Harman Kardon has a spectacular array of audio solutions, from portable speakers to surround sound systems. The audio quality from Harman Kardon speakers is top-notch, making the brand the favorite choice for those looking for audio products.
Wi-Fi connectivity is essential for most buyers since most services are online. Harman Kardon has considered this since they have a list of speakers that can connect to the internet.
I have a Citation 300 HK speaker that was proving challenging to connect to the internet. Fortunately, I came across the user manual, which helped a lot. However, searching for answers, I realized there were other ways to connect Harman Kardon speakers to a Wi-Fi network.
Here are all the ways you can connect your HK speaker to Wi-Fi.
Key Takeaways
- Ensure your Harman Kardon speaker is equipped to connect to Wi-Fi since not all of them are.
- Harman Kardon speakers follow different methods to connect to a Wi-Fi network. Some use the Google Home app, others use the HK Controller app, and some speakers also use the WPS method.
- The Citation range is the one that uses the Google Home app
- Ensure your device has a Wi-Fi connection before connecting your speaker to the network.
- Enable the Bluetooth and Location settings on your device before connecting the speaker to Wi-Fi for a seamless process
- The speaker, your device, and the router should be close to each other to ensure the speaker has a strong connection to the Wi-Fi.
- You can connect a Harman Kardon speaker to a TV via Bluetooth, HDMI, an Optical port, or a 3.5mm auxiliary cable.
- The ports on the TV and the speaker determine which method the speaker will use to connect to the TV.
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Connecting Your Harman Kardon Speaker to Wi-Fi
Connecting your Harman Kardon speaker to Wi-Fi is among the first things you do when setting it up. The procedure can frustrate you if you do not follow the correct steps, and other speakers like the Citation models will not connect to Bluetooth unless connected to a Wi-Fi network.
Before attempting to connect a Harman Kardon speaker to a Wi-Fi network, ensure the speaker is equipped to connect to Wi-Fi.
Also, ensure you have downloaded the necessary app and your phone/tablet is connected to the Wi-Fi before connecting your speaker.
Enable your device’s Location and Bluetooth settings when connecting to a Wi-Fi network using an app.
Option 1 – Using the Harman Kardon Controller App
Harman Kardon uses the controller app to set up some speaker models. The app also helps users connect their speakers to a Wi-Fi network.
You can find the HK controller app on the App Store, while Android devices can download it from the HK website.
The Harman Kardon Controller app is used to connect HK Omni and Omni+ speakers to Wi-Fi.
If you have downloaded the app to your Android device, you have to allow your device to accept app installation from unknown sources. That is because the app is no longer available on the Play Store and only from Harman’s website for Android devices.
You can do this by following the steps below:
- Go to Settings on your Android device.
- Click on Apps, then go to Special Access.
- Then, navigate to Install Unknown apps and select the browser you used to download the app.
- Ensure Allowed from this source is selected.
Before installing the HK Controller app onto an Android device, you have to allow apps downloaded from unknown sources to install (any source other than Google Play Store is considered unknown).
Power on the Harman Kardon speaker once the app is installed on your device.
Before connecting it to Wi-Fi, you can reset the speaker if it has a reset button, like the Omni 10 and 20 speakers.
Then, ensure the phone/tablet is connected to the Wi-Fi network to which you want to connect the speaker and open the HK Controller app.
When opened, the app will automatically search for nearby Harman Kardon speakers. If the app finds the speaker, it will guide you through the appropriate connection procedure using screen prompts.
If the app does not find the speaker or you have already used the app before, follow these steps to connect the HK speaker to a Wi-Fi network.
- Select Set up New Room on the Controller app.
- Select what room the speaker will be in from the options presented by the app, i.e., living room, bedroom, kitchen, etc.
- Select the color, edit the room name on the App’s Customize page, and select Next.
- Next, select the number of speakers you will be using. I will select one in this case for illustration purposes.
- The app will ask you to power on the speaker, and the LED on the Link button should slowly flash white. Select Next
- The Controller app will search for all Harman Kardon speakers powered on and nearby.
