The Harman Kardon Citation Multibeam 1100 has been making waves in the home audio market regarding premium soundbars. Renowned for its blend of cutting-edge technology, elegant design, and high-quality audio performance, this soundbar promises an immersive sound experience for home theater enthusiasts. But does it live up to the hype? This in-depth analysis will examine every facet of the Citation Multibeam 1100, including its features, design, audio quality, and overall worth.

What is the Harman Kardon Citation Multibeam 1100?

The Harman Kardon Citation Multibeam 1100 is a premium soundbar designed for home audio enthusiasts who seek a combination of advanced technology, high-quality audio, and elegant design. With features like Dolby Atmos and DTS:X, it delivers an immersive 3D sound experience using its 11 drivers and proprietary MultiBeam technology. Its sleek build, wrapped in Kvadrat fabric, complements modern decor, while innovative functionalities like built-in Google Assistant, Amazon Alexa, Chromecast, and AirPlay 2 make it a versatile hub for entertainment and home automation. Supporting powerful sound output and multi-room audio, the Citation Multibeam 1100 seamlessly integrates into existing innovative ecosystems, providing a top-tier soundbar option for cinematic and everyday use.

Design and Build Quality

The first thing that strikes you about the Harman Kardon Citation Multibeam 1100 is its sophisticated design. Wrapped in premium Kvadrat fabric, the soundbar exudes a luxurious aesthetic that seamlessly blends into modern living spaces. The construction is strong and long-lasting, and the build quality is similarly excellent. Its contemporary, minimalist look appeals to style-conscious buyers who want their audio equipment to complement their home decor.

Key Design Features

• Slim and Compact Profile: Measuring 1150mm in width, the soundbar fits nicely under most TVs without obstructing the screen. Despite its slender design, its powerful performance makes it an ideal choice for living rooms and home theaters.
• Touch-Sensitive Controls: The top panel features intuitive touch controls, offering quick access to essential functions like volume and playback. The controls are responsive and easy to use, enhancing the user experience.
• Multiple Connectivity Options: The rear panel is neatly arranged with HDMI ports, optical input, and more, ensuring a clutter-free setup. This thoughtful design makes installation seamless, even for those with limited technical expertise.

The Citation Multibeam 1100’s overall design perfectly balances form and function. Whether mounted on a wall or placed on a TV stand, its elegant appearance adds a touch of sophistication to any space.

Aesthetic Appeal in Various Settings

Beyond its sleek appearance, the soundbar is designed to blend seamlessly into different home environments. The Kvadrat fabric enhances its visual appeal and improves sound transparency, allowing audio to flow without obstruction. The neutral color options ensure the device complements various decor styles, from minimalist to contemporary. Because of its small size may fit into larger living rooms, apartments, or condos without taking up too much area.

Audio Performance

At the heart of the Citation Multibeam 1100 is Harman Kardon’s proprietary MultiBeam technology, designed to deliver room-filling sound. The soundbar supports Dolby Atmos and DTS:X, two of the most advanced audio formats for creating a 3D soundscape. These features ensure that the sound surrounds you and immerses you from every angle.

Key Audio Features:

• Dolby Atmos & DTS:X Support: These formats provide a realistic and immersive audio experience by simulating height and surround effects. The result is a cinema-like atmosphere that brings your favorite movies and shows to life.
• 11 Drivers for Dynamic Sound: The soundbar has 11 high-performance drivers, including dedicated up-firing speakers for height effects. These drivers combine to produce precise, balanced sound with exceptional detail.
• 240W Total Power Output: The powerful output ensures clear dialogue, impactful bass, and vibrant sound across the frequency spectrum. The soundbar delivers with precision, whether it’s subtle background music or thunderous explosions.

Real-World Performance

The Citation Multibeam 1100 offers remarkable clarity and depth whether viewing an action-packed film or taking in a live performance. Dialogue is crisp and easy to understand, even in complex scenes with overlapping sound effects. The bass is punchy and well-defined, adding an extra layer of excitement to action sequences. The soundstage is vast, and the MultiBeam technology does a commendable job of creating a surround sound effect even without rear speakers.

