on millions of desks and TV furniture. In 2025, the Harman Kardon SoundSticks 5 continues this legendary transparent silhouette but adds a significantly more ambitious 2.1 architecture (3-way satellites, powerful subwoofer, 190 W), an HDMI ARC to connect directly to the television, and Bluetooth designed for daily use in the living room.

It stands at the crossroads: more decorative and spectacular than a compact soundbar like the Sonos Ray or Bose TV Speaker, but more hi-fi and immersive than a simple competing monoblock Bluetooth speaker like the Marshall Stanmore III or some JBL or Sony models. Where high-end PC kits (Klipsch The Fives, Audioengine A2+/A5+, Logitech G560, Edifier Luna, etc.) prioritize proximity to the computer screen, the SoundSticks 5 embraces a hybrid role: central audio system for TV, music via Bluetooth, and living room ambient lighting, with a design that almost no rival can truly imitate. But how good is it really? Here’s our verdict.

Harman Kardon Soundsticks 5Technical Specifications

Harman Kardon Soundsticks 5Design and Finish

The SoundSticks have always been iconic objects, to the extent that they have been included in the permanent collection of MoMA in New York, and this fifth generation fully embraces this heritage.

Thus, we see the transparent dome-shaped subwoofer placed on the floor and the two translucent columnar satellites, with a cleaner base, better-integrated cables, and finishes available in transparent white or “smoked glass” black.​ This latest version immediately reminds one of the brand’s Aura Studio 5 speaker.

The central dome now benefits from more sophisticated internal lighting, with LEDs distributed to create a soft and uniform halo, synchronized with the satellites.

The ensemble displays a decidedly futuristic look while remaining discreet in a living room, with transparent plastic and premium metallic elements avoiding a gimmicky effect.

Harman Kardon Soundsticks 5Ergonomics and Connectivity

Harman Kardon has modernized the connectivity: the SoundSticks 5 features an HDMI ARC input to connect directly to a television with a simple cable, in addition to Bluetooth and a 3.5 mm mini-jack input. This HDMI ARC port, absent on the SoundSticks 4, allows for automatic retrieval of sound from movies, series, consoles, or boxes, with volume control via the compatible CEC TV remote.​

The main touch controls are located on the base of the right satellite, with management of volume, active input, and lighting. The access is really practical when placed on a desk or TV furniture, even though some might miss the absence of a dedicated remote control for more traditional remote operation.​

Note that the two satellite speakers are connected to the base via cables that are about 1.5 m long. A color code helps identify the right from the left.

Harman Kardon Soundsticks 5Connected Features and Application

The SoundSticks 5 adopts Bluetooth 5.4 with multipoint, which allows connecting two devices simultaneously and switching between them without needing to re-pair each time. Auracast compatibility facilitates the creation of multi-speaker scenarios or streaming the same stream to several compatible Harman products in the house.​

Just like with the Aura Studio 5, it is the Harman Kardon One app that centralizes all the advanced settings: equalization of course, but also lighting management, input selection, firmware updates, and Auracast configuration. However, like the Aura Studio 5, there is no Wi-Fi and therefore no native support for streaming services, nor any voice assistant directly integrated into the system.​

Harman Kardon Soundsticks 5Lighting System and Ambiance

Similarly to the Aura Studio, the dome subwoofer and, for this model, the satellites benefit from a redesigned ambiance lighting, with several presets suitable for different scenes (work, relaxation, party, etc.). The colors and dynamics of the light can follow the music or remain on a fixed hue, either via the app or the touch controls.​

The simple halo light from the SoundSticks 4 is here far surpassed by a much more sophisticated lighting. The colors are identical on the subwoofer and the satellite speakers. However, these gradually light up in white when increasing or decreasing the sound volume.​

Harman Kardon here emphasizes a more mature ambiance than on some “party” speakers notably with smooth transitions, rather elegant colors. Here, the idea is not to propose a full room lighting for a party but rather to enhance the transparency of the plastic and the organic shapes of the speakers.

In a dimmed living room, the system truly becomes a central luminous object, without ever obscuring the view of the acoustic interior.​

Once disconnected from the source, the lighting system goes into standby.

Harman Kardon Soundsticks 5Sound Architecture and Power

The SoundSticks 5 remains a 2.1 system but adopts a more ambitious internal architecture than the previous generation. Indeed, each satellite features a 25 mm silk dome tweeter accompanied by three 40 mm midrange drivers, forming a 3-way configuration when added to the subwoofer.

The subwoofer, equipped with a 133 mm downward-facing woofer, is tasked with delivering the low frequencies with more depth and control than the SoundSticks 4.​

The set is powered by an amplification totaling 190 W RMS, placing it above most classic multimedia kits and many compact Bluetooth speakers. Harman announces a frequency response ranging from 40 Hz to 20 kHz, covering comfortably the essential audio spectrum for music and video uses.​

Harman Kardon Soundsticks 5Sound Reproduction and Musicality

According to our listening tests, the SoundSticks 5 offers a powerful, deep, and better-held bass than on previous generations, thanks to the 133 mm woofer and reinforced amplification. The midranges are highlighted to provide clear voices and well-separated instruments, while the silk tweeters promise detailed but non-aggressive highs.​

The 3-way design allows for better separation of registers, which results in a more airy scene and better readability, even at sustained volumes. The goal is clearly to offer an accessible hi-fi experience, capable of transitioning from the morning playlist to a movie session without feeling like just a boosted PC kit.​

Harman Kardon Soundsticks 5Performance in Video and Gaming Use

The presence of the HDMI ARC port is a game-changer for home cinema or gaming use: the SoundSticks 5 can advantageously replace a TV’s speakers, with minimal wiring. The subwoofer provides the necessary punch for explosions, epic soundtracks, and special effects, while the satellites ensure clarity of dialogues and atmospheres.​

For video gaming, latency is limited thanks to the HDMI connection, more reliable than Bluetooth for image/sound synchronization, although wireless remains usable. However, it still offers a 2.1 stereo reproduction without advanced surround decoding, which will suit a compact setup but won’t replace a true multichannel installation.​

Harman Kardon Soundsticks 5Usage Scenarios and Placement

The SoundSticks 5 is perfectly at ease on a desk, TV furniture, or a low console, provided that the satellites are placed on either side of the screen and the subwoofer nearby for good tonal cohesion. The downward-facing subwoofer can be a bit more demanding to position in some rooms, with basses harder to control if the floor is too resonant or if the room corner is too pronounced.​​

Thanks to the fairly wide dispersion of the satellites and the 3-way architecture, the listening area is comfortable, whether in front of the screen or slightly off-center on the sofa. The adjustable lighting also allows adapting the visual rendering to each use, for example, a more neutral light for work, more colorful for evenings or nighttime viewing.​

Harman Kardon Soundsticks 5Release Date and Price

Priced at around 329 euros at launch, the SoundSticks 5 set is positioned at the upper end of the 2.1 living room systems market.