Harmon Kardon GLA-55 Glass Computer Speakers Are Horrendously Expensive

Harmon Kardon have been known for putting out some unusually shaped speakers in the past, but we can't help but think that the company have gone slightly too far with their GLA-55 system.  A two-piece setup intended to look like chunks of ice, the Harmon Kardon GLA-55 pairs the company's Atlas woofers and CMMD tweeters for what they claim is the best sound out of 2.0 speakers.

You'd hope so, too, since the GLA-55 also come with a £749.99 ($1,245) price tag.  That seems more than a little high, considering you don't even get a separate subwoofer.  We'll usually give computer speakers the benefit of the doubt, but at that sort of money we'd be looking at standalone amps and a decent set of regular speakers.

That sort of setup would probably be more flexible in terms of connectivity, too – from the sound of things the GLA-55 only has standard line-in stereo inputs.  Still, they're striking and a little more portable (though we'd be concerned about accidentally chipping the glass).

Press Release:

Harman Kardon Unveils The Coolest Speakers Ever Made!

Harman Kardon's breathtakingly beautiful new GLA-55 high-end speaker system is now available to purchase in the UK. After much hype and expectation, the ice-cool speaker system has finally arrived, just in time to provide the ultimate gift for Christmas.

This eagerly-anticipated two-piece speaker system provides the perfect mix of cutting-edge style and impeccable sonic performance. Whilst boasting striking good looks in the form of a stylised clear glass design, the GLA-55 also packs a high-impact audio punch. Crisp soundscapes are delivered through the system's powerful AtlasTM woofers and crystal-clear CMMD® tweeters. The GLA-55 speaker system combines art and science to deliver the ultimate audio solution for desktop computers, laptops and portable media players.

The GLA-55 is arguably now the best 2.0 speaker system available and excitement has been mounting since the concept was first unveiled at IFA. The design and sonic performance of the speakers have been tweaked to perfection to deliver the ultimate audio experience.

The GLA-55 system has a retail price of £749.99 and can be purchased from Apple in the UK.

About the GLA-55 speaker system

The GLA-55 features many proprietary technologies to provide the highest quality sound possible; including:

· Atlas AL and CMMD Transducers – The CMMD drivers provide accurate high frequencies, but are capable of low-frequency extension to four octaves; the Atlas AL drivers are capable of nearly 2,5 cm peak-to-peak travel for tight, accurate bass reproduction. Their pairing provides a full, rich frequency response, from the lowest bass to highest highs.

· Slipstream Port Design – The GLA-55 port minimizes boundary layer separation, providing high-output bass with low distortion.

· COE (Computer-Optimized Equalization) – The system equalization is computer-optimized to provide a rich, complete soundstage over a wide range of listening positions.

· OCT (Optimized Compression Topology) – The GLA-55 system utilizes a proprietary compression technology to ensure clean, accurate sound at high output levels.

· The Harman Kardon GLA-55 system is compatible with desktop computers (all platforms), laptops and MP3 and portable media players. In clear with chrome accents.