Awesome sound, Lots of Inputs, Clean look, Great Bass Response, and the universal remote functions all my audio and video equipment even my digital cable box.

I had to send it for repair about 2 months into my ownership of it. The Receiver would output a strange high frequency sound through random speakers when played in DTS mode. The tech's had to upgrade it to package 2.0. I am glad to report that the problem has been fixed and the reciever works great. I do wish it had a 5 channel stereo mode though.

I love this reciever. It just kicks ass. I would not trade it for anything else. Do yourself a favor and buy this thing now. Do check to make sure it has been manufactured after July of 2000 or be prepared to send it in to be repaired. Once repaired I suggest you get your favorite movie and crank it up!!!

Similar Products Used:

Sony Str 310
Kenwood VR-301

Great sound from CD (using the digital inputs) and Dolby Digital DVDs.

DTS Decoding, Reliability

I took a chance on a refurbished unit from Ubid (refurbished by United Radio). It sounded great for 4 months, then experienced a massive systems failure (no sound except through the 6 channel input, and no volume control then!). Too bad, because, like the other Harman pieces I've purchased/listened to in the past, it sounded great-excepting, of course, it's problematic DTS decoder. I just ordered an AVR 210 to replace it ($349 from HiFi Concepts), so my upgrade from the bullet-proof but dated AVR 5 will have cost me $600. I'd stay away from this generation of HK receivers, unless you get it for a song (with the full factory warranty!) and don't plan on utilizing it's DTS feature.

Similar Products Used:

AVR 5

Loud, clear, great for music, dvd, video game, etc, etc.

Video bus broke, but got it repaired for free under warranty

For 50W per channel this thing kicks the hell out of other receivers rated at 60, 70, even 100W per channel. I used to have similar Sony and Kenwood models, but they sound inferior to the AVR300. One thing people may have a concern with is the heat this unit creates. I was getting a little weary about the heat, so I installed a 6-inch fan in my console. Now it never heats up and my worries are over. About the video bus breaking...I think that happened because the unit overheated. Other than that I love it.

Sound quality, build quality of chassis, easy menus.

Can't change surround mode via remote.

In 1997, I purchased the Harman/Kardon AVR-40 mainly as an entry-level A/V receiver to replace my aging 1991-era Pioneer special. I liked how the H/K product was strong with music as well as ProLogic. But, as time passed and the pull of 5.1 drawing me towards newer receivers, I started shopping.

First stop was the local crazy hi-fi shop (Levinson, etc). Their "entry level" was the Marantz SR-7000. With the great brushed aluminum faceplate, I decided to sink the money into it. Well, after a week I returned it. Getting that sucker to work with music was a son of a gun!

Next I went to the Pioneer Elite VSX-24TX. I returned it the next morning. Subwoofer output was horribly muddy and virtually non-existant when playing 2 channel material (yes, this means CDs).

So I ended up back with the tried and true Harman/Kardon. Immediately after plugging it in and turning it on, the faithful Harman sound was back! The sub was active on DTS, DD, audio CDs, everything. Easy to adjust speaker levels, simple remote, very spartan! This receivers gets straight to the point: sound! Lots or warmth and clarity.

I'm enjoying this receiver tremendously! I've experienced none of these phantom volume problems or "reliability" issues that others here are claiming to have had. The receiver has operated flawlessly since I bought it.

You will also hear about people talking about "clicks" in the rear speakers when adjusting the volume. Yes, there are clicks -- but COME ON guys, you can HARDLY hear this! It's just an artifact of the AVR's digital volume control, it's not a mechanical problem or dirty contact. It's actually nice since it adds the tactile stimulation of a volume control knob when using the remote.

In all, I wouldn't hesitate to recommend this receiver to anybody looking for a great well-above-average 5.1 receiver for a small home or apartment! Great buy!

Similar Products Used:

Marantz SR-7000, Pioneer Elite VSX-24TX, Harman/Kardon AVR-40

Outstanding sound, many imputs, great sound using DTS.

Clicking sound when adjusting volume, but i dont care cuz i dont play it at almost silent volumes. Remote isnt the easiest to learn, especially in the dark.

