Harman Kardon AVR 700 5.1-Channel Audio/Video Receiver

I soent some time reading reviews and looking for a receiver that would be the best for the price i was willing to pay. As receivers can cost a lot, i wanted to make sure i didnt get something cheap that sounded cheap. I bought this receiver because of the reviews and the price. Not cheap but not expensive and i can tell you that it sounds like it would cost 3 times what i paid. What an awesome sound it pumps through. Its easy to use, stylish and comes from a classy maker. If you want to get the most out of your digital sound, especially when running hdmi, this will not fail your expectations.

This is a great receiver if you don't care about sound quality. I have had it now for not quite a year and have finally broken down to buy something with a little more umph but it sure does cost to buy decent sound quality. Great for a budget system.

Not a very well designed product. There is no speakers switch so using headphones is not very practical since they do not shut off the external speakers. Additionally, the OSD can only be displayed via component video which means that you must have both HDMI and component video connected if you want to use the OSD with HDMI. The unit that I ordered arrived with a non-functional headphone jack so it was returned and exchanged for a Sony unit.

The on screen display will only work via composite monitor out connector. My TV doesn't have a composite input, so it took me a hour to finish the configuration by the remote. Other than that, everything is OK. It is a very basic unit, don't expect too much, but it is good for the price. I like the size better, it is smaller and it perfectly fits my TV stand.

This amp is quite sufficient for my listening needs but I have a few issues with the controls. I actually had to to read instructs for something as simple as listening through headphones.

I cannot describe with words how amazingly clean the sound emanating from this unit is. I paired this receiver up with a moderately priced Polk Audio front set and a cheap pair of rear speakers, yet the sound effects on this unit are unlike anything I've heard before. I played one of my Victorian Symphony CD's on the "Theater" setting, and I could have sworn I was standing at a music hall.

If you want the absolute worst technical support you've ever experienced, then buy this unit.I had a problem with my unit and the connection to my TV. I called tech support and talked to tech support people with very heavy accents. (I'm not a redneck but it's difficult to troubleshoot when you have to keep asking someone to repeat themselves.) After two different sessions it was decided that they would replace the unit. I was asked to email a pdf of my receipt as well as my personal information which I did that day. I did not receive a confirmation from them that they received my email. I emailed again . . . still no reply. Finally, a week later I received a reply that my information was being processed. It is now two weeks later and still word from them. I had the local metal collector pick up the unit and purchased a Sony unit.I will NEVER purchase another Harman Kardon product!

I sent it back. Before purchasing it I downloaded the manual to make sure it would do what I wanted. The manual said it would connect to an HDD. I tried 2. Nope. It would not handle aver 32 GB USBs. And could only find 1 file on a USB almost filled. It was also very very slow in reading USBs.