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Entered CNET Catalog: 01/08/2003
SKU: 0028292500886
Manufacturer: Harman International Industries
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Manufacturer description
The AVR 325's seven-channel amplifier has all the muscle needed for the most demanding digital soundtracks, while an EzSet remote and comprehensive menu system make setup easy. All the popular surround modes are available, along with assignable rear-channel amplifiers, an RS-232 port and a standard Zone II remote for the multizone system.CNET editors' review
- Editors' Choice: No
- Reviewed on: 04/01/2003
Versatile bass-management capabilities allow the AVR 325 to extract the best possible sound from a wide array of satellite/subwoofer speaker systems. We also appreciated the receiver's Triple Crossover system, which lets you customize bass crossover frequencies separately for the front, center, and surround speakers yet still dial up just the right setting for the subwoofer. And finally, the front-panel-mounted rotary bass and treble controls make it easy to tweak the sound to your liking.
We have no complaints about the remote. The slender clicker is programmable via numerical codes but can also learn codes from other remotes. Setting up and balancing 6.1-speaker levels in a home theater is a vitally important chore because it ensures you'll be getting all of the sound quality you paid for. But it's a small hassle, and some folks never even bother going through the routine. That's why HK's engineers cooked up EzSet, a semi-automated speaker-balancing system. You first have to input speaker size and time-delay settings; EzSet then automatically adjusts the relative volume level of your front, center, and surround speakers. However, the sub requires manual adjustment. EzSet is reasonably accurate, though we did a better job manually setting the levels with the aid of a sound-pressure meter.
The receiver's big, bold display will keep you fully informed about the Dolby Digital/EX, Dolby Pro Logic II, and DTS/ES Matrix and discrete processing, as well as the two proprietary schemes, Logic 7 and VMAx. Those last two synthesize surround sound from stereo sources such as CDs and FM radio.
The connectivity suite is something special. You get full eight-channel, DVD-A/SACD analog inputs and eight-channel preamp outputs; four digital inputs (two coaxial and two optical digital); two outputs (one coaxial and one optical); HDTV-compatible component-video switching; and a host of audio and video jacks. Front-panel AV jacks are also provided.
A full set of multiroom/multichannel options makes the AVR-325 a whole-house sound source. The receiver's seven 50-watt amplifier sections are assignable for use in either 7.1 or 5.1 operation. Once configured for 5.1-channel operation, the remaining pair of channels can be used to drive the stereo audio and video in a second room. Both the main-room 5.1 system and the second-room system can be fed by separate sources--for example, DVD in the main system and FM radio in the bedroom. HK also includes a compact AVR Zone II remote to control the receiver, as well as other compatible Harman Kardon-source components in the other room. The first disc we played, the Talking Heads concert DVD, Stop Making Sense, immediately demonstrated the AVR 325's well-defined sound. Tina Weymouth's bass snapped to attention, Chris Frantz's drum kit popped, and David Byrne's vocals were remarkably natural.
The sound was warm and inviting, complementing older or less-than-perfect-sounding DVDs. Robin Williams's creepy new DVD, One Hour Photo, has a low-key soundtrack, but it nevertheless maintains a suspenseful edge. Despite its 50-watt-per-channel power rating, this 40-pound receiver has the sort of brawn we associate with more powerful receivers.
That said, the AVR 325 didn't deliver the visceral punch of Denon's more expensive 3800-series receivers. If you watch a lot of special-effects-driven DVDs, such as XXX or Goldmember, and like to play them loud, the AVR 325's power reserves may come up short. Just remember that loudness capability isn't the same thing as sound quality. If you really want to rock out, we'd recommend moving up to the next model in the line, the AVR 525.
User opinions
Select a User Opinion to view: 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 User Rating: 
10/10
The perfect receiver!
Pros: Perfection
Cons: Remote control a little confusing.
Review: I bought this receiver when it first came out and 5 years later it still beats a lot of the ones out there!
Amazing sound and clariity!
Nothing short of perfection!
Amazing sound and clariity!
Nothing short of perfection!
User Rating: 
9/10
Both Awsome looking and sounding
Pros: Great sound, nice design, quality HK
Cons: remote is a bit awkward
Review: Got this Receiver off of ebay for $270 and couldn't be happier.
