Harman Kardon has been a stalwart in the audio industries since the early ’50 but their journey may not have been a gloriously smooth one. In recent years, with the revival of home entertainment, Harman has stepped up its efforts and have been building receivers that have simplicity, finesse and good value for money as their hallmark. Their new receiver range for 2013 speaks the same language and pushes all the right buttons with forward looking features.
The new models are the Harman Kardon AVR 1510, AVR 1610 and AVR 1710 priced from $299 to $549. But what can you expect at these entry level prices? Well more than what we’d expect. These receivers features 4K passthrough, 3D playback, Bluetooth, Apple AirPlay, vTuner Internet radio, Roku Ready MHL support, wide range of connectivity options, and more.
Harman Kardon AVR 1710
On the audio front the new HARMAN NSP Natural Sound Processing aims at recreating a realistic acoustic event, as claimed by HK. Amplification is boosted by a new switch mode digitally based power supply which provides uninterrupted power to deliver ample current for demanding movie soundtracks as well as natural timbres for music videos.
You can control the functions and menus by using the free Harman Kardon remote app for iOS® and Android™ smartphones.
Being environmental friendly is one of Harmon’s design concepts. By utilizing the new HARMAN GreenEdge™ technology which uses digital power supply to improve efficiency, dramatic energy savings can be realized without compromising on performance.
- Harman Kardon AVR 1510 review
- Harman Kardon AVR 1610 review
- Harman Kardon AVR 1710 review
Yamaha To Support Spotify Connect
Yamaha recently announced that it will support Spotify Connect, a home audio experience giving you control of your music across your mobile devices with millions of songs built in. Music streaming services has changed the way consumers access music. The integration of Spotify Connect within Yamaha products will provide customers with access to the vast music archive that Spotify has to offer.
Yamaha network AV receiver users that have a Spotify Premium account can now looking forward to enjoying instant access to millions of songs on their home entertainment system. Spotify Connect will be available on all 2013 released Yamaha Network AV receivers via a firmware update.
To use Spotify Connect, customers are required to download the Spotify app for a smartphone, tablet or laptop and have an active Spotify Premium account. If you own a compatible Yamaha network AV receiver and would like to try a Spotify Premium account, there is a free 30-day trial available. For more details, visit spotify.com/yamaha.
Spotify Connect compatible models:
AVENTAGE Preamplifier: CX-A5000
AVENTAGE series AV receivers: RX-A3030, RX-A2030, RX-A1030, RX-A830, RX-A730
RX-V series AV receivers: RX-V775WA, RX-V675, RX-V575, RX-V475
RX-S series slim AV receivers: RX-S600
HTR series AV receivers: HTR-4066
TSR series AV receivers: TSR-6750WA
Arcam FMJ AVR750 AV Receiver Worth The 4-Year Wait
Arcam FMJ AVR750
It’s been 4 years since Arcam last released an AV receiver and its new flagship AV receiver, the Arcam FMJ AVR750 AV Receiver is said to not only be the finest home cinema AV receiver Arcam has ever made, but also the best sounding stereo amplifier too.
This newcomer boasts clean lines and a dark-grey bodywork that reflect the familiar FMJ aesthetics. Its neatly laid-out rear panel holds seven HDMI inputs and two outputs that are ARC compatible, component inputs, four legacy phono AV inputs and a Zone 2 analogue output. Digital audio options include two optical and four coaxial. For even more external power, you will also find a 7.1 bank of pre-amp outputs.
This 7-channel design AV receiver uses multi-voltage Class G amplification and can be configured as a full 7.1 system, or as 5.1 with two channels serving a second zone.
The Arcam AVR750 sounds delicious to the ears already and it is easily the most accomplished Arcam AV receiver to date. Check back for the full Arcam FMJ AVR750 AV receiver review.
Anthem Announces Brand New Anthem MRX 710 and 510 AV Receivers
Anthem MRX 710
Look out for Anthem‘s all new MRX 710 and 510 AV receivers! Anthem announced just yesterday, the release of two receivers – the Anthem MRX 710 and 510.
