New Harman Kardon Audio/Video Receivers

[McBain]

Press release:

Sound Goes Live With New Harman Kardon® Audio/Video Receivers Bringing Home-Theater Setups to Life

Over Half of U.S. Households Have HDTVs; Harman International Provides Them With HD Sound

NORTHRIDGE, Calif.--Harman Kardon, a division of Harman International Industries, Incorporated (www.harman.com), today introduced three new audio/video receivers that bring the best sound and visual experience to the home. Each receiver takes advantage of the latest sound and video technologies – such as the latest high-bit-rate formats, including Dolby® TrueHD and DTS-HD Master Audio™ delivered via Blu-ray Disc™ and the HD video content stored on iPod and iPhone products – and incorporates them into a beautifully designed, easy-to-use system. The AVR 1600, AVR 2600 and AVR 3600 are all capable of generating multichannel surround sound, allowing users to hear the crisp detail of a soft guitar stroke and the exciting explosions coming from different directions in the latest action movie. Since Harman Kardon’s introduction of the world’s first high-fidelity receiver in 1954, the company continues to utilize the latest in Harman’s proprietary technology and elegant high style to produce audio systems that do not sacrifice quality or ease of use.

Harman Kardon’s new line of receivers makes its debut at a time when more than half of U.S. households own a high-definition TV, according to the Cable & Telecommunications Association for Marketing. However, solely owning a high-definition TV without the proper receiver or sound equipment means that these households can only take partial advantage of the technology being offered through their TV systems. Audio/video receivers not only help integrate the best sound possible coming out of your TV, but they also help integrate playback of other popular devices.

The AVR 3600 is the ultimate home entertainment receiver for entertainment fanatics looking to get the most out of all of their devices at home. It comes equipped with Harman Kardon’s The Bridge III, a universal dock for the iPod and iPhone that connects with a single cable and lets you navigate music and video collections with the unit’s high-resolution on-screen menus. The AVR 3600 is one of the few receivers to play back HD videos from iPod or iPhone products. Non-HD videos from the iPhone are automatically optimized by the AVR 3600 to bring the video quality to the HD standard, 1080p.

Given the importance of integration of multiple entertainment devices, both the AVR 3600 and AVR 2600 feature Dolby Volume to maintain consistent and clear sound volume when switching between multiple sources, such as from DVR to TV to music, one TV channel to another or even a TV program to an overly loud commercial. Harman Kardon® receivers have earned worldwide accolades for their uncompromising sound quality. From entry-level to advanced models, the multichannel receivers are held to the brand’s high-performance standards. With a few simple steps, the AVRs adjust sound to exact room setups. With Harman Kardon’s proprietary EzSet/EQ™ system, the user plugs in an included microphone and follows full-color on-screen instructions (text-only in the AVR1600).

“Novice home-theater installers shouldn’t fret. Harman International brought sound to the first movie theaters and it also introduced many of the technologies associated with the world’s best amplifiers. Simplifying the household setup has become a big part of that process,” said Christopher M. Dragon, director of consumer and field marketing, Harman International. “Our team of engineers continues to deliver the ultimate home-listening experience that’s easy to set up.”

Each receiver helps music and movie libraries sound their best by providing power that ranges between 50 and 80 watts for each of the seven channels. Like all Harman Kardon products, the AVR 1600, AVR 2600 and AVR 3600 are designed to match the entire Harman home-theater lineup; they will be available in September 2009 for a suggested retail price ranging from $599.95 for the AVR 1600, $799.95 for the AVR 2600 and $1,199.95 for the AVR 3600.

All three Harman Kardon AVRs offer a superior audio and video experience. The entire line is capable of Logic 7®, 5.1 and 7.1 for music and cinema. Below is a breakdown of each model’s features:

The Harman Kardon AVR 3600 (SRP $1,199.95) includes all of the AVR 1600 and AVR 2600 features plus the following:

* The Bridge III, included for charging, control and audio/HD video playback from compatible iPod and iPhone products
* Additional Custom Features: Full multiroom audio system with Zone II remote included, preamplifier outputs for all channels and A-BUS/READY™

The Harman Kardon AVR 2600 (SRP $799.95) includes all of the AVR 1600 features plus the following:

* Audio DSP Section: Dolby Volume
* Video DSP Section: Faroudja® “Torino” video scaler/enhancer, upconverts to composite from component video or HDMI™, upconverts to 720P, 1080i through component or up to 1080p through HDMI™. Menu system rendered directly in HD up to 1080p
* HDMI Inputs/Outputs: Four inputs and one output, assignable component video ports
* Audio Inputs: iPod charging, control via AVR menus and playback of audio or HD and SD video via The Bridge III (not included), SIRIUS Satellite Radio®-ready
* Audio Outputs: Configurable back amps for 7.1 or Zone II output
* General Features: Remote In/Out, MR remote In, one switched AC outlet

The Harman Kardon AVR 1600 (SRP $599.95) includes the following:

