The Harman/Kardon Enchant 1300 is a 5.0 soundbar that's advertised to have 13 channels, but it really has a mix of 13 speakers and tweeters. We confirmed it's a 5.0 bar through our testing files, which send signals to specific channels to determine the true number of channels. It also comes with built-in Multibeam technology that's advertised to help create a more immersive surround sound experience. Out-of-the-box, it has a slightly bass-heavy sound profile that adds some extra punch to your audio, and there are even a few sound enhancement features available to help you customize its sound. However, it struggles to reproduce a thumpy low-bass, which can be disappointing for fans of bass-heavy music and action-packed movies. You can purchase a subwoofer separately, but we don't currently test for this.
Our Verdict
The Harman/Kardon Enchant 1300 is satisfactory for mixed usage. Out-of-the-box, it has a slightly bass-heavy sound profile that adds a little extra punch to the mix while still reproducing clear and accurate vocals and dialogue. There are a few sound enhancement features to help you customize its sound, though it still struggles to reproduce a rumbling low-bass, which can be disappointing for fans of bass-heavy genres. Also, it doesn't support Dolby Atmos content, and it doesn't offer a very immersive surrounds experience.
- Gets loud.
- Bass adjustment feature.
- Doesn't support Dolby Atmos.
- Lacks low-bass.
The Harman/Kardon Enchant 1300 is very good for dialogue-centric content like TV shows. Thanks to its dedicated center channel and balanced mid-range, it can reproduce vocals clearly and accurately. There's also a dialogue enhancement feature available to help make voices sound more clear and crisp. It gets pretty loud, too, and you can easily stream podcasts from your phone to the bar wirelessly via Bluetooth, Wi-Fi, and Chromecast built-in.
- Gets loud.
- Dialogue enhancement feature.
- Bluetooth, Wi-Fi, and Chromecast built-in capabilities.
- Doesn't support Apple AirPlay.
The Harman/Kardon Enchant 1300 is good for music. Out-of-the-box, it has a slightly bass-heavy sound profile that adds a little extra punch and warmth to your audio. You can also use the bass adjustment feature as well as the EQ presets to help customize its sound more to your liking. Unfortunately, it struggles to reproduce a thumpy low-bass, which can be disappointing if you like bass-heavy genres like EDM. However, you can purchase a dedicated subwoofer separately, though we don't test for this.
- Gets loud.
- Bass adjustment feature.
- Lacks low-bass.
The Harman/Kardon Enchant 1300 is fair for movies. Out-of-the-box, it has a slightly bass-heavy sound profile that can still reproduce dialogue clearly thanks to its balanced mid-range. However, it struggles to reproduce a thumpy low-bass, so you don't feel the deep rumbles in action-packed scenes. It doesn't support Dolby Atmos content, and it doesn't have dedicated surround speakers, so surround content doesn't sound as clear and real. On the upside, it does get pretty loud.
- Gets loud.
- Bass adjustment feature.
- Doesn't support Dolby Atmos.
- Lacks low-bass.
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Differences Between Sizes And Variants
The Harman/Kardon 1300 Soundbar comes in 'Graphite', and you can see the label for the model we tested here.
If you come across another version, let us know in the discussions so we can update our review.
Popular Soundbar Comparisons
The Harman/Kardon 1300 Soundbar is a 5.0 setup that you can upgrade by purchasing a subwoofer separately. It has built-in Multibeam technology that's advertised to help create a more immersive surround sound. However, it lacks dedicated surround speakers, so it doesn't sound as clear and real as some of the other setups we've tested. It also has a room correction feature that automatically optimizes its audio reproduction based on the room you're listening in.
See also the best soundbars, the best soundbars for music, and the best soundbars for movies.
The Sonos Arc is better soundbar than the Harman/Kardon Enchant 1300. The Sonos has a more neutral sound profile out-of-the-box with a more extended low-bass. It also supports Dolby Atmos, unlike the Harman/Kardon. That said, the Harman/Kardon offers more wireless playback options, comes with three Full HDMI In ports, and supports high-quality passthrough. You can also upgrade both setups with a subwoofer, and you can also see the results for the Sonos Arc with Sub + One SL Speakers.
Depending on your listening habits, you may prefer the Harman/Kardon Enchant 1300 or the Sonos Beam (Gen 2). The Harman/Kardon gets louder with less compression at max volume. It also has more physical inputs, including a Full HDMI In port for high-quality passthrough. That said, the Sonos' better-built, more compact design may be preferable for some users. It also supports Atmos content, unlike the Harman/Kardon.
The Samsung HW-Q800A is better than the Harman/Kardon Enchant 1300. The Samsung comes with a dedicated sub that helps reproduce a more extended-low bass. Unlike the Harman/Kardon, it has built-in voice assistant capabilities and it supports Dolby Atmos content. Also, it comes with a graphic EQ to help you customize its sound. That said, the 5.0 Harman/Kardon has better soundstage and surround performances, as well as a room correction feature.
The Samsung HW-Q600A is better than the Harman/Kardon Enchant 1300. Thanks to its dedicated subwoofer, the Samsung can reproduce more of the thump and rumble in your audio. It also supports Dolby Atmos content. As for sound enhancement features, the Samsung has a graphic EQ, whereas the Harman/Kardon has room correction. That said, the 5.0 Harman/Kardon has better soundstage and surround performances.
Test Results
