Introduction – Harman Kardon’s Bold Move Into Sonos Territory
In 2025, Harman Kardon made a decisive move in the premium home audio space with the launch of the Enchant Series — a family of Dolby Atmos-enabled soundbars, wireless speakers, and subwoofers. This lineup isn’t just an incremental update; it’s a direct challenge to Sonos, a brand long dominant in multi-room and immersive audio.
With its combination of advanced formats, open streaming compatibility, and competitive pricing, the Harman Kardon Enchant Series is designed to appeal to both tech enthusiasts and casual listeners who demand flexibility and premium sound.
The Harman Kardon Enchant Series Lineup
Enchant 1100: The Flagship Dolby Atmos Soundbar
The Enchant 1100 is the crown jewel of the lineup. This 5.1.2-channel Dolby Atmos soundbar packs 11 custom-tuned drivers and 315 watts of RMS power. It supports DTS:X, making it compatible with more Blu-ray and streaming content than many competitors, and is Roon Ready for high-resolution music streaming. With a frequency range from 52 Hz to 20 kHz, it delivers rich bass and crystal-clear detail without needing a separate subwoofer.
Enchant 900: Compact, Powerful, and Perfect for Smaller Spaces
For those in apartments or medium-sized living rooms, the Enchant 900 offers 9 drivers, 195 watts of RMS power, and a frequency range from 60 Hz to 20 kHz. While it skips DTS:X and Roon certification, it retains Dolby Atmos, Harman Kardon’s MultiBeam™ technology, and full streaming support.
Enchant Speaker: Flexible Multi-Room Audio
A versatile wireless speaker that works alone or as part of a surround system with the Enchant soundbars. Ideal for expanding into other rooms or creating a full home theater without complicated wiring.
Enchant Sub: Wireless Bass Reinforcement
This subwoofer integrates seamlessly with either soundbar, adding deep, room-shaking bass that brings movies and music to life without cable clutter.
Immersive Audio Technologies in the Enchant Series
Dolby Atmos for 3D Soundscapes
Dolby Atmos creates a three-dimensional sound field, placing audio elements above, around, and behind the listener for a truly cinematic experience.
MultiBeam™ Audio for Room-Filling Sound
Harman Kardon’s proprietary MultiBeam technology uses beamforming to bounce audio off walls, creating a wider, more immersive soundstage without requiring additional rear speakers.
DTS:X Support – A Feature Sonos Doesn’t Offer
The flagship Enchant 1100 includes DTS:X decoding, giving it compatibility with a broader range of high-definition audio sources, especially physical media like UHD Blu-ray discs.
Roon Ready for High-Resolution Music Streaming
Being Roon Ready allows the Enchant 1100 to integrate with audiophile-grade streaming setups, delivering studio-quality sound for music lovers.
Detailed Specifications and Connectivity
Power and Frequency Response
- Enchant 1100: 315W RMS, 52 Hz–20 kHz
- Enchant 900: 195W RMS, 60 Hz–20 kHz
Driver Configurations
- 1100: 11 drivers for precise sound imaging
- 900: 9 drivers for space-efficient yet immersive audio
Streaming and App Support
Both models support AirPlay, Chromecast, Spotify Connect, and Tidal Connect, offering more streaming flexibility than many competitors.
HDMI Passthrough and Gaming Benefits
With HDMI eARC and HDMI In, both soundbars allow passthrough for 4K HDR video and uncompressed Dolby Atmos audio — a major plus for gamers who want low-latency, high-fidelity sound.
Harman Kardon Enchant vs Sonos Arc
While the Sonos Arc is celebrated for its TruePlay room calibration, minimalist design, and strong multi-room ecosystem, it has notable limitations:
- No DTS:X support
- No HDMI passthrough
- No Bluetooth audio input
- Closed streaming ecosystem
Harman Kardon directly addresses these gaps with the Enchant Series, offering greater format compatibility, more connection options, and an open platform for streaming.
Feature Comparison Table: Enchant 1100 vs Sonos Arc
| Feature | Harman Kardon Enchant 1100 | Sonos Arc |
|---|---|---|
| Dolby Atmos | Yes | Yes |
| DTS:X | Yes | No |
| HDMI Passthrough | Yes | No |
| Bluetooth Streaming | Yes | No |
| Chromecast Built-in | Yes | No |
| TruePlay Room Tuning | No | Yes |
| Roon Ready | Yes | No |
| Price (approx.) | £849 | £999 |
Buying Considerations for 2025
Choosing Between the Enchant 1100 and 900
Pick the Enchant 1100 if you want DTS:X, Roon compatibility, and the most immersive sound. Choose the Enchant 900 if you need a smaller footprint but still want Dolby Atmos and high-quality audio.
Best Use Cases for Movie Lovers, Audiophiles, and Gamers
- Movie Lovers: The Enchant 1100 delivers cinematic impact with both Dolby Atmos and DTS:X.
- Audiophiles: Roon Ready certification makes the 1100 a genuine hi-fi music device.
- Gamers: HDMI passthrough ensures low-latency visuals and immersive game audio.
Room Size and Aesthetic Choices
- Small to Medium Rooms: Enchant 900
- Large Living Spaces: Enchant 1100 paired with the Enchant Sub for maximum depth
Click here to know more on its official website
Why the Harman Kardon Enchant Series Is a 2025 Standout
The Enchant Series represents a shift in the high-end soundbar market. For years, consumers had to choose between closed, streamlined ecosystems like Sonos or complex multi-speaker setups. Harman Kardon has bridged the gap, offering a feature-packed, flexible, and premium-sounding alternative that doesn’t lock you into a single brand’s ecosystem.
With Dolby Atmos, MultiBeam™, DTS:X, Roon Ready support, HDMI passthrough, and wide streaming compatibility, the Enchant Series has set a new benchmark for what a modern soundbar should deliver.
If you’re looking for a Sonos Arc alternative in 2025, this is one of the most compelling options available.
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