Harman Kardon AVR 635 7.1 Channel Surround Sound Audio/Video Receiver

by Harman Kardon

Product Details

Product Manual [1.94mb PDF]

• Product Dimensions: 17 x 17 x 7 inches ; 47 pounds
• Shipping Weight: 49 pounds
• Shipping: This item is also available for shipping to select countries outside the U.S.
• Shipping Advisory: This item must be shipped separately from other items in your order. Additional shipping charges will not apply.
• ASIN: B00065HLYC
• Item model number: AVR 635
• Batteries: 4 AA batteries required. (included)
• Average Customer Review: 4.3 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (19 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #41,110 in Electronics (See Top 100 in Electronics)

Product Description

Amazon.com Product Description

Amazon.com Product Description Harman Kardon's AVR 635 7.1-channel audio/video surround receiver includes the company's latest features and technologies on top of near-universal surround-format compatibility. Internally, the receiver is engineered for extraordinary sonic performance, featuring a discrete-output amplifier section that delivers seven channels of high-current (+/- 50 Amps), ultrawide-bandwidth amplification--7 x 75 watts into 8 ohms, 20 to 20,000 Hz with less than 0.07 percent THD--in addition to state-of-the-art 192 kHz/24-bit audio digital-to-analog converters and a high-power Texas Instruments 32-bit DSP processor.

Take a closer look at the AVR 635's connections. You can also view the unit's front panel and remote control in detail.

The AVR 635's wealth of cutting-edge technologies also includes quadruple-crossover bass management, automatic digital input polling, video cross-conversion (which converts all composite- and S-video sources to high-resolution component-video), bidirectional RS-232 connectivity with software and firmware upgradeability, A/V sync delay, and a slot-mounted tuner that may be upgraded at a future date to accommodate HD Radio.

Surround sound features include Dolby Virtual Speaker, Dolby Headphone processing, and Dolby Pro Logic IIx processing (which provides an expansive, full-range 7.1-channel program from any stereo or 5.1-channel source). The receiver handles all other popular formats (including Dolby Digital EX and Dolby Digital 5.1), all standard DTS modes (including 6.1 DTS-ES Discrete, DTS-ES Matrix, DTS Neo:6, Cinema 6.1/5.1, and Music 6.1/5.1), and even the latest DTS 96/24 high-resolution audio technology. In addition, the AVR 635 provides HDCD (High-Definition Compatible Digital) processing to deliver the best possible CD playback quality from HDCD-encoded discs.

You also get Harman's proprietary Logic 7 audio for enhanced multichannel reproduction from both matrix-encoded and 2-channel recordings. The latest implementation of Logic 7 provides improved post-processing for the rear surround channels.

The receiver's many audio and video connections include three wide-bandwidth, assignable HDTV-compatible component-video inputs. The AVR 635 also features multiroom/multisource operation with independent, simultaneous playback of two program sources, assignable back surround amplifier channels, A-BUS connectivity, and a Zone II remote. The A-BUS Ready system simplifies multiroom connectivity without external amplifiers. It uses a standard Cat5/Ethernet cable to connect the receiver's rear panel in one room to a Harman Kardon AB 1 A-BUS-compatible amplifier/control module in a separate room.

Along with its extensive video connectivity, the receiver offers a array of digital and analog audio connections, including multiple coaxial and optical digital audio inputs and outputs. It sports both analog and digital front-panel inputs, 6-/8-channel direct audio inputs, and 7.1-channel preamp outputs to accommodate a DVD-Video, DVD-Audio, SACD, or universal player.

The AVR 635 is also among the first receivers to include EzSet/EQ, which provides automated system calibration and room equalization, which greatly simplifies installation as it improves system performance by tailoring the output of the receiver to your speakers, compensating for the effects of room acoustics.

The receiver's quadruple-crossover bass-management system lets you choose from six different crossover frequencies for the front L/R, center, surround L/R, and surround back L/R speakers. Most receivers and DVD players have far more limited crossover filtering or none at all. Moreover, you can set different speaker-size configurations for different AVR 635 input sources according to your needs.

You get a high-quality FM/AM tuner with 30 station presets and a Listener Preference System that lets you specify a surround mode according to the program source. You can also set speaker-channel levels for each program source and DSP format (for example, the subwoofer level can be set differently for multichannel movie viewing and 2-channel CD music listening).

What's in the Box
Receiver, remote control, remote batteries, an EzSet/EQ microphone, FM wire/AM loop antennas, warranty information, and user's manual.