User Rating: 
5/10
Nice performance, poor build quality
Pros: Lots of inputs, good sound,
Cons: Poor build quality, confusing remote
Review: I had to take my unit in for warranty service just 2 months after I bought it. A couple of the analog inputs had bad solder connections from the factory. Very inconvenient to get it repaired.
The remote has this annoying feature where it automatically turns on the AVR-325 when you select any device (CD, DVD, etc) and it automatically switches to that input. Many times this isn't what you want, so you have to cover the front of the remote when you switch devices you want to control. Dumb.
For the money, I'd take a look around at other brands first. HK is very pricey for medicore build quality.
The remote has this annoying feature where it automatically turns on the AVR-325 when you select any device (CD, DVD, etc) and it automatically switches to that input. Many times this isn't what you want, so you have to cover the front of the remote when you switch devices you want to control. Dumb.
For the money, I'd take a look around at other brands first. HK is very pricey for medicore build quality.
User Rating: 10/10
Excellent.Moody
Pros: This is one nice receiver. The sound Quality is great. It is user friendly. Who could ask for more.
Cons: It does tend to run hot.
Review:
User Rating: 9/10
Great even with no sub
Pros: I don't use a sub with mine I bought mine at Circut City after having the lower model 220 I use two JBL towers in the front and the bass will blow your mind the mid and highs even with the use of the woofers in the speakers is outstanding. This is truely
Cons: Does produce alot of heat. I wouldn't place it in a closed enclosure with out another fan. It's great looking show it off. (out in the open)
Review:
User Rating: 9/10
awsome sound at a great price
Pros: very effecient and great sound quality
Cons: if you use the receiver as a video selector, picture goes out every once in a while. will not recommend to hook it up like that.
Review:
User Rating: 9/10
Great entry level in "high-end" receivers
Pros: Triple cross over. Lots of personalized settings. Good on screen display.
Cons: Screen is very bright and can only be dimmed through the on screen display.
Review:
User Rating: 
4/10
worked for a whole day
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Cons:
Review: I purchased mine for $550 through costco.com. However, after one week of smooth sailing the unit began turning off during very loud dvd sequences. I was using an optical connection between the dvd player and receiver. I returned the receiver and replaced it with an equivalent denon. No shut off problems in over a month of use. The other problem with this unit is the noise generated by the heat sink fan. Some say it's not noticable but if you have your receiver in a not enclosed shelf it may be problematic to audiophiles. But if you don't get the shut off problem the unit is quite a nice value. There is an abudance of features and connections. It has a nice aesthetic appeal also. Don't let the wattage fool you. HK is probably the only company that under rates their receivers.
User Rating: 10/10
Best service of any stereo company
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Review: My original HK avr 300 blew.no questions qasked they tried to repair.told me it wasnt worth repairing and gave me a new 325
User Rating: 10/10
Best ever
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Review: Not much to say that already has not been said, This is the best sounding reciever there is, reminds me of seperate components costing much more . Im not sure how long these recievers work but if mine breaks I would still get another Harmon Kardon. Im hooked.
User Rating: 10/10
Best receiver I ever used
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Review: Bought this recently, the sound just blows you away. Crystal clear and very clean. Bass management is unique. Thing to remember about power, this has 7 X 50 W high amp channels. Once you have 7 speakers hooked up this puppy blows you away. I thought I had a lot of power and sound with my last receiver but boy was I wrong. What good is a receiver with a distortion THD of 1.0 when you cannot get it above 40% of the volume because the sound is getting distorted. The AVR325 has a THD of 0.07, good clean sound crank it up all the way if you want sound will still be clean.
User Rating: 9/10
Everything you really need!
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Cons:
Review: This receiver is great. It has all the inputs you need and sounds fantastic. Don't be put off by the low wattage compared to some other receivers out there, it has plenty of power and if you ever want to upgrade it is easy to add a bigger amp. The assignable digital inputs that this receiver has is a must-have feature. Otherwise, setting up a home theater system requires a lot of planning because you have to make sure every component has the right kind of digital in for the source you attach it to on the receiver. It also has a RS-232 port so it should be upgradeable if HK makes updates available.
