Harman Kardon AVR 100 Dolby Digital Audio/Video Receiver

Harman Kardon AVR 100 Dolby Digital Audio/Video Receiver

Harman Kardon AVR 100 Dolby Digital Audio/Video Receiver

Product Description
Amazon.com Review
If you're in the market for a terrific-sounding AV receiver and require only the most basic features for home theater operation, Harman Kardon's entry-level AVR 100 struts its stuff with stellar build quality and crystalline sound.

The AVR 100 benefits from many of the same qualities that make the Harman Kardon receiver lineup one of the best we've seen. For example, while it's rated at just 40 watts per channel (wpc) in surround mode (50 wpc in stereo), the AVR 100's High Current Capability (HCC) amplifier sounds as dynamic and effortless as many 150-wpc amps we know.

In testing, the AVR 100 drove a variety of speakers to nearly skull-shattering levels with both CDs and our favorite blockbuster DVDs. Most people regard wattage as all-important in determining amplifier prowess. But Harman's products testify to the greater significance of high current, rather than high power.

Because the AVR 100 comes equipped with both Dolby Pro Logic and Dolby Digital surround decoding, you'll be able to enjoy your DVDs and surround-encoded VHS tapes at their very best. In addition, the AVR 100 comes with 5.1-channel direct inputs, which means that it will be fully capable of amplifying decoded DTS surround sound (from a DTS-decoding DVD player) or future surround formats as they become available.

Another important characteristic the AVR 100 shares with higher priced Harman receivers is its lifelike sound. Our favorite CDs sounded full, rich, and natural. Like all inherently neutral-sounding components, the AVR 100 conveys a sense, it seems, of the space in which the recordings were made. Dynamics are explosively fast and delivered with force. High frequencies sound smooth yet detailed, and the bottom end is tuneful (rather than monotonous), with a nice punch to it.

Although we wish the AVR 100 had S-video switching and DTS decoding, it really wasn't designed for the hard-core videophile. Instead, the AVR-100 is for those of us who love music and movies, want them to sound their best, and yet like to keep our systems simple. To that end, it succeeds beautifully. --Wayne Garcia

Pros:

Cons:



Product Description:
The AVR 100 combines the best in home theater: a Harman amplifier and Dolby Digital decoding to deliver home-theater enjoyment at an affordable price. Exceptional audio quality and a wide range of future-oriented features make the AVR 100 a solid best purchase for the budget-conscious listener.

Harman Kardon AVR 100 Dolby Digital Audio/Video Receiver
Harman Kardon AVR 100 Dolby Digital Audio/Video Receiver
Average customer rating: 4 out of 5 stars
  • No S-Video means No Digital Video
  • a flexible, easy to configure system
  • Lacking features
  • WPC means nothing here
  • excelent entry level dolby digital receiver!
 Harman Kardon AVR 100 Dolby Digital Audio/Video Receiver

Manufacturer: Harman Kardon
ProductGroup: CE
Binding: Electronics

Stereo ReceiversStereo Receivers | Receivers & Amplifiers | Audio & Video | Categories | Electronics
Home Theater ReceiversHome Theater Receivers | Receivers & Amplifiers | Audio & Video | Categories | Electronics | Satellite-ready Home Theater Receivers
Audio & VideoAudio & Video | Refurbished & Used | Special Features | Electronics Features | Electronics
JBLJBL | Brands | Electronics Features | Electronics
Accessories:
  1. NETGEAR Wireless Digital Music Player

Product Features:
  • Dolby Digital, Dolby Pro Logic decoding
  • 40 watts per channel x 5
  • Ultrawide Bandwidth amplifier with High Current Capability
  • 5.1-channel analog inputs
  • Programmable remote control

ASIN: B0000300E1

Amazon.com Review

If you're in the market for a terrific-sounding AV receiver and require only the most basic features for home theater operation, Harman Kardon's entry-level AVR 100 struts its stuff with stellar build quality and crystalline sound.

The AVR 100 benefits from many of the same qualities that make the Harman Kardon receiver lineup one of the best we've seen. For example, while it's rated at just 40 watts per channel (wpc) in surround mode (50 wpc in stereo), the AVR 100's High Current Capability (HCC) amplifier sounds as dynamic and effortless as many 150-wpc amps we know.

In testing, the AVR 100 drove a variety of speakers to nearly skull-shattering levels with both CDs and our favorite blockbuster DVDs. Most people regard wattage as all-important in determining amplifier prowess. But Harman's products testify to the greater significance of high current, rather than high power.