Product Description

The number of channels is only one factor of many when considering home-theater surround performance. Harman Kardon AVR635 focuses on sound quality with the most fidelity throughout the listening spectrum for superior realism and a pleasurable experience. AVR635 combines the sonic power of a high-current, ultrawide-bandwidth amplifier with the computer power of Texas Instruments' most advanced audio DSP to deliver unparalleled performance. With exclusive, integrated EzSet/EQ functionality, speaker, output and delay settings are automated for optimal equalization to your room acoustics. Add video conversion circuits that output all video sources via component connections with on screen graphics, a digitally-tuned AM/FM radio (that's optionally upgradeable to digital radio), and, of course, the ability to play through up to 7 speakers plus a subwoofer, this is a receiver that's worth owning. A/V Inputs - 4 rear, 1 front S-Video Inputs - 4 rear, 1 front Analog and digital Inputs outputs - A/V Inputs - 5 ; S-Video Inputs - 5 ; Audio Inputs - 4 ; Digital Inputs (Coax/Optical) Rear panel - 2/2, Front panel - 1/1 ; Digital Outputs (Coax/Optical) Rear panel - 2/2, Front panel - 1/0 ; Direct Audio Inputs - 6-/8-Channel Up to 30 AM/FM tuning presets 2 AC outlets built-in (rear) Speaker Terminals - Color-coded binding post Unit Weight - 41 lbs Connector for external AM/FM antenna option Harman Kardon USA 2-Year Limited Warranty

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

43 of 44 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars forget the watts, October 18, 2005

By 

Leigh McMullen (Atlanta, GA) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

Amazon Verified Purchase

This review is from: Harman Kardon AVR 635 7.1 Channel Surround Sound Audio/Video Receiver (Electronics)

Forget the Watts... this baby delivers more punch (at a greater clarity) at 75 watts than any 100 watt receiver you find from dennon, sony, or kenwood (especially since it is high current). Where the AVR 635 really shines is in the combination of ease of setup and flexibility of configuration.

Usually a receiver is either easy to setup, but ties you into a fairly ridgid configuration, or it is very flexible, but terribly difficult to get setup correctly.

Setting up your AV channels is a breeze, you simply select what video source goes with what audio source and give it a name, and you're done. That said you have the ability to fine tune any of this configuration, as you see fit.

Balancing audio for the room is even easier, you plug the microphone in (ships with the unit), hit setup, and you're done. Instant room EQ.

I've had the unit for a month or two now, and haven't had time to dive into the finer features, because it does everything I really need it to right out of the box.

Plan on spending an hour, read the instructions, go to the setup, and you will be enjoying the best sound money can buy.

(P.S. if you're thinking about the 7300, go with the 635, it's a better value, and you're never miss those other 25 watts.)

26 of 29 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars ONE OF THE BEST OUT THERE, March 28, 2006

By 

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

This review is from: Harman Kardon AVR 635 7.1 Channel Surround Sound Audio/Video Receiver (Electronics)

This is a beautiful sounding and powerful AVR receiver/Amp. The sound is clear, strong, and has great depth. It is not a harsh (overly revealing) amp like the Denon can be when matched with bright speakers. This amp has a very deep spatial clean sound which is warmly revealing, strong, and quality all of the way. It seems to make the instruments sort of float and stand out in the musical space. It is more of a warmer analog sound without having to go to tubes (less bussy like some of the solid state digital amps which often induce listener fatigue). I auditioned this amp in my house with a Denon 2805 and an Arcam Amp and liked this one the best with my B&W speakers. Because of the high current level of this amp, it sounded with 75 watts per channel much more powerful than me Denon 2805 or the Arcam with more listed wattage.

Note: total output is equal to roughly watts X current - a good analogy is a hose. The watts is the speed of the water out the end of the hose and the amps is the size of the hoze. Obviously a garden hose (small diameter = low amps) with a spray nozzle high velocity end (high watts) will not equal the overall power (total water output) of a fire hose (wide hose = high amps) with less velocity of water out the end (lower watts).

This amp will also put out 90 watts per channel in 2 speaker mode. Forget about rating the HK amplifiers by the watts. Because of its high current, I would pit this amps ability against a 150 watt Sony any day (no contest).

By the way, if you aren't into dolby and want to just listen to your movies and music with only two speakers, Harman Kardan has a wonderful amp/receiver with even more power at about 1/3 the price. The HK 3480 puts out 125 pure clean powerful high current amps. It is also attractive. The long row of small round option buttons that look a tacky silver in the demo picture are actually an attractive black and the silver seen is simply from flash reflection.

This amplifier is my amp of choice over two highly touted high end ampifiers (Denon & Arcam).

17 of 19 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars WOW!!!, March 22, 2005

By 

mazzas (Baltimore, MD USA) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Harman Kardon AVR 635 7.1 Channel Surround Sound Audio/Video Receiver (Electronics)

I recently bought a plasma tv which I was powering with an older model JVC surround receiver and inexpensive Panasonic DVD palyer through fairly nice Infinity speakers and an Infinity powered sub. After some research, and soul searching, I decided to upgrade to the AVR-635 and DVD-22. I have to say that I never expected the increase in both video and audio performance that I got from these units. While I'm not an audiophile, my eyes and ears work just fine. Any benefit that I thought I got for just upgrading my tv was far outweighed by the subsequent a/v upgrade. I'm watching each movie I have as if it's the first time I've seen it.