Harman Kardon AVR 310 Audio/Video Receiver

Other products by Harman Kardon

Product Details

Product Manual [522kb PDF]

• Product Dimensions: 17.1 x 17.3 x 6.5 inches ; 32 pounds
• Shipping Weight: 35 pounds
• Shipping: Currently, item can be shipped only within the U.S.
• ASIN: B000051SDO
• Item model number: AVR310
• Batteries: 2 AA batteries required. (included)
• Average Customer Review: 2.3 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (3 customer reviews)
• Amazon.com Sales Rank: #238,895 in Electronics (See Bestsellers in Electronics)
• Discontinued by manufacturer: Yes
• Date first available at Amazon.com: September 4, 1973

Product Description

From the Manufacturer

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 310 aims to redefine home theater design, performance, and value while featuring Harman Kardon's new elegant industrial design.

The AVR 310 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 310 delivers 50 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 (60 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 310 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. Also included with this unit is a Zone 2 remote control for easy multiroom operation.

Significantly expanding its functionality beyond the traditional capabilities of an A/V 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 310 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/192kHz 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 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 include 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 310 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.

Product Description

The AVR 310 was designed with the critical listener in mind. It thoughtfully includes the exclusive EzSet remote, which allows you to automatically set speaker output levels with the touch of a button. The AVR 310 is ready for the digital era, with 192kHz/24-bit D / A converters with multiple digital inputs, including 2 on the front panel, one of which can be switched to an output. Other sophisticated touches include Logic 7, VMAx and MP3 processing and advanced on-screen menu system. This home audio is and complete multi-zone system supporting multiroom / multisource audio, along with a Zone II remote included.

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

21 of 23 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars A budget receiver that delivers high end quality, December 6, 2001

By	Ben Braverman (Cincinnati, OH USA) - See all my reviews

I recently purchased this receiver with a pair of jbl s38 speakers for fronts, a jbl s-center channel speaker, and jbl n26 rear speakers, and I have never heard a home theater setup sound so good at this price. I have definetly heard better....from 4000 receivers, but for 99.9 percent of the population (me) this receiver is brilliant. It has 6 total digital inputs (3 coaxial, 3 optical), multiple digital outputs, enough power that I have not yet brought my self to crank the volume for fear of ruining my hearing (for some reason Harman/Kardon underrates their receiver's power. 100 watt/channel sony is equal to about 40 watts or less on the HK scale), a really nice looking front and easy to use receiver, and to top it off you dont need a degree in home theater to set it up in a few minutes.
The only downside to this receiver that I have found is the lack of component video input/output, but this wont be a factor for the majourity of people. One thing I was very happy, and actually suprised about, was that this receiver not only does a superb job at digital surround (DTS, Dolby Digital), but it also puts out transparent, crystal clear stereo sound from your favorite cds. So many of those "home theater in a box" setups, with mini speakers and a subwoofer are able to nicely reproduce movies, becuase no single speaker/pair of speakers has to carry the load the entire time. During Stereo listening, on the other hand, these setups really falter. Sound becomes distorted, volumes are not very capable, and the sound is very tinny. The HK avr 310 exposed to levels of ambiance to songs that i've been listening to for years.
The inclusion of Logic7 and the best Pro Logic I have ever heard on any receiver, make watching tv a whole lot more fun. I've owned this reciever for about three monthes now, and have only spent probably twenty-five minutes total setting it up, and I get great results. In this price range, I challenge anyone to find a receiver that even comes close to the Harman and Kardon avr 310.
PS: This receiver comes with a two year warranty from h/k if something were to go wrong. In past experiences with Harman Kardon, they have been exceedingly helpful in terms of repairs/replacements.

1 of 3 people found the following review helpful:

1.0 out of 5 stars Avoid HK, November 8, 2003

By A Customer

I had an AVR300. HK replaced it with a 310 after the volume kept cranking all by itself (known design flaw) and the video amps died repeatedly.

The 310's video amps just died and the repair shop sent it back to me with video 1 still dead and surround sound dead.

These suck. I am buying a new AV receiver.

0 of 2 people found the following review helpful:

1.0 out of 5 stars A great paperweight!!!, December 30, 2004

By	G. Aldrich (Cincinnati) - See all my reviews (REAL NAME)

What a piece of pure JUNK!
I have had nothing but problems with this thing. My first one broke within 3 weeks. I took it in for service and they never could figure out what was wrong with it so they gave me a new one. Get it home and the same things are happening. No display sometimes and totally sporadic other problems. I call HK and they tell me I need to reset it. Ok... I pretty much have to reset it every time I want to use it. It goes close to 6 months with no use while I design my theater room at my new house. Go to use it and...nothing! I give up!!! I try to call but the service is closed for a week.

Never again. :(

2 HUGE thumbs down on the HK BLUNDER!