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t C l e a r / M a c ro 4 Button: This button may
be used to store and recall a macro; it may also
be programmed for use with other devices. ( S e e
page 28 for nore information on macros. )

u Enter Button: This button does not have
a function on the AV R , but it can transmit the
“ E n t e r ” command when the remote is pro-
g rammed for use with other products. ( S e e
pages 27–29 for more information.)

v Preset Up/Down: When the tuner is in
use, these buttons scroll through the stations
that have been programmed into the AVR 300’s
memory. When some source devices, such as
CD players, VCRs and cassette decks, are 
selected using the  Device Control Selectors
c

, these buttons will normally function

as chapter step or track advance.

w Tuning Up/Down: When the tuner is in
u s e, these buttons will tune up or down through
the selected frequency band. If the Tuner Mode
button n has been pressed so that the AU TO
indicator Q is illuminated, pressing and holding
the buttons for three seconds will cause the
tuner to seek the next station with acceptable
signal strength for quality reception. When the
AU TO indicator Q is NOT illuminated, p r e s s i n g
these buttons will tune stations in single-step
i n c r e m e n t s. (See page 24 for more information.)

x Forward/Reverse Transport Buttons:
These buttons do not have any functions for 
the AVR, but they may be programmed for the
forward/reverse play operation of a wide variety
of CD or DVD players, and audio or video-
cassette recorders. (See page 27 for more 
information on programming the remote.)

y AM/FM Tuner Select: Press this button to
select this AVR’s tuner as the listening choice.
Pressing this button when a tuner is in use will
select between the AM and FM bands.

z Night Mode: Press this button to activate
the Night mode. This mode is available in spe-
cially encoded digital sources, and it preserves
dialog (center channel) intelligibility at low 
volume levels.

` M u l t i ro o m : Press this button to activate
the Multiroom system or to begin the process
of changing the input or volume level for the
second zone. (See page 26 for more information
on the Multiroom system.)

Delay/Prev Ch.: Press this button to

begin the process for setting the delay times
used by the AVR 300 when processing surround
sound.After pressing this button,the delay
times are entered by pressing the Set button
i and then using the 

⁄

¤

buttons h to

change the setting. Press the Set button again
to complete the process. (See page 18–19 for
more information.)

›

Button: Press this button to change a

setting or selection when configuring many of the
AV R ’s settings.

S p e a ker Select: Press this button to

begin the process of configuring the AVR 300’s
Bass Management System for use with the type
of speakers used in your system. Once the button
has been pressed, use the 

⁄

¤

buttons h t o

select the channel you wish to set up. Press the
S e t button i and then select another channel
to configure. When all adjustments have been
c o m p l e t e d , press the Set button twice to exit the
settings and return to normal opera t i o n .( S e e
page 16 for more information.)

Mute: Press this button to momentarily

silence the AVR 300 or TV set being controlled,
depending on which device has been selected.

When the AVR 300 remote is being progra m m e d
to operate another device, this button is pressed
with the Device Control Selector button

to begin the programming process. (See

page 27 for more information on programming
the remote.)

Volume Up/Down: Press these buttons

to raise or lower the system volume.

TV/VCR Button: This button does not

have a control function for the AVR 300,but it
is available for use with other devices. When
the remote is controlling a VCR,it will typically
perform the TV/VCR switch function.(See pages
27–29 for more information on using the
remote with other products.)

Test Tone: Press this button to begin the

sequence used to calibrate the AVR 300’s output
l e v e l s. (See pages 17–18 for more information
on calibrating the AVR 300.)

Video Remote Selectors : Press one of

these buttons to use the remote to control the
functions of the device shown on the button. ( Fo r
more information on programming the remote to
o p e rate these devices, see pages 27–29.

NOTE: As any of these buttons is pressed, it
will briefly flash red to confirm your selection.

12 REMOTE CONTROL FUNCTIONS

System Installation
After unpacking the unit, and placing it on a solid
surface capable of supporting its weight, you will
need to make the connections to your audio and
video equipment.

Audio Equipment Connections
We recommend that you use high-quality inter-
connect cables when making connections to
source equipment and recorders to preserve the
integrity of the signals.

When making connections to audio source
equipment or speakers it is always a good prac-
tice to unplug the unit from the AC wall outlet.
This prevents any possibility of accidentally
sending audio or transient signals to the speak-
ers that may damage them.

1.Connect the analog output of a CD player to
the CD inputs ¶.

