A new Google Assistant powered luxury smart speaker, the Citation 500, has been unveiled by the Samsung owned speaker manufacturer Harman Kardon.
Filling the high end of the table-top speaker market, the Citation 500 is a 200W High Definition audio streaming device, with support for 24Bit/96Khz audio streaming.
Consumers will have a choice between two designs, coming in either black or grey wool covers designed by European textile manufacturer Kvadrat.
Being Google Assistant enabled gives the Citation 500 access to smart home controls, music streaming, the full range of third party Google Assistant apps and Chromecast support.
Connections with the speakers can be made either over Bluetooth or Wi-Fi and all display information can be viewed on a top mounted colour LCD panel.
President of Listyle Audio at Harman, Michael Mauser, discussed quality when announcing the device “Our unprecedented audio legacy matched with the Kvadrat’s premium textiles has allowed us to develop this unique smart home speaker.
“Consumers today are looking for superior sound and superior design and with the Citation 500, that’s exactly what they’ll get,”
“We’re delighted that the Citation 500 has been recognised by EISA [the Expert Imaging and Sound Association]”.
The smart speaker will be available for pre-order in Europe as of the end of September for £549. The Australian price and release date is yet to be announced.
