Harman Kardon CH-160 (c. 1985–1986)
Little formal documentation survives for the Harman Kardon CH-160 — no service manual, original price, or production dates have surfaced in the archive. What the period record establishes is that it was an in-dash car audio unit, part of Harman Kardon's mid-1980s entry into mobile audio. An Audio advertisement (January 1986, p.88) paired the CH-160 with the CA260 amplifier and JBL speakers, pitching in-car performance that had previously been available only at home.
High Fidelity (October 1985, p.61) took a more measured view. FM sound quality was found to be clearer than average, with good high-frequency sparkle, and quieting dropped below 50 dB between roughly 19 and 29 dBf. But stereo separation in that same range measured under 5 dB — less than 1 dB at the bottom of the range — which the reviewer felt didn't really qualify as usable stereo under weak-signal conditions. A later Audio feature (May 1986, p.65) was more favorable overall, finding the quality of Harman Kardon's car line consistent with what the writer had come to expect from the company's home components.
Beyond the magazine record, details are scarce. Known documented points:
- In-dash car audio unit, mid-1980s
- Marketed alongside Harman Kardon's CA260 amplifier and JBL automobile speakers
- FM quieting below 50 dB at approximately 19–29 dBf
- FM stereo separation under 5 dB in that range; under 1 dB at the bottom
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