Harman Kardon AVR 300 A/V Receivers
Harman Kardon AVR 300 A/V Receivers
[Dec 29, 2000]
Ove Tegnér
Audio Enthusiast
Strength:
Very clean and powerful sound, both as a 2 ch. hifi stereo and as homemovie-theater. Clean sober design. Many connections as all channels pre out and multi out. Sturdy speakerconnectors.
Weakness:
Clicking sound in the rear speakers when volume is changed. -64 dB is the lowest volume to go, which is not low enough with my speakers (next step lower and it's quiet). Not possible to change between hall and theater effects from remote. The cower lid is weak. I havent used this unit for more then a week and have only tested the DD 5.1 with two DVD movies, a Rolling Stones concert (Bridges to Babylon) and Matrix. I can only say that I'm surprised how good it sounds. I have never heard a better sound, even at the movie. A Disney videomovie as The Lionking is now worth to see all over again a few times, even though it's "just" Dolby Prologic. (my children and I has watched it several times before the H/K purchase) Similar Products Used: At my friends home, listening to a Pioneer prologic receiver. (don't remember the model) |
[Dec 30, 2000]
jeff brooks
Casual Listener
Strength:
Great sound with the unique amilifier circuitry. My buddy has the Marantz SR 7000 and I must say, this sounds just as good, and I'm using it with crappy Bose 401direct/reflecting fronts, bose VCS center, and cheap bose surrounds. I'm sure when I upgrade my speakers it'll sound even better.
Weakness:
HOWEVER!!! I notice some other people had the same problem with the volume control getting a mind of its own, and spontaneously increasing or decreasing after adjustment. Mine has this prob;em as well, and its a real PAIN IN THE ASS!! Otherwise, it's a great reciever and would be a 5/5 if it weren't for the volume problem.... overall if I had it to do over again I'd have bought a different reciever because of the volume problem |
[Jan 16, 2001]
Jorgen Engdahl
Audio Enthusiast
Strength:
The looks and the sound.
Weakness:
Clicking noice when adjusting volume, (i dont mind) Well, I´m kinda new to this bizz but i´m getting into it FAST!! Similar Products Used: nothing before. |
[Apr 16, 2001]
Todd K.
Audio Enthusiast
Strength:
price, well put together, hooked up easy.
Weakness:
I havn't found any yet, I'll let you know if I do, but for $170 bones, I dont care. I dont have the greatest speakers made ( paradigms ) but after I hooked this pig up I could tell a difference. It sounds good and I havn't had any problems with it. If you feel more comfortable paying $800 buck at your local retail store then go ahead. Similar Products Used: yamaha, sony, |
[Feb 27, 2000]
Dennis Tellez, Jr.
Audio Enthusiast
Strength:
Lots of S-Video inputs (and they are generically labeled)
Weakness:
Remote; "clicking noise" when making selections on the receiver. First of all, this receiver is so HEAVY that I almost could not lift it up even though this is only a 50W per channel receiver (in surround) which should tell you something about the quality and capacity of the components inside. Other supposedly 100W recievers in the same price range I could easily lift up. This is a 35 amp receiver (most othe receivers in its class have much less capacity)and you can really hear it! Often I will have to turn down the volume during loud and "boomy" parts (without distortion!) of a movie even though seconds before the action there was dialogue that was at a "normal" volume level. I would argue that if you can lift up a receiver without much trouble it is not a very good receiver! Similar Products Used: Sony DE835 |
[Jul 26, 2001]
Steve
Audio Enthusiast
Strength:
Sound is great--at least DD and stereo
Weakness:
DTS!!!! Well, I'm back folks. The long experiment with the AVR300 appears to be over. The DTS failed again despite the modifications made by the repair shop. Ultimately it ended-up that HK will be replacing my unit with the new 310. I will post a review of the new one when it gets here and I've had a chance to put it through its paces. Don't expect an easy road to replacement from HK, though. Mine has been in the shop off and on a total of 6-8 weeks (3 trips in all). Even though HK acknowledges that this is a defect with some 300 units, they are reluctant to acknowledge that the "fix" doesn't work. Perhaps it does with the right repair people and mine weren't it...I don't know, but I've gotta do some serious star-shooting off of my previous reviews. Similar Products Used: HK AVR15 & AVR30 |
[Jan 23, 2001]
Carl Mes
Audio Enthusiast
Strength:
Clean crisp sound, multitude of inputs
Weakness:
Click when adjusting volume, build quality I was very impressed when listining to this unit prior to purchase. Sound is very clean and well defined, even at high volume. I also wanted a quiet unit (no external fans etc) so the AVR 300 was exactly what I was looking for. Similar Products Used: None, first time AVR buyer |
[May 13, 2001]
Craig Dowdy
Audio Enthusiast
Strength:
On screen display. Nice clean classy look.
Weakness:
Lacks power. No A/B speaker outs. Poor build quality. Well, first let me say that I have always loved the warm sound quality that Harman/Kardon stereos produce. I can't deny that this stereo did have a nice clear sound, for about 1 hour. Similar Products Used: Yamaha, Denon, Pioneer. |
[Dec 16, 2001]
J Simpson
Audio Enthusiast
Strength:
Attractive, sleek case. Very good clarity and power
Weakness:
Terrible remote control. Overall - well worth the money. Awesome sound quality. Although sometimes a little too clear - sound sometimes lacks warmth and sounds cold and detached |
[Sep 24, 2001]
John Banczak
Audio Enthusiast
Strength:
Very good sound, lots of inputs, easy to setup.
Weakness:
Constant fear factor of: Okay - so I went for the uBid special, and so far after 4 months, it seems to be working just fine. Great sound for just about every application. I'm using a Pioneer Elite DVD for both DVD and CD, connected through the optical port, as well as through the analog. I believe the HKs processor sounds better, but awfully close. Works well in both stereo and surround modes, and certainly has enough inputs and outputs on back to keep you busy. Similar Products Used: Old HD 645 receiver |