Sound QualityThe Harman Kardon Invoke has good overall sound quality. Bass has good impact but is a bit boomy and deep bass is lacking. Midrange is fairly even but somewhat grainy, edgy and in the upper midrange there is a bit of a swirling effect. Treble is extended but is somewhat smeared. Does a so-so job of recovering room ambience, is somewhat congested, and lacking in detail. Provides a decent volume level in a medium sized room but gets harsh sounding at louder volumes. Audio is monophonic.
Versatility
Versatility is good. It's a monophonic speaker, which lacks multi-room support and lacks support to stereo pair with another Invoke. Wireless: WiFi supports dual-band and has Bluetooth but lacks speakerphone functionality. Communications: Support calling (Skype), but lacks texting and messaging. Digital Assistant Muting: Has a dedicated touch control to disable the digital assistant by muting its microphones. Audio Connections: Lacks analog audio inputs and outputs. Audio Tailoring: Lacks any user tone controls. OS Support: Windows 10, Android, and iOS. Other connections and features: Lacks USB port. Streaming by voice command: Supports voice command of few common streaming services such as Spotify, Tune-In, and iHeart Radio. Voice ID: Lacks support to setup voice identity. This feature allows the account holder to access personal information with their "voice print".
Ease of Use
Overall ease of use of the Harman Kardon Invoke is good. Wireless setup: Setup requires an app downloaded to a mobile device, easy and intuitive - need instructions (may be included in app), may or may not involve inputting WiFi network password, account setups. Bluetooth: Setup is very good and requires the press of a button on the unit or a verbal command. Console controls: Lacks volume control label or symbol, not obvious that it is a volume control however, when volume control is actuated it has a non-persistent graphical position marking and has a index "marking" via verbal command and acknowledgement. Audio mute: Unintuitive - Touch area mutes but doesn't unmute instead it plays a factoid. Microphone mute: Button on rear of unit is well marked, not well placed but has clear indication when it is engaged. Source selections: Unintuitive - Unable to switch between sources within App. App remote: Unituitive - Lacks a volume control. Mute: Well marked, well placed, clear indication when it is engaged. Voice transport controls: Natural language control of transport (Play/Pause/Skip/Mute), volume controls and source selection was easy and intuitive.
