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Entered CNET Catalog: 12/18/2003
SKU: 0028292501210
Manufacturer: Harman International Industries
Manufacturer description
High performance at a highly attractive price. The AVR 330 features a seven-channel, high-current amplifier with power enough for the most demanding digital soundtracks, all of the popular surround sound modes, component video switching, an EzSet remote and a complete multiroom system with a standard Zone II remote. Plus front-panel inputs for analog and digital sources, as well as composite and S-Video jacks, for quick connections to digital cameras, camcorders or video games.CNET editors' review
- Editors' Choice: No
- Reviewed on: 01/28/2004
Style is always a matter of taste, but we loved the AVR 330's cool and contemporary edge. The blue-halo volume-control ring adds a distinctive motif, and the oversize display imparts highly legible information, telling you which surround-processing modes and speakers are active. The receiver measures a manageable 15 inches deep.
We couldn't help but be impressed by the 330's extensive setup flexibility. You can preset surround modes for each input--say, Dolby Pro Logic II for CDs and Dolby Digital EX for DVDs--and even preselect a higher subwoofer level for DVDs than CDs. Another neat feature, Triple Crossover, allows you optimize the sound of a system made up from differently sized speakers. If you have medium-size bookshelf speakers in the front left/right positions, a slightly smaller center speaker, and tiny surround speakers, for example, the AVR 330 can assign each set its own crossover frequency. In this hypothetical example, the left/right speakers might sound best with a fairly low crossover point of 60Hz, while the center takes 80Hz, and the bass-challenged surrounds lock in at around 120Hz. Most receivers make do with just one crossover point (say, 80Hz), and you wind up with less than optimum sound quality from all speakers.
Harman's EzSet feature automatically balances the volume levels of all five speakers but curiously neglects the subwoofer's volume; you still have to set that by ear. Harman better step up to the plate; some Pioneer and Yamaha receivers, such as the RX-V1400, offer far more extensive auto setup and calibration systems. They not only adjust the volume of all of the speakers, including the subwoofer, but determine the speakers' size and measure listener-to-speaker distances.
The remote is fairly easy to program and use, though it crams in too many buttons; at least the "source" controls are backlit. Harman includes a second, smaller remote that's intended for use in another zone (or room).
No doubt some buyers will be concerned about the AVR 330's modest 55-watt power rating. That's why we'd like to bring up another specification we find a more reliable predictor of true power: the receiver's weight. The AVR 330 tips the scales at a hefty 30.6 pounds, which is right up there with most similarly priced 100-watt-per-channel receivers. Onkyo's six-channel, 100-watt TX-SR701, for example, weighs 27 pounds.
Surround-processing modes extend beyond the everyday 6.1-channel Dolby and DTS to include Harman's proprietary Logic 7 and VMAx modes. The former powers 5- or 7-channel systems from a stereo source, while the latter simulates surround over stereo speakers or headphones.
The AVR 330's connectivity offerings should accommodate all but the most complex home theaters. You get two sets of component-video inputs and one output, plus four A/V ins and two outs. The digital-audio jack set is even more generous, with a total of four ins (two coaxial, two optical) and two outputs (one coaxial, one optical). Beyond the 7.1 inputs for DVD-Audio and SACD players, analog audio connections are slim, with just two ins and one out. The front panel has its own unusually complete set of A/V connections, with two more digital inputs, one coaxial, and one optical, along with stereo analog audio, composite, and S-Video inputs. The AVR 330 also offers a full set of pre-out jacks that might be used with an outboard power amplifier. If you forgo 7.1 surround, you can redirect the "surround back" speaker outputs for use in a second room/zone.
We first put the AVR 330 though its paces with the X-2: X-Men United DVD. Oh boy, this disc sounds amazing: superclean, with wide dynamics and lots of ominous deep bass. Listening to chapter 10, "Nightcrawler," we found that the surround effects of the birds flying around an old church sounded amazingly realistic.
The Rolling Stones' new concert DVD set, Four Flicks, presents the rockin' geezers in truly remarkable form. We especially liked disc four, where the band played the Olympia Theatre in Paris; the 5.1-surround mix delivered vivid textures and you-are-there ambience. On "Honky Tonk Women," Charlie Watts's drum kit sits in the rear of the stage and lays down a ferocious groove while the other guys pile on. Even Jagger's vocals sound clear as can be. We had to keep reminding ourselves that the AVR 330 is a 55-watt-per-channel receiver. Its effortless delivery of power sounded more like double that conservative rating.
Next we tried Harman's Logic 7 surround circuit on a couple of CDs. Compared to Dolby Pro Logic II or DTS Neo:6, the surround effect was decidedly more spacious.
For the final rounds, we compared the AVR 330 to Harman's entry-level receiver, the $449 AVR 130. While the 130 sounds very good, we found the 330's sonics to be slightly more refined.
User opinions
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9/10
Great step up from starter/HTIB systems
Pros: Great sound quality, clean power, component switching, 6 digital sound inputs, variety of sound modes and customization, useful OSD, sleek design, auto-setup w/ builtin mic
Cons: Remote a bit clumsy & not back-lit, no independent crossover frequency settings per input
The manual is clear and concise, if you take the time to read through it. The remote has a built-in auto-setup, although more experienced HTers will have their own SPL meter and tones to set it up. If this is your first true HT receiver (not HTIB), setup may take a while (reading receiver, making all adjustments). But still, the manual is pretty straight-forward, and set-up on any decent receiver will take a while anyway.
Speaker output connections are high-quality (accepts banana plugs I believe).
