Harman Kardon AVR 300 Dolby Digital/DTS Audio/Video Receiver

Because of its sophistication, the AVR 300 does require some effort to set up. Thankfully, Harman Kardon's owner manuals are among the most clearly written and illustrated that we've seen. Additionally, the AVR 300's intuitive onscreen display and uncluttered, programmable remote control speed the setup considerably. Our only wish is that the universal remote was fully illuminated; the only the buttons that glow are the ones you're commanding at the moment.

The AVR 300's performance, however, is outstanding. Stereo recordings sound full and natural. This receiver offers a terrific sense of air with pinpoint placement of sonic images in the stereo sound field. Dynamics are well above average, thanks to Harman's High-Current Capability. High frequencies are silky smooth and the bass scores points for both definition and wallop.

Surround sources, whether Dolby Digital or DTS, are equally satisfying, enveloping you in a wide and seamless sonic environment that makes great surround-mixed music and movies much more compelling.

And if you've any reservations about the seemingly low 50-watt-per-channel power rating, surrender them now--the AVR 300's high-quality amplifier has power to spare, even with demanding source material.

It's very simple: if you want one of the best sounding, most generously endowed receivers on the market and are willing to pay just a bit more than the average, then Harman Kardon's AVR 300 must be in the running; the returns on your investment will be anything but average.

Pros:

• Superb sound quality
• Excellent build quality
• Loaded with features
• Great value

Cons:

• Remote is not fully illuminated

The multi-room feature may seem unneeded, but it's nice to have. You can send a line-level signal to another amp, and listent to the same thing in separate rooms. You can also have the HK send a different signal to the second room than you're currently listening to on the main channels. It would be nice to have more video switching inputs, since I have used them all at this point. I think the next model up (AVR500) has at least one more video option.

I've only had one problem with my AVR300, and that's heat. I had mine in a glass-front cabinet along with my other equipment, including a DVD palyer and computer. After enough time with everything running, the amp would cut out on one or more channels. I eventually removed the glass door, and haven't had any problems since.


Haemon Kardon's AVR-300   July 13, 2000
 3 out of 31 found this review helpful

The AVR 300 Combines Both Dolby Digital And DTS Processing With A Powerful High-Current Capability, Ultrawide Bandwidth Amplifier To Carry The Harman Kardon Heritage Forward Into The Digital Era. With Sophisticated Features Such As S-Video Switching, On-Screen Displays And Multiroom Control, The AVR 300 Provides An Exceptional Combination Of Performance And Convenience In An Affordable Package... Specifications...Amplifier Section...Stereo Mode Continuous Average Power (FTC) per channel: 60 watts per channel @ <0.07% THD, 20Hz - 20kHz, both channels driven into 8 ohms...Surround Modes Continuous Average Power (FTC) per channel 50 watts per channel @ <0.07% THD, 20Hz - 20kHz, all channels driven into 8 ohms...High Instantaneous Current Capability (HCC): 35 amps...Input Sensitivity/Impedance Linear(High Level): 250mV/47k ohms...Signal-to-Noise Ratio (IHF-A): 95dB...Surround System Adjacent Channel Separation - Pro Logic Decoding: 40d,B Dolby Digital(AC-3): 55dB, DTS Mode: 55dB...Frequency Response at 1W (+0dB, -3dB): 10Hz - 100kHz...Transient Intermodulation Distortion (TIM): Not Measurable...Rise Time: 16sec...Slew Rate: 40V/sec...FM Tuner Section...Frequency Range: 87.5 - 108MHz...Usable Sensitivity: IHF 1.3V/13.2dBf...Signal-to-Noise Ratio, Mono (measured at 1mV RF Input Level): 70dB... Signal-to-Noise Ratio, Stereo (measured at 1mV RF Input Level): 68dB...Distortion Mono/Stereo: 0.3%/0.3%...Stereo Separation: 40dB @ 1kHz... Selectivity: 400kHz, 65dB...Image Rejection: 80dB...IF Rejection: 90dB...Tuner Output Level: 1kHz, 75kHz Dev 500mV...AM Tuner Section...Frequency Range: 520 - 1710kHz... Signal-to-Noise Ratio: 45dB...Usable Sensitivity: Loop 500...V/M Distortion:1kHz, 50%...Mod 0.8%...Selectivity: 10kHz,30dB...Video Section...Television Format: NTSC...Input Level/Impedance: 1Vp-p/75ohms...Output Level/Impedance: 1Vp-p/75ohms...Video Frequency Response: 10Hz to 8MHz (-3dB)...General...Power Requirement: 120V AC/60Hz...Power Consumption (2 channels driven): 72W idle, 694W maximum...Dimensions...Width 17-5/16"...Height 6-1/2"...Depth 17-1/8"...Weight 31 lbs...Depth measurement includes knobs, buttons and terminal connections. Height measurement includes feet and chassis... All In All, This Receiver Is Really A Good Choice For The Entry Level Home Theatre Nut, But For Some, The Amp Could Stand To Have More Power (Even With The High Current)...


Once in a lifetime purchase   May 23, 2000
 33 out of 33 found this review helpful

For me, this is one of those well spent "Once in a lifetime" Purchases. The unit does everything I ever wanted an A/V system to do, plus much more. EXAMPLE: With it's on-screen display system, I can delay the sound output of any specific speaker to the nano-second so that every speaker delivers sound to my ears at the exact same time. It's spectral range goes below and above what the human ear can detect and is incredibly sharp on both ends, thanks to the reserve amps. From the rumble of a 747 take-off, to the high-pitched chirp of a bird in a surround speaker. Add to this no audible hiss or distortion at all, even at peak volumes. This unit also actually switches all of your Audio AND video feeds together with either coax, s-video, digital, or fiber cable inputs and outputs. This feature truly eliminates multiple remote controls for ALL of your other A/V components. After all of this techno-babble, the instructions were very clear and the unit was fairly easy to set up. It did take me a few hours, but the time spent was well worth it. This unit was built with top notch quality. You will probably never have to (or want to) purchase another reciever.


UNBELIEVABLE SOUND FOR AN UNBELIEVABLE PRICE!   May 15, 2000
 17 out of 30 found this review helpful

HMM.... SHOULD I GET THE HARMAN KARDON AVR300? , OR PAY LESS AND BUY THE SONY 935? . I ASKED MY SELF THAT SAME QUESTION, AFTER STUDYING BOTH OF THESE UNITS, LEARNING THAT THE HK300, HAS 40 AMPS X 5, AND THE SONY IS ONLY 8 AMPS, PLUS, THE ULTRA WIDE BANDWIDTH, PLUS THE 6 DISCRETE CHANNELS. AFTER MY STUDIES, I FIGURED A PAYING MORE FOR A RECIEVER THAT CAN POWER A DANCE CLUB WAS TOTALLY WORTH MY CASH.