Harman Kardon BT

Bottom line

When it comes to Bluetooth headphones, reviewers agree that you'd be hard pressed to find a better performer with music than the Harman Kardon BT. Sound quality is crisp and clear, with good, rich bass. Comfort is first rate and build quality is superb. Styling is different, so it might not appeal to everyone. If you want a Bluetooth headset primarily for making phone calls, there are cheaper options that perform better in that role.

Performance

Music lovers have lots to cheer about. Most Bluetooth headphones disappoint when it comes to music performance, but that's where the Harman Kardon BT shines. PCMag.com gives it an Editors' Choice award for its "powerful Bluetooth wireless audio performance" and CNET rates it 4 stars out of 5, calling it "one of the best-sounding Bluetooth headphones available."

Bluetooth is Bluetooth, however, and the Harman Kardon BT can't perform miracles with the audio limitations of that technology. Even so, sound quality is crisp and clear, although perhaps a little bass heavy. Support for aptX, which is said to improve Bluetooth audio quality, is built in, but few devices are compatible thus far.

This Bluetooth stereo headphone ships with a connector cable for when wireless operation isn't a must. Britain's What Hi-Fi? tests the wired link and finds that the Harman Kardon BT's already impressive audio becomes punchier and more powerful. While the headphone works well enough for phone calls in general, the outbound call quality doesn't meet some reviewers' expectations.

Comfort

Mighty ear-huggers. The inclusion of two adjustable headbands of different sizes ensures that the Harman Kardon BT stereo Bluetooth headphones will fit most users. The headbands are made of a steel outer band and a leather inner band. PCMag.com says, "The unique metallic headband auto-adjusts the leather padded headband it attaches to, so the headphones seem to immediately fit themselves to the contour of your skull."

CNET's David Carnoy finds the headphones "a tad weighty," but editors at What Hi-Fi? say "despite all that steel, they're not very heavy." The square ear cups are on the large size to accommodate those with large ears, and the ear pads use memory foam for enhanced fit and a better seal against outside sounds. Build quality is top-notch, critics agree.

Value

Superior sound with a few downsides. Good build quality and impressive sound performance make the Harman Kardon BT stereo Bluetooth headphone worth the expense, say most reviewers. A carrying case is included, but the BT is a bit bulky to be the perfect mobile companion. The design also won't be everyone's cup of tea. But if the best Bluetooth music performance you can buy is a must-have, the Harman Kardon BT should be at the top of your shopping list.