These receivers sit at the top of Anthem’s range of receivers and these models look sleeker and are more advanced and hardworking than their predecessors.
Both these receivers offer 7 channels of audio output with 120 watts per channel for the MRX 710, and 100 watts per channel for the MRX 510. They also comes with an advanced version of Anthem’s proprietary room correction DSP system, the ARC 1M. Other upgrades include 7 HDMI inputs, one with Auto Return Channel (ARC), 2 HDMI outs, 4K video upscaling and pass through, drivers for IP control of select systems, iOS and Android controller apps, a host of available configurations, bi-amping of the L/R channels, and more.
Is 3D History?
3D (or high definition 3D TV) launched with great fanfare at the 2010 CES in Las Vegas. It seems that now, just 3 years on, 3D is no longer the buzzword. Less films are now offered in 3D and theaters are not keen on putting out more screenings as viewership is dwindling due in part to higher ticket prices for 3D screenings.
Quite a number of movie fans still prefer films in 2D and some are simply not keen on donning cumbersome 3D glasses for hours. These factors coupled with the fact that 3D content is not as readily available makes any upgrading to 3D less of an urgency.
With the advent of higher resolution Ultra HDTVs this year, 3D may even go the way of the dinosaur. Manufacturers have a new battle to fight so the talk about 3D being the new revolution of TV is simply not going to happen any time soon or if ever.
HDMI 2.0 Specifications Finalized
HDMI specifications haven’t changed for some time, which is a good thing. Every time a change in technology or some new technical specification come about there is usually a flurry of activity by manufacturers to gain market share by touting the latest and the bestest.
So after ten confusing HDMI specification updates, the last of which was ver 1.4, it is good news indeed to learn that HDMI 2.0 does not require any cable change. The current high speed HDMI cables (or Cat 2) will be able to carry all the increased signal and bandwidth upgrades of HDMI 2.0. Cable manufacturers are now required to label HDMI cables according to cable type, i.e. Standard, High Speed, or High Speed with Ethernet.
Types of HDMI cables
According to the recent press release by the HDMI forum, ver 2.0 is backwards compatible with earlier versions of the HDMI specification. It significantly increases bandwidth up to 18Gbps and adds major enhancements for higher video and audio resolution bandwidth.
Here is a summary of the HDMI 2.0 specs and features:
It is good timing that HDMI 2.0 will arrive just in time as 4K Ultra HD TV hits the stores.
Using Your AV Receiver As a Music Streamer
The delivery of digital music is slowly transforming from disc based to being file based. Many consumers are digitizing their CD collection and storing them as digital files and playing them back through a music streamer like the Squeezebox Touch. The range of music that are available for purchase as a download online are increasing by the day with online sources like HDtracks, iTunes and most recently SuperHiRez by Acoustic Sounds.
The Consumer Electronics Association (CEA) announced last week that it will join manufacturers, retailers, music labels and artists in offering expanded support for and promotion of high-resolution audio (HRA). CEA is exploring various initiatives and plans to leverage opportunities to promote HRA at the 2014 International CES. With these latest developments, we will see a gradual demise of CD and standard resolution audio. Streaming music will be a whole new industry and soon overtake physical CDs in popularity.
Most receivers purchased in the last 2 years already support media streaming. Not only are compressed music files supported such as MP3, WMA, and AAC but also high resolution files such as FLAC, WAV, AIFF, Apple Lossless and even DSD, Sony’s leading format which have become an underground sensation in the computer audio community.
Depending on the receiver model, all you need is a PC running Windows with Windows Media Player installed or DLNA-compatible media servers. For quick access you can store music files on a USB thumb drive and play back from there. You can be sure as digital music streaming becomes more popular, manufacturers will see the opportunity to incorporate more such functions into the modern AV receiver.
Must Have Features For Your Next A/V Receiver
Most receivers nowadays come with quite a complete set of features such as Full HD, 3D support, all the DTS sound formats, Ethernet port, built-in Wi-Fi, room correction software, multi zone playback and many more.