This soundbar offers an unparalleled audio experience for audiophiles and casual listeners alike that elevates any entertainment setup.

Enhanced Immersion for Gamers and Music Enthusiasts

For gamers, the Citation Multibeam 1100 adds an extra dimension to the gaming experience. Explosions feel more impactful, and environmental sounds come alive, allowing players to immerse themselves in virtual worlds fully. Music lovers will appreciate the soundbar’s ability to handle a wide range of genres, from bass-heavy tracks to classical compositions, with equal finesse. The clarity and balance across frequencies ensure a pleasurable listening experience for all types of audio content.

Smart Features and Connectivity

The Harman Kardon Citation Multibeam 1100 is not just about great sound; it also comes loaded with innovative features that make it a versatile addition to your home. These features enhance usability and integrate seamlessly with modern smart home ecosystems.

Smart Features:

• Built-in Google Assistant and Amazon Alexa: You may use voice assistants to control playback, change settings, and even operate smart home appliances without using your hands. Because of this capability, the soundbar may be a handy central location for all your home automation and entertainment requirements.
• Wi-Fi and Bluetooth Connectivity: Easily stream music from your tablet or smartphone with well-known services like Tidal, Apple Music, and Spotify. The wireless connectivity ensures a hassle-free experience without the clutter of additional cables.
• Chromecast and AirPlay 2 Support: These features enable seamless integration with Apple and Android ecosystems for multi-room audio. Whether hosting a party or relaxing with a podcast, you can synchronize your music across multiple devices.

Multi-Room Capabilities

The Citation Multibeam 1100 supports Chromecast and AirPlay 2, allowing you to connect it with other compatible speakers for seamless audio synchronization throughout your home. This feature makes it ideal for building a unified multi-room audio setup.

Innovative features like these add convenience and future-proof the soundbar, ensuring it remains compatible with emerging technologies.

Future-Proofing with Regular Updates

Harman Kardon ensures that the Citation Multibeam 1100 stays relevant by providing regular firmware updates. These updates not only fix bugs but also introduce new features and enhance compatibility with emerging technologies. This commitment to improvement ensures that the soundbar remains a valuable part of your smart home ecosystem for years.

Setup and User Experience

The comprehensive instruction manual and the intuitive Harman Kardon app make setting up the Citation Multibeam 1100 straightforward. The soundbar features HDMI eARC, streamlining connectivity by enabling both audio and video signals to transmit through a single cable. This setup ensures high-quality audio and eliminates the need for multiple connections.

User Experience Highlights:

• Auto Calibration: The soundbar features an auto-calibration function that adjusts the sound profile based on your room’s acoustics. This feature optimizes performance for any space, ensuring consistent audio quality.
• Touch and App Control: You can control the soundbar via touch controls, the included remote, or the Harman Kardon app, offering flexibility and convenience. The app is user-friendly, with a clean interface that makes customization simple.
• Quick Integration: The initial setup process is quick and easy, even for non-tech-savvy users. The soundbar automatically detects connected devices and adjusts its settings accordingly.

The Citation Multibeam 1100 is designed with user experience in mind, making it accessible to a wide range of users. Whether you’re a tech enthusiast or a first-time soundbar owner, the setup process is hassle-free.

Pros and Cons

Pros:

• Immersive Sound Quality: Dolby Atmos and MultiBeam technology create a captivating listening experience, making every scene and song come to life.
• Premium Design: The Kvadrat fabric and sleek build make it a stylish addition to any room. Its modern aesthetics appeal to buyers who value both form and function.
• Innovative Features: Voice assistant integration and multi-room capabilities enhance its versatility. These features make it more than just a soundbar—it’s a smart home hub.
• Broad Compatibility: Works seamlessly with various streaming platforms and smart home ecosystems. This compatibility ensures the soundbar integrates effortlessly with your existing setup.

