14 September 2006
WOODBURY, NY — Harman Kardon announced today the introduction of its HS 500 and HS 300 integrated home theater systems and CP 50, CP 45 and CP 40 System Solutions complete home theater packages. All five combine elegant design with exceptional audio and video performance, innovative features and total ease of use, making them ideal for a wide range of home entertainment system requirements.
HS 500 and HS 300: Distinctive Design, Exceptional Performance
The Harman Kardon HS 500 and HS 300 are perfect for style-conscious consumers seeking a compact, high-performance all-in-one system that integrates seamlessly into the home environment. Both include an ultraslim 5.1-channel receiver/DVD-Audio/Video player, a 5.1-channel loudspeaker package, a remote control and cables. The systems are totally distinctive in appearance, with a striking, minimalist design. The receiver/DVD players feature a gloss-black front-panel that contains no controls other than a centered volume control with blue illumination, and their silver metal enclosures feature gracefully curved sides, imparting a stylish, unique visual appeal.
The HS 500 and HS 300 include a High-Definition Multimedia Interface (HDMI) output and built-in video processing that upconverts DVDs to 720p or 1080i video output, to deliver spectacular image quality when connected to an HDMI-capable TV or video display. Both models also provide progressive-scan component video outputs, and additional video and audio connections, and offer numerous convenience features, including an intuitive on-screen display.
The systems incorporate a digital-amplifier section with 5 x 65 and 5 x 35 watts power output, respectively, to deliver pure, detailed and expansive sound quality. The receiver/DVD players can play back a wide variety of disc types and formats, and feature two USB ports that enable connection to a USB storage device, a digital camera equipped with a USB interface, or other compatible device. This connectivity enables direct playback of MP3, Windows Media Audio (WMA), JPEG and many other types of music, movie and image files through the HS 500 and HS 300.
The 5.1-channel speaker packages include four wall-mountable satellite speakers and a center channel speaker, plus a subwoofer. The speakers employ high-quality components to deliver clear, powerful multichannel sound, and feature attractive, contoured enclosures with a stunning metallic-silver finish.
The Harman Kardon HS 500 integrated home theater system will be available in December 2006 at a suggested retail price of $1,199. The HS 300 will be available in October 2006 at $999 suggested retail.
CP Series System Solutions: Seamless Operation, Advanced Features and Unified Design
Harman Kardon’s CP 50, CP 45 and CP 40 System Solutions complete home theater packages are based around the company’s new AVR 345, AVR 245 and AVR 144 audio/video receivers. The systems also include a DVD player, 5.1-channel loudspeaker system, unified system remote control and cables. All combine seamless operation with advanced features and a distinctively elegant, unified black-and-silver design.
The receivers are significantly upgraded from previous models to offer best-in-class performance and versatility. The 7.1-channel AVR 345 includes DCDi (Directional Correlational Deinterlacing) by Faroudja technology, which provides video processing and scaling up to 720p, to deliver extraordinary video playback quality via its HDMI and component video outputs. The 7.1-channel AVR 245 provides dual-input HDMI switching, and both receivers, as well as the 5.1-channel AVR 144, offer multiple wide-bandwidth (100MHz), HDTV-compatible component video connections.
The receivers offer a host of additional leading-edge features, including automated loudspeaker calibration to simplify system setup; XM Satellite Radio capability* (AVR 345 and AVR 245); an A/V Sync Delay function that ensures precise synchronization of picture and sound in any home entertainment system; and many additional refinements. The AVR 345 and AVR 245 also include an exclusive iPod** interface that provides enhanced iPod playback and control capabilities, including remote control operation, when a compatible iPod is connected using Harman Kardon’s *** iPod docking station.
The DVD 37 DVD-Audio/Video player included with the CP 50 and CP 45, and the DVD 27 DVD-Video player supplied with the CP 40 are engineered to deliver superlative audio and video performance. The DVD 37 features an HDMI digital connection, and both players offer comprehensive disc-playback capabilities and an exclusive navigational interface that provides ready access to movies, music and images. The loudspeaker packages in the systems include wall-mountable satellite speakers and a center channel speaker, plus a powered subwoofer. All incorporate premium-quality woofers and dome tweeters for richly detailed, expansive sound, and feature a striking gloss-black finish.
The Harman Kardon CP 50 System Solutions complete home theater package will be available in January 2007, and the CP 45 and CP 40 will be available fall 2006. Suggested retail prices are as follows: CP 50, $1,999; CP 45, $1,499; CP 40, $1,199.
In addition, a pair of Harman Kardon’s HKS 9 and HKS 6 satellite speakers can be added, respectively, to the CP 50 and CP 45, to create a 7.1-channel home theater system. The HKS 9 and HKS 6 satellite speakers will be available in October 2006 at suggested retail prices of $149 per pair (HKS 9) and $119 per pair (HKS 6).
Following is an outline of the main features of Harman Kardon’s complete home theater systems.
