Introduction: Elevating Your Home Theater Experience
For home theater enthusiasts and casual movie lovers alike, finding the perfect balance between high-end audio performance, extensive connectivity, and budget-friendly pricing can feel like an endless quest. The market is saturated with audio/video receivers (AVRs) that range from bare-bones budget boxes to ultra-complex, multi-thousand-dollar processors. However, most everyday users simply want a system that delivers clean, powerful surround sound, handles all their modern HDMI devices, and integrates smoothly with their favorite mobile platforms.
Enter the Harman Kardon AVR 1700 5.1-Channel Network-Connected Audio/Video Receiver with AirPlay. Priced competitively at $377, this receiver targets users looking to build a high-quality 5.1-channel surround sound system without breaking the bank. Harman Kardon has long enjoyed a stellar reputation in the audiophile community for delivering high-current, low-distortion power and elegant, minimalist designs. With the AVR 1700, the brand blends its traditional audio heritage with modern network-connected features, such as Apple AirPlay, DLNA 1.5 network streaming, and dedicated mobile control apps.
In this comprehensive, honest product review, we will dive deep into what the Harman Kardon AVR 1700 offers. We will break down its technical specifications, evaluate its real-world performance, list its key advantages and disadvantages, analyze feedback from 195 verified customer reviews, and help you determine whether this receiver is the right fit for your living room setup.
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Product Overview: A Deeper Look at the Harman Kardon AVR 1700
The Harman Kardon AVR 1700 is a 5.1-channel home theater receiver that acts as the control center of your entertainment setup. It is designed to take audio and video signals from various sources—such as gaming consoles, streaming devices, and media players—process them, and send gorgeous high-definition video to your TV while driving five speakers and a powered subwoofer.
Design and Build Quality
Upon unboxing the AVR 1700, the first thing most users notice is its weight—or rather, its lack of it. Weighing in at just under 13 pounds (12.8 lbs), this receiver is remarkably light compared to traditional AVRs, which easily tip the scales at 20 to 30 pounds. This lightweight build is made possible by Harman Kardon’s transition from a heavy linear power supply to a highly efficient, custom-designed switching digital power supply. Not only does this make the receiver easier to lift and place on delicate shelving, but it also helps the unit run cooler and consume less standby energy.
Visually, the AVR 1700 carries the classic, premium look for which Harman Kardon is famous. It features a sleek, semi-glossy black finish with a bisected front panel. The top half is slightly reflective and houses a clear, minimalist dot-matrix display, while the bottom half contains essential physical controls and a striking, glowing blue ring surrounding the volume knob. It is a design that looks modern and sophisticated, easily blending into any contemporary media cabinet.
Connectivity Options
Despite its streamlined footprint, the AVR 1700 does not skimp on connectivity. On the back panel, you will find:
- Six HDMI Inputs: All inputs support 3D pass-through, Deep Color, and Audio Return Channel (ARC), allowing you to route all your modern high-definition devices through a single cable to your television.
- One HDMI Output: Connects directly to your display.
- Digital Audio Inputs: Includes one coaxial and two optical digital inputs for legacy devices.
- Analog Inputs: Multiple stereo RCA inputs for legacy components.
- RJ-45 Ethernet Port: Connects the receiver to your home network for internet-based features.
- Five-Way Binding Posts: Heavy-duty speaker terminals that allow for secure connections using bare wire or banana plugs.
On the front panel, you will find a 1/4-inch headphone jack, secondary analog audio/video inputs, and a high-speed USB port designed to play music files directly from USB flash drives or plug in Apple iOS devices for direct docking and charging.
Audio and Network Technology
Under the hood, the AVR 1700 boasts 100 watts of power per channel (measured with two channels driven at 6/8 ohms). It natively decodes advanced high-resolution formats like Dolby TrueHD and DTS-HD Master Audio, ensuring you get movie-theater-quality lossless audio from your Blu-ray discs and modern streaming platforms. Additionally, it includes Harman Kardon’s proprietary Logic 7 processing, which can transform traditional stereo audio into an immersive, wide-stage surround sound experience.
Its network capabilities are where this receiver truly transitions into the modern era. Once connected to your local network via an Ethernet cable, you gain access to Apple AirPlay for instant wireless music streaming, DLNA 1.5 certification to fetch music from computers or network-attached storage (NAS) drives on your network, and built-in vTuner Internet Radio to stream thousands of radio stations from around the globe.
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The Pros: What Makes the AVR 1700 Stand Out
The Harman Kardon AVR 1700 brings plenty of positive features to the table, particularly for those looking to build a high-performing but budget-friendly 5.1 home entertainment system. Here are the key advantages of this receiver:
- 1. Exceptional Sound Quality and Power Delivery: Harman Kardon has always prioritized the actual “sound” of their products, and the AVR 1700 is no exception. With its high-current capability and 100-watt-per-channel output, it delivers a smooth, warm midrange, sparkling highs, and tight, punchy bass. It has the raw power needed to drive a wide range of speaker brands without sounding strained or harsh at high volumes.
- 2. Abundant HDMI Inputs (6 in Total): Finding six HDMI inputs on a receiver in this price class is a massive win. It means you have plenty of room to plug in a gaming console, streaming stick, cable box, Blu-ray player, and laptop simultaneously, with room to spare for future equipment.
- 3. Integrated Apple AirPlay & DLNA 1.5: If you are entrenched in the Apple ecosystem, the built-in AirPlay is incredibly convenient. You can instantly cast music from your iPhone, iPad, or Mac directly to your living room speakers without the sound degradation often associated with standard Bluetooth. For non-Apple users, DLNA 1.5 allows you to pull music straight from your local media server with ease.
