Harman Citation 300
Datasheet
The Harman Citation 300 arrives on the Brazilian market with the promise of being a high-powered speaker that delivers a differentiated design.
However, the only big highlight of this model is the compatibility with the Google Assistant voice assistant.
This way, the user has access to a box that works similar to that found in Google Nest Audio, but in a large size and at a high price.
Want to know if the Harman Citation 300 is worth buying? So check out the full review.
Check the current price of the Harman Citation 300
pros
- Compatibility with Google Assistant
- Touch screen for resource control
Cons
- High Price
- Very large
- Inconsistent updates
- audio quality could improve
Design and construction
The Harman Citation 300 has a different shape than the most popular speakers on the market, such as models marketed by JBL that follow a closer look to a cylinder.
- Dimensões (L x P x A): 30,6 x 14,2 x 18 cm;
- Weight: 4.1 kg.
The Harman device body is more rectangular in shape, but the edges are rounded. The base is rubberized and helps keep the Citation 300 securely attached to any piece of furniture.
All around, her covering is all in mixed wool fabric manufactured by the textile company Kvadrat. And, according to the brand, this material helps to prevent the accumulation of dust, in addition to having anti-fire elements.
These features are important for those who leave the product on all day, as it reduces the probability of large-scale material damage in case of a short circuit or any damage that causes combustion.
The overall look of the product isn’t exactly a standout. However, the company believes that premium equipment can fit well into different types of decor your home may have.
At the top, the Harman Citation 300 has two discreet buttons for volume controls. Additionally, there are two built-in microphones for easy voice communication with the personal assistant.
However, the main difference is the presence of a display to control the resources present in the box. The small LCD screen is color, touch sensitive and allows access to various settings and implementations that can be performed by synchronizing the device with the smartphone.
Unfortunately, the Citation 300 lacks physical ports, as there are only two microUSB ports and the connection for the 1.8 meter long power cable. In addition to the aforementioned ports, there is a button to reset the speaker system.
+1
“The screen present on the Harman Citation 300 is a pleasant surprise for the user, and creates an important differential for the configuration of the resources available in the speaker. Through it, it is possible to carry out all the necessary actions to fully explore the options implemented by the manufacturer .” — Jucyber
Battery and Connectivity
As the Harman Citation 300 doesn’t have an internal battery, the device will only work if it’s plugged in, just like we see in devices like Google Nest Mini, Amazon Echo devices with Amazon’s Alexa, and Apple’s Homepods with Siri. Unfortunately, the manufacturer did not add a standard audio connection, which is unusual for products of this type.
For this reason, it is not possible to adjust the equipment for use in other formats, such as an amplifier plugged into a television to play audio in a format close to that delivered by a Home Theater.
Connecting the Harman Citation 300 via Bluetooth is done directly through the Google Home app. For correct product identification, the cell phone’s GPS must be turned on for the app to synchronize with the device.
Configuration and performance
Like other smart boxes, the Harman Citation 300 can be configured in the Google Home app for Android or iOS. In this way, users of both platforms can take advantage of the advantages that Google Assistant can provide in their daily use experience.
The configuration process is simple, and all the steps are presented on the smartphone screen to help those who are not so familiar with this type of device. After finishing adding the device to the app, it is now possible to use it.
In this way, users are able to find in the Citation 300 the same communication format used by Google in the Nest Audio and Nest Mini devices. One of the advantages of Google Assistant being present in this model is the amplification of resources.
There are thousands of options for basic tasks that can be performed by the device with just voice commands. These include scheduling tasks, reminding yourself of appointments noted in Google Calendar, and turning up or down the volume of your playing sound.
When it comes to more advanced actions, the Google Home app lets you control multiple devices. For this reason, it’s easy to use the Harman Citation 300 to turn on smart light bulbs, change the lighting intensity and much more.
By having Chromecast Audio built in, there are custom routines that help to improve the user experience. This is because the main streaming services available on the market support this feature, and this gives the public easy access to high quality content.
According to the company, there are more than 300 options for platforms compatible with the Citation 300. In this way, the use of the device will be similar to that found in the models of the Nest line.
