Audio Pioneer and Newsweek Owner Sidney Harman Dies At 92

[mahatmakanejeeves]

Source: Forbes

Just months after rescuing flailing Newsweek from financial collapse, owner Sidney Harmon, who made a fortune as a pioneer in audio speaker business, has died according to The Daily Beast, which merged with the magazine earlier this year.

In 1953 Harman co-founded of what is now called Harman International Industries, maker of high-end audio components. Its brands have included Harman-Kardon and JBL. In 1976 he sold the company when he became deputy secretary of commerce under President Jimmy Carter, then bought it back in 1980.

Harman ran the company as chief executive officer until 2008, stepping down after the 2007 credit crunch aborted a sale to KKR and Goldman Sachs at $120 a share. A proxy said Harman had 2.9 million shares in 2008, which would have been worth $350 million. (See full story on Harmon’s fortune).

Last year he decided to use some of that sizable fortune to rescue Newsweek after the Washington Post decided to dump it following years of mounting losses. In 2009, the publication racked up $30 a reported million in losses. The day after the purchase was announced Harmon told the New York Times that “It would be a remarkable conceit to tell you at this stage in the game that I have a plan.” Adding: “The plan is there to be had. I regard myself as well equipped.”

Read more: http://blogs.forbes.com/danbigman/2011/04/13/audio-pioneer-and-newsweek-owner-sidney-harman-dies-at-93/

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Stereo Magnate Harman Dies

Some people consider the HK Citation Twelve to be the first decent-sounding solid-state amplifier. It is often modified. HK certainly didn't waste any money making it look pretty.

[BumRushDaShow]

1. I was just thinking about Jane's whereabouts yesterday while watching comments by Barbara Boxer.

R.I.P. Audiophiles everywhere will not forget your classic products.

[wilt the stilt]

2. Truly great equipment

I still own a Dynaco ST 70 a PAS 3(modified by Van Alstine)and Dynaco A25 speakers. I also own B&W speakers, Advent 300 receiver(for the preamp and a Belles amp. I still use turntables(Systemdek and AR). Harman led an era of innovation and wonderful sounding equipment. When you went to a separate stores to buy Hi-Fi and not Best Buy for crap.

It was when artists and engineers cared about sound and integrity When people had to sing and not have machines correct their voices. When radio exposed you to different types of music and when on one radio station you could hear everything from bossa nova to the Beatles.

I know I sound old but we have a generation of people who have no understanding of the roots of music\ and quality Hi-Fi.

[mahatmakanejeeves]

3. Oh, nice 70s stuff.

I have two Stereo 70s and two PAS-3x preamps, as well as a few AR turntables. The AR turntable is my favorite hi-fi component.

Hi-fi hit a peak in the 70s. Once digital sound came along, audio went to hell. Equipment today is designed to project the sound of loud car explosions or crashing spaceships. Fidelity is of no concern.

[snooper2]

4. I've got a complete SAE audio rack, EQ, amp, reciever

All the original receipts, manuals, brochures

Somebody paid a LOT of money at the time (78-79-80) for this gear.

Thousands and thousands

The Nakamichi 670zx Tape Deck, receipt from 1980 $1092.00 by itself

[wilt the stilt]

6. I have a Nak 680zx myself n/t

[slackmaster]

5. It would be nice if they could figure out how his name was spelled, then do it that way consistently

:argh:

[bananas]

7. Harman, as in "Harman/Kardon"

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Harman_Kardon

Harman Kardon



harman/kardon is a division of Harman International Industries and manufactures home and car audio equipment.

Founded in 1953 by Dr. Sidney Harman and Bernard Kardon — two men with a deep interest in music and the arts — the company helped create the high-fidelity audio industry. Their first product was an FM tuner. One year after its founding, Harman Kardon introduced the world's first true high-fidelity receiver, the Festival D1000. This monaural unit was not only aimed at non-technical consumers but also incorporated many now-familiar features such as a tuner, component control unit and amplifier on a single chassis. In 1958, Harman Kardon introduced the world's first stereo receiver, the Festival TA230, once again aimed at non-technical users in an attempt to make high-fidelity widely available. Stereo sound was achieved by using one channel from the AM band, and one channel from the FM band. The first true FM Multiplex Stereo Receiver was sold by HH Scott in 1961 with introduction of the Model 350 tuner.

Harman Kardon is the main auto audio supplier for BMW, Land Rover, MINI, Mercedes-Benz, Saab, Harley-Davidson and Subaru.<1>

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