Harman Kardon AVR 630 Dolby Digital Receiver

by Harman Kardon

Product Details

Product Manual [1.29mb PDF]

• Product Dimensions: 41 x 17.1 x 17.3 inches ; 47 pounds
• Shipping Weight: 48 pounds
• Shipping: This item can only be shipped to the 48 contiguous states. We regret it cannot be shipped to APO/FPO, Hawaii, Alaska, or Puerto Rico.
• ASIN: B0000D8HR9
• Item model number: AVR 630
• Average Customer Review: 3.7 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (3 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #189,495 in Electronics (See Top 100 in Electronics)
• Discontinued by manufacturer: Yes

Product Description

Amazon.com Product Description

The Harman Kardon AVR 630 is an ultimate-performance 7.1-channel audio/video receiver that integrates the company's most advanced technologies and features. When it comes to format compatibility, switching and distribution power, audio refinement, and exciting audio-enhancing features, the AVR 630 has got it going on. Its superior audio quality derives from its seven channels of high-current, ultrawide-bandwidth amplification, its 192 kHz/24-bit digital-to-analog audio chips, the latest Cirrus Logic CS 49400 24-bit, dual-core DSP with 32-bit post-processing, and compatibility with all popular and many leading-edge surround-sound formats.

The AVR 630's suite of technologies includes HDCD processing and Harman Kardon's exclusive switchable front-panel audio, video, and coaxial digital-audio inputs. The AVR 630 also offers complete Quadruple Crossover digital bass management for all inputs--critical for balancing the inputs from different surround formats--including the 6/8-channel "direct" analog inputs to accommodate playback of high-resolution digital-audio formats such as DVD-Audio and SACD. The receiver's bass management seamlessly integrates these formats with any speaker system, regardless of the capabilities of the playback device.

The AVR 630 also includes a host of important features such as A/V Sync Delay for synchronizing the audio and video signals in systems using digital video displays, external video processors, or with digital sources such as PVRs, satellite, or digital cable; RS-232 connectivity for bi-directional remote control and firmware upgradeability; Harman Kardon's exclusive EzSet remote with two-line LCD display; Dolby Virtual Speaker and Dolby Headphone surround processing; MP3 playback (through a digital-audio connection with your MP3-CD-compatible source component); and a slot-mounted tuner that may be upgraded at a future date to accommodate HD Radio.

Of special interest to custom installers, the AVR 630 offers extensive multi-room capabilities with assignable amplifier configuration and A-BUS Ready connectivity; a comprehensive selection of digital and analog video and audio connections, including two assignable, wide-bandwidth (50 MHz), HDTV-compatible component-video switching inputs; six digital-audio inputs, front-panel and S-video inputs and outputs; and a dedicated Zone II remote for multi room operation, among other features.

What's in the Box
Receiver, remote control, remote batteries, radio antennas, a user's manual, and warranty information.

Product Description

The Harman Kardon AVR-630 7.1 Channel Surround Receiver is a powerhouse by anyone's definition -- a gentle giant, with incredible finesse when it comes to audio fidelity. Frequency Response - 10Hz - 130kHz Multi-Room / Multi-Source Surround Back amplifiers assignable to Second Zone Integrated surround technologies - Dolby Digital, Dolby Digital EX, Dolby Pro Logic II, DTS 5.1, DTS-ES 6.1 Discrete and Matrix, DTS 96/24, DTS Neo - 6, Logic 7, 96kHz capability VMax Dolby Virtual Speaker Headphone Modes - VMax, Dolby Headphone AM - FM Tuner Coaxial & Optical Inputs / Outputs S-Video Inputs / Outputs Subwoofer Preamplifier 2-Line LCD Remote

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

21 of 22 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Harman Kardon AVR630 - Wonderfully Beautiful Sound, October 29, 2004

By 

P. Langenfeld (Tucson Arizona) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Harman Kardon AVR 630 Dolby Digital Receiver (Electronics)

