Harman Kardon AVR 210 Dolby Digital Audio/Video Receiver

by Harman Kardon

Product Details

Product Manual [565kb PDF]

• Product Dimensions: 17.1 x 17.3 x 6.5 inches ; 31 pounds
• Shipping Weight: 33 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: B000051SDN
• Item model number: AVR210
• Batteries: 2 AA batteries required. (included)
• Average Customer Review: 5.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (4 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #284,600 in Electronics (See Top 100 in Electronics)
• Discontinued by manufacturer: Yes

Product Description

Amazon.com Product Description

Harman Kardon takes the lead in digital home theater with the introduction of the world's first audio-video receivers with built-in MP3 decoding and a wealth of innovative features and technologies. Harman Kardon's AVR 210 aims to redefine home theater design, performance, and value while featuring Harman Kardon's new elegant industrial design.

The AVR 210 is an exceptional receiver choice for home entertainment systems that have more modest amplifier power requirements, yet whose owners desire a full complement of high-end features. The AVR 210 delivers 40 watts into 8 ohms (20 Hz to 20 kHz, less than 0.07 percent THD, all channels driven) of high-current, ultrawide-bandwidth power to each channel (50 watts x 2 in stereo). It also features a wide variety of audio and video inputs and outputs, including the company's exclusive Front-Panel Play and Record feature, for enhanced connectivity.

The AVR 210 features Harman Kardon's patented EzSet remote, which includes a built-in SPL (sound pressure level) measuring and calibration system that automatically balances speaker-channel levels for optimum surround sound listening regardless of the playback format. Setting speaker levels is one of the most critical adjustments for proper movie soundtrack reproduction, and the EzSet remote makes the process accurate and virtually foolproof for maximum audio benefits.

Significantly expanding its functionality beyond the traditional capabilities of an audio-video receiver, this model features MP3 decoding capability for compatibility with the latest in audio technology. When connected to a computer with a compatible coaxial digital-audio output jack or Harman Kardon's new CDR 30 CD recorder or DVD 50 DVD video changer via their coaxial or optical digital inputs, this exclusive Harman Kardon innovation enables music lovers to enjoy high-quality playback of MP3-encoded CDs or Internet-delivered streaming media programs on their home entertainment systems. (Compatibility with playback of MP3 files directly from a computer may require additional, optional software drivers for proper formatting of the data output. Harman Kardon cannot guarantee MP3-file playback with all computers and/or sound cards.)

The AVR 210 receiver also features 24-bit, 192 kHz audio capability using multiple latest-generation Crystal Semiconductor 49326 DSP processors and 4392 digital-to-analog converters for the highest-resolution audio playback available today. As an added benefit, feeding the digital output of most CD players (with lower than 24-bit/192 kHz resolution) to the AVR will provide dramatically better sound quality than you'd hear playing back through standard 16-bit, 44.1 kHz DACs.

The receiver also features the highest-quality surround sound audio performance, utilizing not only Dolby Digital and DTS 5.1-channel decoding, but two proprietary Harman Kardon audio technologies, Logic 7 and VMAx, which take surround sound and stereo audio reproduction to new levels of sonic realism.

Developed by Lexicon and available exclusively in AV receivers from Harman Kardon, Logic 7 is a sophisticated digital signal-processing (DSP) system that provides better multichannel derivations from matrix-encoded and two-channel stereo recordings than what was previously attainable via Harman's two cinema and music listening modes. Logic 7 reproduces two-channel recordings through a multichannel speaker system with superior imaging, separation, and directionality, along with a greater sense of envelopment. Logic 7 also improves playback of any matrix surround-encoded material (such as Dolby Pro Logic), for a wider front soundstage and smoother and more accurate movement of sound between front and rear.

Harman Kardon's patented VMAx Near- and Far-mode VirtualTheater audio processing is a DSP method of simulating realistic, high-fidelity, 3-D surround sound audio in 360 degrees using just two loudspeakers, as in a traditional stereo playback system. VMAx works astonishingly well thanks to its proprietary, sophisticated processing algorithms and vast processing power.

VMAx accepts a Dolby Digital or Dolby Pro Logic multichannel output and processes it into two channels in such a way that listeners believe they are listening to sounds from five speakers: left, center, and right front as well as left and right surround. Conventional two-channel-stereo program material is also improved to provide a much wider and deeper soundstage, one that extends well beyond the locations of the loudspeakers. The listener can choose from both Near and Far modes for an up-close or more distant listening perspective.

