The AVR 146 is designed to reproduce audio with a minimum amount of distortion, which may lead you to think that your hearing and the equipment can handle higher volumes. We urge caution with regard to volume levels.

Mute Function

To temporarily mute all speakers and the headphones, press the Mute Button on the remote. See Figure 55. Any recording in progress will not be affected. The MUTE message will flash in the display as a reminder. To restore normal audio, either press the Mute Button again, or adjust the volume. Turning off the AVR will also end muting.

Figure 55 – Mute Button

Tone Controls

You may boost or cut either the treble or the bass frequencies by up to 10dB.

Press the Tone Mode Button once. See Figure 56. This will indicate whether the tone controls are in or out of the circuitry. If you wish to return the tone controls to 0, or “flat” response, press the /¤ Buttons, until the TONE OUT message appears, which preserves any changes you have made to the bass or treble settings for later use. To reactivate your changes, the tone control must again be set to TONE IN.

With the TONE IN message displayed, press the Tone Mode Button repeatedly to access TREBLE MODE and BASS MODE. Use the /¤ Buttons to change the treble or bass settings, as desired. The display will return to normal a few seconds after your last command.

Figure 56 – Tone Button

You may alternatively adjust the tone controls using the full-OSD menu system. Press the OSD Button on the remote to view the Master Menu. The cursor will be pointing to the INPUT SETUP line; press the Set Button to display that menu and view the current tone settings. If you wish to make any changes to the TONE, BASS or TREBLE settings, use the arrow keys on the remote to move the cursor to the line you wish to change. Once you have changed the setting using the /Buttons, simply move the cursor up or down to a different line; it isn’t necessary to press the Set Button to enter the new setting. When you have finished, either wait until the display times out and disappears, press the OSD Button to clear the display, or move the cursor to the BACK TO MASTER MENU line if you wish to make other changes using the menu system.

OPERATION

NOTE: The AVR 146 does not have a conventional balance control. The speaker output level calibration process compen- sates for any characteristics of your room or speakers, and we recommend that you leave the settings as they are after you have completed Initial Setup. However, you may manually adjust the levels of the left and right channels – decreasing one and increasing the other by the same amount – using the Channel Adjust submenu, as described on page 31. This achieves the same effect as a balance control.

Headphones

Plug the 1/4" plug on a pair of headphones into the headphone jack on the front of the receiver for private listening. See Figure 57. The first time you use the headphones, the DOLBY H:BP message will be displayed, indicating that Dolby Headphone surround processing is in the bypass mode, which delivers a conventional 2-channel signal to the headphones.

Figure 57 – Headphone Jack

Press the Surround Select Button on the front panel, or the Dolby Button on the remote, to switch to Dolby Headphone virtual surround processing, indicated by the DOLBY H:DH message. Dolby Headphone delivers an enhanced sound field that emulates a 5.1-channel speaker system. No other surround modes are available for the headphones.

Source Selection

Press the front-panel Source Select Button to scroll through the sources. The left side of the button scrolls down the list that appears in the display; the right side scrolls upward. For direct access to the tuner, press the Tuner Band Button, which switches to the last-used band and frequency. See Figure 58. For direct access to any source, press its Input Selector on the remote (see Figure 52).

Figure 58 – Source Select and Tuner Band Buttons

NOTE: The Bridge/DMP source has no icon in the Source Indicators display. When selected, the DMP indication will appear in the message display’s upper line, and one of two messages will scroll on the right side to indicate whether The Bridge is unplugged or connected. If you have retitled this source, then only the new name will appear in the upper line.

The AVR 146 will switch to the audio and video inputs assigned to the source. If you set the BASS MGR setting in the Speaker X-over menu to INDEPENDENT, the AVR 146 will change the speaker size configuration to the one you programmed for the source. If you selected a surround mode for the source, the AVR 146 will switch to that mode.

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Harman-Kardon AVR 146 owner manual Mute Function, Tone Controls, Headphones, Source Selection

AVR 146 specifications

The Harman-Kardon AVR 146 is a versatile audio-video receiver designed to elevate home entertainment experiences. A product of the renowned Harman-Kardon brand, this receiver combines advanced audio technologies, user-friendly features, and sleek design, making it a popular choice for audiophiles and casual listeners alike.

One of the standout characteristics of the AVR 146 is its power output. It delivers 50 watts per channel across seven channels, allowing it to easily drive a wide range of speakers while ensuring that dynamic soundscapes are reproduced with clarity and depth. This capability makes it suitable for both movies and music, enhancing the overall auditory experience in home theater setups.

The AVR 146 supports high-definition audio formats, including Dolby TrueHD and DTS-HD Master Audio. These formats provide lossless sound quality, allowing listeners to appreciate every nuance of their favorite films and albums. The receiver's support for a 7.1 channel layout enriches movie nights with a surround sound experience, drawing viewers deeper into the action.

Connectivity is another key feature of the AVR 146. It is equipped with multiple HDMI inputs, allowing users to connect several high-definition devices such as Blu-ray players, gaming consoles, and streaming devices. This ensures that users can enjoy high-quality audio and video without the need for constant plug-and-play. Additionally, the receiver features an array of analog and digital inputs, which further broaden its compatibility with various devices.

Setup and operation are simplified by the inclusion of the user-friendly on-screen graphical interface. This intuitive design makes it easy to navigate through the various settings and features, allowing users to customize their audio preferences with ease. The AVR 146 also incorporates the Harman Kardon Quick Select feature, which allows users to save their favorite settings for different sources for quick access.

In terms of design, the Harman-Kardon AVR 146 showcases a modern and elegant appearance synonymous with the brand's aesthetic. It features a sleek front panel with an easy-to-read display and well-organized buttons, blending seamlessly into home environments.

In summary, the Harman-Kardon AVR 146 is a well-rounded audio-video receiver that promises exceptional performance and versatility. With its combination of powerful amplification, support for advanced audio formats, extensive connectivity options, and a user-friendly interface, it is an excellent choice for anyone looking to enhance their home entertainment system. Whether for movie enthusiasts or music lovers, the AVR 146 delivers an auditory experience that impresses and satisfies.