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Harman Kardon Adds Three Network Home Theater Receivers for 2013/14

Thu, 23 May 2013 17:00:49 +0000

Harman Kardon has announced three new entries in its Home Theater Receiver line-up, the AVR 1510 ($299), AVR 1610 ($399), and the AVR 1710 ($549).

All three receivers are network-based featuring access to Internet Radio (vTuner) and access to media files stored on PC and media servers via DLNA compatibility. Also, all three receivers are controllable via iOS or Android smartphones and tablets via a free downloadable app.

The AVR-1510 features a 5.1 channel speaker configuration with 75 wpc (measured with 2-channels driven at 6/8 ohms from 20Hz to 20KHz .1% THD), 3D and 4K pass-through, as well as Audio Return Channel enabled HDMI 1.4a connections (4 inputs/1 output), on-board decoding for most Dolby and DTS audio formats, including Dolby TrueHD and DTS-HD Master Audio, and a USB port for accessing content on flash drives or iPhone, iPod, iPad.

The AVR-1610 expands on the what is offered by the AVR-1510, with 85 wpc output, Harman NSP (Natural Sound Processing), and also provides easier speaker setup via EzSet/EQ III auto-calibration. Two additional bonuses on the AVR-1610 are a fifth HDMI input that provides MHL connectivity (including the ability to accept the Roku Streaming Stick), and wireless Bluetooth, which allows the streaming of audio content from compatible portable Bluetooth-enabled devices.

The step-up AVR-1710 includes the features of the AVR-1610, but provides a 7.2 channel configuration (100 wpc), a total six HDMI inputs and two outputs, and also adds Dolby Prologic IIz audio processing and full Apple Airplay capability.

However, it is also important to point what these receivers do not have. None of the receives in this series feature a dedicated phono turntable input, 5.1 or 7.1 channel analog audio inputs, 5.1/7.1 channel preamp outputs, S-Video or Component Video Inputs. Also, although all the receivers provide analog-to-HDMI video conversion, they do not facilitate video upscaling.

For a more in-depth look at the features and operation of each receiver, you can download the full user manuals free from the Harman Kardon website:

AVR 1510: User Manual - Buy Direct

AVR 1610: User Manual - Buy Direct

AVR 1710: User Manual - Compare Prices

Photo © HARMAN International Industries, Incorporated

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