- Select the speaker you want to connect to the Wi-Fi network, and the app will show you the available Wi-Fi networks.
- Select the network to which you want to connect the HK speaker and enter the password if prompted. The Wi-Fi network should be the same one your Android device is connected to
- The speaker is now connected to your Wi-Fi network, and you can proceed with the setup process.
HK speakers that use the Harman Kardon controller app to connect to Wi-Fi include:
- Omni Bar+
- Omni 10+
- Omni 20+
Option 2 – Using the WPS Button
Some Harman Kardon speakers have a WPS button near the speaker’s charging port. The connection method is generally found on older models of the HK speakers like the Omni 10, Omni 20, and the Onyx.
WPS stands for Wi-Fi Protected Setup, a secure way of connecting two Wi-Fi-enabled products without a password.
Your router must have the WPS feature to connect the speaker to Wi-Fi using the WPS button.
If your router doesn’t have a WPS button, you can’t setup your speaker using the WPS method.
You can connect the Harman Kardon speaker to Wi-Fi using the WPS button by following the steps below:
- Find the WPS button on the router and speaker. The button is likely labeled with the letters WPS.
- Press the WPS button on the router.
- Press the WPS button on the speaker within a minute of pressing the one on the router; otherwise, the speaker will not connect.
Press the WPS button on the bottom of the speaker after pressing the WPS button on the router.
- The LED on the speaker will start flashing rapidly, indicating that the speaker is setting up a connection. The LED will light solid once the connection is successful.
When the LED becomes solid white, your Harman Kardon speaker is connected to Wi-Fi.
The above method connects the speaker to Wi-Fi using the WPS mode, which is faster and easier since it does not require the user to key in anything on their device.
The mode is used by HK speakers that support WPS; however, some models like the Omni 10, Omni 20, and the Omni Bar support the WPS-PIN mode.
You can connect your HK speaker to Wi-Fi using this mode by following the instructions below:
- Go to your router’s setup page via a browser and access the WPS settings. The steps to do this vary depending on the router’s model.
- Press the WPS button on the HK speaker for three to six seconds
- When the router asks you to enter the WPS PIN, use 12345670 for the Omni 10, Omni 20, and 87654325 for the Omni bar
- The speaker should now be connected to your router.
Note that this only connects the speaker to a Wi-Fi network. You will have to use the HK Controller app to complete setting up the speakers with features like assigning them rooms.
Setting Up Harman Kardon Omni 10 and Connecting to Wi-Fi
Option 3 – Using the Google Home App
Newer Harman Kardon speakers, like those in the Citation series, connect to Wi-Fi via the Google Home app. Connecting the speaker to Wi-Fi using the app is less hectic, as we shall see.
To connect Harman Kardon Citation speakers to Wi-Fi, you have to use the Google Home app.
You need the following before to connect the speaker to Wi-Fi using Google Home;
- The app is available on the App Store and the Play Store
- A Google account.
Here’s what you need to do to connect an HK Citation speaker to Wi-Fi using the Google Home app:
- Power up the speaker and select its default language if it prompts you to.
Select your default language (image credit – Harman Kardon YouTube Channel)
- Open the Google Home app and grant it all permissions it asks for, then select + Create Home if you have not created one yet.
- Enter the Home’s nickname and click next.
- You can choose to enter the address or skip this step.
- Select the Home you have just created and click Next
- Then navigate Devices, select Add + then new device
- Google Home will scan for available devices, and it will find the Harman Kardon speaker, assuming it is turned on
- Click Next, then wait for the app to connect to the speaker. Accept the prompts that will pop on your screen during this time
- Your speaker should play a tone if the connection is successful so that you know you have connected to the right speaker
- There will be further prompts that you can accept or deny according to your preferences.
- The app will tell you when the speaker is connected to the Wi-Fi and ready to use.
