Harman AVR 347 7.1 Channels Receiver

This is a review of the AVR 347, but I will include some instances were my previous receiver, the AVR 340, will be used, since many aspects of their functions are the same. This is also to tell the difference between the two. The reason being, my previous 340 had a broken right surround back channel, and received a replacement in the form of an AVR 347. A new model for 2009 and up has debuted, but there are still some AVR #47's still on the market at this time, weather be it online retail, or auction websites. So read on to find information about the AVR 347.


-Appearance/Enclosure
The AVR 347 retains a similar appearance from previous generation receiver's of its line, namely the AVR-330, 335, 340, and 345. But this is the last receiver in Harman's lineup to include the three tone Silver/Black/Blue, of which I think looks quite nice when compared to the newer models of 2009~.

Harman Kardon (H/K from hereafter) design very simplistic front panels for their AVR's. And I agree with the design choice, as it looks quite dashing with its minimalistic look, but large buttons that can be pressed with good finger-accuracy, compared to tiny-buttoned receiver's of some of the others. You can control many aspects of the receiver audio functions with its front buttons (tone mode, speaker, channel, digital select, delay), without going into the receiver's OSD. All of these “quick-buttons” can also be pressed from the remote control, most of which are around the selector circle.

This also leaves a lot of room to allow the front display to be as large as it can, also allowing a large sized text that is visible from the couch without even having to squint your eyes. There is also a indicators representing how your AVR 347 is setup speaker size wise and channel usage wise; To the right of the message display, the speaker/channel indicators tell you what channels are being used, what channels have information (you might have a 5.1 setup, but the rear two might partially light up if your source has a 7.1 surround output), and the “size” of each speaker.

And finally, the volume knob dominates the right side of the front panel, painted in a black piano like finish to seamlessly blend in with the blackness of the top-portion of the front panel. The volume knob's outline is highlighted by an soft ambient blue light, creating either a halo-like appearance when directly viewed, or a crescent-moon like appearance when viewed from any other angle. The downfall is that, like the previous generations, the volume knob has a very cheap feeling to it when one spins it. I'm not sure if I would use it too many times, other then when im close to it and adjusting some settings from the front panel.

-Input/Output connections
Many inputs and outputs adorn the rear panel. The first thing * I * personally noticed was that the exhaust fan was missing/removed from the 340. Now, the designers might have had good intention's to remove it, but I had faith in the little fan at the rear, sort of like a PC fan. Alas, I might be completely loosing my mind, but that was just a very insignificant disappointment.

The second thing I saw was that one power outlet had been removed. Luckily for me, I have removed one of two lower power equipment that I had connected to my last receiver, so I only occupied one, which is just fine because this one has one.

The third thing I noticed, and may be the first thing most people notice are the HDMI connectors. There are three in total, two inputs and one output. I don't have many HDMI equipment at the moment, but I have tested and used the HDMI to input surround sound from my PS3. 7.1 and 5.1 channel was threaded through the AVR 347 as PCM, converted from whatever format was being sent in. If you do have a PS3, or something similar, with the capability to convert DTS-Master Audio or Dolby TrueHD into linear PCM (or LPCM), then the AVR can play back the audio. If your blu-ray player can only output the DTS-MA and Dolby TrueDH as it self, ie. bitstreamed, then this AVR 347 cannot play the audio back. You will have to get a newer model H/K AVR.


Aside from the HDMI's, the rear houses the usuals, namely composite, s-video, RCA analog audio, coax/optical's (there is one output for each type), component, 7 pairs of speaker terminals, subwoofer output, and Pre-outs.

There are also four (4) “unique” connections at the back. The first one is the Cat 5 / Lan cable plug in. This connector allows you to use a module from H/K to be used as a remote remote-control-access-point. One can use the module in a different room and use the remote to control the AVR from another room.
The second unique connector, is the XM Radio input. I have no subscription toward XM, so I cannot comment too much about it. But I do believe channel name is displayed onto the screen.
The third connector is the DMP-The Bridge port. Use this to connect the oh so popular iPod into this reciever. This allows you to easily use you ipod from the comfort of your seat and control many aspects of the player with the remote control. Song title are displayed on-screen.
The last connector is an I/O port, using a serial plug, used to upgrade the AVR 347 with newer firmware. I have not have to upgrade this before, but upgrading it results in more function that the receiver couldn't do before an update.