NOTE: When the CD player has both fixed and
variable audio outputs it is best to use the fixed
output unless you find that the input to the
receiver is so low that the sound is noisy, or so
high that the signal is distorted.

2.Connect the analog Play/Out jacks of a cas-
sette deck,MD, CD-R or other audio recorder to
the Tape In jacks f. Connect the analog
Record/In jacks on the recorder to the Tape
Out jacks g on the AVR 300.

3 . Connect the output of any digital sources 
to  the appropriate input connections on the
AVR 300 rear panel. Note that the O p t i c a l
and C o a x i a l digital inputs d e may be 
used with a Dolby Digital or DTS source or 
the output of a conventional CD or LD player’s
PCM (S/P-DIF) output.

4 . Connect the Coax or Digital Outputs ª o n
the rear panel of the AVR to the matching digital
input connections on a CD-R or MiniDisc recorder.

5.Assemble the AM Loop Antenna supplied
with the unit as shown below. Connect it to the
AM and GND screw terminals £ .

6.Connect the supplied FM antenna to the FM
(75 ohm) connection ¢. The FM antenna may
be an external roof antenna, an inside powered
or wire lead antenna or a connection from a
cable TV system. Note that if the antenna or
connection uses 300-ohm twin-lead cable, you
must use the 300-ohm-to-75-ohm adapter 
supplied with the unit to make the connection.

7.Connect the front, center and surround 
speaker outputs ‹ › fi to the respective
speakers.

To assure that all the audio signals are carried
to your speakers without loss of clarity or reso-
lution, we suggest that you use high-quality
speaker cable. Many brands of cable are avail-
able and the choice of cable may be influenced
by the distance between your speakers and the
receiver, the type of speakers you use, personal
preferences and other factors. Your dealer or
installer is a valuable resource to consult in
selecting the proper cable.

Regardless of the brand of cable selected, w e
recommend that you use a cable constructed of
f i n e, m u l t i s t rand copper with a gauge of 14 or
s m a l l e r. Remember that in specifying cable, t h e
lower the number, the thicker the cable.

Cable with a gauge of 16 may be used for short
runs of less than ten feet. We do not recom-
mend that you use cables with an AWG equiva-
lent of 18 or higher due to the power loss and
d e g radation in performance that will occur.

Cables that are run inside walls should have the
appropriate markings to indicate listing with UL,
CSA or other appropriate testing agency stan-
d a r d s. Questions about running cables inside
walls should be referred to your installer or a
licensed electrical contractor who is familiar
with the NEC and/or the applicable local build-
ing codes in your area.

When connecting wires to the speakers, be cer-
tain to observe proper polarity. Remember to
connect the “negative”or “black”wire to the
same terminal on both the receiver and the
speaker. Similarly, the “positive”or “red”wire
should be connected to like terminals on the
AVR 300 and speaker.

We also recommend that the length of cable
used to connect speaker pairs be identical.
For example, use the same length piece of
cable to connect the front-left and front-right

or surround-left and surround-right speake r s,
even if the speakers are a different distance
from the AVR 300.

NOTE: While most speaker manufacturers
adhere to an industry convention of using black
terminals for negative and red ones for positive,
some manufacturers may vary from this config-
uration. To assure proper phase and optimal
performance, consult the identification plate on
your speaker or the speaker’s manual to verify
polarity. If you do not know the polarity of your
speaker, ask your dealer for advice before pro-
ceeding,or consult the speaker’s manufacturer.

8.Connections to a subwoofer are normally
made via a line level audio connection from the
Subwoofer Output ⁄ to the line-level input
of a subwoofer with a built-in amplifier. When a
passive subwoofer is used, the connection first
goes to a power amplifier, which will be con-
nected to one or more subwoofer speakers. If
you are using a powered subwoofer that does
not have line-level input connections, follow the
instructions furnished with the speaker for con-
nection information.

Video Equipment Connections
Video equipment is connected in the same man-
ner as audio components. A g a i n , the use of high-
quality interconnect cables is recommended to
preserve signal quality.

1.Connect a VCR’s audio and video Play/Out
jacks to the Video 1 In jacks ¡ on the rear
panel. The audio and Record/In jacks on the
VCR should be connected to the Video 1 Out
jacks ™ on the AVR 300.

2.Connect the analog audio and video outputs
of a satellite receiver, cable TV converter or 
television set or any other video source to the
Video 2 In jacks a.