- 4. Lightweight, Cool-Running Design: Thanks to the switching digital power supply, this receiver weighs less than 13 pounds. It fits comfortably on lighter shelves and runs much cooler than traditional receivers, which is excellent for longevity and for preventing heat buildup in enclosed media cabinets.
- 5. Intuitive Mobile Control App: Harman Kardon offers free iOS and Android controller apps that transform your smartphone or tablet into a highly functional remote. It provides a visual graphical interface to navigate sources, manage your vTuner internet radio, and control volume from anywhere in the room.
- 6. Individualized Input Customization: One feature that seasoned users will appreciate is the ability to customize audio and surround sound modes individually for each input source. For example, you can set your “Disc” input to automatically use DTS-HD surround, while your “Music” input defaults to a clean, direct 2-channel stereo format.
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The Cons: Areas for Improvement
While the Harman Kardon AVR 1700 offers superb audio performance, it is not without its flaws. In the spirit of a balanced and honest review, here are the drawbacks you should keep in mind before making a purchase:
- 1. No Built-In Wi-Fi: To access any network features—including AirPlay, DLNA, and vTuner—you must connect the receiver directly to your router using a physical Ethernet cable. If your router is in another room, you will need to buy an external Wi-Fi-to-Ethernet adapter or bridge to get the system online.
- 2. Dated On-Screen User Interface (GUI): The on-screen menu system that displays on your television is basic and archaic. The typography and blocky graphics feel like a throwback to the early 2000s, making initial setup and deeper menu diving feel more tedious than it should be.
- 3. EzSet/EQ Calibration Can Be Inconsistent: The receiver comes with an EzSet/EQ microphone designed to automatically calibrate speaker distances and volume levels. However, some users have reported that the auto-calibration tends to exaggerate the subwoofer levels, resulting in boomy, overbearing bass. Most audiophiles will likely prefer to skip the auto-setup and input speaker distances and levels manually for a more balanced sound signature.
- 4. Rare Firmware/Software Locking Issues: Over years of ownership, some users have noted occasional software hiccups, such as the unit getting stuck on a “BCO Update Please Wait” message. Resolving these issues often requires a factory system reset, which wipes out your customized speaker and input settings.
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Customer Reviews Analysis: Real-World Experiences
With an average rating of approximately 3.9 out of 5 stars across 195 verified reviews, the overall reception of the Harman Kardon AVR 1700 is highly positive but accompanied by some consistent critical feedback. This spread of opinions highlights that while the receiver is an acoustic powerhouse, its user experience has some quirks.
The High Points: Praise for the receiver overwhelmingly centers around its sound quality. Many reviewers note that the AVR 1700 easily outperformed more expensive models from competitors in terms of vocal clarity, spatial detail, and low-frequency power. Music lovers particularly enjoy the stereo performance, reporting that Harman Kardon’s legendary high-current amplification breathes life into traditional audio setups. The sleek aesthetic, especially the soft-glowing blue volume ring, also earns high marks for style. Additionally, Apple users express immense satisfaction with the AirPlay functionality, noting how quick and responsive it is once the unit is connected to the network.
The Low Points: On the flip side, critical reviews frequently target the setup process and network limitations. Buyers who did not realize the unit lacks integrated Wi-Fi were frustrated by having to run a physical cable to their internet router. Others pointed out that the physical remote control is missing a dedicated button to switch surround modes on the fly, forcing them to use the front-panel controls or open the dated on-screen television menu, which disrupts whatever movie or game is currently on the screen. There are also minor reports of HDMI handshake delays, where the audio takes a second or two to catch up when first starting a video or pausing and resuming content.
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Who Should Buy This Product?
The Harman Kardon AVR 1700 is a specialized entry-level receiver that caters perfectly to specific types of home audio users. You should consider buying this receiver if:
- You Are a Budget-Conscious Audiophile: If your priority is absolute sound quality, warm midtones, and powerful speaker-driving capabilities for under $400, this receiver is hard to beat. It punches well above its price tag in acoustic performance.
- You are Heavily Invested in the Apple Ecosystem: With seamless iOS integration and built-in AirPlay, this receiver is a dream for anyone who regularly streams music from an iPhone, iPad, or MacBook.
- You Have a Modern Setup with Legacy Space Constraints: Because of its ultra-light 12.8-pound body and shallow profile, it is perfect for smaller TV stands, wall-mounted floating shelves, or media cabinets where weight limits are an issue.
- You Need Multiple HDMI Hookups: Gamers with multiple consoles (e.g., PS5, Xbox Series X, Nintendo Switch) along with streaming players and cable boxes will benefit greatly from the six HDMI inputs.
Conversely, if you absolutely require wireless Wi-Fi out of the box, need a 7.1 or 9.1 Atmos speaker layout, or want a highly modern, graphics-heavy user interface to guide you through setup, you may want to look at more expensive mid-range receivers from brands like Denon or Yamaha.
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Final Verdict: Exceptional Sound on a Budget
At $377, the Harman Kardon AVR 1700 5.1-Channel Network-Connected Audio/Video Receiver with AirPlay represents an outstanding value proposition for anyone building a standard surround sound home theater. It strips away unnecessary legacy video ports and complex multi-room features to focus entirely on what matters most: stellar audio quality, plenty of clean power, and a generous selection of modern HDMI inputs.
While the lack of integrated Wi-Fi and the dated user interface require a bit of patience during the initial setup, these minor inconveniences melt away once the system is up and running. The receiver delivers beautiful, cinematic sound reproduction that rival units at twice the price struggle to match. If you are willing to run a hardwired Ethernet connection (or plug in a cheap wireless bridge) and spend a few minutes manually calibrating your speaker distances, the AVR 1700 will reward you with an incredibly rich, warm, and room-filling audio experience that elevates your movies, games, and music to a whole new level.