Many of the connectors are assignable to other inputs. For example, I have my PS3 plugged into component 2 (because its not RIGHT next to the component output, making installing and unplugging a lot harder by hand), which is displayed when I switch to the DVD input selector.

HDMI/Video Performance
Many times, you get something done right finally, but in turn something else goes wrong. This is the case with the AVR 347. They developed HDMI into the new AVR's, but in turn, also added digital video processing, which would have been fine, if it would give me clean looking results. Its not that the screen looks pixelated, or the performance is bad, its the color accuracy. The first day I got this, I used component video (480i), plugged this into the AVR 347, and outputted by component to my 480i TV. The video processor is supposedly “on” every moment of its operable life (except when fed 1080i/p video, which goes through the 347 unmodified). The processor allows you to use setting such as “vivid”, “nature”, etc. etc. I personally don't need these setting. In actuality, it made the colors MUCH worse. I play online with my PS3, and the thing that bugs me is that the colors seem washed out. The video mode could have been called “pastel” and I would have believed it. Especially the natural colors, like grass and skin tones. There isn't a lot of contrast in some instances. The point is, it looks bad. I am endeavoring to find settings within the AVR 347 that matches the color of the TV when I connect my device straight to the TV. This is how I have my PS3 connected to my TV right now. It doesn't even go through the AVR 347 because of the weird looking colors. Finding settings in the 347 that matched as closely as possible to the TV would allow me to have everything going through, so that I would not have to switch inputs on the TV also, from Video 1 to Video 2.

On the other hand, if you own a 1080i or 1080p capable device and have a TV that can accept and display the 1080i/p, this would actually be a great HDMI receiver. The HDMI's on this 347 never touches the video coming in at those resolutions. So the video is as original as it would get. (this applies to Component video also. 1080i and 1080p video is never processed, but 480i, 480p, and 720p will be.)

On the audio side of HDMI, this is a pretty capable receiver. You can use HDMI to transport Dolby Digital, DTS, and a very wide range of 2-channel, 5-channel or 7-channel PCM. If Master Audio/TrueHD is carried on LPCM, this receiver will process it. I am uncertain about Dolby Digital plus, or DTS-HD High Resolution Audio. (not to be confused with Dolby True HD/DTS Master Audio, which are higher quality audio modes.)

Also on the audio side of HDMI, if you use headphones a lot for 7.1/5.1 PCM channel listening through HDMI, you are not advised to use it. HDMI with PCM makes the whole front soundstage disappear when you listen through the headphones. Literally, anything in front of you will be muted. This is unfortunately the nature of the receiver, and can only be cured by switching to 5.1 Dolby digital.

~~Msc. HDMI Video Information
HDMI
component(480i / 480p) → hdmi (720p / 480p)
component(720p) → hdmi (720p / 480p)

COMPONENT
hdmi (480p)→ component (480i / 480p / 720p)
hdmi (720p)→ component ( 480i / 480p / 720p )

UNAVAILABLE
hdmi (1080i / 1080p)→ component (720p / 480p / 480i)
component(1080i / 1080p) → hdmi (720p / 480p)

~~Msc. HDMI Audio Information
Dolby Digital → Dolby Digital

-On Screen Display (OSD)
These are the menus and submenus to which this AVR 340 can display on screen.

INPUT SETUP
-Input (to select the input, which can be done on the remote too)
-Name (To enter a custom name for the input)
-Video in (This is where you can assign which video Inuts can be used relative to the current input selected.)
-Audio in (similar to Video in, but for audio)
-Auto poll (You can set this to OFF if you don't want the AVR 340 to try and “find” an analog source if the Digital source is interrupted, such as when a DVD is stopped or paused.)
-Tone (Can be set to IN if you want your custom bass/treble settings in effect. When set to OUT, the Bass and Treble settings go to default i.e. O (zero))
-Bass (adjustable from -10 to +10)
-Treble (adjustable from -10 to +10)

SURROUND SELECT
-(this menu allows you to select the surround mode you desire, including Dolby surround, DTS, Logic 7, DSP [Hall, etc.], VMAx, and good ol' Stereo.)