It has independent speaker settings per input, so you can have different settings for your music and movie inputs. With adjustable crossover frequencies (40, 60, 80, 100, 120, 200Hz) for mains, center, and surrounds, you can fine tune the bass management (re-routing low bass to subwoofer output) to suit your speakers and subwoofer. One complaint would be that these crossover points are global and you can't have independent crossover points per input (i.e., 80Hz for DVD, 40Hz for CD).
The OSD is simple and straight-forward. Note that the OSD can only be output through composite or s-video (not over component), so you may need to run another video cable for it (I ran composite and brought up my TV's PIP to change settings).
The design is very unique, and has nice blue lighting on the volume ring (ring, not knob) when on. A handy dimmer can turn off blue light and dim the panel's display to 1/2 brightness, or completely turn off all lights, handy for night usage. It looks very cool, unless you like the typical all-black design of nearly every other receiver out there.
With 7 powered channels, you can run 5, 6, or 7 channels, and even run 2 channels to power speakers in a different room on top of 5 for the main room (extra remote included).
Modes include Stereo, DTS (and 6-/7-channel DTS), Dolby Digital, Dolby Pro Logic II (Movie & Music), and Harman-Kardon's own Logic 7 (Movie, Music & Enhanced) for 2-channel analog sources, and many more. Some people may opt for a different model that features the newer Dolby Pro Logic IIx.
All in all, this is a great-looking receiver with plenty of options and customization, high-current, clean power and a nice, clean sound.
User Rating: 9/10
Fantastic Value! Great Sound!
Pros: 1. Fantastic Bang for the Buck ($565 - May '04) 2. 7 Channel and plenty of power 3. Multi-Room 4.OSD allows tweaking of the settings 5. The Unit looks great!
Cons: 1. Setting up the OSD took too long. 2. Remote not the best 3. No cover for the frony A/V inputs
While the remote is not the best I bought the Harmony 659 remote (If you are serious about your home theater, this IS THE REMOTE). The remote controls EVERYTHING in my condo. TV Room, Office, Bedroom, and Downstairs. I've only bought Onkyo since the 8th grade, and was a little leary about trying another brand. It was more expensive, but with a discount I went with the HK and have not looked back. Highly Recommend!!!
User Rating: 9/10
Absolutely phenominal sound, and every feature one could want
Pros: The sound on this reciever is incredible, it has every feature more or less, looks cool, onscreen OSD is nice
Cons: Remote is pretty lame, but pretty much every reciever remote i've ever dealt with blows. I use a logitech harmony to control this HK, and every other device in my HT.
The only other thing is that the remote really is weak, but hell, I've never found a decent remote with a reciever. You really need a Harmony or Home Theater Master, or similar to control your entire HT with any efficiency. Also, some have mentioned the manual and setup are difficult. It is true that the manual is arcane, and setup a little more involved than most recievers, but really folks, its just not that hard if you are even half way able to setup a HDTV and DVD player. If you're the sort that are in the market for a mid-high end HK or Denon, or Onkyo reciever, trust me, you can handle this setup. Anyways, I am really loving this reciever. Don't forget, you buy a reciever for it's sound, and trust me, this reciever will really impress, music sounds better than you've heard before, and movies are just indescribably good sounding.
User Rating: 
8/10
Great Sound!
Pros: Great receiver sound quality for an inexpensive system
Cons: No onscreen display with component video. Manual is poorly written.
The only thing that I found frustrating was that I have my TV hooked up with component video and you cannot access the on screen display with component. I had to hook up a seperate S Video cable in order to get is set up properly.
It defaults to a the coax video for the DVD player, which I thought as odd, and I had to change that through accessing the onscreen display.
It was very frustrating, but after I figured it out, it worked beautifully.
It really does sound much better then everything else out there in this price catergory
User Rating: 
3/10
Do not purchase this product
Pros: Best sound copare to Onkyo 701,801 or marntaz or even denon 2805, 2105
Cons: 1 No technical support 2 product stil have issues as of 2005 and harman kardon comapny "DO NOT CARE" about customer. 3 Even while purchasing product from their web site i had to experince worst "supprot over phone" 4 Product is not reliable at all.
User Rating: 8/10
Manual is HORRIBLE!
Pros: Once you spend a FULL DAY setting the system up, figuring out how to navigate through the features, and programming the remote, the system sounds great. I am using Klipsch RF25 speakers and they sound awesome. I suppose it's all worth it in the end. Plent
Cons: The manual might as well be in Chinese. It's set up poorly and is very confusing. This receiver has many features (more than most will ever need) and is certainly not for the novice stereo listener, like me. I learned alot while trying to figure this comp
User Rating: 
5/10
nightmare setup
Pros: overall sounds good with my Polk 7200 speakers. Sometimes bass/subwoofer too loud, but Im sure that once I have this thing figured out, it will be ok
Cons: cost $150 for someone to set it up after I spent many hours trying, and its STILL not set up all the way. Would definitely get Home Theater in a Box if I did it again. No, Im not an engineer or geek, obviously.
User Rating: 
7/10
Great sound,great looks!
Pros: Awsome appearance and sound.Easy to set up.Sounds much better than most 100 watt per channel receivers
Cons: Doesn't convert composite to S video No on screen display through the Component outputs. No independent subwoofer volume on remote
User Rating: 7/10
Sounds great, but set-up and manual could be better!
Pros: After a somewhat difficult set-up, the AVR 330 sounds great and looks good! The automatic EZ speaker set up works well (it sets the correct db level for you with the press of a button).
Cons: The remote could be better and the manual scores very low to me. Remote presets do not include some brands you would expect (such as my Comcast Motorola cable box). The remote allows for a search so I eventually found a code for Motorola, but it took alot
