Taking visual cues from Harman Kardon’s iconic SoundSticks, the $299.95 Aura Studio 4 Bluetooth speaker combines spectacular looks with a dazzling array of LED lights. It produces satisfying bass and detailed highs at loud volumes, though a lack of both smart features and modern Bluetooth support make for a mixed experience. Depending on whether you prefer Alexa or Siri, the $299 Apple HomePod (2nd Generation) or $249 Sonos Era 100 are better alternatives for their competitive sound quality, more up-to-date connectivity, and smart home support. Of course, design aficionados might be willing to overlook all of that in favor of the Aura Studio 4's more eye-catching aesthetic.
A Standout Design, But Dated Connectivity
Measuring 11.2 by 9.1 by 9.1 inches (HWD), the 7.9-pound Aura Studio 4 uses a mix of recycled materials. Specifically, Harman Kardon cites 100% recycled fabric, 100% recycled aluminum, and 85% recycled plastic. It also says that the packaging uses FSC-certified paper printed with soy-based inks.
The speaker's dark-tinted plastic dome has a subtle, concave diamond pattern at the top. In the interior of the base, LEDs sit beneath a geometric surface that mirrors the design of the exterior. It looks like an alien spaceship mixed with a jellyfish.
Beneath the plastic, a wraparound fabric grille covers an array of six outward-firing 40mm drivers—left and right audio channels get three drivers and 15W of power each. This setup creates actual stereo separation if you listen closely, though the effect is more noticeable with the satellites from the SoundSticks 4. Apple and Sonos also let you pair additional speakers for more of a stereo or surround effect. The bottom of the Aura Studio 4 includes three sturdy feet, while a 100W 130mm subwoofer delivers a sense of rumble. Combined, the drivers cover a frequency range of 45Hz to 20kHz.
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The Aura Studio 4 is compatible with the older Bluetooth 4.2 standard and supports just the default SBC codec. I could overlook this limitation if the speaker had Wi-Fi support (which would allow for high-res streaming), but Bluetooth is your sole option here. For comparison, the Apple HomePod offers Wi-Fi, while the Sonos Era 100 provides both Bluetooth 5.0 and Wi-Fi. As for codecs, the Era 100 supports the Apple-friendly AAC in addition to SBC.
If you prefer not to rely on Bluetooth, you can always plug in your source via the 3.5mm aux input in the recessed panel on the back. This mitigates the codec issue to a small degree. The power cable also attaches here—it's long enough to comfortably reach outlets near the floor from table height.
A plastic ring with capacitive touch controls sits above the cloth grille. From left to right, it includes power and Bluetooth buttons, minus and plus volume controls, and two LED buttons. The first of the two LED options cycles through various color patterns (Cloud, Fireplace, Galaxy, Polar Light, or Rainy Night), and the other adjusts the brightness level. When the speaker goes into audio standby mode after 20 minutes of inactivity, you must press the Bluetooth, plus, and minus buttons simultaneously to wake it up, which seems overly complex.
The buttons are easy to operate and quite sensitive, but I would have liked to see playback controls or at least a multifunction button. Without them, operating the speaker feels limited. The existing controls blend well with the aesthetic already, so adding more controls wouldn't be an issue from a design standpoint. I even think the dimpled area at the top of the dome could be a suitable place for such buttons.
Harman Kardon doesn't offer an app for the Aura Studio 4, so you can't make EQ tweaks. For comparison, the Sonos Era 100 works with a comprehensive app, while the HomePod benefits from iOS integrations. Even many of the portable Bluetooth speakers with LEDs I've tested, such as the Anker Soundcore Boom 2 ($129.99) and Sony SRS-XG300 ($349.99), work with apps that let you adjust the audio signature or customize the lighting effects. Keep in mind that the lack of a speakerphone (and mic) means you can't interact with voice assistants the way you can with the HomePod or Era 100.
Remarkable Lighting Effects
The Aura Studio 4 already looks cool when it’s off, but the LEDs make it a mesmerizing sight to behold. The geometric pattern of the base is a large part of the appeal, as is the textured pattern at the top of the dome. The lights also seem to do a decent job of reacting to music and shifting patterns to match the tempo of playing music. As such, this speaker is one of my favorites in terms of lighting abilities. It doesn't offer as much control as I'd like, but the LEDs still look better than those on competing models that simply build them into the side or top of their design.
The Subwoofer Takes Center Stage
I enjoy the Aura Studio 4's audio response overall, though I can't help but imagine how higher-quality codecs, Wi-Fi, or an in-app EQ could improve the experience.
On tracks with intense sub-bass content, like The Knife’s “Silent Shout,” the drivers deliver serious thunder, with exceptional power between volume levels of about 50% and 80%. The subwoofer vibrates so much that it seems like it could make contact with the surface the speaker is on, though it never does. The bass thins out slightly and digital signal processing (DSP) squashes the dynamics a bit at top volumes, but the 80% level is still plenty loud.
The Aura Studio 4 has no trouble reproducing the sub-bass at the 34-second mark of Kendrick Lamar’s “Loyalty.” However, the final note of this progression goes deeper than the subwoofer’s frequency range. The drum loop here gets some serious extra thump, while the vocals sound clear thanks to the array of six midrange drivers.
Bill Callahan’s “Drover,” a track with far less deep bass, gives us a better sense of the sound signature. The drums receive some additional depth, but are never overly thunderous—you feel the vibrations more than you hear anything super heavy. Callahan’s baritone vocals benefit from a pleasant blend of low-mid richness and crisp high-mids. Meanwhile, the acoustic strums and higher-register percussive hits are bright and snappy. It's the subwoofer that steals the show here. Sometimes you can hear subtle parts of the electric bass line, for instance, and the overall presentation is undeniably exciting. But because EQ tweaks can't help you reign in the lows, purists should look elsewhere.
On orchestral tracks, like the opening scene from John Adams’ The Gospel According to the Other Mary, the lower-register instrumentation gets some extra body, but the spotlight remains on the crisp higher-register brass, strings, and vocals. The Aura Studio 4 doesn’t invent sub-bass where it doesn’t exist like some speakers do but will dial it up substantially when it's there. Thus, even this track has moments in which the deep lows seem to pop out a little.
A Bit More Style Than Substance
The pod-like Harman Kardon Aura Studio 4 looks undeniably cool and delivers seriously impressive bass. But dated Bluetooth connectivity, somewhat limited onboard controls, and the lack of a companion app (or any extra features) hold it back. Ultimately, the Apple HomePod and the Sonos Era 100 offer more for a similar price, including excellent sound quality, hands-free voice control, and higher-quality streaming. That said, neither speaker looks as impressive as the Aura Studio 4, and considering it sounds quite good, we certainly wouldn't fault you for placing a premium on design.
The Harman Kardon Aura Studio 4 is a visually striking speaker that delivers substantial rumble, but underwhelming Bluetooth connectivity and a lack of features limit its appeal.
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