Harman Kardon HKTS 16bq Review

These days we can hardly find any person who doesn’t like or listen to music. Especially now as we live in an age of advanced technologies, there are so many devices that can help us to have an enhanced experience of music listening. And the better the sound quality your device provides, the more you feel attached to music.

And nowadays there are so many audio devices and different sound systems are available that offer the things you need for your music experience. But a question might arise that which one will be absolutely perfect for you? So in this article, we will talk about a certain surround sound system which can be really great for your home, which is the ‘Harman Kardon HKTS 16BQ’ surround sound system.

Quick Verdict of Harman Kardon HKTS 16bq 5.1

Key Features

  • A complete 5.1 channel surround system home theatre system
  • Surround set type HiFi speaker
  • Bass boost controls and phase switches for subwoofers
  • LFE (low-frequency effects) input connector
  • Compatibility with HTFS 2 floor stands
  • 1 channel version can be upgraded to version 7.1
  • Voice matched, two way and 120-watt satellite speakers
  • Combination of 5 speakers and a subwoofer
  • Energy-saving features
  • Magnetically shielded components of loudspeakers
  • Plastic is used as material
  • Usage of stereo RCA cable
  • Down firing and powerful 200-watt subwoofer
  • One of the most advanced and developed creations of Harman Kardon

Pros

  • Stunning and modern design
  • Loudspeaker components are magnetically shielded
  • Excellent energy-saving features
  • Channels can be upgraded to version 7.1
  • Have powerful and down-firing subwoofers
  • The wire management system is self-contained
  • Perfect frequency and sensitivity
  • The perfect combination of speakers and subwoofer
  • 2 years warranty

Cons

  • No Bluetooth connection among the devices
  • Bass sound can be weak sometimes
  • Non-water-resistant
  • Nonwireless subwoofer
  • No bi-wiring suitability

About the ‘Harman Kardon’ Brand

If you are an audiophile, the ‘Harman Kardon’ brand is already well known to you. This brand has produced many kinds of audio devices such as headphones, speakers, audio receivers, soundbars, etc for many years. And since their devices are mostly of really good quality, they have achieved quite an esteemed position in this sector.

They are mainly a division of Harman International and also one of the owned subsidiaries of another huge electronics brand, Samsung. Being part of such a great brand, Harman Kardon manufactures really high-quality customer-grade audio devices and equipment.

About the HKTS 16BQ

The Harman Kardon HKTS 16BQ Channel Home Theatre Speaker System is a set of nice and high performance surround speakers that work to reproduce life-like audio for whatever you watch on your TV, like your favorite movies or shows.

From every angle, this home theatre speaker system is engineered to create a long-lasting impression on you. This high-performance surround sound system includes a subwoofer of 200 watts which works very skillfully together with two-way satellite, voice-matched, and center speakers and offers you an enhanced audio realism to all the things you play on your TV.

Being available in a choice of black or white-colored finishes, the Harman Kardon HKTS 16BQ surround sound system can help you to engulf yourself into a 360-degree soundstage, as you will be able to experience a compelling and highly-capable alternative to a high-end movie multiplex.

You can enjoy the taste of a multiplex at your home with tour friends and family with the help of this home theatre speaker system.

What the Harman Kardon HKTS 16BQ offers

The Harman Kardon HKTS 16BQ home theatre consists of five voice-matched satellite loudspeakers at the center, left-right surround channels, and left-right fronts. And with them, an attention-grabbing 200-watt powered subwoofer is also included.

To make this sound system further better and convenient for you the speaker is shielded magnetically so that interference that can damage your TV can be prevented.

And all these components and features get combined to create a 360 degree and immersive surround sound environment for you. Now let’s look at the features of this surround system in a more descriptive way.

Design and Set Up Convenience

A décor friendly look is provided by the HKTS 16BQ that can complement any home theatre or entertainment center. Its contemporary design consolidates glossy black or glossy white-colored and polished surfaces and also an elegant symmetry.

All the elements of the system show connection to the rich design heritage of Harman Kardon. Virtually unlimited options for installation are offered by the unobtrusive, compact dimensions of the sound system.

And if you don’t prefer wall mounting as the method of the installation, you can use the optional HTFS 2 floor stands to set the satellite speakers of the surround sound system at the ideal ear-level listening position.

Cause the system offers compatibility with the floor stands and these stands can elegantly complement your home décor. These stands have aluminum extrusion columns and also offer a self-contained wire management system.

Even though you have to buy the stand separately, it can give you a lot of flexibility regarding the placement of the speakers.

A Complete 5.1 Channel Home Theatre System

The Harman Kardon HKTS 16BQ tries to provide everything a person needs to set up a home theatre or surround sound system. Wall mounting hardware, necessary cables, and satellite bases all are included with it.

Wall mount brackets for the center and satellite speakers and removable shelf mount stands are also included, with which the system offers great flexibility for the installation of the speakers in different locations. Also learn the right way to place your speakers at home theater.

Effective Speakers

A realistic, rich, and all-encompassing sonic performance along with convincing sound effects is ensured by the Harman Kardon HKTS 16BQ system.

As five voice-matched satellite speakers and dual 75 mm (3 inches), midrange drivers, and 13 mm (0.5 inches) high-frequency tweeters are engineered by it to work together.

