Harman Kardon AVR45 Dolby Digital Audio/Video Receiver

Initially we were struck by the receiver's solid feel and clean design. Front-panel controls consist of the standards (volume, balance, mute, etc.) and two basic groupings: a row of buttons for selecting playback formats and input sources (any of X audio and Y video inputs) and a set of smaller buttons used for system setup. The AVR45 also includes an auxiliary set of audio/video inputs and a headphone jack. This front-panel simplicity results in intuitive use. The rear-panel design is also impressive, with clearly labeled jacks and binding posts for speaker connections.

We easily set up this receiver without using the owner's manual, as the sizable display informed us of any modifications we had just made or were about to make. The AVR45 is flexible enough to accommodate virtually any speaker layout, so the setup process consists of enabling or disabling each of the six speakers in your system. You can individually adjust the output level for each speaker and the delay times for both the Pro Logic and Dolby Digital modes. You can consult the manual for suggestions on delay settings based on your room layout.

In our tests, the AVR45 performed impressively in all playback modes, with crystal-clear highs and solid bass. The unit was especially good at handling material with extreme dynamics, thanks in part to its discrete amplifier circuitry and Harman's High Current Capability, which allows the AVR45 to deliver peak responses more accurately than receivers of comparable power. Channel separation was most apparent with the enveloping sound field of Dolby Digital sources, but the unit also delivered high-quality sound with analog inputs.

The AVR45's formats include Dolby Pro Logic, Dolby 3 Stereo (for users without surround speakers), and three DSP (digital signal processing) modes that add varying amounts of ambience to the input signal. DTS (Digital Theater Sound) decoding would be nice for use with DTS-encoded surround CDs and DVDs, but this feature is usually only found in higher-priced receivers. Switching between playback formats--as between analog and digital sources--can result in a noticeable shift in listening level, so you should conduct comparison listening at low volumes to prevent speaker damage.

Also, be aware that you cannot alter the delay times for the DSP modes. This is unfortunate because the preset delays are so extreme in their reverberation ("wetness") that they are unusable with most source material. Of course, you can disable the surround modes completely for the most accurate reproduction of conventional two-channel stereo recordings. Harman Kardon further increases the AVR45's flexibility by including 5.1-channel direct inputs for use with external surround decoders and, for those who plan on using additional amplification now or in the future, preamp outputs for all six channels.

The unit also features a backlit remote control designed to operate all the hardware in your home theater. Operating codes for most manufacturers are in the manual, and the remote is able to "learn" the codes for those not listed. The test model performed flawlessly with other components, although results may vary depending on your system.

Pros:

• High-quality, wide-bandwidth sound
• Has interfaces with external decoders for digital formats not processed internally
• Remote control supports much equipment from other manufacturers

Cons:

• No DTS decoding
• Amount of reverberation in DSP modes limits their use