The Bar that Looks as Good as it Sounds

Funny how people have different priorities.

I have a very nice soundbar connected to my TV. Not only is it one of the best-sounding models available but it also connects wirelessly to a pair of surround-sound satellite speakers, resulting in a fairly premium home-theatre experience.

Pretty sweet, right?

Domestic Manager hates it. The soundbar is quite large. In fact it's so tall it partially obscures the very bottom of our TV screen. I mean the very bottom... like probably not even a centimetre. Given half the stuff we watch is in wide format anyway, it doesn't even make a difference - all it's blocking is a tiny section of blank screen.

Still, I suppose she has a point.

That's the first thing the Harman/Kardon Citation Multibeam 1100 has completely sorted; it's much flatter. To be honest, it's a fantastic-looking device all round. Even the Domestic Manager thinks so. Not only does it nestle in comfortably below my low-standing telly, it's completely encased in cosy Kvardrat real-wool fabric - Winter Grey or Classic Black - it doesn't just look amazing, it feels amazing too.

I particularly dig the asymmetrical style of the speaker cones at each end, resembling some kind of fighter jet-engine or perhaps a rocket booster from exactly the kind of sci-fi movies I enjoy watching and listening to with my home theatre.

But before we get to how the Citation 1100 sounds, let's talk setup - or lack of it anyway. More often than not it's pretty common to require a smartphone and an app to set up anything; especially AV gear. Hey - no problem; I'm a tech guy and if one bit of tech requires another bit of tech to get it going, as far as I'm concerned that just makes the process more fun.

Again, this is something the Domestic Manager and I don't really see eye-to-eye on. She just wants an on switch and an off switch (preferably the same switch) and expects the device in question to "just work" in the meantime. In 2022, that's probably not such an unreasonable request. So that's exactly what the Citation 1100 does. Of course there are a few tweaks you can make and we'll get to those but I plugged it in, connected my TV via the HDMI(eARC) input and I was instantly up and running - and sounding damn good actually.

However, if you 'd like to sound even damn gooder, there are certainly options. What's more, refreshingly, these controls are available on the remote, as well as on the soundbar itself, via the small but bright and clear LCD touch-screen, situated top and centre. I'd usually claim I'm no fan of light-up displays on soundbars on the grounds they're far too distracting on a device that's literally sitting in front of your TV. I make an exception for the small display on the Citation 1100 for two reasons; a) because it's recessed into the top of the soundbar you don't really notice it from across the room and b) it's actually really useful.

You can use this screen to connect and select external sources; either hardlined via HDMI or wireless through bluetooth, Chromecast or Apple AirPlay. Even Alexa Multi-Room Music (MRM) is built in so there's pretty much nothing this speaker won't connect to. Whatever streaming service you subscribe to, you'll be able to play it through the Citation 1100.

You can also adjust bass and treble, turn Dolby Atmos and surround sound off and on but perhaps most helpfully of all, you can run a quick calibration test. This fires weird noises in different directions around the room and sets up the speakers accordingly, in effect providing the perfect soundscape, unique to your particular listening environment.

I've done this kind of thing with other sound systems before but it often requires a particular type of phone or in some cases, even a separate, plug-in microphone accessory. The Citation 1100 does it with the push of an icon on the screen or a button on the remote. Too easy.

And the results speak for themselves; literally. Apart from anything else, the speech-enhancement abilities of the Citation 1100's central speakers are very effective, raising the intelligibility levels of Chris Pratt's mumblings in Terminal List from about 10% to being able to understand almost every second thing he says. A true sonic miracle.

Seriously though, the eleven drivers that are packed into this premium piece of hardware do an incredible job of creating a sense of space and height - yes, there are also upward-firing speakers to achieve the 3D effects that make things like gunfights and explosions so much more convincing.

With a total speaker output of 630W, this is a powerful soundstage indeed, with plenty of bottom-end and excellent clarity. Admittedly, you're still going to struggle to get truly discernable separation between left and right - especially in a big room like the one I have it set up in; Harman/Kardon's beamforming tech is pretty crazy but it isn't actual magic. Luckily you have the option of pairing with Citation surrounds and compatible subwoofers for a genuine home theatre experience, although I haven't had the opportunity to do so here.

There's also all the hardware you need for wall-mounting the Citation 1100 included in the box.

When I review a soundbar, no matter how good it is, I'm generally pretty keen to reconnect my usual home theatre so I can once again enjoy the big bass and 3D surround-sound effects I've grown used to. This time, oddly, I'm not really in such a hurry to change back. That's how effectively the Citation 1100 manages to throw its sound pictures around the room. It's also very easy to use (controlled via my usual remote over the HDMI (eARC connection) and of course best of all, Domestic Manager thinks it looks just great.

    

Click here for more information on the Harman/Kardon Citation Multibeam 1100.