The receiver of course features Harman Kardon's high-current, ultrawide- bandwidth amplifier topology with discrete output devices to reproduce digital movie soundtracks and music with unmatched sonic accuracy and dynamic power. The receiver's high-current capability enables it to effortlessly drive even difficult loudspeaker loads, while ultrawide bandwidth provides far superior phase linearity, lower distortion, greater high-frequency headroom, and more accurate frequency response in the audible frequency range. This unit also drives equal power into all five main channels, especially important for clear, accurate reproduction of discrete, full-range 5.1-channel Dolby Digital and DTS movie soundtracks--not to mention discrete multichannel music discs with full-bandwidth, rear-channel program material. Banana plug-compatible speaker terminals grace the amplifier outputs, facilitating the use of audiophile-quality speaker cables.

Harman Kardon's Advanced Digital Bass Manager is another standout feature, the most versatile multichannel bass-management system available. This unique system lets the receiver route the LFE (low-frequency effects) channel to the left and right front speakers as well as to the subwoofer, if desired, to provide more available bass, and employs a fourth-order low-pass filter, rather than the commonly used second-order filter, for a smoother transition between higher and lower frequencies.

A wealth of additional performance and convenience features includes a greatly expanded complement of digital and analog inputs (including front-panel digital inputs to accommodate high-performance game consoles, which often offer digital outputs for multichannel audio), S-video down-conversion (which converts an S-video input to a composite video output for greater video source component connection and switching flexibility).

Exclusive to Harman Kardon, the AVR 210 also provides a unique Front-Panel Play and Record feature that enables the front-panel jacks to function either as inputs or outputs to connect a program source such as a VCR, camcorder, CD recorder, or portable audio product for either playback or recording.

Additional features include an improved onscreen menu system, a Listener Preference System that lets you set specific speaker-channel level settings for each program source and DSP format (for example, the subwoofer level can be set differently for two-channel CD music listening and multichannel Dolby Digital DVD movie viewing), an icon-based front-panel display that provides ready indication of all functions, and much more. All Harman Kardon receivers (excluding the AVR 110) include six-channel direct inputs to accommodate future digital audio decoding systems and DVD audio/video players.

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

36 of 40 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars great home reciever, April 3, 2001

By 

SL (RI) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Harman Kardon AVR 210 Dolby Digital Audio/Video Receiver (Electronics)

I have to give this a five star because I see absolutely nothing wrong about this receiver. Well, if you are a remote control freak, you might be disappointed with HK's non-learning, non-universal remote. This reciever has pretty much everything you need to set up a nice home theater. It has DTS and Dolby Digital, essential for making full use of your DVD player. One reason I got this Harman Kardon instead of another reciever that's cheaper and has as many features is because of its sound quality and durability. Note that this receiver only outputs 40 watts per channel. Obviously, this wouldn't be suited for college parties (although I think it's quite loud at high volumes). If you are thinking of building a home theater and if space is one of your concerns, this is an IDEAL receiver for smaller speakers systems with satellite speakers (like BOSE or Polk Audio). You will never have to worry about blowing out the speakers. It will complement and make use of every thing your smaller speakers can handle with beautiful sound output.

2 of 2 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Incredible machine, February 1, 2002

By 

Peter John Hill "Peter" (Seattle, WA) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Harman Kardon AVR 210 Dolby Digital Audio/Video Receiver (Electronics)

I just picked up one of these beasts. It is awesome. Don't let the power rating fool you. It says 40 watts, but that is over the full 20Hz to 20k Hz, and that isn't peak power, like cheaper recievers tell you. It can drive the speakers at high current without any detectible distortion.

This thing has more inputs and outputs then anything else I have seen, for example. Check out the detailed specs. It will convert s-video in to composite out, which is nice for me, since my tv does not have s-video in.

I love the auto level setup for the speakers, using a pressure sensor on the remote. Incredible.

The remote now controls my tv, dvd player, cablebox and reciever, plus you can set up macros on it, up to 17 steps, you can make it turn on your cable box, reciever, and television with one button, plus turn them off with another.

The On Screen display is nice. The best part for me is that I got it as an open box for $300 at circuit city.

Try it, you'll like it

1 of 1 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars A whole New Level, April 27, 2002

By 

J. Greene "jvgreene" (Orangeburg, South Carolina USA) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Harman Kardon AVR 210 Dolby Digital Audio/Video Receiver (Electronics)

I thought I had the ultimate home video setup, that is until I bought this receiver. I was blown away within seconds of getting it up and running. Try playing the opening scene of "Twister" on this machine. I wanted to run and hide in a closet! Or try the scene in "Jurassic Park" with the T-Rex's footsteps approaching the stalled jeeps. I kept looking for a T-Rex to come in my den. My mother thought someone was ramming the house. I have my system hooked up with Klipsch surrounds, it is devastating.

I only have one bad thing to say about this receiver and that is the remote. I can't get it to control the majority of my name brand components (but what universal remote does that).

I hope everyone gets a chance to at least hear a good Harmon Kardon system. You would be amazed!