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Entered CNET Catalog: 05/17/2002
SKU: 0028292500817
Manufacturer: Harman International Industries
Manufacturer description
Harman Kardon invented the receiver and continues to refine the concept. The AVR 225 packs more power (55 watts x 5) into a smaller package - almost 2 inches less deep than its predecessor! This receiver also features an all-analog stereo bypass mode that preserves all of the nuances of analog sources, and a digital stereo mode with programmable bass management. With an EzSet remote and on-screen menus, and color-coded rear-panel connections that simplify setup, there's no need to look beyond the AVR 225 for a versatile A/V receiver.CNET editors' review
- Editors' Choice: No
- Reviewed on: 08/25/2002
Easy does it
Fact is, if you don't go through the hassle of balancing the levels of your 5.1-speaker system, your home-theater sound will likely be out of whack. But HK's engineers are a smart bunch, so they simplified the setup process with a proprietary system dubbed EzSet. Yes, you still have to input speaker size and time-delay settings, but EzSet will automatically adjust the relative volume level of your left, right, center, and surround speakers. We found EzSet to be reasonably accurate, but you can do a better job if you manually set the levels with a sound-pressure-level meter.
There's a big, bold display to keep you informed about the goings-on of the AVR 225's Dolby Digital, Dolby Pro Logic II, and DTS 5.1 processing, as well as what's happening with the two proprietary schemes--Logic 7 and VMAx. Those last two options synthesize 5.1 surround sound from stereo sources such as CD and FM radio. The AVR 225 delivers 55 watts to each of its five channels, and yet this 26.9-pound receiver weighs more than many 100-watt-per-channel components that we've seen. Build quality is ahead of the pack.
The AVR 225's uncluttered rear panel eases the hassles of hooking up the necessary cables, and the numerous analog, digital, and video-connectivity options should be more than adequate for most buyers, though we note the lack of a phono input, component-video connections, and A/B speaker switching. Front-panel digital and A/V inputs are ideally situated for gamers and video camera users. When you feel like tweaking the tonal balance, you won't have to fuss with menus or remotes; the front-panel-mounted bass and treble controls make it easy to dial in exactly the sound you want.
Prodigious sound
We started our sonic evaluations in stereo and found that the AVR 225 sounded bright and forward on our older Motown CDs. In addition, the low-down grooves populating Prince's Diamonds and Pearls CD were fat, warm, and luscious. This receiver will deliver all of the good, bad, or ugly sounds of your CDs.
We checked out the limits of the AVR 225's sonic acuity with the assistance of an Onkyo DPS-7.2 DVD-Audio (DVD-A) player. The dynamic energy and vivid quality that we heard from Paul Simon's You're the One DVD-A rendered the CD's sound lifeless by comparison. The AVR 225's innate resolution brought the DVD's heightened sense of realism to the foreground.
The sonic mayhem roaring through the Black Hawk Down DVD was spectacularly presented. The barrage of sound coming out of our speakers--even after we shut down our subwoofer--was remarkably full and punchy, and we never detected any overt power shortfall. Surround effects seemed to have unusual coherence with the front speakers, so the sound was completely enveloping.
Oh, before we forget to mention it, the AVR 225's FM-reception powers were above average, and it pulled in our favorite college stations with aplomb.
The Harman Kardon AVR 225 carries a suggested retail price of just $549, so we considered it an exceptional value even before we learned that it comes with a two-year parts-and-labor warranty. Sound quality is fully comparable to that of Denon's stellar $799 , though the Denon has more power along with the latest Dolby Digital EX and DTS 6.1-channel surround capabilities.
User opinions
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10/10
excellent receiver, but a little outdated
Pros: excellent sound quality, lots of digital inputs for a 5 year old receiver
Cons: hasnt aged as well as newer receivers will
User Rating: 
3/10
IT BROKE after 2 Yrs
Pros: sounded REAL GOOD when it worked
Cons: IT BROKE AFTER 2 YEARS (warrentee period)
User Rating: 
9/10
Almost Perfect!!
Pros: It has alot of power, it's underrated by far. It looks good, it will power a sub and 5 full range speakers. DTS and Pro Logic II are very good.
Cons: None.
User Rating: 10/10
The Best Sound
Pros: need to fix the thumbs down I accidently gave this product. Harman Kardon rules !
Cons: None at this price.
User Rating: 9/10
amazing sound
Pros: I LOVE the sound on this receiver. It's warm but still crisp and very clean. In my opinion, it beats comparably priced Denon hands down (I returned a Denon 1603 after I listened to it at home -- the highs were unnnaturally bright and forward, vocals ver
Cons: The lack of component video input is a bummer, and I'm annoyed that the numbers on the remote are not in the normal keypad layout.
User Rating: 
8/10
Lots of punch, at low distortion!!
Pros: This receiver has excellent sound quality. Like many reviews have said, do not let the 55 watts fool you. It's far more powerful than my parents' kenwood 100 x 5 receiver and the sound is crystal-clear. The On-Screen Display makes setting things really
Cons: Price, depending on where you look. I found mine at www.jandr.com (authorized reatailer)for $360 but stores like circuit city charge $500 + tax. I wish it had Dolby Digital EX and DTS-ES, but me being a college student who wants high quality sound for
User Rating: 8/10
One Excellent Choice for Sub-Sat Speakers
Pros: Fabulous sound; relatively practical remote as far as remotes go; superlative info feedback on display; offers minimal amount of surround modes... but the ones that really matter; Logic 7 for general NTSC TV purposes
Cons: Takes a while to setup configuration for EACH input source
User Rating: 
7/10
Great sound for a mid-range rcvr
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User Rating: 10/10
Equally great with music or movies
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User Rating: 7/10
Excellent receiver even without considering the pric.
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6/10
Just Ok!
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User Rating: 8/10
Superb sound at a good price
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1/10
Quality outpaces cost
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User Rating: 8/10
HK hits one out of the park!
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User Rating: 10/10
not as good as denon
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User Rating: 7/10
Great Receiver But remote???
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User Rating: 7/10
Sound is clear witout noise.
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User Rating: 10/10
Beautiful, clean, and warm Sound
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User Rating: 9/10
wonderfull clean power
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User Rating: 3/10
No component video input and you call this a Receiver??
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User Rating: 8/10
exxellent sound
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User Rating: 10/10
this reciever does everything with great detail
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