Harman Kardon 1100 guide

Like the adage of judging a book by its cover, trying to guess what a soundbar sounds like from its appearance would likely prove an unsuccessful endeavour, mainly because the vast majority of these linear home cinema speakers all look pretty much the same.

But after clapping eyes and ears on the elegantly built but cumbersomely named Harman Kardon Citation Multibeam 1100 Dolby Atmos soundbar for the first time, we can’t help but have a small Catchphrase Roy Walker epiphany of, “Say what you see!” after we realise that this streamlined, minimal and tasteful speaker sounds just as it looks.

Harman Kardon Citation Multibeam 1100 review: Multi-talented

BY

JOHN ARCHER

UPDATED APR 22, 2023

The Harman Kardon Citation Multibeam 1100 is a good-looking, great-sounding Atmos soundbar that makes the most of movies and music. Read our full review.

The Citation Multibeam 1100 is far from Harman Kardon's first soundbar rodeo. As well as launching a well received but fairly budget model, the Citation 700, back in 2020, it racked up extensive soundbar experience through its long-running relationship with Samsung's soundbar division. However, the Citation Multibeam 1100 is the first really serious soundbar to be released under Harman Kardon's own name.

There's a problem with Harman Kardon's ambitions for the Citation Multibeam 1100, though. Namely that its £800 price throws it right into the ring alongside multiple highly acclaimed rivals like Sonos Arc and Bowers & Wilkins Panorama 3. Can the Citation Multibeam 1100 stand out in such an accomplished crowd?

Harman Kardon Citation Multibeam 1100

The Harman Kardon Citation Multibeam 1100 might have a long-winded name, but everything about its looks and performance is crisp, sharp and to the point. Its power, dynamics, projection and detailing are a revelation with film soundtracks for such an elegantly designed soundbar, while it gets one up on the vast majority of other good-for-movies soundbars by also adapting its talents brilliantly for music.

Combining power, elegance and musicality, the Harman Kardon Citation Multibeam 1100 is an excellent standalone soundbar

While Harman Kardon hasn’t exactly been prolific with its own-brand soundbars to date, it’s got plenty of soundbar history thanks to its role in helping Samsung develop multiple outstanding models over the past few years.

This experience is clearly in play with the Harman Kardon Citation Multibeam 1100’s ability to deliver film soundtracks with more power, detail and dynamic range than you’d think possible from such a refined-looking and compact single soundbar solution.

Crucially, the Multibeam 1100’s Harman Kardon branding seems to have given it more freedom to explore its musical side. This capability makes it a worthy rival to the numerous other soundbars in its price bracket, including the legendary Sonos Arc.