SPEAKER SETUP
-Auto Config.
~(this is where you set up a microphone in the area that you sit in, and the AVR 340 creates test tones to identify the speakers distance, size, volume loudness level, and the subwoofer crossover (The Front, Center, and Rear can all have varying crossover, so you are not limited to a “Global” setting.)
-Manual Config.
~Speaker Size (The speaker size can be set to LARGE so bass can be directed to the speakers if you dont have a subwoofer, or SMALL if you do and want to have the subwoofer handle the lower bass notes)
~Speaker X-over (The subwoofer crossover can be set at 40, 60, 80, 100, 120, 150, and 200 Hz)
~Delay Adjust (If some of your speakers are at varying distances from you seat, you can adjust to delay each speaker to get a more seamless sound environment)
~Channel Adjust (The “loudness” of each speaker get a balanced and equal sound from all direction of your seat.)

MULTI ROOM **(You can use your Surround Back speaker terminals as another set of Main speakers if you want to enjoy a different input in a different room. You lose the ability to use 7.1 surround sound though.)**
-Multi-Room (You can set the speakers in the other room to ON or OFF)
-Source (This is where you select what source you want to listen to.[the source has to be from an analog connection, so an optical or coaxial sound source will not work])
-Default Volume (You set the volume of the 2nd zone here. They are separate from you main volume controls.)
-SB Amp (You set whether you want to enable or disable the multi room function. Disabling causes the speakers to become part of the 7.1 surround sound setup)

VIDEO
-Output Format (You set your preferred resolution here, i.e 480i, 480p 720p.)
-Viewing Pref. (The “viewing mode”, such as Vivid, Nature, Sport, Cinima.)
-Sharpness (!!)
-Brightness (!!)
-Contrast (!!)
-Color (!!)
!!-The four above should be self explanatory.

SYSTEM
-VFD Fade Timeout (The time it takes for the front panel display to be lit, until it fades and turns off)
-Volume Default (Weather to set the “Default Volume Set” to apply or to ignore it.)
-Default Volume Set (You can set the default volume when you turn the receiver on. Regardless of what volume it was when you turn this off, it would go to this default volume when you turn it back on. )
-Semi OSD timeout (Set's the time it takes for the semi-osd to go out)
-Full OSD Timeout (Set's the time it takes for the full-osd to go out)

-Setup (EzSet/EQ) [the following text is copied from my AVR 340 review, because the process and results are the same]
````Setup was like any other receiver, just connecting the various wires and cords to certain inputs and outputs. But when the physical setup is complete, you should turn it on and run the EzSet program.

The EzSet/EQ, as mentioned before sends out test tones to each and every speaker. The sounds are quite loud, so you may want to leave the room when it begins. The setup takes about 3 to 5 minutes. And the results, to the best of my knowledge pretty good.

Also, note the “EQ” moniker at the end of the programs name. The EzSet/EQ also adjusts the way sounds are given. A sort of “Auto-Equalizer”. It changes the characteristics just enough to possibly make the sounds more better. But not enough to totally change the sound characteristics.
````

-Sound
--MUSIC
(I am using Infinity Primus P362 speakers as fronts, PC250 as center, and P142 as surrounds, and an MTX 10” subwoofer in a right hand corner, in a 5.1 setup)