Connecting an HK Citation speaker to Wi-Fi via the Google Home App
Setting Up a Citation Speaker – Video Tutorial
Option 4 – Wi-Fi Sharing with iOS Devices (Wired and Wireless Wi-Fi Sharing)
You can get your iOS device to share its Wi-Fi with the Harman Kardon speaker if it has a dedicated Wi-Fi button like the Aura Wireless and Onyx Wireless (not Onyx Studio speakers).
The steps to connect such speakers to Wi-Fi are:
- Ensure the speaker is on and connected to your iOS device via Bluetooth.
- Alternatively, you can connect your device to the speaker using a USB to lightning cable.
- Your phone/tablet should be connected to the same Wi-Fi network you want to connect to the speaker.
- Press the Wi-Fi button on the speaker, and a pop-up should appear on your device’s screen.
Press the Wi-Fi button on your Onyx or Aura wireless speaker.
- Select Allow on the pop-up, and you should hear a sound from the speaker. The Wi-Fi LED will also be solid white to show the successful connection.
Option 5 – Ad Hoc Method
Alternatively, you can get the HK speaker to broadcast its own Wi-Fi signal that you will use to connect the speaker to the internet. This connection method also applies to HK speakers with a dedicated Wi-Fi button, like the Onyx, Aura, and Aura Plus.
You can achieve this connection by following the steps below;
- Ensure no USB cable is connected to the speaker
- Press and hold the Wi-Fi button on the speaker for five seconds to get the speaker in Ad hoc mode
- Go to your phone’s Wi-Fi settings and find the Wi-Fi signal being broadcasted by the speaker. The signal will be something like HK_Aura**** or HK_Onyx****, i.e., the Wi-Fi name will depend on the speaker’s model.
- Open a browser and visit 192.168.1.1. This will open the speaker’s Wi-Fi setup page.
- Next, select the Wi-Fi network you want to connect the speaker to from the dropdown menu.
When the speaker’s Wi-Fi setup page appears, select your Wi-Fi network from the dropdown menu and enter your Wi-Fi password.
- Enter the Wi-Fi password, click Save, and wait for the speaker to connect to the Wi-Fi network. Note that this can take several minutes, so you should be patient.
- The speaker will play a tone once it has connected to Wi-Fi.
Connecting a Harman Kardon Speaker to a TV
Now that we know how to connect various Harman Kardon speakers to Wi-Fi, the next step is to connect the speakers to a TV.
The procedure to do this is easier compared to connecting the speaker to a Wi-Fi network.
Connecting the speaker to a TV depends on the TV’s features and the speaker’s connectivity.
Below are the various methods you can use to connect an HK speaker to a TV.
Option 1 – Bluetooth
Most, if not all, of the Harman Kardon speakers have Bluetooth connectivity; there are also TVs in the market that have Bluetooth connectivity.
If you are lucky enough and have a TV that supports Bluetooth, you can easily connect it to your TV.
To connect a TV to a HK speaker via Bluetooth, follow these instructions;
- Ensure the speaker is powered on and in Bluetooth pairing mode
- You can get the speaker in pairing mode by pressing the Bluetooth or source button, depending on the speaker’s model. Usually, you have to press it for a few seconds (until it starts blinking).
- You will know the HK is in pairing mode when you observe the LED flashing white. You should consult your speaker’s user manual to get the speaker in pairing mode since HK has different models that follow varying procedures.
The LED on your Harmon Kardon speaker should be flashing/pulsing white when in pairing mode.
- Go to your TV’s Bluetooth settings and enable Bluetooth connectivity once the speaker is powered on and in pairing mode.
- The settings are usually found in Settings under any of the following: Sound settings, Network settings, Audio output, or Equipment management.
- The steps to get the TV in pairing mode vary depending on the TV’s model. Therefore, get the instructions that apply to your TV from its user manual.
- The TV will show all nearby Bluetooth devices that are ready to pair. Select the HK speaker and click Connect/Pair.
- Use 0000 if prompted to enter a pairing password for the speaker
- Some TVs will start outputting audio through the speaker automatically. Other speakers will require you to disable the TV speakers and select the Harman Kardon speaker as the default audio output device.
