Harman Kardon Signature Series 2.1 Multichannel Amplifier

by Harman Kardon

Product Details

Product Manual [347kb PDF]

• Product Dimensions: 16 x 17 x 7.5 inches ; 45.6 pounds
• Shipping Weight: 47 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: B0000300CS
• Item model number: Signature 2.1
• Average Customer Review: 4.5 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (2 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #278,478 in Electronics (See Top 100 in Electronics)
• Discontinued by manufacturer: Yes

Product Description

Amazon.com Review

For those seeking home theater performance a cut above the ordinary, the team of Harman Kardon's Signature Series 2.1 multichannel amplifier and Signature Series 2.0 surround processor/tuner (sold separately) offers superior sound, sophisticated ergonomics, and outstanding build quality.

Manufacturers often slant their power specifications to make a given product appear more powerful than it is. Harman Kardon, however, doesn't need to fudge its specs for this dynamic, well-behaved, and (for its quality) reasonably priced five-channel amplifier. Some amplifiers actually decrease their power output when driving lower-impedance speakers; the Signature Series 2.1 gives you an honest 100 watts per channel (wpc) into 8-ohm speakers and 150 watts with 4-ohm models across the full audible bandwidth, with less than 0.03 percent total harmonic distortion when all channels are driven.

Keep in mind that speakers are rated at "nominal" impedances for the resistance they offer--the impedance of most speakers will vary widely at different frequencies and can dip down well below 4 ohms at certain frequencies. An amp that can't deliver its rated power at those frequencies, whatever they may be, will not sound as good or as powerful as one that can. The Signature 2.1 delivers more power at low impedances, not less. That means it has a beefy (and expensive) power supply.

Regardless of your speakers, you aren't likely to be driving all five channels hard, even during the most taxing Dolby Digital or DTS 5.1-channel movies. However, it's good to know that full power is available simultaneously at all locations if you need it. If your listening includes DTS 5.1-channel music CDs (or if you're planning to get into DVD-audio), you'll appreciate the power even more. Plus, when you're listening in two-channel stereo mode, you'll have plenty of sonic leeway.

The absence of a (usually noisy) cooling fan in the Signature Series 2.1 further exemplifies the great care that Harman Kardon has put into its design. Only careful parts selection and layout could allow this unit to properly dissipate heat without a fan.

But forget the technical mumbo jumbo: this is a fine-sounding amplifier at what is actually a very reasonable price: less than $300 per 100-watt channel. The overall sound of the Signature 2.1 is neutral, with slightly dry (or deaccentuated) mid and high frequencies and well-controlled bass.

Some amplifiers sound harmonically rich, or luscious, but at the expense of transient speed and detail (as you'd need in reproducing a drummer's dynamic rim shot). Other amplifiers sound "fast" but overly dry, lean, and analytical. The 2.1 tends toward this latter group relative to other equipment in its price range but still renders movies and music with enough texture to sound full and satisfying. Harman's high-current design produces a punchy, dynamic overall sound, which is perfect for home theater applications.

As is often the case with matching components, the 2.1's sound perfectly complements the smooth and liquid sound of the Signature Series 2.0 preamplifier/processor. Put the two together and you have a synergistic combination that sounds better than either piece by itself. That said, if you're thinking about one or the other as an add-on to your existing system, either works great with many other brands of preamp/processor or amplifier.

Be sure to provide adequate ventilation for this high-power amplifier and plug it directly in the wall or amplifier socket on your power-line conditioner of choice. You should not use any extension cords. With enough breathing room, the 2.1 should keep your home theater happy for many years to come.

