Harman Kardon AVR45 Dolby Digital Audio/Video Receiver

by Harman Kardon

Product Details

Product Manual [383kb PDF]

• Product Dimensions: 17.1 x 17.3 x 6.5 inches ; 29 pounds
• Shipping Weight: 35 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: B00000JCT7
• Item model number: AVR45
• Average Customer Review: 2.1 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (11 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #442,053 in Electronics (See Top 100 in Electronics)
• Discontinued by manufacturer: Yes

Product Description

Amazon.com Review

Harman Kardon's role in developing innovative audio components has earned the company one of the finest reputations in home electronics. The AVR45 is a prime example of HK's ability to offer pristine sound and a full set of features in a cost-effective design. The model offers Dolby Digital decoding, impressive audio specifications, and a full set of features including Pro Logic playback and several DSP modes.

Initially we were struck by the receiver's solid feel and clean design. Front-panel controls consist of the standards (volume, balance, mute, etc.) and two basic groupings: a row of buttons for selecting playback formats and input sources (any of X audio and Y video inputs) and a set of smaller buttons used for system setup. The AVR45 also includes an auxiliary set of audio/video inputs and a headphone jack. This front-panel simplicity results in intuitive use. The rear-panel design is also impressive, with clearly labeled jacks and binding posts for speaker connections.

We easily set up this receiver without using the owner's manual, as the sizable display informed us of any modifications we had just made or were about to make. The AVR45 is flexible enough to accommodate virtually any speaker layout, so the setup process consists of enabling or disabling each of the six speakers in your system. You can individually adjust the output level for each speaker and the delay times for both the Pro Logic and Dolby Digital modes. You can consult the manual for suggestions on delay settings based on your room layout.

In our tests, the AVR45 performed impressively in all playback modes, with crystal-clear highs and solid bass. The unit was especially good at handling material with extreme dynamics, thanks in part to its discrete amplifier circuitry and Harman's High Current Capability, which allows the AVR45 to deliver peak responses more accurately than receivers of comparable power. Channel separation was most apparent with the enveloping sound field of Dolby Digital sources, but the unit also delivered high-quality sound with analog inputs.

The AVR45's formats include Dolby Pro Logic, Dolby 3 Stereo (for users without surround speakers), and three DSP (digital signal processing) modes that add varying amounts of ambience to the input signal. DTS (Digital Theater Sound) decoding would be nice for use with DTS-encoded surround CDs and DVDs, but this feature is usually only found in higher-priced receivers. Switching between playback formats--as between analog and digital sources--can result in a noticeable shift in listening level, so you should conduct comparison listening at low volumes to prevent speaker damage.

Also, be aware that you cannot alter the delay times for the DSP modes. This is unfortunate because the preset delays are so extreme in their reverberation ("wetness") that they are unusable with most source material. Of course, you can disable the surround modes completely for the most accurate reproduction of conventional two-channel stereo recordings. Harman Kardon further increases the AVR45's flexibility by including 5.1-channel direct inputs for use with external surround decoders and, for those who plan on using additional amplification now or in the future, preamp outputs for all six channels.

The unit also features a backlit remote control designed to operate all the hardware in your home theater. Operating codes for most manufacturers are in the manual, and the remote is able to "learn" the codes for those not listed. The test model performed flawlessly with other components, although results may vary depending on your system.

Pros:

• High-quality, wide-bandwidth sound
• Has interfaces with external decoders for digital formats not processed internally
• Remote control supports much equipment from other manufacturers

Cons:

• No DTS decoding
• Amount of reverberation in DSP modes limits their use

Amazon.com Product Description

The best Digital audio/video performance at a moderate price. The AVR 45 offers HCC capability and Ultrawide Bandwidth design, and the advanced Crystal Circuit for extraordinary performance rivaled only by top of the line conventional receivers.

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

9 of 9 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Great receiver, power to spare, November 27, 1999

By A Customer

This review is from: Harman Kardon AVR45 Dolby Digital Audio/Video Receiver (Electronics)

I finally bought a receiver that has true power. You can tell that this receiver is in the "high current" class. I have mine powering Polk Audio speakers and the results are astounding. I just wish that this receiver had an s-video input, otherwise it would have 5 stars for price/value.

9 of 9 people found the following review helpful:

2.0 out of 5 stars When it works, sounds great, December 29, 1999

By A Customer

This review is from: Harman Kardon AVR45 Dolby Digital Audio/Video Receiver (Electronics)

I had this receiver for 28 days, about the 20th day the volume spiked to maximum on its own and almost blew my speakers. On the 28th day, the sound degraded to that of an old AM radio just before it stopped sending sound to the speakers completely. It came back to life on and off a couple of times before I pulled out every cable and boxed it up. While it was working it sounded very warm. powerful, and the imaging was great. This unit gets hot, much hotter than it should. I've since read the reviews at audioreview and wish I had before purchasing this receiver. I think H/K dropped the ball on the avr45, avr65, and avr85. I went to Circuit City after XMAS and saw 6 returned AVR's on the shelves, 45's , 65's and 85's. That told me something. I was willimg to live with only one optical input, no DTS and no A/B speakers, but not after the gremlins took hold of it. Sounds like a processor problem throughout the line. Maybe the new 300, 500 series will be like the H/K of old.

5 of 5 people found the following review helpful:

1.0 out of 5 stars Good Brand, bad reciever, December 27, 2001

By A Customer

This review is from: Harman Kardon AVR45 Dolby Digital Audio/Video Receiver (Electronics)

HK makes good products...except this one. Look over the web and you will find many complaints about this reciever. I know, I own one. The amp overheats then the surround modes go away. For a while, only the bypass mode worked. Now, I have an expensive paper weight. Save you money and buy a different model. I have had good luck with other HK's, just not hte AVR45.