HK Falls Short of Perfection
Written: Sep 27 '01 (Updated Sep 29 '01)
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Pros: Great sound clarity and ease-of-use design.
Cons: Poorly designed learning remote.
The Bottom Line: I would recommend the HK AVR 310 for its great sound and receiver functionality. Questionable quality, durability and remote functions.
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| lartacg's Full Review: harman/kardon AVR 310 5.1 Channels Receiver |
I had great expectations for the AVR 310 b/c of it's Onkyo counterpart and equal competition (Read my other review "Onkyo Jr. Can Hold it's Own"). Some expectations that the AVR 310 did meet are the following. Five A/V inputs (Videos 1 to 4 and DVD), CD, Tape and a 6 Ch. input for future surround modes. You can choose to either have a digital or analog input for all except the tape and 6 Ch. inputs. NO dedicated phono input, sorry vinyl lovers :) Also, independent speaker and subwoofer level outputs, 3 pairs of digital inputs (total of 6) that includes 3 fiber optic or toslink & 3 coaxial. An excellent feature of the digital inputs is that one toslink and coaxial are located in the front of the unit providing an easy connection for digital camcorders. And for those that have portable digital recorders, like MP3's and minidiscs, you can switch those same front digital inputs to outputs. There is S-video switching that equals the A/V inputs. Video 1 & 2 each have an s-vid output in addition to the monitor output. There's also an s-video in the front. You'll find 12 surround modes including DTS and Dolby Digital, but no THX, SACD, HDCD. You also have a multi-room, multi-source feature which HK has included a small, secondary remote to allow control in a separate room (You'll need a IR relay to do this). This unit does output 50 watts per channel continuous RMS surround and 100 - 120 watts stereo. Using the AVR 310 if fairly easy. Comparing the learning remote of the the Onkyo TXDS575X, which was demoted to master bedroom, to the AVR 310's "learning", quote-unquote, remote is hardly fair. If you read my Onkyo review you'll see that I praised it's true learning remote because it learned and successfully controlled all my home entertainment equipment that are different brands. When I tried to do the same with the AVR's remote, it did not learn one....single...function. After numerous tries I finally called Harman's free, 800 number, tech support. After waiting for 20 minutes I finally got a live person. And his explanation...."It won't work all the functions but just the basics like channel and volume." I told him that my Onkyo controlled everything. And his response was, "That's why I have an Onkyo too." I thought that was worth sharing with you. I will give this to the AVR's remote, it has a tiny microphone that allows you to automatically set the optimum surround level instead of adjusting it yourself. The buttons on the receiver itself are simple and easy to use. Harman's designers have gone to the scroll up/down buttons to choose sources and surrounds. And there's a simple left/right & set button to control the sub-functions. The remote however has illogical and non-user friendly buttons that are confusing. Overall, I am 80% happy with the AVR 310. It has the features and functions that will allow the avid audiophile the control to create a well designed home entertainment center. You just can't control ALL FUNCTIONS with one remote. NOTE: Purch Refurbished @ Ubid.com
Recommended:
Yes
Amount Paid (US$): 300
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Epinions.com ID:
lartacg
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Member: Mo
Reviews written: 20
Trusted by: 1 member
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