Harman Kardon's most affordable 7.1-channel audio/video surround receiver, the AVR 235, offers high-quality baseline features from the company's acclaimed AVR series receivers. The component delivers near universal surround-format compatibility, and it's engineered for terrific sonic performance. The AVR 235 features a discrete-output amplifier that pumps 7 channels of high-current (+/-35 amps), ultrawide-bandwidth power: 7 x 50 watts into 8 ohms, 20 to 20,000 Hz with less than 0.07 percent THD. Further, the receiver uses state-of-the-art 192 kHz/24-bit audio digital-to-analog converters and a high-power Cirrus 32-bit DSP processor.

Take a closer look at the AVR 235's connections. You can also view the unit's front panel and remote control in detail.

The AVR 235's cutting-edge technologies also include triple-crossover bass management, automatic digital input polling, and A/V Sync Delay. An EzSet remote control provides automatic speaker-level calibration.

Surround-sound features include Dolby Virtual Speaker, Dolby Headphone processing, and Dolby Pro Logic IIx processing (which provides an expansive, full-range 7.1-channel program from any stereo or 5.1-channel source). The receiver handles all other popular formats, including Dolby Digital EX and Dolby Digital 5.1, all standard DTS modes (including 6.1 DTS-ES Discrete, DTS-ES Matrix, DTS Neo:6, Cinema 6.1/5.1, and Music 6.1/5.1) and even the latest DTS 96/24 high-resolution audio technology. You also get Harman's proprietary Logic 7 audio for enhanced multichannel reproduction from both matrix-encoded and 2-channel recordings.

Along with its extensive video connectivity, the receiver offers 2 wide-bandwidth, HDTV-compatible component-video inputs, and an array of digital and analog audio connections, including multiple coaxial and optical digital audio inputs and outputs. It sports both analog and digital front-panel inputs, 6-/8-channel direct audio inputs, and 7.1-channel preamp outputs to accommodate a DVD-Video, DVD-Audio, SACD, or universal player.

The receiver's triple-crossover bass-management system lets you choose from multiple crossover frequencies for the front L/R, center, surround L/R, and surround back L/R speakers. Most receivers and DVD players have far more limited crossover filtering or none at all. Moreover, you can set different speaker-size configurations for different AVR 235 input sources according to your needs.

You get a high-quality FM/AM tuner with 30 station presets and a Listener Preference System that lets you specify a surround mode according to the program source. You can also set speaker-channel levels for each program source and DSP format (for example, the subwoofer level can be set differently for multichannel movie viewing and 2-channel CD music listening).

What's in the Box
Receiver, remote control, remote batteries, FM wire/AM loop antennas, warranty information, and a user's manual.