3 . Connect the analog audio and video 
outputs of a DVD or laser disc player to the
DV D jacks ∞.

4.Connect the digital audio outputs of a DVD
player, satellite receiver, cable box or HDTV con-
verter to the appropriate  Optical or Coaxial
Digital Inputs d e.

5.Connect the TV Monitor Out b jacks on
the receiver to the composite or S-Video input
of your television monitor or video projector.

13 INSTALLATION AND CONNECTIONS

14 INSTALLATION AND CONNECTIONS

NOTE: The AVR 300 will accept both standard
(composite) or S-Video signals. However, it will
not convert signals from one video format type
to the other.

The AVR 300 is designed for flexible use with
multiroom systems, external control compo-
nents and power amplifiers.

Main Room Remote Control Extension
If the receiver is placed behind a solid or
smoked glass cabinet door, the obstruction may
prevent the remote sensor from receiving com-
mands. In this event,an optional remote sensor
may be used. Connect the output of the remote
sensor to the Remote Cont. In jack ·.

If other components are also prevented from
receiving remote commands, only one sensor is
needed.Simply use this unit’s sensor or a
remote eye by running a connection from the
Remote IR Output jack c to the Remote In
jack on Harman Kardon or other compatible
equipment.

Multiroom IR Link
The remote room IR receiver should be connected
to the AVR 300 via standard coaxial cable. P l u g
the IR connection cable into the M u l t i ro o m j a c k
¤ on the AVR 300’s rear panel.

If other Harman Kardon compatible source
equipment is part of the main room installation,
the Remote IR Output jack c on the rear
panel should be connected to IR IN jack on the
CD player or cassette deck. This will enable the
remote room location to control source equip-
ment functions in addition to the remote room
input and volume.

NOTE: All remotely controlled components
must be linked together in a daisy chain.
Connect the IR OUT jack of one unit to the IR
IN of the next to establish this chain.

Multiroom Audio Connections
Depending on the distance from the AVR 300
to the remote room, two options (A and B)
are ava i l a b l e :

A. Use high-quality, shielded audio interconnect
cable from the AVR 300’s location to the
remote room.At the remote room,connect the
interconnect cable to a stereo power amplifier.
The amplifier will be connected to the room’s
speakers. No volume control is required,as the

AVR 300 and the remote IR link will provide
that function.At the AVR 300,plug the audio
interconnect cables into the Multi Out jacks
• on the AVR 300’s rear panel.

N OT E : The remote power amplifier must have 
signal sensing capability or be left on constantly to
assure automatic operation at the remote room.

B. Place the amplifier that will provide power to
the remote location speakers in the same room
as the AVR 300, and connect the Multi Out
jacks • on the rear panel of the AVR to the
audio input of the remote room amplifier. Use
the appropriate speaker wire to connect the
optional power amplifier to the remote speake r s.
High-quality wire of at least AWG14 is recom-
mended for long multiroom connections.

I M P O RTANT NOT E : A n y c a b l e s r u n i n s i d e wa l l s
s h o u l d b eC L 3 / F T 4 ra t e d ,o r c a r r y a n y o t h e rc e r t i-
f i c a t i o n t h a ti s r e q u i r e d b yt h e NEC or s t a t e a n d
l o c a l b u i l d i n g a n de l e c t r i c a l c o d e s. To a v o i d i n t e r-
f e r e n c e, a u d i o a n d s p e a ke r c a b l e s s h o u l d n o t b e
p a ra l l e l t o, o r run in t h e s a m e c o n d u i t s or path
w i t h , AC c a b l e s. I f y o u h a v e a n y q u e s t i o n sa b o u t
m u l t i r o o m w i r i n g ,c o n s u l ty o u r d e a l e r, c u s t o m
i n s t a l l e r o r a l i c e n s e d or low-voltage contra c t o r.

External Audio Power Amplifier
Connections
If desired,optional external power audio power
amplifiers may be used with the AVR 300.
Connections to these amplifiers are made by
using audio interconnect cables connected to
both the Preamp Outputs ‚ on the rear
panel and the audio input jacks of the external
amplifiers.

External Audio Decoder Connection
To provide for ultimate flexibility, the AVR 300
may be used in conjunction with optional,
external decoders for digital audio systems
other than the AVR 300’s own built-in Dolby
Digital and DTS decoding system.If an external
decoder is used,connect the output jacks of the
decoder to the 6-Channel Direct inputs §,
making sure to match channels.