These video shielded speakers can be placed anywhere near the TV as they won’t cause magnetic interference.

Good Quality and Powerful Subwoofer

The HKTS 16BQ features a down-firing a powerful 200-watt subwoofer with a 200 mm (8 inches) driver that offers an authoritative and deep low-frequency realism.

And with its help, a richness and believability are provided to the show or movie you are playing on-screen while remaining completely unimposing off-screen.

Especially while enjoying an action film, you can feel every bang, boom, crash, etc soundtrack really well and have an enhanced experience of the home theatre system.

Phase Switches and Bass Boost Control for Subwoofer

The control options of the 200-watt subwoofer of the Harman Kardon HKTS 16BQ will let you fine-tune the bass output according to the room acoustics and also your personal taste.

Also depending on the placement of the speakers, you can optimize the performance of the subwoofer with bass boost and phase switches. If the subwoofer is properly in phase with the Satellite Speakers, it can generate clear and lifelike sounds.

Especially for instruments such as piano, drums, and plucked strings. But sometimes the bass sound can also seem a bit weaker if you can’t perfectly collaborate with other speakers.

Availability for Upgrading to 7.1 Channel Version

If you want you can move beyond the all-encompassing power of the 5.1 version of channel surround sound system. For doing so, you will have to add a pair of rear channel or front height surround loudspeakers.

And then the 7.1 version channel capability of the HKTS 16BQ system will be unleashed. The 7.1 version of surround sound further elevates the impact of the entertainment experience you will have with a richer and more thorough soundstage.

Magnetically Shielded Loudspeaker Components

If the loudspeakers in a surround sound system are kept unshielded, the components of the speakers can upset the magnetic field of a conventional TV. That can result in visible color shifts and other possible long term damages.

But the loudspeaker components of the Harman Kardon HKTS 16BQ are shielded magnetically so that they won’t interfere anymore with the TV’s magnetic field. Thus they will able to give high-quality and high-performance results even while getting placed near the TV.

LFE Input Connector and Energy Saving Features

An LFE or low-frequency effects input connector is included in the HKTS 16BQ that bypasses the subwoofer’s low pass and internal crossover. For this, you can use a processor or receiver’s dedicated subwoofer output that provides enhanced low-end performance.

Furthermore, the HKTS 16BQ sound system uses low standby power consumption adhering to European guidelines. It consumes less than 1 watt of power and includes numerous energy-efficient features.

For instance, there is auto power on/ off function for which the subwoofer automatically shuts down if it receives no audio signal for 15 minutes. So this function of the subwoofer is controlled by the response of an audio input signal or a relayed voltage.

Maintaining these functions the speaker system keeps the power bill low and sound quality high.

Bearing the Legacy of Harman Kardon

Finally, the HKTS 16BQ surround sound system embodies the spirit of innovation of the Harman Kardon as it creates a balance among modern design, high style, and audio ingenuity.

And it is succeeding in a great way to maintain the legacy of the brand. This system is an advanced and developed product produced by the dedicated engineers of the brand who try their best to provide quality and durability and cater to the demands of the audiophiles. Try these amazing speakers for audiophiles.

Specs and Features Chart

Some general specs and features have been noted down in a table below, which will help you to know more about the Harman Kardon HKTS 16BQ Surround Sound System.

Physical Properties
MaterialPlastic
ColorBlack
Center SpeakerYes
Front SpeakersYes
SubwooferYes
Active SubwooferYes
Wireless SubwooferNo
Rear SpeakersYes
Subwoofer Dimension27 x 27 x 35 cm
Rear Speaker Dimension10 x 9.2 x 24.3 cm
Subwoofer Channel Number1
General Properties
HiFi Speaker TypeSurround Set
Subwoofer TypeWired
Speaker Composition5 Speakers + Subwoofer
BluetoothNo
Water ResistanceNo
Bi-wiring suitabilityNo
Cable Type accepted by Speaker ConnectorsStereo RCA Cable, Speaker Wire
Speaker Properties
Number of Speakers6
Active Speaker--
Frequency Range35 – 20000 Hz
Speaker Sensitivity86 dB
Impedance8 ohm
Per Speaker Number Speaker Units3
Placement of Bass Reflex PortRear
Speaker Audio Crossover2.5 Way
Integrated WooferNo
Integrated SubwooferYes
Integrated Mid range DriverYes
Integrated TweeterYes
Speaker Mid Range Driver Diameter75 mm
Speaker Tweeter Diameter19 mm
Speaker Subwoofer Diameter200 mm
Bass Reflex PortYes
General Information
Manufacturer CodeHKTS 16BQ/ 230
Warranty2 Years
Warranty TypeCarry-In Warranty

Expert Review

Verdict

If you want to add surround sound to the home playback system in your home, you want to do it properly in a single shot. And the Harman Kardon HKTS 16BQ surround sound system can be one of the best solutions for you as I provide as rich and real sound quality along with really amazing sound effects.

It easily fits well with any home décor and provides a long list of important features for a reasonable price. It is functioned well to not disturb the neighbors, sp you can have a great entertainment experience peacefully. So, this sound system can be a great pick for your home. Take a glance at Harman Kardon Onyx Studio 6 and 5 speakers for better understanding.