This receiver has got amazing sound quality. Better than any of the receivers i tested out in this price range. Even though the specs say 55 watts per channel, this thing plays my JBL S310's way better than my old Onkyo 110 watt/channel receiver. Its high current circuitry really makes the difference. So far I havent had a single problem like previous reviewers, and neither have my friends with other Harman Kardon products. Hopefully things will stay this way.

Similar Products Used:

Various Onkyo, Sony, and Yamaha receivers.

Crisp and detailed sound. Excellent price.

Small clicking sound when volume is adjusted

I was a bit nervous to buy the AVR 300 after reading reviews here. But for the price, I didn't have much to lose. So I took the risk and am very pleased. The sound matches well with my Klipsch KG 3.5's. I've had none of the volume problems mentioned on other reviews.

Hi current circuitry. Plenty of room for additional equipment.

Step volume. Slight pause in sound when changing sound modes.

My review actually refers to the AVR300RDS, which is similar to the AVR300 except for also having RDS capability. I only found this review site after I already bought the receiver. I was worried that this expensive (electronics are very expensive in South Africa) receiver would also display the same reliability problems.

However, up to now I have been very pleased with the AVR300RDS and have had no problems at all. The sound quality is good and it has no problems driving my TDL speakers.

Similar Products Used:

My old Pioneer A400 stereo amp

Sound

Remote control

I purchased my HK AVR300 after listening to quite a few different manufacturer's models. I thought by far the Harman Kardon had the cleanest, mellowist, purist sound quality of all them. I am quite happy with this purchase, yet I was concerned with what I was reading regarding quality control issues. I decided to go straight to the source myself by sending an email to HK through their website. They promised that they would respond to all emails which they did by sending me the following response:

Whenever a problem arises with any H/K product that is more than an isolated occurrence, the problem is evaluated and a service bulletin is issued to alert our service centers. While the unit is still in production, changes are made to prevent further occurrence of the issue. Changes to production units with serial # TH0001-08403 or greater were made to address the volume change problem. As with all our products, in the unlikely event you may have a problem with your Harman Kardon units, rest assured we would stand behind them if service were needed.

This eased my mind regarding my HK receiver. Luckily though my AVR300 was manufactured after the serial number noted by them above.

I hope this gives everyone the facts about this issue. I would not hesitate about buying HK products again in a minute. In fact I followed that purchase with an HK DVD5 which is also an incredible product.

Similar Products Used:

Technics PRO Logic Receiver

Lots of features for the buck, Good high current power,controls on front panel,lots of ins/outs,above average fidelity for a receiver

Iffy ergonomics,reliability issues

Well kids,I hate to rain on the parade,but my AVR 300 has some problems. The "Ghost-operated" volume control just reared it's ugly head for me tonight. I see several instances of this listed for the AVR 500...well this has it too. I accused my kids of sitting on the remote until I read these complaints. The entire "S-video" bus is also inoperative. As the other reviews have stated,the sound quality and hi-current capability are terriffic for a receiver,the Dolby digital sounds nice,and at the price,the sheer volume of features is hard to beat. The amp section runs suprisingly cool even at demanding ohm loads,probably accounting for the punchy bottom end.The x-over slope on the sub-out seems a bit shallow to me,allowing me to easilly locate the sub; but for movie watching this is probably nit-picking. This unit definately comes closer to sounding like lower-end seperates than any budget reciever I've heard. The unit has a relatively "High-end" look and feel to it as well. The OSD I find very unintuitive but palatable once you get used to it. The manual's brevity is an issue but I've seen worse. Keep in mind that my unit is a demo,which could account for the "s-video" problem...however,the "Volume control-from-hell" is appearently a known HK problem this model year. I like the unit overall and am currently waiting for the store I got it from to receive their new shipment so I can return this for a new one. Hopefully the volume control problem has been fixed and the s-video was a fluke. I will update this after getting my replacement.

Similar Products Used:

None. First av/reciever. Seperates used for audio listening

S-Video switching, 2 coax ins, 2 optical ins, 1 coax out, 1 optical out, DD and DTS

Only 50 watts per channel in DD and DTS

My AVR300 has manufactured date of Feb. 2000 and I have not encountered any problems. Both DD and DTS sound great. No complaints here. For the money, this is a great receiver.