These jacks may also be used for connections to
devices such as DVD players or High Definition
Television (HDTV) sets or decoders that feature
built-in digital surround decoders. Although the
digital decoding system in the AVR 300 will typi-
cally provide audio performance that is superior
to other decoders, you may use these jacks to
provide an additional 6-channel input for connec-

tion to a DVD player or HDTV set with a built-in
decoder and discrete 6-channel analog outputs.

AC Power Connections
This unit is equipped with two accessory AC
outlets. They may be used to power accessory
devices, but they should not be used with high-
current draw equipment such as power ampli-
fiers. The total power draw to each outlet may
not exceed 150 watts.

The Switched fl outlet will receive power
only when the unit is on. This is recommended
for devices that have no power switch or a
mechanical power switch that may be left in
the “ON”position.

N OT E : Many audio and video products go into
a Standby mode when they are used with
switched outlets, and cannot be fully turned on
using the outlet alone without a remote control
command.

The Unswitched ‡ outlet will receive power
as long as the unit is plugged into a powered
AC outlet.

Finally, when all connections are complete, plug
the power cord into a nonswitched120-volt AC
wall outlet. You’re almost ready to enjoy the
AVR 300!

15 SYSTEM CONFIGURATION

When all audio, video and system connections
have been made, there are a few configura t i o n
adjustments that must be made. A few minutes
spent to correctly configure and calibrate the
unit will greatly add to your listening experience.

Speaker Selection and Placement
The placement of speakers in a multichannel
home-theater system can have a noticeable
impact on the quality of sound reproduced.

No matter which type or brand of speakers is
u s e d , the same model or brand of speake r
should be used for the front-left, center and
front-right speake r s. This creates a seamless
front soundstage and eliminates the possibility
of distracting sonic disturbances that occur
when a sound moves across mismatched
front-channel speake r s.

Speaker Placement
Depending on the type of center-channel
speaker in use and your viewing device, place
the center speaker either directly above or
below your TV, or in the center behind a perfo-
rated front-projection screen.

Once the center-channel speaker is installed,
position the left-front and right-front speakers
so that they are as far away from one another
as the center-channel speaker is from the pre-
ferred listening position. I d e a l l y, the front-channel
s p e a kers should be placed so that their tweeters
are no more than 24" above or below the
tweeter in the center-channel speaker.

Depending on the specifics of your room
acoustics and the type of speakers in use, y o u
may find that imaging is improved by moving
the front-left and front-right speakers slightly
f o r ward of the center-channel speake r. If possi-
b l e, adjust all front loudspeakers so that they
are aimed at ear height when you are seated
in the listening position.

Using these guidelines, you’ll find that it take s
some experimentation to find the correct loca-
tion for the front speakers in your particular
i n s t a l l a t i o n . Don’t be afraid to move things
around until the system sounds correct. O p t i m i z e
your speakers so that audio transitions across
the front of the room sound smooth, and that
sounds from all speakers appear to arrive at the
listening position at the same time (without
delay from the center speaker compared to the
left and right speake r s. )

Surround speakers should be placed on the side
walls of the room,at or slightly behind the 
listening position. The center of the speaker
should face into the room. The speakers should
be located so that the bottom of the cabinet 
is at least two feet higher than the listeners’
ears when the listeners are seated in the
desired area.

If side-wall mounting is not practical,the
speakers may be placed on a rear wall,behind
the listening position.Again,they should be
located so that the bottom of the cabinet is at
least two feet higher than the listeners’ ears.
The speakers should be no more than six feet
behind the rear of the seating area.

Subwoofers produce nondirectional sound, s o
they may be placed almost anywhere in a
r o o m . Actual placement should be based on
room size and shape and the type of subwoofer
u s e d . One method of finding the optimal loca-
tion for a subwoofer is to begin by placing it in
the front of the room, about six inches from a
wa l l , or near the front corner of the room.
Another method is to temporarily place the
subwoofer in the spot where you will normally
s i t , and then walk around the room until you
find a spot where the subwoofer sounds best.
Place the subwoofer in that spot. You should
also follow the instructions of the subwoofer’s
m a n u f a c t u r e r, or you may wish to experiment
with the best location for a subwoofer in your
listening room.

A) Front Channel Speaker Installation with
Direct-View TV Sets or Rear-Screen Projectors

B) The distance between the left and right
speakers should be equal to the distance
from the seating position to the viewing
screen. You may also experiment with plac -
ing the left and right speakers slightly for -
ward of the center speaker.