Eight Breakthrough Audio and Software Products from HARMAN Win 2014 CES Innovation Awards

STAMFORD, Conn., Nov. 12, 2013 /PRNewswire/ -- HARMAN International Industries, Incorporated, the award-winning maker of outstanding audio and entertainment solutions, announced today that eight new products have been named CES Innovation Award winners for 2014. The awards were presented by the Consumer Electronics Association (CEA®), producer of the International Consumer Electronics Show (CES), the world's largest consumer technology tradeshow. Products from HARMAN's JBL, Harman Kardon, Infinity, AKG, and Aha brands were recognized for outstanding design and engineering in consumer electronics.

(Logo: http://photos.prnewswire.com/prnh/20130418/CL95752LOGO-b )

Four JBL products received awards for home and multimedia audio systems incorporating wireless Bluetooth connectivity, enabled by Near Field Communications (NFC) technology, including:

• JBL Authentics L8 home entertainment sound system, which offers a wide range of options for effortlessly streaming music from portable devices, including DLNA for Android and Apple's AirPlay for iOS devices;
• JBL Flip2 portable speaker system, providing room-filling sound from a compact cylindrical enclosure small enough and lightweight enough to carry in your hand;
• JBL Synchros SB400BT Bluetooth headphones, which deliver peerless sound with matched speakers in over-the-ear cushioned cups, without the encumbrance of wires; and
• JBL J46BT ultra-light and ultra-comfortable in-ear Bluetooth headphones, which, though connected to each other with a tangle-free cable, need no physical connection to the audio system.

The Harman Kardon Esquire portable Bluetooth audio and speakerphone system also received a 2014 CES Innovation Award. The Harman Kardon Esquire is designed with business travelers in mind, with an upscale geometric enclosure, compact to travel well in luggage or carry-on.

HARMAN's AKG brand was recognized for the new AKG K845 BT wireless headphones, which combine the superb noise isolation of a closed-back design with the spacious sound and feel of open-back headphones. These headphones are destined to be standard-setters, with multi-dimensional sound and full bass produced by AKG's largest 50 mm drivers.

HARMAN's Infinity product line is represented in the awards by the Infinity Performer handheld portable wireless sound system, offering consumers great sound, forward-looking design, and the utmost in mobility.

A software innovation rounds out HARMAN's award-winning season. Aha by HARMAN is an interactive service that makes Web content as easy and safe to use as radio. More than 40,000 music and non-music programs that span from live radio stations to podcasts and audiobooks from the Web are delivered straight to the car's dashboard through a seamless connection with an Aha smartphone app for iOS and Android systems. There are over 2 million Aha-enabled vehicles on the road today and by the end of 2013, Aha will be offered in over 50 models of vehicles by 14 automakers including Acura, Chrysler, Ford, Honda, Mazda, Porsche, Scion, Subaru and Toyota (see related news release).

"Innovation is the driving force behind our mission to surprise and delight consumers with products that deliver unsurpassed audio experiences while addressing today's digital and mobile lifestyle," said Dinesh C. Paliwal, HARMAN Chairman, President and CEO. "Our latest product lineup has received more than 40 design and innovation awards this year, and I'm honored to add these CES awards to our roster."

Products entered in this prestigious program are judged by a preeminent panel of independent industrial designers, engineers, and members of the media to honor outstanding design and engineering in cutting-edge consumer electronics products across a wide range of product categories. The Innovations entries are judged on:

• Engineering qualities based on technical specs and materials used;
• Aesthetic and design qualities, using photos provided;
• The product's intended use/function and user value;
• Unique/novel features that consumers would find attractive; and
• Design and innovation in comparison with other products in the marketplace.

2014 Innovation Award honoree products are featured on www.cesweb.org, which lists product categories, as well as each product name, manufacturer information, designer, description, photo and URL.

The JBL Authentics L8, JBL Flip2, JBL Synchros SB400BT, JBL J46BT, Harman Kardon Esquire, Infinity Performer, AKG K845BT and Aha Application will be on display at HARMAN's exhibit during the International CES, which runs January 7 – 10, 2014, in Las Vegas, Nevada. Honorees will also be displayed at CES Unveiled: The Official Press Event of the International CES on Sunday, January 5 in the Mandalay Bay, Level 3, South Seas Ballroom C, Las Vegas.

For additional information or to purchase any of HARMAN's award-winning products, visit www.harman.com

About HARMAN
HARMAN designs, manufactures, and markets a wide range of infotainment and audio solutions for the automotive, consumer, and professional markets. It is a recognized world leader across its customer segments with premium brands including AKG®, Harman Kardon®, Infinity®, JBL®, Lexicon®, and Mark Levinson® and leading-edge connectivity, safety and audio technologies. The company is admired by audiophiles across multiple generations and supports leading professional entertainers and the venues where they perform. More than 25 million automobiles on the road today are equipped with Harman audio and infotainment systems. Harman has a workforce of about 14,900 people across the Americas, Europe, and Asia and reported sales of $4.5 billion for the twelve months ended September 30, 2013. The company's shares are traded on the New York Stock Exchange under the symbolNYSE:HAR.

© 2013 HARMAN International Industries, Incorporated. All rights reserved. Harman Kardon, Synchros, Infinity, JBL, Lexicon and Mark Levinson are trademarks of HARMAN International Industries, Incorporated, registered in the United States and/or other countries. Apple and iPhone are trademarks of Apple Inc., registered in the U.S. and other countries. Android is a registered trademark of Google Inc. The Bluetooth® word mark and logos are registered trademarks owned by Bluetooth SIG, Inc. and any use of such marks by HARMAN is under license. Features, specifications and appearance are subject to change without notice.

SOURCE HARMAN International Industries