Review: Harman/Kardon Esquire

Oh look! A portable wireless speaker

$349, harmankardon.com/en_au

There’s no need to roll your eyes at the arrival of yet another Bluetooth speaker. Harman/Kardon’s Esquire delivers in the sound department and it’s rather easy on the eyes, too.

love Impressively loud and clear for its size. Looks as good as it sounds. 10-hour battery hate It’s not cheap. Chiselled edge easily scuffed T3 says One of the best Bluetooth speakers we’ve ever had the opportunity to lay our, er, ears on frequency

Power Connectivity quoted Battery

Dimensions

Harman/Kardon has a long-held and well-deserved reputation of sound expertise. It’s had six decades to learn a thing or two on the subject and, perhaps unsurprisingly, this refined Bluetooth speaker tickles the ears in ways that few can match.

Remarkably loud for a Bluetooth speaker, the Esquire is designed as much for the office as for the home. Its clear, high-quality audio is just as happy tackling conference calls as blaring whatever tunes you choose to annoy your colleagues with. It’s certainly in another league from the sub-$200 speakers that come through the T3 office on a weekly basis.

The Esquire also looks outstanding, with Harman/ Kardon appearing to have taken some tips from Apple’s designs. A chiselled edge echoes the design of the iPhone 5S and the speaker is reassuringly heavy, but not to the point that it might become an inconvenience.

The 10-hour battery and handsome carry case top it all off very nicely indeed.