Harman Kardon New Home Theatre & Music Amps With iPod Dock

A/V specialists Harman Kardon have announced a bevy of new audio/video receivers in the company's home theatre AVR range as well as its HK music series.  The new models top out at the flagship AVR 354, shown here, with 7.1 channels, as well as the 7.1 channel AVR 254 and 5.1 channel AVR 154; the two new music receivers are the HK 3490 and HK 3390, both stereo.  All three of the multichannel receivers have HDMI 1.3a functionality and pass video signals to 1080p.

The AVR 354 and 254 both support Dolby TrueHD and DTS-HD Master Audio decoding, and have an exclusive high-definition full-color on-screen menu system (that includes a setup wizard).  To that, the AVR 354 adds iPod compatibility via Harman Kardon's new "The Bridge II" docking station, which is bundled with the receiver.  The Bridge II features audio/video playback through a home entertainment system, on-screen iPod menu display, remote control operation and charging of both iPods and iPhones.

Other features, dependent on model, include 1080p video upscaling; Deep Color compatibility; EzSet/EQ automated system calibration; and multiroom operation.  The AVR 354, AVR 254 and AVR 154 are priced at $899, $649 and $399 respectively and will be available in late Spring 2008.  The stereo HK 3490 and HK 3390, meanwhile, will be priced at $499 and $399 respectively, and available May 2008.  The Bridge II will be priced at $129 separately, and available in early Summer 2008.

Press Release(s):

Harman Kardon(R) Advanced-Technology Audio/Video Receivers – AVR 354, AVR 254 And AVR 154 – Introduced with Best-in-Class Performance, Versatility and Design

WOODBURY, N.Y. –(Business Wire)– May. 29, 2008 Harman Kardon, Inc., announced today the introduction of its 7.1-channel AVR 354 and AVR 254 and its 5.1-channel AVR 154 audio/video receivers. The company is also introducing its HK 3490 and HK 3390 stereo receivers.

The new 7.1-channel A/V receivers offer expanded features, flexibility and connectivity options, including HDMI(TM) 1.3a capability, Dolby(R) TrueHD and DTS-HD Master Audio(TM) decoding, a groundbreaking graphical on-screen menu system, an improved iPod interface using The Bridge II* docking station for iPod** from Harman Kardon (AVR 354 only), and many additional enhancements. All five receivers have a distinctively elegant, refined appearance.

The multichannel receivers all offer HDMI 1.3a functionality, and pass video signals to 1080p. In addition, the AVR 354 and AVR 254 incorporate an exclusive high-definition full-color on-screen menu system that guides users in setting up their home entertainment system. Other features (depending on the model) include, 1080p video upscaling; Deep Color compatibility; EzSet/EQ(TM) automated system calibration; multiroom operation; and more.

Suggested retail pricing for the receivers is as follows: AVR 354, $899; AVR 254, $649; AVR 154, $399 (available late spring 2008); HK 3490, $499; HK 3390, $399 (available May 2008).

Harman Kardon is a business unit of Harman International Industries, Incorporated (http://www.harman.com). Harman International designs, manufactures and markets a wide range of audio and infotainment products for the automotive, consumer and professional markets, and maintains a strong presence in the Americas, Europe and Asia, employing more than 11,000 people worldwide. The Harman International family of brands includes AKG(R), Audioaccess(R), Becker(R), BSS(R), Crown(R), dbx(R), DigiTech(R), Harman Kardon(R), Infinity(R), JBL(R), Lexicon(R), Mark Levinson(R), Revel(R), QNX(R), Soundcraft(R) and Studer(R). Harman International's stock is traded on the New York Stock Exchange under the symbol "NYSE: HAR."

Harman Kardon, JBL, AKG, Audioaccess, Becker, BSS, Crown, dbx, DigiTech, Infinity, Lexicon, Mark Levinson, Revel, QNX, Soundcraft and Studer are trademarks of Harman International Industries, Incorporated, registered in the United States and/or other countries. EzSet/EQ is a trademark of Harman International Industries, Incorporated.

HDMI is a trademark of HDMI Licensing LLC.

Dolby is a registered trademark of Dolby Laboratories.

DTS is a registered trademark, and DTS-HD and DTS-HD Master Audio are trademarks, of DTS, Inc.

iPod is a registered trademark of Apple Inc.

* The Bridge II is compatible with the Harman Kardon AVR 354, AVR 47 Series, AVR 146, AVR 45 Series and AVR 40 Series receivers, the HK 3490 stereo receiver and the DMC 1000 digital media center. Not compatible with other Harman Kardon products, or with other brands of audio/video equipment.

**Compatible with iPod and iPhone models with docking connector; including iPod touch, iPhone and all Click Wheel models.

Not compatible with iPod shuffle.

The Harman Kardon(R) The Bridge II Docking Station for iPod(R) Introduced, Enabling Enhanced iPod Home Entertainment Capabilities

WOODBURY, N.Y. –(Business Wire)– May. 29, 2008 Harman Kardon, Inc. announced today the introduction of The Bridge II docking station for iPod(R). The Bridge II connects a compatible iPod or iPhone(TM) model* to a Harman Kardon(R) The Bridge-ready** audio/video component, and enables expanded iPod capabilities including audio/video playback through a home entertainment system, on-screen iPod menu display, remote control operation, and charging.

The Bridge II connects to the Harman Kardon DMC 1000 digital media center, the new AVR 354 7.1-channel audio/video receiver and the HK 3490 stereo receiver, or to other Harman Kardon The Bridge-ready receivers. It enables control of your iPod for music, and image and video playback (with the AVR 354), with iPod menu information visible on the user's TV and on the DMC 1000's, or receiver's, front panel.

The Bridge II will be available in early summer 2008 at $129 suggested retail. It will also be included with the AVR 354 receiver.

Harman Kardon is a business unit of Harman International Industries, Incorporated (http://www.harman.com). Harman International designs, manufactures and markets a wide range of audio and infotainment products for the automotive, consumer and professional markets, and maintains a strong presence in the Americas, Europe and Asia, employing more than 11,000 people worldwide. The Harman International family of brands includes AKG(R), Audioaccess(R), Becker(R), BSS(R), Crown(R), dbx(R), DigiTech(R), Harman Kardon(R), Infinity(R), JBL(R), Lexicon(R), Mark Levinson(R), Revel(R), QNX(R), Soundcraft(R) and Studer(R). Harman International's stock is traded on the New York Stock Exchange under the symbol "NYSE: HAR."

Harman Kardon, JBL, AKG, Audioaccess, Becker, BSS, Crown, dbx, DigiTech, Infinity, Lexicon, Mark Levinson, Revel, QNX, Soundcraft and Studer are trademarks of Harman International Industries, Incorporated, registered in the United States and/or other countries.

iPod is a registered trademark, and iPhone is a trademark, of Apple Inc.

*Compatible with iPod and iPhone models with docking connector; including iPod touch, iPhone, iPod nano and all Click Wheel models.

*The Bridge II is compatible with the following Harman Kardon components: DMC 1000, AVR 354, AVR 47 Series, AVR 146, AVR 45 Series, AVR 40 Series and HK 3490. Not compatible with other Harman Kardon products, or other audio/video equipment brands.