Harman Kardon AVR 230 Audio/Video Surround Receiver

by Harman Kardon

Product Details

Product Manual [927kb PDF]

• Product Dimensions: 15.4 x 17.3 x 6.6 inches ; 27.3 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: B0000D8HRG
• Item model number: AVR230
• Batteries: 2 AA batteries required. (included)
• Average Customer Review: 4.5 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (2 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #84,253 in Electronics (See Top 100 in Electronics)
• Discontinued by manufacturer: Yes

Product Description

Amazon.com Product Description

Harman Kardon's future-ready 6.2-channel AVR 230 provides outstanding performance and value with its high-current 50-watts-per-channel amplifier, abundant inputs, high-bandwidth HD-ready component-video switching, and through features such as Harman's exclusive Logic 7 and VMAx surround-sound processing, Triple Crossover bass-management system, multichannel direct inputs for DVD-Audio and SACD, and other enhancements. Power output for the receiver is 6 x 50 watts (6 channels driven), or 2 x 65 watts in stereo (in both cases from 20 to 20,000 Hz into 8-ohm speakers, with less than 0.07 percent THD).

The receiver offers extensive installation flexibility and connectivity, including front-panel audio/video and digital-audio inputs. You also get five A/V inputs, component-video switching for two sources, and a supplied universal remote control featuring patented EzSet automatic speaker-level calibration and advanced system control capabilities.

The unit's authoritative surround processing includes the two major surround formats, Dolby Digital and DTS 5.1, as well as the latest 6.1-channel incarnations, like Dolby Digital EX and DTS-ES. A 6.1 configuration adds a rear-center speaker to the standard 5.1 setup of front left/right, front center, and rear left/right surround, with the ".1" representing the low-frequency effects channel handled by your powered subwoofer. The AVR 230 offers two subwoofer outputs in case you're using separate left/right subs in your system. Two proprietary Harman audio technologies, Logic 7 7.1/5.1, and VMAx, deliver heightened sonic realism from surround sound and stereo audio source material.

The AVR 230's Triple Crossover bass management is 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.

Select from three different bass-crossover frequencies for the front, center, and surround speakers to perfectly tailor the audio output fed to each set of speakers for optimum frequency response and performance. This compensates for the absence of bass management on many high-resolution optical players (like DVD-Audio or multichannel SACD players) so you can enjoy the maximum sonic benefits from high-resolution formats.

What's in the Box
Receiver, remote control, remote batteries, a user's manual, a quick-setup guide, and warranty information.

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

4 of 4 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Nice looks, nice sounds, October 27, 2004

By 

Thomas Lunsford "Computer Engineer" (Pensacola, FL USA) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Harman Kardon AVR 230 Audio/Video Surround Receiver (Electronics)

First and foremost, this unit sounds very good! In the week that I have had it, I have had no problems. Changing between Dolby modes, DTS modes, and the many, many other modes is simple. The manual is quite thorough and has not yet left me with an unanswered question. The manual can be downloaded online, which I did to help make my purchase decision.

The onscreen display is very nice, but don't expect beautiful graphics onscreen.

Additionally, the unit has plenty of inputs for many different component types, as well as multiple audio and video input types per component.

The remote is very usable, but unfortunately, it will most likely not replace the remotes for your other components, so be prepared to flip flop between remotes (or pony up the money to buy a Harmony remote).

4 of 4 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars AVR 230, September 15, 2004

By 

M. Soto "mas" (North Carolina) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

Amazon Verified Purchase

This review is from: Harman Kardon AVR 230 Audio/Video Surround Receiver (Electronics)

If you have any doubts about buying this receiver, don't worry. The looks are great and it powers my JBL speakers superbly. I was a little afraid about setting up the system (I'm using a Panasonic plasma TV, HDTV satellite TV receiver, DVD, VCR, and JBL 6.1 surround) but it was fairly easy. The instructions are pretty good, but you do have to read them in order to maximize use of all the features. The EZ setup for the speaker levels worked great. I'm really satisfied with this system and highly recommend it.

The only thing that could be improved is the remote control, but I haven't found one yet that is perfect.