Because the AVR 100 comes equipped with both Dolby Pro Logic and Dolby Digital surround decoding, you'll be able to enjoy your DVDs and surround-encoded VHS tapes at their very best. In addition, the AVR 100 comes with 5.1-channel direct inputs, which means that it will be fully capable of amplifying decoded DTS surround sound (from a DTS-decoding DVD player) or future surround formats as they become available.

Another important characteristic the AVR 100 shares with higher priced Harman receivers is its lifelike sound. Our favorite CDs sounded full, rich, and natural. Like all inherently neutral-sounding components, the AVR 100 conveys a sense, it seems, of the space in which the recordings were made. Dynamics are explosively fast and delivered with force. High frequencies sound smooth yet detailed, and the bottom end is tuneful (rather than monotonous), with a nice punch to it.

Although we wish the AVR 100 had S-video switching and DTS decoding, it really wasn't designed for the hard-core videophile. Instead, the AVR-100 is for those of us who love music and movies, want them to sound their best, and yet like to keep our systems simple. To that end, it succeeds beautifully. --Wayne Garcia

Pros:

Cons:

Amazon.com Product Description

The AVR 100 combines a Harman Kardon amplifier and Dolby Digital decoding to deliver home theater enjoyment at an affordable price. Exceptional audio quality and a wide range of future-oriented features make the AVR 100 a solid best buy for the budget-conscious listener.

Product Description

The AVR 100 combines the best in home theater: a Harman amplifier and Dolby Digital decoding to deliver home-theater enjoyment at an affordable price. Exceptional audio quality and a wide range of future-oriented features make the AVR 100 a solid best purchase for the budget-conscious listener.

Customer Reviews:

2 out of 5 stars No S-Video means No Digital Video.......2000-10-30

I don't own this, but I read the specs. Anyway, with no S-Video, you won't get the best results possible from DVDs, but keep in mind that if your TV is more than 3 years old, you probably couldn't use it anyway. Look for a black input with 6 holes right near to your A/V inputs. If it's there, you DON'T want this reciever. You might also want to count your sources. If you have more than 3 (count your TV, VCR, DVD, MD, Tape, Satellite, etc.) you can't use this.

4 out of 5 stars a flexible, easy to configure system.......2000-08-01

I have every component plugged into this thing, dvd, cd, tape, tv, vcr. i like how it automatically switches the output to the tv based on the component you select. digital connections allow me to use coax, or optical for dvd, giving a very crisp picture and sound. one issue that i've found is that if you turn it on to DVD mode, then turn on your dvd player and start a dvd, it will not play through the system. if you turn the dvd player on first, then the HK, everything works ok. (may be specific to the COAX connection). the system has two coax inputs for multiple types of components. the front of the system is vintage HK. very slick look, not too many buttons, very crisp and clear LEDs. as with many of the other reviews, i agree that you will probably never turn the volume knob up past half way...it pumps out a lot of power to multi-speaker systems.

4 out of 5 stars Lacking features.......2000-07-19

Beware that the AVR 100, while excellent at audio processing, lacks a Phono input (for those who still care), and lacks the ability to record one thing to VCR while watching another. Both of these features were removed when H/K moved from the 5 series to the hundred series. It also lacks S-video inputs/outputs.

5 out of 5 stars WPC means nothing here.......2000-06-12

I have to admit that the Watts per Channel had me worried when the salesman was showing me receivers, until I listened to the sound. I also have a Harmon Kardon CD player and they are connected with a Fiber Optic line. The clarity and lack of distortion at all volume levels is incredible with this receiver. I have speakers rated at 150 watts and to tell you the truth, I would never turn this receiver up over 50%. I live in an apartment and it feels like the walls are caving in at that level. To me the most important thing with a receiver is how it sounds at more moderate levels. If you live in an apartment, that is how you will listen to it 90% of the time. The clarity is exceptional at low to moderate volume levels. You will not find a receiver that will deliver such a clean sound at this price. Most receivers at this price level WOW people with bells and whistles and high wpc ratings, and then they deliver junk. Buy this and save some money for speakers that will allow you to enjoy nice clear sound.

5 out of 5 stars excelent entry level dolby digital receiver!.......2000-05-30

not as many bells and whistles compared to other common similary priced receivers. you could get dolby digital,dts, and 400 to 500 watts of power,and lots of useless soundfields but what you won't get is clean, effortless,dynamic sound. while it's rated at only 40wpc it blows away any bargain priced receiver no matter how many watts it's pushing.thats because along with those 40 watts it carries 30 amperes of current! it has it's limitations but trust me it will drive your system to theater levels with ease! plus it has 6 channel direct inputs for future formats like dts or dolby digital ex. i think you would be crazy to buy a sony or pioneer at this price! we all strive for the latest and greatest sound money can buy and with avr100 you will find it! :)

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