Harman Kardon

Origins of Harman Kardon

Harman Kardon, founded in 1953 by Sidney Harman and Bernard Kardon in New York City, initially focused on designing and manufacturing high-end audio components such as amplifiers, tuners, and speakers. The company’s first product was an FM tuner, and one year after its founding, it introduced the Festival D-1000 receiver, which was the world’s first integrated hi-fi receiver. This product set new standards for audio quality and quickly gained recognition for its innovative design and high fidelity performance.

While Harman Kardon is well-known for its speakers, headphones, and other audio equipment, the company has not traditionally been known for manufacturing turntables. The company’s early focus was more on amplifiers, tuners, and integrated receivers rather than standalone turntable production. However, Harman Kardon has been involved in the broader audio industry, including the development of noise-reduction devices and other audio technologies that could indirectly support turntable usage.

Harman Kardon’s commitment to quality and innovation has been a hallmark of the company since its inception, and it has expanded its product line to include a wide range of audio equipment over the years.