Top positive review
5.0 out of 5 starsIt sounds as good as it looks as good as it gets...
Reviewed in the United States on June 11, 2014
First time Amazon reviewer because: (1) there seems to be a lack of info on the net about this product, and (2) I love this thing.
Appearance: 5 Stars
The Aura is a work of art, truly. If you were ever impressed by the neat-looking bass unit of the H/K Soundsticks then you will be blown away by this. The globe-like, glass-like, tube (reminds me of those classic tube amps in a way) glows brilliantly in low-light and creates a floating holographic ring hovering around the center opening (which I think why it is aptly named “Aura”) I could go on but I won't. If you appreciate the ascetics of your sound equipment like I do, you'll almost go for this piece on its killer looks alone.
The Sound: 5 Stars
Even before a complete break-in, the Aura sounds like a true beaut. Highs are clear and crisp and lows thunderclap your neighbors to misery. I always appreciate a tight, clean bass... and this 4.5” sub delivers. I am incredibly impressed by the Aura’s sub, and as always, it is definitely my favorite part (it sounds better than the dual 12” subs I have in my towers). I also love how you can adjust the base for “more spirited nights”. The 6, 1.5” transducers, placed in a radiating pattern to create omnidirectional sound (a very underrated aspect of this speaker might I add), generate a relievingly balanced mid to high end. I might actually go as far to say that there is a benefit in merging mid and high frequency responsibilities into a single set of transducers (as opposed to separate dedicated tweeter and mid-range drivers found in many higher-end speakers), in that it creates a smoother frequency response (I can’t prove this, just my impression by ear). I played all types of music on the Aura so far: acoustic, EDM, jazz, and they all sound great. There is a slight dip in volume for vocals, but nothing to fret about. To cut myself off, I really think H/K stepped up the innovation when designing the Aura and created a product that creates excellent sound, which alone is well worth the price tag.
Connectivity: 4
The Aura is at the forefront of audio connectivity, and the fact that it has built-in wifi makes it incredibly unique. This is my reason for choosing it over the Klipsch KMC 3, which is only Bluetooth compatible. I love the fact that I can use AirPlay to effortlessly stream my lossless music files, and the strong integration with everything Apple is a plus for me (minus for others). The problem the Aura faces is that it has perhaps TOO many connection options (Bluetooth, AUX, Optical, wifi x3). You can connect to wifi using 3 different methods, which can be confusing. By maximizing the number of connection inputs, I think H/K muddled with connection fidelity. Using my iPhone 5S, Bluetooth works flawlessly, but I experienced some problems with wifi cutting out more than I’d like. However, AirPlay works perfectly with my MacBook Air, so I worked around the issue by linking the Aura to my Mac, then using my iPhone’s Remote App to control my Mac’s iTunes (which is better anyway, the Remote app allows you to queue up music, whereas the Music App doesn't).
Although it would be nice if I could rely on the Aura wifi for my iPhone, it is not too big of a deal because: (1) backup— Bluetooth works perfectly, not to mention the 2 wired connection options (2) wifi with my Mac works fine and (3) the USB port in the back holds promise of an inevitable firmware update which could solve the problem entirely. In sum, the connectivity is not a deal breaker for the Aura, despite what you might have read from other reviewers.
User-Friendliness: 4
As mentioned previously, connecting can take a second because of the several options, but download the user manual at harmankardon.com (which isn’t included in the packaging for some reason) and even the simple could probably figure it out. Users are directed to download the optional H/K remote app (not to be confused with Apple’s Remote App mentioned earlier), which is pretty bunk. The only feature I use it for is to control the Aura bass, though it would be nice, but not expected, to do some EQ as well. H/K should probably take a close hard look at their app, but like I said, it is not necessary at all in order to enjoy the Aura.
Summary: 4.5
The Aura the best compact speaker system I’ve owned, coming in at a pint-size with good looks, great sound, with up-to-date tech capabilities. Though with a few quirks around its connectivity and user-friendliness, the head-turning ascetics and ear-pleasing thumps deserves the Aura far more attention than it’s gotten and a 5 star review (rounded up).