I will say this first. I thought that since this was a newer model, the sound output would be a good as my previous model AVR 340. But my fears were moot. This AVR 347 sounded just as great and dynamic as my last one, so I will also copy my listening results from that.

````After getting it out of the box, connecting all your connections, and adjusting to what you need, it all comes down to the sound, at least for me.

Ive listed to many varieties of music on this AVR 347, from Jazz, Classical, Pop, Game Music, 80's, Techno, and Rock, and many other musics that I'm not even sure what their genres are. Let me tell you now that all your music will sound many, many times better then what you may have bought 10 years ago, or for what you may have bought for cheaper, say sub $400.

Classical music comes vary alive, and I was even shocked sometimes. Some of them I didn't even know I had because they sounded so different then my last sound system. This is a little embarrassing to say, but one classical pieces actually made me drop a tear because it sounded so beautiful and lush. This receiver, matched with a nice pair of speakers could make your mind explode with emotion while listening to classics's. The highs in Violins for example weren't piercingly harsh or crunched up sounding, but came in like notes floating on a river.

Rock too sounded great, such as Led zeppelin's “When the Levee Breaks”. The harmonica and the drum really make you foot tap along with the music.

Jazz was awesome as well. The dynamics I felt made me think the guys were *right there*, playing and wailing their saxes on stage to a small crowd.

What im trying to say is that basically, this receiver is simply awesome. No matter what you listen to, where you listen, what you listen, and how loud you listen, it will always deliver the goods in a strong, powerful, puffed-up chest and chin-high kind of way.
````
I will add this to the Music section though. I bough an HDMI cable to use with my PS3. Apparently, I have downloaded 5.1 channel MP3 music files, and never knew about it because optical cables cant carry more then 2 PCM channels. While the results of the 5.1 MP3 wasn't revolutionary, it added much more ambiance to the music, especially since the music I had in 5.1 channel was soft-toned and slow paced.


--GAMING
(Using a Playstation 3, Call Of Duty : World At War)
Gaming was just as exciting as my previous AVR 340. The difference was that now I had the ability to play in 7.1 thanks to HDMI. (again)

My room isnt setup to do 7.1, since I has 2 second zone speakers in the room, but since they are in the same room, I cant tell you that 7.1 does work. How well, I am not sure. Slowing spinning my character made the transitions of sound even, which is a good sign.


-Reliability
The physical reliability of this AVR 347 is actually better then that of my previous 340. Nothing has broke yet, but I have had it for a few months, so I will come back to update this after I have had this for one year.

Software wise, things get a little muddy. The inclusion of HDMI wasn't the smoothest in the world. The AVR 347 basically uses the same design as the one released in 2004, so implementation of HDMI is quite buggy, but functional. Its not HDMI that doesn't work actually, its the video that is output from the AVR 347. I set mine to output in 480i by component. But on some occasions, some settings change spontaneously, and now my TV wont even display anything. Then I have to do a hard reset of everything, and re-enter all my speaker parameters once more, which doesn't take too long, but is an annoyance at best. This has happened to me twice, and I am expecting it too happen again quite soon. I am not sure what the cause to this is. I am quite sure it is simply the analog nature of the receiver, and the poor digital implementation of HDMI and its video processor. There does not seem to be any firmware update that would cure this, as Harman International is already producing newer models with newer circuitry, and would not be the best thing to do, financially, to produce software for older models. If only someone could crack the programing code. . .

-Conclusion
The Harman/Kardon AVR 347 is a very capable receiver. The three tone color is eye catching, yet the design is eye pleasing. Enough connections for most average Joe's, and produces sound luxurious enough to bring the music's soul into the room, yet powerful enough to punch out sound even from the most extreme of action movies. The sound can be summed up as simply awe inspiring. Power and depth are present while being able to dish out beautiful, full bodied sound that can fill a small to medium sized room easily at pretty high volumes. Granted, if you own a similar performing home theatre receiver, then you probably won’t be as wowed as I was. I bought this receiver refurbished from Harman Audio’s own website, so I received their 1 year warranty, which isn’t the longest in the market, but Harman’s customer service makes up some of this partially because of their very excellent customer service. And they can be had for a pretty good price from online retailers, or Harman International's Eb@y website.

You can consider the AVR 347 is you are beginning to come into the mid-fi section of audio, or for music and movie buffs who want to enjoy the new and powerful HDMI video and audio resolutions, and want a receiver that wont break the bank at the same time.


UPDATE:
I have owned this since late June of 2009, and has been almost a year since ive owned this. Its been pretty good so far. The receiver has only once had a major problem and that was when my speaker started making popping noices while watching the movie. It hasnt done it since. I've never had to restart the receiver because of some glich, and the receiver has never shut down because of a heat-related trouble yet. The sound is still great though.

One small problem is the volume knob has stopped turing smoothly. The volume knob works, but its probably gunked with dust, so it'll only move when i turn it using more force them im willing to give the little plastic peice is willing to take.

One area i cant comment is the HDMI video aspect. I've wastn fond of the in-built screen colors through the HDMI. But HDMI sound has been great. PCM sound from the PS3 still works just fine.