About.com Rating



Despite a modest 40WPC power output, the Harman Kardon AVR147 5.1 Channel Home Theater Receiver provides excellent sound performance in both stereo and surround sound modes. Also, with useful features, such as HDMI switching, iPod connectivity, XM Radio compatibility, and Automatic Speaker setup, the AVR-147 is a good fit for an entry-level home theater system. In addition, the AVR147 User Manual and Quick Setup Guide are one the best I have seen.

For more details, continue on with this review.

Product Overview

1. The AVR147 is 5.1 channel Home Theater Receiver that delivers 40 Watts into each of 5 channels (All Channels Driven, .07% THD ).

2. The Surround Sound options include: Dolby Prologic II, Dolby Digital 5.1, Dolby Virtual Speaker Processing, DTS 5.1, 96/24, Neo:6, and Lexicon/Harman Logic 7 Processing.

3. Audio inputs include: 6 Stereo Analog, 3 (2Rear/1 Front) Digital Optical, 3 (2 Rear/1 Front)Digital Coaxial. 2 Digital Audio outputs.

Also, 6 additional input jacks for direct multi-channel input are available. These inputs are provided for accessing SACD, DVD-Audio, or external decoder.

4. Video Inputs on the AVR147 include: 2 HDMI, 2 Component, 4 S-video, 4 Composite.

5. In addition to video inputs, there several video output options provided. The video outputs included are: 1 HDMI, 1 HD-Component, 1 S-Video ( 1 Monitor, 1 for VCR or DVD Recording), 2 Composite (1 Monitor, 1 for VCR or DVD Recording).

6. One front mounted 1/4-inch Headphone output is provided, which is Dolby Headphone Surround Compatible.

NOTE: The Headphone output also doubles as the Microphone input when using the EZ-Set/EQ Automatic Speaker Setup function.

7. There is a dedicated output for a Powered Subwoofer (the represents the .1 channel is the term 5.1 channel). Bass management function provided via onscreen menu operation.

8. XM-Satellite Radio Connectivity is provided on the AVR147 (antenna and subscription required). There is also an AM/FM Tuner with 40 presets.

9. iPod Connectivity and Control are provided via an optional iPod Docking Station (The Bridge). "The Bridge" must be purchased separately.

10. A Wireless remote control is included. There is both a large LED status display on the front panel of the AVR 147, as well as On-screen setup Menu that is accessible via the Composite or S-video monitor outputs of the receiver.

For a closer look at, and further explanation of, the connections and features of this receiver, also check out my AVR147 Photo Gallery

Hardware and Software Used In This Review

Home Theater Receivers: the Yamaha HTR-5490 (6.1 Channels) , Yamaha RX-V861 (7.1 Channels - on review loan from Yamaha) and an Onkyo TX-SR304 (5.1 Channels),

DVD players: OPPO Digital DV-981HD DVD/SACD/DVD-Audio Player, and Helios H4000, as well as a Toshiba HD-XA1 HD-DVD player and a Samsung BD-P1000 Blu-ray Player and LG BH100 Blu-ray/HD-DVD Combo player.

Loudspeaker - System #1: 2 Klipsch B-3s, Klipsch C-2 Center , 2 Polk R300s.

Loudspeaker - System #2: Klipsch Quintet III 5-channel speaker system.

Loudspeaker - System #3: 2 JBL Balboa 30's, JBL Balboa Center Channel, 2 JBL Venue Series 5-inch Monitor speakers.

Loudspeaker System #4: Cerwin Vega CVHD 5.1 Channel Speaker System (on review loan from Cerwin Vega).

Powered Subwoofers used: Klipsch Synergy Sub10 - used with Systems 1 and 2. and Yamaha YST-SW205 - used with System 3, and the 12-inch Powered Subwoofer provided with the Cerwin Vega System.

TV/Monitors: A Westinghouse Digital LVM-37w3 1080p LCD Monitor, Syntax LT-32HV 32-inch LCD TV, and Samsung LN-R238W 23-inch LCD TV.

Audio/Video connections were made with Accell, Cobalt, and AR Interconnect cables.

16 Gauge Speaker Wire was used in all setups.

Also, Harman Kardon also provided its iPod Docking station "The Bridge" for use in this review.

Levels checks for speaker setups were done using a Radio Shack Sound Level Meter

Software Used

Blu-ray Discs included: Pirates of the Caribbean 1 & 2, Alien vs Predator, Superman Returns, Crank, The Host, and Mission Impossible III.

HD-DVD Discs included: Serenity, Sleepy Hollow, Heart - Live In Seattle, King Kong, Batman Begins, Phantom of the Opera, and 300

Standard DVDs used included scenes from the following: House of the Flying Daggers, Serenity, The Cave, Kill Bill - Vol1/2, V For Vendetta, U571, Lord of Rings Trilogy, and Master and Commander.

For audio only, various CDs included: HEART - Dreamboat Annie, Nora Jones - Come Away With Me, Lisa Loeb - Firecracker, Blue Man Group - The Complex, Eric Kunzel - 1812 Overture, Joshua Bell - Bernstein - West Side Story Suite.

DVD-Audio discs included: Queen - Night At The Opera/The Game, Eagles - Hotel California, and Medeski, Martin, and Wood - Uninvisible, Sheila Nicholls - Wake.

SACD discs used included: Pink Floyd - Dark Side Of The Moon, Steely Dan - Gaucho, The Who - Tommy.

Content on CD-R/RWs was also used.

Proceed to Page 2 - Evaluation and Final Take