Pros:

• High-power, high-current, low-feedback design
• Clean, punchy sound
• No noisy cooling fan
• High build quality
• Auto-turn-on trigger when used with Harman Kardon preamp/processor

Cons:

• Large chassis requires even larger space for good ventilation
• Slightly dry top end (high frequencies)

Product Description

Large chassis requires even larger space for good ventilation Slightly dry top end (high frequencies) Product Description The Signature 2.1's brute-force high-current capability (over 100 amperes!) belies the sonic delicacy and fine detail that this power amplifier is capable of delivering. With an astonishing ultrawide bandwidth of 1kHz to 170kHz (?3dB), the 2.1 provides tight, fast, controlled bass down the lowest reproducible octaves; a panoramic, three-dimensional soundstage; and open, articulate treble. It's warm and natural-sounding at any volume level.Weighing almost fifty pounds, the 2.1 is designed to deliver the full impact of the wide dynamic range of today's movie soundtracks and digital music media. Five separate channels each deliver 100 watts into 8 ohms or 150 watts into 4 ohms, all channels driven 20Hz to 20kHz, with less than 0.03% total harmonic distortion. Yet its efficient design and generous convection heat exchanger totally eliminate the need for noisy forced-air fans.

See all Product Description

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

20 of 20 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Amp with Atl. Tech. THX select, September 18, 2000

By 

Andrew A. Edmonds (Seattle, WA United States) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Harman Kardon Signature Series 2.1 Multichannel Amplifier (Electronics)

This seems like a really nicely built amp. I bought a demo model for under $500 which makes is a real bargain. It runs warm but not hot to the touch. It sounds very dynamic and clean, I can't detect any kind of coloration from the amp. If anything it's too transparent because it will make bad sources sound as they are: bad. I haven't tried it with any big speakers to see how well the bottom end hits, but the top end seems real good. Very dynamic for movies with my Atlantic Tech. System 270 THX Select speakers. The retail prices are a bit high, for $1200 I'd probably prefer other amps such at Outlaw's Model 750 for $1099 or others from Parasound, B&K or Rotel. But if you can find a decent price on this amp it is a high quality product. It could easily meet THX Ultra specs for power and performance.

8 of 9 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Killer Amp -- all five of 'em, February 5, 2004

By 

Jason P. Gold (Long Beach, CA) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Harman Kardon Signature Series 2.1 Multichannel Amplifier (Electronics)

I bought a Sig 2.0/2.1 combo because my speakers are 25 years old, the size of small coffins, and have low impeadances. They love current. Even with 45 amps of current, the protection circuits in my old HK AVR500 would kick in under heavy (cranked to the max) loads, and shut the unit off.

Specs:

The amp has 5 X 100 watts per channel for home theater applications. Frequency response is <1Hz - 170kHz, +0dB/-2dB with ?100 Amps of current. Total Harmonic Distortion is rated at <0.03% at rated output.

IMPRESSIONS:

I did an a/b comparison between my Harman Kardonn AVR500 and the signature 2.1 amp. The AVR500 has some of the best amps available in an home theater receiver. The 2.1 amp is made by Madrigal, the division of Harman International which makes Mark Levinson and other ultra high end products, so, I expected some improvement over the 500. I plugged the preamp outs on my AVR500 to the Sig 2.1 using some midgrade RCA cables. To my surprise, the 2.1 is a real improvement. It is fast, detailed, articulate, controlled and powerful. The soundstage is very, very good. The balance is excellent, with a slight low midbass prominence.

What this means is that my speakers found bass I thought they lost to room accoustics or maybe never had. I put on the Fleetwood Mack DVD "The Dance." The grit at the edge Stevie Nicks' voice showed up along with the air over the mike. I put on Guennevere from the Crosby Stills and Nash 4 CD compilation. You could hear the flutter of the bass string along with the note. I always though my speakers were a bit analytical, but they found a warmth in the vocal harmonies I didn't think they had. Yes! (Keys to Ascention DVD) - Emerson, Lake and Palmer (Royal Albert Hall DVD) -- George Benson (DVD Audio) - The Doors (LA Woman DVD Audio) - Horowitz in Moscow (CD) - Cheryl Crow (CD). They all sounded better.

I subsequently bought a Carver M500t amplifier which is a low end audiophile quality amp with 200 watts per channel. The Carver aparently was designed for a "tube" sound, and sounded soft and colored in comparison. The Carver was swiftly sold on e-bay.

Life is good.

Strengths:
Lots of amps. Warm, open sound. Lots of value for the money if you can find one. Made in the USA!

Weaknesses:
I had some problems with one channel of the the amplifier working only intermittently and had to take it back to HK several times. Made in the USA! They couldn't fix it, and eventually replaced it.