A big downside is inconsistent speaker updates. When performing an update on the device I tested, Google Home could no longer identify the product. Therefore, it is necessary to be patient to reconfigure, or resort to the reset button.
“Syncing with the Google Home app makes the Harman Citation 300 really an alternative to the Google Nest line models. However, the system still has features that need improvement, such as connection failures after the box is updated.” — Jucyber
sound quality
Regarding sound quality, it is important to make clear that the size of the Harman Citation 300 is inconsistent with the performance delivered. As for power, the product has 2 two speakers with a total power of 100 W RMS, which allows a very high volume for playing audios.
However, the auditory experience does not accompany all this power. When the volume goes above 50%, the sound is blown out, and this shows that the company was very concerned about the power of the device, but left out the adjustments to give more clarity to the audio and, consequently, more quality.
The highs are present, but not in the way expected for a product that promises a premium quality, as is the case of the Citation 300. Contrary to the tradition of Harman and JBL (which are part of the same group), this box does not bring a striking personality in the bass and leaves something to be desired in the general set that could enhance the performance of songs.
Datasheet
- Dimensões (L x P x A): 30,6 x 14,2 x 18 cm;
- Weight: 4.1 kg;
- Bluetooth Version: 4.2;
- Output power: 100 watts RMS;
- Transducer: 2 × 20 mm woofers and 2 × 89 mm tweeters;
- Wizard Integration: Google Wizard.
- Finish: special mixed wool fabric;
- Conectividade: Wi-FI 802.11ac (2,4 GHz e 5 GHz), Bluetooth;
- Compatibility: Android and iOS (both with Google Home app);
- Formatos de áudio: HE-AAC, LC-AAC, MP3, Vorbis, WAV (LPCM), FLAC, Opus;
- Colors: black and gray;
- Energy: bivolt.
direct competitors
The Harman Citation 300 has two big competitors with different purposes, but which can be considered more coherent products than the giant speaker.
For those who prefer to maintain communication with Google Assistant, the most coherent alternative is JBL Link Music. The design deviates from the cylindrical pattern of the brand, but helps to demonstrate the superiority of the product.
Despite having only 20 W RMS — a configuration that makes it below the Citation 300 in power — Link Music can be a good alternative for using Google’s personal assistant without spending more than R$700 for it. This means it costs 1/3 the price, has similar functionality and pleasant audio quality.
Google has an alternative that can also meet the needs of the public: Nest Audio. The box marketed by the search giant has 30 W RMS of power, and provides good audio quality.
By having the Google Assistant platform, the user experience will be wide due to the compatibility with devices and commands. In addition, the price below R$700 is another attraction of the equipment.
Another option is Amazon Echo Studio. The Alexa-compatible audio device has 5 speakers with a total power of 330 W RMS, which is three times that found in the Harman Citation 300. when exploring the maximum volume.
The audio starts to present distortions, but even so, it is still more cost-effective than the device under review. In addition, the price below R$ 1,700 demonstrates that the product can be pleasant for those who want something good and with a more consistent value.
Conclusion
The Harman Citation 300 is a giant speaker in size and power, and demonstrates the brand’s versatility by delivering intelligent communication with Google Assistant.
However, the product is expensive for the proposal it has, mainly because it is coming as more alternative within a market that already has major competitors, such as Amazon Echo Studio.
For this reason, we do not recommend purchasing the Harman Citation 300 unless you are a fan of the brand. Plus, the high power doesn’t suppress distortion at higher volumes, as well as lack of personality in the bass.
Thus, buying Amazon Echo Studio means paying the fair price for a device with three times more power, but it means that you will have to adapt to communication with Alexa.
For those who prefer Google Assistant, the best alternative is the Nest Audio model. But be aware that the cheapest device will not deliver the same power as the larger devices.
Did you like the Harman Citation 300? So, check out the offer that we have separated for you in the link below:
- Harman Citation 300 on offer
If you prefer the alternatives, check out the links with offers on the links below:
- JBL Link Music
- Google Nest Audio
- Amazon Echo Studio