Harman Kardon MAS 102 Mini Stereo Looks Good, But $999 Good?

Luxury audio has always demanded a hefty price premium, and Harman Kardon has consistently been a major audio player in the upper-end of the conventional mid-range. For the average consumer H/K equipment is rather expensive, but there's obviously far more expensive gear out there if you go searching. At any rate, the company's new MAS 102 mini stereo system is easily one of the pricier options we've seen, but it's also extremely classy and highly styled.

Those familiar with the brand will probably recognize the motif right away. It's a tapletop system with two stereo speakers a 2x65-watt amplifier, CD player, FM radio tuner and a host of analog and digital inputs to playback music from external devices. New features include digital audio connectivity, iPod/iPhone compatibility via a Bridge III dock (available separately for purchase) and a phono input that connects directly to a turntable. We aren't really sure why the company would neglect making iPod compatibility a standard feature in 2011, but that's just the way it is.

At $999 (without the iPod Bridge III dock), only those obsessed with style will likely be interested, but it's available now if that's you.

HARMAN Unveils Harman Kardon® MAS 102, Delivers Stunning Sound from Space-Saving System
Lifestyle System Integrates Virtually Any Music Device without Compromising Audio Performance
For more information: www.harmankardon.com/MAS102

STAMFORD, Conn.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--HARMAN International Industries, Incorporated (NYSE:HAR), today announced the release of the Harman Kardon® MAS 102, a four-piece integrated system that includes an amplifier, a CD player and loudspeakers boasting the familiar Harman Kardon signature form factor.

"We know that in today's fast-paced world people are looking for convenience and ease paired with high sound quality"
Beautifully compact, the MAS 102 brings performance and style into the home for every music lover. True to the Harman Kardon brand, the integrated system features advanced loudspeakers that deliver a clean, powerful, room-filling sound experience discretely from a bookshelf or tabletop. The gorgeous speaker cabinets are easy on the eyes, with or without the speaker grille, and feature metal matrix waveguide-mounted tweeters that deliver big hi-fi sound from any location in the room.

Like its predecessors, the MAS 102 offers CD playbacks, FM radio, and a host of analog and digital inputs to playback music from external devices. New features to the system include digital audio connectivity, iPod/iPhone compatibility via a Bridge III dock (available separately for purchase) and a phono input that connects directly to a turntable. Integrating devices both old and new, the MAS 102 takes compatibility to the next level.

The speaker technology employs flat-panel mid-bass drivers and proprietary MMD® tweeters with integral waveguides delivering organic tones with enhanced stereo imaging. A 2 x 65-watt amplifier plays distortion-free sound at any listening level, and its sleek, pristine good looks integrate with any living environment.

"We know that in today's fast-paced world people are looking for convenience and ease paired with high sound quality," said David Slump, president, HARMAN Consumer Americas. "We engineer every system to employ the leading technologies to make music and entertainment experiences truly come alive, and the MAS 102 delivers that in a spectacular compact system."

Features and Specifications

Complete integration using the performance of separate components with the ease of use of a single integrated system
Fully compatible with iPod/iPhone, MP3 and WMA, CD-R and CD-RW discs
Advanced loudspeakers feature custom 5-inch (130mm) mid-bass drivers and 1-inch (25mm) MMD® dome tweeters
Clock includes a sleep timer and dual alarms
Includes full navigation IR remote control
Phono input allows connection to turntables
Elegant and pristine design and compact in size
Pricing and Availability

The Harman Kardon MAS 102 complete, integrated audio system is available now for $999 at www.harmankardon.com/MAS102