Cons:

• No Dedicated Subwoofer Included: While the bass is good, a separate subwoofer would enhance the low-end performance further. This omission may disappoint bass enthusiasts.
• Premium Price Tag: The Citation Multibeam 1100 is expensive, which may deter budget-conscious buyers. Nevertheless, its features and performance make the price worthwhile for individuals prioritizing premium quality.
• Learning Curve for Smart Features: Some users may need help with the initial setup and integration with voice assistants. However, the comprehensive manual and app support mitigate this issue.

Comparisons with Competitors

To better understand the value proposition of the Harman Kardon Citation Multibeam 1100, let’s compare it with two popular competitors: the Sonos Arc and the Bose Smart Soundbar 900.

Sonos Arc:

• Strengths: Exceptional Dolby Atmos performance and seamless integration with the Sonos ecosystem. Its app is highly intuitive and offers robust customization options.
• Weaknesses: It has a higher price point and limited connectivity options compared to the Citation Multibeam 1100. It also needs some of the innovative features that the Citation offers.

Bose Smart Soundbar 900:

• Strengths: Its sound profile is balanced, and it supports Alexa and Google Assistant. Its sleek and modern design appeals to style-conscious buyers.
• Weaknesses: Lacks Chromecast and AirPlay 2 support, available on the Citation Multibeam 1100. This limitation may be a dealbreaker for users invested in those ecosystems.

Who Should Buy the Harman Kardon Citation Multibeam 1100?

The Citation Multibeam 1100 is ideal for:

• Home Theater Enthusiasts: Its Dolby Atmos and DTS:X capabilities make it perfect for creating a cinematic experience. It delivers immersive sound that rivals traditional surround sound systems.
• Style-Conscious Buyers: The sleek and modern design fits well with contemporary decor. Its premium look ensures it enhances the aesthetics of any room.
• Tech-Savvy Users: With innovative features and multi-room audio, it’s an excellent choice for those who value convenience and integration. Its future-proof design ensures compatibility with upcoming technologies.

However, if you’re on a tight budget or require a soundbar with a dedicated subwoofer out of the box, you should explore other options.

Competitor Comparison Table

Feature/Model	Harman Kardon Citation Multibeam 1100	Sonos Arc	Bose Smart Soundbar 900
Audio Format Support	Dolby Atmos, DTS:X	Dolby Atmos	Dolby Atmos
Number of Drivers	11	11	9
Smart Assistant Support	Google Assistant, Alexa	Alexa, Google Assistant	Alexa, Google Assistant
Connectivity	Wi-Fi, Bluetooth, HDMI eARC	Wi-Fi, HDMI eARC	Wi-Fi, Bluetooth, HDMI eARC
Multi-Room Audio	Chromecast, AirPlay 2	Sonos Ecosystem	Bose Music App
Price Range	High	High	High

FAQs

Does the Citation Multibeam 1100 support voice assistants?

Yes, it has built-in Google Assistant and Amazon Alexa for voice control.

Can I use this soundbar with my existing smart home ecosystem?

Absolutely. The Citation Multibeam 1100 supports Chromecast and AirPlay 2 and integrates with smart home ecosystems for seamless functionality.

Is a subwoofer included with the soundbar?

No, the soundbar does not include a dedicated subwoofer, but it delivers impressive bass and can be paired with a separate subwoofer for enhanced performance.

What differentiates it from competitors like Sonos Arc or Bose Smart Soundbar 900?

The Citation Multibeam 1100 offers features like Chromecast and AirPlay 2 for superior multi-room audio capabilities, making it more versatile for specific users.

How easy is it to set up the Citation Multibeam 1100?

Thanks to HDMI eARC compatibility and the intuitive Harman Kardon app, the setup is straightforward. It also includes an auto-calibration feature for optimal performance.

Conclusion

The Harman Kardon Citation Multibeam 1100 is a stellar soundbar that combines premium design, advanced technology, and robust audio performance. Its ability to deliver an immersive sound experience without additional speakers is commendable. While it’s not the most affordable option, its feature set and performance justify the investment for those seeking high-quality audio and innovative functionality.

If you’re looking for a top-tier soundbar that offers a blend of style, sound, and innovative features, the Harman Kardon Citation Multibeam 1100 is a strong contender. Its versatility and performance make it a worthy addition to any home entertainment setup.