Review of Harman Kardon Home Theater Receivers.

Harman Kardon Home Theater Receivers Harman Kardon is what I consider one of the upper level receiver manufacturers. They have become increasingly more available in the past 5-10 years, after having been the luxury of audiophiles who knew where to buy, as well as the willingness to pay the extra money to get them. This is my polite way of saying that the products are elevated in price. For similar features and power, expect to pay triple what you would pay for a Sony or Panasonic unit.

Make note, I'm not claiming here that Harman Kardon receivers are overpriced. What I am trying to relay is that the subtle superiority in clarity and distortion elimination they may provide is perhaps heavily overvalued. Joe Blow is not going to see the difference between the Sony/Panasonic receiver, and the Harman Kardon receiver. He wouldn't be able to afford the top-of-the-line accessories, DVD player and speakers, to experience the difference.

Don't get me wrong. Harman Kardon provides excellent products. Word of mouth, rather than expensive marketing campaigns, have led to their rise out of the depths of obscurity in the past decade. However, they may just be priced out of the average persons reach. If you have a small viewing room you may be able to accomdate one of their lower priced (less powerful) receivers. This is the one area in which I can see the advantage in buying Harman Kardon home theater receivers.

Click to see all Harman Kardon Home Theater Receivers.

LOW-End Pick for Harman Kardon Home Theater Receivers

The Harman Kardon AVR-230 Audio/Video Receiver provides Dolby Digital and DTS decoding and seven channels of audio at 65 watts per channel in stereo mode, or 50W to each of six channels in surround mode. The receiver also allows for MP3 decoding through coaxial or optical digital (S/P-DIF) inputs. The receiver has six digital inputs (coaxial and optical), including front panel inputs, four composite/S-video inputs, two analog audio inputs, two video recording outputs, preamp outputs, and subwoofer output.

MID Pick for Harman Kardon Home Theater Receivers

The Harman Kardon AVR-325 Audio/Video Home Theater Receiver provides 65W x 2 or 50W x 7 and decodes Dolby Digital and DTS surround formats. Harman Kardon boasts an exclusive 5.1 Logic 7 surround-sound processing that produces superior soundstage imaging and playback of surround-encoded and Stereo recordings. The receiver also allows for MP3 decoding through coaxial or optical digital (S/P-DIF) inputs. Connectivity is excellent with subwoofer output, 4 A/V & 3 audio inputs, 6-channel surround inputs, 6 digital inputs (optical & coaxial), 3 digital outputs.

HIGH-End Pick for Harman Kardon Home Theater Receivers

The Harman Kardon AVR-7200 Home-Theater Audio Receiver provides Dolby Digital, Dolby Digital EX, DTS, DTS-ES Discrete and Matrix, and DTS Neo: 6. Power is excellent with 7 channels of 100W high current amplification; two channel assignable to either surround rear or multiroom applications. Advanced features include Exclusive Logic 7 Processing in 7.1 & 5.1 modes plus two modes of VMAx MP3 decoding. The receiver provides High bandwidth, HDTV compatible component video switching, front and rear panel analog A/V jacks, plus Coaxial and Optical digital inputs and outputs. Comprehensive Bass management options with Triple Crossover Selection for superb DVD-Audio & SACD performance RS-232 port. Ahead of its time, but unfortunately ahead of most consumers as well. Only a limited few have the capability to fully utilize the features of this receiver (let alone Harman Kardon home theater receivers in general)!