You can only use the speaker in one mode; when it is in Bluetooth pairing mode, you cannot use the aux connection.
Connecting a Harman Kardon Speaker to TV via Bluetooth
Option 2 – 3.5mm AUX Port
Some Harman Kardon speakers have a 3.5mm port to connect an auxiliary cable.
This connection is essential when connecting your speaker to the TV, and both devices have only the basic connection methods.
Harman Kardon Aura wireless speaker – AUX Input.
You will need a male-to-male 3.5mm auxiliary cable to connect the speaker to your TV.
First, connect the cable to the speaker, then the other end to the TV’s 3.5mm port.
Then, ensure the speaker is set to the aux output by pressing the source button on the speaker until it indicates it is in aux mode. Some speakers, like the Aura, show they are in aux mode by switching off the source LED.
Keep pressing the source button on your speaker until the speaker starts outputting your TV sound.
Some speakers automatically switch to aux mode once they detect the aux cable is connected.
Option 3 – Optical Port
The optical port enables the speaker to transmit digital audio, which is better quality than Bluetooth or aux connections.
If your Harman Kardon speaker has multiple physical inputs, use digital audio inputs to connect your TV.
Ensure the TV and speaker have an optical port, then connect the optical cable to the TV and speaker.
Press the source button on the speaker to get it in optical mode and ensure the TV is set to output audio through the optical connection.
Observing the speaker’s source LED lets you tell whether the optical mode is active.
Option 4 – Other Connection Methods
Harman Kardon speakers do not have HDMI ports, making it challenging to connect the speaker to your TV using an HDMI cable.
If this is your case, you will be forced to rely on other connection methods mentioned above.
Apart from using the above methods to connect the speaker to your TV, you can use Digital Analog Converters (DAC) and adapters to connect incompatible inputs and outputs.
For instance, you can use a DAC to convert the digital audio signal transmitted by the Optical port on the TV to an analog signal that the speaker’s 3.5mm port can understand.
On the other hand, The Harman Kardon soundbars support HDMI connections; you can use this to connect them to your TV. Just plug one cable end into the TV’s HDMI ARC input port and the soundbar’s HDMI ARC output port.
When connecting a Harman Kardon soundbar to your TV, always use the HDMI ARC ports.
Then press the source or HDMI button on the sound bar or its remote, and audio should start coming through the Harman Kardon speaker.
Bonus – Setting Up a Wireless Harman Kardon Home Theater (Citation Speakers)
Frequently Asked Questions
- Question: How do I connect my Harman Kardon speakers to Wi-Fi?
- Answer: You will need the Google Home or Harman Kardon controller app to connect the speaker to Wi-Fi. Alternatively, if the speaker has a dedicated Wi-Fi button, you can share your device’s internet in a wired or wireless setup.
- Other HK speakers also support WPS connectivity.
- Question: How to connect my Harman Kardon speaker to my TV?
- Answer: Yes, you can connect your HK speakers to the TV depending on what connection methods the TV and speaker support.
- Harman Kardon speakers can support 3.5mm aux and Bluetooth connections. Other speakers support optical connections.
- Question: Can Harman Kardon Aura 3 connect to the TV?
- Answer: You can connect the Aura 3 to a TV via Bluetooth or a 3.5mm aux cable.
- Question: What app do I need for the Harman Kardon speaker?
- Answer: The app you will need is determined by the Harman Kardon speaker you have. For instance, the Citation speaker uses the Google Home app, while speakers like the HK Onyx and Aura use the Harman Kardon Controller app.
- Use the speaker’s manual to find out what app it needs.
Conclusion
Check your speaker’s user manual to find the appropriate connecting method to a Wi-Fi network. Harman Kardon has several speaker models/series, and they follow different procedures for connecting to Wi-Fi.
The speakers should easily connect to your Wi-Fi network and TV if you follow the instructions in this article. You can contact HK’s customer support team for assistance whenever you encounter challenges with your speaker or any other Harman Kardon product.
