Home > Consumer Reviews > Harman Kardon AVR 125 Dolby Digital Receiver

I sell audio equipment to mainly people who are just starting out with home theater, and I have to say, I am most impressed, and get the most positive feedback, with HK then with any other brand. For those of you doing research for your first surround sound system, you're definitely looking for two things.
1. Something that sounds great.
2. Something that's easy to use.
HK absolutely does both.
What makes HK sound great? First, don't be scared of the 45-watt power rating per channel. HK is rated by not just the center channel, but ALL the channels. This means rear channels that are dynamic and can hold their own, not blown away by the center/front channel. Second, HK gives you crisp clear sound at any pitch. Don't get me wrong, it's not going to make your Jensen's sound like a Bose system, but team it up with something like Bose, Infinity, JBL, and Polk to name a few and you will not be displeased. Throw in a THD at .07% that can hang with any other brand to boot. Third, is power on demand. Yeah, let's say you're watching a Bond chase scene and there's an explosion. Would you rather it sound like, "hmm I think something caught fire" or "OH GOD, GET UNDER THE DESK HUN, THE HOUSE IS GONNA COLLAPSE ON US"? The latter is closer to what you get with power on demand (ok so maybe I exaggerated).
Is HK easy to use? OK, if you're taking home your first receiver these days, they're ALL going to look intimidating. But with the HK, it is extremely easy to switch between surround modes and video sources both with the remote and on the unit. You can customize which inputs go with which digital sources. Lets face it, if you've never owned a receiver, you're going to have to educate yourself a little bit. But, HK's on screen menu makes these advanced settings as painless as possible. Also, if you opt for the 2,3, or 5 series, there's an EZ set button on your remote, that automatically adjusts the speakers to where you're sitting in the room.
In short, I believe about 95% of all receiver customers are HK customers. All there is to decide is if you're a 1,2,3 or 5 series customer. Maybe even check out the 2001 or 7200.

Great Reciever, has great sound quality, Totally Digital Controls, i have considered JVC, Onkyo, and Technics, But this sounded the BEST out of the bunch, has Harman/Kardon's EXCLUSIVE LOGIC-7, makes it sound like you have 7 speakers. Very high qualiy, and well built, and great sound quality.

The HK AVR 125 isn't a world class piece of stereo equipment. What it is is a very competent performer at its price level. It was Harman Kardon's entry level A/V receiver in their line from 2001-2003. I'd originally bought mine as a temporary fix, thinking I'd relegate it to a backroom or a family member after I upgraded.

There are two postive comments to be made about it. First it contains a fairly advanced DAC for it's class [DACs translate cd bits into music]. Not bad for an entry level product. Secondly it shares, along with most HK receivers the fact that it's amplifier is made of discrete electronics unlike the particle board assemblies that other products in its price class contain.

One big negative: The HK receiver line is ugly. Extremely ugly. Cheap looking with some exterior clear plastic molds that don't help, whoever designed the line's looks should go back to the drawing board.

All in all I'm satisfied with the HK AVR-125. It's not cutting edge but it's amp section is good enough that I'm not worried about upgrading until after I purchase a very good universal player.

My first receiver was an Aiwa AV-D55 stereo receiver. It was pretty good but the volume knob stopped responding: If I turned it down at the unit it would go up. The only thing that works on it is a remote. So I bought the Harman Kardon AVR 125. I was immediately impressed with the clarity and while it didn't produce the same bass as my other unit it produced better sound. I could see where adding a subwoofer is a good idea at this point. The Aiwa was much cheaper. Only $$ compared to $$. But I've been very pleased with the features of this model. It does everything I need it to do and has every input/output connection I need. This unit also doesn't have sound fields like rock, jazz, or whatever. It's just a very nice to the point receiver. So far this is the best receiver I've ever owned. The Aiwa sounded muddy by comparison. It had a t-bass tri-level setting which is handy if you don't own a subwoofer. But I've never missed it. And I know that once I add the subwoofer this system is going to be even more amazing. I use JBL speakers and it's very crisp and clear.

Like so many of us out there who have just bought a new projection HDTV, its time to upgrade the old stereo to an audio visual receiver. I had always heard H/K was good stuff, so I bought this H/K unit because of the controls configuration and the features. I am replacing a 21 year old Onkyo receiver that still works great but doesnt accomodate 5.1 etc. My Onkyo is 45 watts per channel (last of the analog dials made) and the H/K is aprx. the same rating. With tearful unceartantity and that new car smell anxiety I set aside my Onkyo and hooked up my new H/K. The display lit up and it looked better in my house than at the store (you know the feeling). When I turned up the volume I got no sound from the TV or DVD input so I swithed to am/fm and got some "fuzzy music". I only hooked up 2 speakers (JBL 3way 15" woof.) but I tried every mathematically possible wiring configuration that an electrical engineer could conceive and I could not get this unit to get louder than a FIFTH! of what my Onkyo would do ; and the clarity was not as good. So I took back the unit to the store and they hooked it up and what I heard at home was the same thing that we heard at the store. The store people said that the unit is working properly and I should be looking for a 110 amp+ per channel unit to match the performance of my old Onkyo.

I am not deaf and when my wife cannot carry on a normal conversation with me she turns down the volume, she never objected to the H/K untill it was at full blast. Simply put: this unit has no nads.

I have remedied the situation. The store cheerfully took the H/K back and I hooked my Onkyo back up. I ran Y-cables out of the back of my DVD and split the audio between my TV and my Onkyo. I ran my "TV out" leads to my Onkyos' other tape monitor in. I now have 4 floor standing 3-way speakers that sound better than anything at the audio store that is under $1000.00. And it is easy for my wife to use!

I am not H/K bashing here as it is a very beatiful unit. I think that the display is the most attractive on the market. There are a couple of good uses for the H/K thogh. It would be ideal for a powder room or a closet. Or; like they used to do with those beatiful color TV consoles that our grandparents had -- turn that beutiful display into a fishtank (saltwater would blend nicely with the orange letters). Hope this helped.