But as new display technology, smart devices and new media sources becoming more ubiquitous it would certainly help if you have a receiver that can conveniently communicate and access these devices and new media sources.
If you are planning to upgrade your aging receiver, here are some key features to look out for to future proof your purchase:
Pioneer Releases All New Pioneer SC-1223-K
The future of TVs and home theater systems looks rather exciting, with the onslaught of 4K Ultra HD displays and the expected price drop in the coming years. Consumers are already looking at good home theater receivers to have themselves a high-class audio visual experience in the comforts of their own home. While there are plenty of AV receivers to choose from in the market, the Pioneer SC-1223-K is a great pick for an AV receiver with the latest features.
The SC-1223-K is a 7.2 Channel Network Ready Receiver that features Pioneer’s proprietary Class D3 Amplification, offering support for the newest high-resolution audio formats such as Dolby Pro Logic IIz, TrueHD and DTS Master Audio. It also features Advanced Multi-Channel Acoustic Calibration technology, making the task of calibrating your speakers a most enjoyable experience. Also, with Full 4K Ultra HD support, this receiver is ready to accept any home theater components that can send 4K content to those large 4K displays. Folks looking for an AV receiver with upscaling support will also be pleased.
Read the full Pioneer SC-1223-K review now to find out more!
Get Room Acoustics Right For Better Sound
Many may not realize it. But your room is the biggest audio component in a home theater setup. It will make the most difference to the sound. Do it right, and you will get natural balanced sound that you will enjoy indefinitely. On the other hand if the room is not suitable for audio playback, no matter how much you spend on a home theater or sound system it will not sound good.
Granted, there are some things in the room that you can’t change or have no control of, for eg the room’s dimensions. But if you are looking for a new home or building one, you might want to pay attention to how room dimensions affect acoustics, especially if your AV room is small. All rooms have peaks and nulls at low frequencies below 100Hz. This has a profound effect on the way low frequencies for movies and bass in your music will sound. If your listening seat is where low frequencies peak you will get severe bass boom which can be downright uncomfortable and definitely fatiguing if you are listening to music or watching movies for an extended period. Generally avoid a square-sized room if you want good bass.
If you can’t have the luxury of changing room dimensions, the next best option is applying room acoustic treatments. Some of these are common sense and inexpensive. Like placing a thick rug between your screen and your listening seat. Thick curtains will help to contain bass boom and large canvas paintings on the walls will help to reduce high frequency fatigue.
If you have the budget for professional room acoustic treatment here are some recommendations:
1. ASC Tube Traps
2. Michael Green’s Room Tunes
3. RPG Diffusers
New Harman Kardon AVR 1×10 Series AV Receivers
Harman Kardon has been a stalwart in the audio industries since the early ’50 but their journey may not have been a gloriously smooth one. In recent years, with the revival of home entertainment, Harman has stepped up its efforts and have been building receivers that have simplicity, finesse and good value for money as their hallmark. Their new receiver range for 2013 speaks the same language and pushes all the right buttons with forward looking features.
The new models are the Harman Kardon AVR 1510, AVR 1610 and AVR 1710 priced from $299 to $549. But what can you expect at these entry level prices? Well more than what we’d expect. These receivers features 4K passthrough, 3D playback, Bluetooth, Apple AirPlay, vTuner Internet radio, Roku Ready MHL support, wide range of connectivity options, and more.
Harman Kardon AVR 1710
On the audio front the new HARMAN NSP Natural Sound Processing aims at recreating a realistic acoustic event, as claimed by HK. Amplification is boosted by a new switch mode digitally based power supply which provides uninterrupted power to deliver ample current for demanding movie soundtracks as well as natural timbres for music videos.
You can control the functions and menus by using the free Harman Kardon remote app for iOS® and Android™ smartphones.
Being environmental friendly is one of Harmon’s design concepts. By utilizing the new HARMAN GreenEdge™ technology which uses digital power supply to improve efficiency, dramatic energy savings can be realized without compromising on performance.