This is a very clear, powerful, and relaxing Receiver. I tried many other units and spent hundreds in restocking fees and returned postage before I tried and settled on this one as my favorite pick. I tried an Arcam AVR300 which had very revealing tonalities at twice the price - but had so much treble (I almost heard every breath of everyone in the audience and every sizzle of a cymbal) that it made my B&W 805 speakers which are already prone to be a little bright and revealing sound harsh and annoying after only a few minutes of listening. When I connected the Harman Kardon 630 suddenly I relaxed and enjoyed listening as I heard smooth, clear, and warm yet natural and open sound from this high powered amp. Don't be confused with the advertised 75 watts. The Arcam AVR300 at twice the price advertised at 100 watts and the Denon 3805 at 120 watts did not seem as powerful. The total power output is a related to the level of current X watts which is very high in this receiver since it puts out more total power than many receivers advertising twice the power (watts only) because of its high current This is a little like comparing a fire truck hose (the Harmon Kardon with high current) to a garden hose - which would be the others with low current (a small hose diameter) with water moving a little faster out of the end (watts) but not delivering near as much total water out the end as the fire hose did with the larger hose (more current). You can immediately hear the improved fidelity and very clean sound associated with this powerful receiver. I also compared the Denon 3805 which was even harsher and brighter than the Arcam AVR300 - but at least had a built in full spectrum EQ to try to compensate unlike the Arcam which only had base and treble. Again, the Denon and Arcam are verable receivers and may have sounded wonderful with their openess on other speakers or if the harsh upper ends of the B&W speakers didn't bother me. The HK receiver's sound has a softer more analog edge as it is not pure digital processing like the other's.

How your music sounds is effected largely by the built in tonal bias of both your Receiver, Speakers, and CD player together. In my opinion, as far as speaker receiver combinations go, the B&W 805's (bright speakers - yet warm & revealing) combined with the Arcam or Denon receivers (which are also bright) would induce listener fatigue in most listensers. The bright sounding Infinity speakers would probably have the same effect with the Arcam and Denon receivers unless you have a cheap CD player with poor tonal output (I like the Arcam and Jolida CD players for their revealing and warm sound). For my listening tasts the Harman Kardon AVR630 wins hands down as the best receiver with my B&W 805's. I feel it would complement almost any speakers out there nicely. Wish I had started with it in the beggining in my search for the "perfect sytem".

The Harman Kardon AVR630 is currently discounted as it is soon to be replaced. If you don't mind paying a few hundred more, any week now (this November) Harman Kardon is coming out with a new receiver line that looks the same (beautiful) as the current line but with a built in full spectrum automatic EQ which I assume will allow you to override its automatic adjustment to adjust the sound to the accoustics of your room and personal listening preferences. My experience with EQs is that they can dramatically improve the overall quality of the sound which is already near perfect in this unit. If you have a fairly laid back speaker (such as the Polk LSI series - which are also wonderful sounding - but not quit in the class with the 3X more expensive B&Ws) you may be happy with one of the bright sounding Arcam or Denon receivers, but from my experience and personal listening preferences - the Harman Kardon AVR630 is one of the best and most easy to listen to natural sounding high fidelity receivers around bar none and my personal favorite - with perphaps the exception of the soon to be released HK AVR635 sometime in November, 04.

P.S. The new HK AVR635 will set the EQ with auto only and although it may do a good job, it does not let you manually overide it to adjust the EQ to your own personal preferences - an obvious engineering blunder. Denon allows you to overide if that is important to you. The Denon works wonderful with the incredibly great sounding yet smooth Onix Reference speakers which by the way you can get 1/2 off at Audiogon dot com or B Stock at the AV123 site if you watch for them regularly. These speakers sound as good as the B&W 803's without the harsh treble and have better base at 1/2 the price of the B&W's new or 1/4 if you get them at half price used. I highly recommend them. Great and big sound out of small speakers!

5 of 6 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars I absolutely love this receiver!!, December 2, 2004

By 

Ronald Raygun (Kansas City) - See all my reviews

Amazon Verified Purchase

This review is from: Harman Kardon AVR 630 Dolby Digital Receiver (Electronics)

Don't be fooled by the low wattage, this receiver is all about high current amperage! Clean sound and very detailed. My Sony died on me and I decided to go with H/K for a replacement. The AVR 630 completely changed the sound of my speakers. It was like getting a new receiver AND new speakers!

1 of 1 people found the following review helpful:

1.0 out of 5 stars Sounded Great When it Worked, March 21, 2009

By 

Audiogeek 55 (Denver,CO) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Harman Kardon AVR 630 Dolby Digital Receiver (Electronics)

I owned a Harman AVR 500 for years. Great receiver. Sounded good no problems. I still have it hooked up in our bedroom. Upgraded to the AVR 630 for the 7 channels. After 13 months no sound. Took to authorized repair shop. 50 dollars to look at. Was told unit could not be repaired. Called Harman & they replaced for free minus 60 dollars shipping. Nine months later AVR 630 won't stay on for more than 10 seconds. No HDMI connections. No more Harman. Looking for new receiver now.