HS 500 and HS 300 Integrated Home Theater Systems
• DVD/Receiver Sections
o Digital-amplifier sections with 5 x 65 watts (HS 500) and 5 x 35 watts (HS 300) power output (into 6 ohms, 20Hz — 20kHz, <0.5% THD, all channels driven)
o Play back numerous disc formats, including DVD-Video, DVD-Audio, CD, MP3, DivX-encoded and Windows Media Audio (WMA) discs, JPEG image files and more
o HDMI connection with built-in video processing that upconverts DVDs to 720p or 1080i output
o Two USB ports enable connection to a USB ThumbDrive, digital camera or other compatible device for direct playback of compatible music, movie and image files
o Firmware and software upgradeable via CD or USB ThumbDrive
• Multichannel Speaker Systems
o HS 500 includes four wall-mountable satellite speakers (dual 3-inch woofers, 3/4-inch tweeter), center channel speaker (dual 3-inch woofers, 3/4-inch tweeter) and 12-inch, 200-watt powered subwoofer
o HS 300 includes four wall-mountable satellite speakers (3-inch woofer, 1/2-inch tweeter), center channel speaker (dual 3-inch woofers, 3/4-inch tweeter) and 10-inch, 100-watt powered subwoofer
CP 50, CP 45 and CP 40 System Solutions Home Theater Packages
• AVR 345, AVR 245 and AVR 144 Receivers
o Power output: AVR 345, 7 x 55 watts; AVR 245, 7 x 50 watts; AVR 144, 5 x 30 watts (all power outputs rated into 8 ohms, 20Hz — 20kHz, <0.07% THD, all channels driven)
o DCDi by Faroudja video processing and scaling up to 1080i (AVR 345)
o Dual-input HDMI video switching (AVR 345 and AVR 245); AVR 345 also provides multichannel digital audio output from compatible HDMI 1.1 program sources
o feature with automated system calibration and room equalization (AVR 345)
• AVR 245 includes automatic speaker-level-calibration and system optimization
• CP 40 system offers automated speaker-level adjustment
o Connection to Harman Kardon’s The Bridge for iPod playback, control and charging (AVR 345, AVR 245)
o XM-Ready (where available) with built-in XM Satellite Radio decoder, tuner and rear-panel connector to accept an XM antenna module (AVR 345, AVR 245)
o Quadruple-Crossover Bass Manager (AVR 345, AVR 245) or Triple-Crossover Bass Manager (AVR 144) allows selection of one of six different crossover frequencies for the front, center and surround speaker groups to yield optimum bass performance
o Multizone audio capability (AVR 345, AVR 245; AVR 345 includes A-BUS/READY multizone operation)
o Exclusive Logic 7 surround-enhancement technology for enhanced sonic realism from matrix-encoded and stereo audio sources; compatibility with popular surround sound formats
DVD 37 and DVD 27 Progressive-Scan DVD Players
o HDMI output (DVD 37)
o Pixel-by-pixel digital video processing for exceptional image quality
o Play back numerous disc formats including DVD-Video, DVD-Audio, CD, MP3, DivX-encoded and Windows Media Audio discs, Kodak Picture CD and JPEG image discs and more
o Intuitive on-screen navigation and wide range of programming, viewing and convenience functions
System Solutions Speaker Systems
o CP 50 system includes wall-mountable satellite speakers (dual 3-inch woofers, 3/4-inch tweeter), center channel speaker (dual 3-inch woofers, 3/4-inch tweeter) and 10-inch, 200-watt powered subwoofer
o CP 45 and CP 40 include four wall-mountable satellite speakers (3-inch woofer, 1/2-inch tweeter), center channel speaker (dual 3-inch woofers, 3/4-inch tweeter) and 10-inch, 100-watt powered subwoofer
o A pair of HKS 9 and HKS 6 satellite speakers can be added to the CP 50 and the CP 45, respectively, to create a 7.1-channel home theater system
o Elegant gloss-black finish
The Harman Consumer Group (HCG) is a leading designer, manufacturer and marketer of a wide range of high-fidelity loudspeakers, audio and video components, and multimedia systems for use in homes and automobiles, and with computers. The group’s brands include JBL, Infinity, Harman Kardon, Mark Levinson, Revel, Audioaccess and Lexicon.
HCG is a division of Harman International Industries, Incorporated. Harman International (www.harman.com) is a leading manufacturer of high-quality, high-fidelity audio products and electronic systems for the automotive, consumer and professional markets. The company’s stock is traded on the New York Stock Exchange under the symbol “HAR.”
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For additional information, contact:
Frank Doris
FM Group Public Relations
631-385-1304 ext. 402
frank.doris@fm-group.net
Harman Kardon, Harman International, EZSet, EZSet+, EZSet/EQ and Logic 7 are registered trademarks, and and are trademarks, of Harman International Industries, Incorporated.
HDMI is a trademark of HDMI Licensing LLC.
Windows and Windows Media are registered trademarks of Microsoft Corporation in the United States and/or other countries. Windows Media Audio is a proprietary file format developed by Microsoft.
DCDi by Faroudja is a registered trademark of Genesis Microchip Inc.
XM and XM-Ready are registered trademarks of XM Satellite Radio.
iPod is a registered trademark of Apple Computer, Inc.
DivX is a registered trademark of DivX, Inc.
A-BUS/READY is a registered trademark of LeisureTech Electronics Pty Ltd Australia.
Kodak is a registered trademark, and Picture CD is a trademark, of Eastman Kodak Company.
*Optional XM antenna, module and subscription to XM service required. Hardware and service sold separately. XM service not available in Alaska and Hawaii.
**Compatible with all iPod models equipped with a docking connector (iPod not included).
***The Bridge is compatible with the Harman Kardon DMC 1000, and 45 Series and 40 Series receivers (AVR 145, AVR 245, AVR 345, AVR 445, AVR 645, AVR 745, AVR 140, AVR 240 and AVR 340). Not compatible with earlier Harman Kardon products, or with other brands of audio/video equipment.
