Ode to the Harman Kardon GLA-55: A Decade-Long Love Affair with Ridiculous Speakers

In the ever-churning sea of technology, where obsolescence is the reigning monarch and the next shiny gadget perpetually beckons, it’s a rare and remarkable event when a piece of tech not only survives but thrives. As a tech writer with over two decades of experience chasing the new and noteworthy, my attention span is typically measured in months, not years. So, when a device manages to cling to my desk, my ears, and my affection for over a decade, it’s an occasion worthy of celebration. And in the case of my Harman Kardon GLA-55 PC speakers, the longevity is even more profound because I’ve never encountered anything quite like them in all my years immersed in the tech world.

Those aren’t just my subjective musings; they echo the sentiments of others who encountered these sonic behemoths. TechPowerUp, upon their UK debut in late 2009, captured their essence perfectly. The Times even bestowed upon them the coveted "Gadget of the Week" title in 2010. These speakers made a splash. A big one.

Fast forward over 15 years, and they still command attention. My home office is a curated collection of tech treasures, and I take particular pride in my Uplift standing desk. Yet, without fail, it’s these decade-plus-old speakers that draw the most comments and elicit the most questions when visitors grace my workspace.

Just look at them! They are gloriously, unabashedly over the top. Constructed from a material akin to bulletproof glass, they possess the illusion of delicate crystal. It’s a design unlike any other, a visual statement that I haven’t seen replicated or even imitated. Their weirdness is their strength, ensuring they never quite fade into the background, no matter how accustomed I become to their presence.

Frankly, the aesthetic isn’t even something I’d normally gravitate towards. But there’s an undeniable impressiveness, a certain je ne sais quoi, that elevates them to the status of a centerpiece in my home office.

And yes, before you ask, they sound as good as they look, or at least good enough that I’ve kept them this long.

Confession time: I didn’t initially purchase them myself. They were a parting gift from a generous editor, who moved on to greener pastures. Even back then, they carried a hefty price tag, hovering around the $1,000 mark. But their sound quality has aged remarkably well, remaining as rich and satisfying now as it was 15 years ago.

Harman Kardon truly struck gold with these speakers.

While their outlandish appearance is undeniably their primary draw, they aren’t merely eye candy. The GLA-55s deliver impressive sound quality that belies their unconventional design. The highs are crisp and clear, devoid of muddiness, and the bass response is surprisingly robust, especially considering the absence of a dedicated subwoofer. (For the truly bass-obsessed, they do offer the option of connecting an external sub, but I’ve never felt the need.)

The one area where they show their age is in the lack of modern digital features. Connectivity is limited to a simple 3.5mm input, a relic from a bygone era. But the core audio experience is undeniably excellent.

I’ll readily admit that I’m not an audiophile. I haven’t put these speakers through the rigorous paces of studio-grade hardware comparisons. But for my everyday needs – listening to music while working, immersing myself in games, and the occasional movie night – they’ve consistently exceeded expectations. They might be overkill for the synthwave and ASMR that soundtrack my workdays, but when I have the house to myself and crave something more potent, they rise to the occasion with gusto.

Alas, the harsh reality is that these beloved speakers won’t last forever. The thought prompted me to write this article, a preemptive eulogy of sorts. My children have inflicted some minor damage on the plastic drivers, and the rubber components are showing signs of wear and tear. A faint buzzing sound has emerged when using headphones at high volume. The bass, always prone to rattling, now struggles to maintain clarity at higher levels. And, let’s not forget, they consume an absurd amount of desk space.

Despite these imperfections, they remain a joy to have around. They are conversation starters, a visual representation of years of faithful service. They’ve outlasted at least four gaming PCs, a rotating cast of monitors, and countless mice and keyboards.

My GLA-55 speakers have become a symbol of longevity in an industry obsessed with the new, where technological ephemerality reigns supreme and electronic waste accumulates at an alarming rate. They provide a sense of grounding, a connection to the past that transcends mere sonic enjoyment. Their design and performance continue to captivate me year after year.

The end is likely near, forcing me to contemplate the daunting task of finding a replacement. I certainly won’t be shelling out $1,000 for a new set of speakers, as I am, at heart, not an audiophile and my audio preferences don’t demand such extravagance. Nor will I be opting for speakers of this scale again, because, frankly, it’s ridiculous. My search will likely focus on more budget-friendly options.

But I will miss them dearly. These ridiculous, beautifully ugly, impressively sounding speakers that stubbornly refuse to conform. They’ve earned legendary status in my home office and gaming PC setup, having stood the test of time with remarkable resilience. I’m not quite sure what I’m going to do without them. Although, those new Edifiers are looking increasingly tempting.

These speakers will remain in my heart always.