* Amplifier: Output power – 50 watts per channel (65 watts for the AVR 2600 and 80 watts for the AVR 3600), 20Hz–20kHz bandwidth, high current capability and all-discrete amplifier circuitry
* Audio DSP Section: Dolby Digital Plus, Dolby TrueHD, Dolby Digital, Dolby PLIIx, DTS®, DTS-HD™ High Resolution Audio, DTS-HD Master Audio, DTS-ES® Discrete, DTS NEO:6, DTS 96/24 and DTS 96 kHz/7.1Ch., Logic 7, 5.1 and 7.1 for cinema and music, 2 Ch. downmix
* Video DSP Section: Cross-conversion via component to HDMI (all input to HDMI for the AVR 2600 and AVR 3600)
* Audio Inputs: 6/8 channel direct, portable music player via 3.5 mini jack, five analog L/R (rear) and one analog L/R (front) and S/P-DIF inputs
* Audio Outputs: Three analog out L/R (rear), pre-outs and headphone
* Video Inputs: Three rear and one front composite video, two rear high-bandwidth component video (configurable)
* Video Outputs: One composite video output for front and rear, and one for receiver (VID1)
* HDMI Inputs/Outputs: Three inputs and one output, assignable component video ports
* Digital Inputs/Outputs: Two coax and optical rear inputs, one coax and optical front input, one coax rear output
* General Features: USB port for firmware/DSP updates and upgrades, compressed music enhancer and EzSet/EQ

Harman International

Harman Kardon is a unit of Harman International Industries, Incorporated (www.harman.com). Harman International designs, manufactures and markets a wide range of audio and infotainment products for the automotive, consumer and professional markets. Harman International maintains a strong presence in the Americas, Europe and Asia, and employs more than 11,000 people worldwide. The Harman International family of brands includes AKG®, Audioaccess®, Becker®, BSS®, Crown®, dbx®, DigiTech®, Harman Kardon®, Infinity®, JBL®, Lexicon®, Mark Levinson®, Revel®, QNX®, Soundcraft® and Studer®. Harman International’s stock is traded on the New York Stock Exchange under the symbol (NYSE:HAR).

[Opips2]

cool.

I've Harman Kardor AV/R 254 is fine.

thanks.

[ZIPPO]

I love the new look & their honest power ratings, but I heard the last batch of receivers had problems( 254 & 354 ).

[Blu-ray Fanatic]

The way they describe it makes it seem like "its all that". I won't believe til I hear it.

[SeanMF]

Originally Posted by ZIPPO

I love the new look & their honest power ratings, but I heard the last batch of receivers had problems( 254 & 354 ).

Audio sync...video issues...2 blown fuses in less than a year on my 254. The audio issue they never did seem to get 'right' by firmware by time I sold it. I'm liking the look a lot of the new ones but I really hope they get it right this time.

[Trix]

Originally Posted by ZIPPO

I love the new look & their honest power ratings, but I heard the last batch of receivers had problems( 254 & 354 ).

They most definitly had many issues with the x54 series. There were early warnings because this was HK's first go at HD audio, and it seems they were well founded. Mind you, I've not encountered many issues with my receiver, but with heat damage to my center channel amplifier, I may replace it with these new models under warranty.

[Badboyztn]

Originally Posted by ZIPPO

I love the new look & their honest power ratings, but I heard the last batch of receivers had problems( 254 & 354 ).

I have the HK 354 and I have NOT had any problems. I guess some of us were fortunate.......

[Uniquely]

Only four HDMI's on a $1200 receiver is not very competitive with other receivers currently be released. I'd max that out with my current gear.

[ZIPPO]

How'd you get heat damage to the center amp on your receiver? What were the symptoms?
Is that the reason a fan is included in the new models?

[jonesyg27]

The 2600 looks awesome, but my 310 refuses to die. Maybe when the next new models come out I can get it for half price, like I did before.

Can someone please explain Logic 7? I've had it for 10 years and have never used it. Exactly when would this be beneficial to use?

[Trix]

Originally Posted by ZIPPO

How'd you get heat damage to the center amp on your receiver? What were the symptoms?
Is that the reason a fan is included in the new models?

Short answer; I have about 2 inches clearance above and on each side of my unit, and it's in a cabinet. Now, there are large holes at the back, and I never actually close the door, but there is nothing to circulate the air because I am too lazy to put anything in right now (yes, I know, it's my fault, I accept that). So, internal fans would be awesome.

As far as symptoms, the center channel simply cuts out, and I get no sound from it, no matter what speaker I plug into it. Now, there was a time when it was fairly frequent, but it's been tame lately. I've also noticed that it only happens at a certain volume level, and that if I turn the volume up louder when it happens, it fixes itself. So it might actually be a circuitry issue, but it is definitly within the center channel circuit either way.

Originally Posted by jonesyg27

The 2600 looks awesome, but my 310 refuses to die. Maybe when the next new models come out I can get it for half price, like I did before.

Can someone please explain Logic 7? I've had it for 10 years and have never used it. Exactly when would this be beneficial to use?

Logic7 is basically HK's simulated surround processing, simliar to Dolby's Pro-Logic variations, and DTS's NEO:6 and the like. I've always found that it works fairly well with 2-channel broadcast TV sources.

Keep in mind though that Logic7 will not be available for any content that is encoded, or flagged as encoded, for Dolby or DTS simulated processing. So, if you have your cable/sat box running dolby digital through HDMI/optical/coaxial to your receiver, it is most likely also sending 2-channel sources as either 2.0 dolby digital, or 2.0 with dolby surround enhanced, meaning you won't be able to use Logic7.