Harman Kardon AVR 300 Dolby Digital/DTS Audio/Video Receiver
Harman Kardon AVR 300 Dolby Digital/DTS Audio/Video Receiver
Product Description
Amazon.com Review
The AVR 300 is Harman Kardon's most affordable full-featured receiver--it combines Dolby Pro Logic, Dolby Digital, and DTS surround decoding and provides S-video switching, a full complement of preamp outputs, and 5.1-channel direct inputs. But there's more than features here: the AVR 300 exhibits Harman Kardon's unswerving attention to sonic accuracy and detail.
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
Average customer rating:
|
Harman Kardon AVR 300 Dolby Digital/DTS Audio/Video Receiver
Manufacturer: Harman Kardon ProductGroup: CE Binding: Electronics Accessories:
Product Features:
ASIN: B0000300EC |
Product Description
Harman Kardon's new AVR 300 is one of the most affordable high-current Dolby Digital/DTS receivers that you can get. Harman Kardon has always employed a high-current design in the amplifier section of their receivers. High current amps utilize larger transformers and transistors and are therefore better equipped to handle difficult speaker loads. The benefits to this type of technology are better reproduction of highs and lows and cleaner, crisper sound quality. Harman Kardon amplifiers exhibit full rated power response with very low distortion to beyond 80kHz. Ultrawide-Bandwidth requires selected output transistors not typically found in audio equipment. While there is no musical information present beyond the 20kHz region in current playback formats, a wide bandwidth amplifier has several audible benefits. Ultrawide-Bandwidth design contributes to superior imaging, an important stereo listening dimension, and a vital element in multichannel home theater systems. The AVR 300 is complete with Dolby Pro Logic, Dolby Digital, and DTS processors on board, as well as Hall and Theater DSP modes. DSP modes recreate different acoustic environments, making music and non-surround listening more interesting. A six-channel input is also included, so that the AVR 300 is upgradeable for future technology.Amazon.com Review
The AVR 300 is Harman Kardon's most affordable full-featured receiver--it combines Dolby Pro Logic, Dolby Digital, and DTS surround decoding and provides S-video switching, a full complement of preamp outputs, and 5.1-channel direct inputs. But there's more than features here: the AVR 300 exhibits Harman Kardon's unswerving attention to sonic accuracy and detail.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:
Cons:
Amazon.com Product Description
The Harman/Kardon AVR 300 receiver combines Dolby Digital and DTS processing with a high-current-capable, ultrawide-bandwidth amplifier to carry the Harman/Kardon heritage forward into the digital era. With sophisticated features such as S-video switching, onscreen displays, and multiroom control, the Harman/Kardon AVR 300 integrates performance and convenience in an affordable package.Customer Reviews:
This is an excellent receiver.It is very powerful with excellent sound........2007-02-20
High Quality and Versitile.......2000-12-11
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.......2000-07-13
Once in a lifetime purchase.......2000-05-24
UNBELIEVABLE SOUND FOR AN UNBELIEVABLE PRICE!.......2000-05-16
Electronics:
Recommended Consumer Electronics:
HP 2500L Color LaserJet Printer
Bose Acoustimass 16 Home Entertainment - Speaker System, 6.1
HP LASERJET 2200 PRINTER 19PPM 8MB ( C7064A#ABA888 )
LA STYLUS COL C42UX-INKJET 120/220V EN SP PO
Alera DVD CRUISER 8X DUAL DVD.R EXT ( 270114 )
Samsung P107 Transparent Smoke faceplate
Exchange Roller Kit for DR-2580C
iAUDIO CW300-256MB (MX400) MP3 Player w/FM & Voice Recorder
Hitachi DVD Camcorder with 2.5" LCD and Digital Still Capability (DZMV230AR)
Siemens Gigaset 4010 2.4 GHz DSS Expandable Cordless Phone (Black and Silver)