The better sound systems - Harman Kardon vs Boston Acoustics?

The dilemma when choosing the better sound system - Harman Kardon vs Boston Acoustics

Harman Kardon vs Boston Acoustics

Harman Kardon and Boston Acoustics are two of my favorite brands when talking about home sound systems (JBL as well) but if I have to choose a any of these for my next system I would be in real dilemma. Both brands offer some amazing 5.1 home theater systems and for the price of around $400-500 one can get a real nice deal for a Harman Kardon or Boston Acoustics systems.

Today we will take a detailed look at two of the popular 5.1 sound system offered from these brands so you would have a an easier choice when buying you next speakers. 

Harman Kardon HKTS 16BQ

Harman Kardon HKTS 16BQ is a very stylish looking and also quite capable 5.1 system offered at a very good price. The MSRP is $600 but you can easily find it on sale in Amazon for $300. As a complete home theater package, the HKTS 16BQ/WQ has everything you need – including satellite bases, wall-mounting hardware and all necessary cables – in one box. And by including removable shelf-mount stands and wall-mount brackets for the satellite and center speakers, the system offers you great flexibility for installing the speakers in different locations.

The HKTS 16BQ/WQ system’s five voice-matched satellite speakers with dual 3-inch (75-millimeter) mid-range drivers and 1/2-inch (13 millimeter) high-frequency tweeters are engineered to work together to produce a rich, realistic, all-encompassing sonic performance with convincing sound effects. You can even place these video-shielded speakers near your TV without causing magnetic interference.

The HKTS 16BQ/WQ’s 200-watt down-firing subwoofer with an 8-inch (200-millimeter) driver offers deep, authoritative low-frequency realism that lends a richness to whatever imagery you’re seeing on screen – while remaining surprisingly unimposing off screen. While viewing an action film, you hear every crash, bang and boom the soundtrack has to offer.

Harman Kardon HKTS 16BQ unboxing video

Boston Acoustics SoundWare XS 5.1

Boston Acoustics SoundWare XS 5.1 is another very good and yet affordable surround system offered on most of the electronics markets around the world. Its price is $500 and in many locations it is quite hard to find as it is already out of stock. Boston Acoustics SoundWare XS 5.1 Home Theater System offers optimum audio performance in a compact package.

This six-speaker system boasts uniquely shaped satellite speakers for convenient placement at any angle, as well as a powerful subwoofer for deep bass. With the included wall brackets, the system offers easy and discreet setup.

Including a subwoofer and five satellite speakers, the SoundWare XS 5.1 Home Theater System delivers big sound from a small package. Each finely tuned speaker features compact driver placement and quality system-specific crossovers for complete audio coverage. The system is also expandable--you can add satellite speakers to the package for 7.1 channel surround sound.

Boston Acoustics SoundWare XS 5.1 video review

Both these systems have been on the market since 2012, which really proves they are some quality products. In 2012 we also reviewed a very cheap 5.1 system, if interested you can check our Xenta XForce 5.1 review.