AV Receiver Reviews

Harman/Kardon AVR 3700 AV Receiver Test Bench

Test Bench

0.1% THD 1.0% THD
2 Channels Continuously Driven, 8 ohm loads: 151.1 watts 170.2 watts
2 Channels Continuously Driven, 4 ohm loads: 208.1 watts 280.4 watts
5 Channels Continuously Driven, 8 ohm loads: 37.2 watts 40.6 watts
7 Channels Continuously Driven, 8 ohm loads: 27.9 watts 33.8 watts

Analog frequency response in Stereo mode:
–0.24 dB at 10 Hz
–0.08 dB at 20 Hz
–0.06 dB at 20 kHz
–2.78 dB at 50 kHz

Analog frequency response with signal processing:
–0.64 dB at 10 Hz
–0.22 dB at 20 Hz
–0.21 dB at 20 kHz
–34.34 dB at 50 kHz

114hraman.meas.jpg

This graph shows that the AVR 3700’s left channel, from AUX input to speaker output with two channels driving 8-ohm loads, reaches 0.1% distortion at 151.1 watts and 1% distortion at 170.2 watts. Into 4 ohms, the amplifier reaches 0.1% distortion at 208.1 watts and 1% distortion at 280.4 watts.

There was no multichannel input to measure. THD+N from the AUX input to the speaker output was less than 0.005% at 1 kHz when driving 2.83 volts into an 8-ohm load. Crosstalk at 1 kHz driving 2.83 volts into an 8-ohm load was –68.73 dB left to right and –68.69 dB right to left. The signal-to-noise ratio with an 8-ohm load from 10 Hz to 24 kHz with “A” weighting was –109.54 dBrA.

114hraman.vidmeas.jpg

From the Dolby Digital input to the loudspeaker output, the left channel measures –0.08 dB at 20 Hz and –0.19 dB at 20 kHz. The center channel measures –0.08 dB at 20 Hz and –0.11 dB at 20 kHz, and the left surround channel measures –0.08 dB at 20 Hz and –0.23 dB at 20 kHz. From the Dolby Digital input to the line-level output, the LFE channel is –0.02 dB at 20 Hz when referenced to the level at 40 Hz and reaches the upper 3-dB down point at 109 Hz and the upper 6-dB down point at 116 Hz. —MJP

COMPANY INFO
Harman/Kardon
(800) 422-8027
harmankardon.com
ARTICLE CONTENTS

COMMENTS
utopianemo's picture
Submitted by utopianemo on January 24, 2014 - 2:06pm

I had been set on the Pioneer Elite models in the $1,000 price range, and a big part of that was due to the efficiency that comes from using that class D amplification.....and the fact that it sounded really good with ample power.

Given that this HK AVR has the same or similar tech as the Pioneers, would you recommend one over the other?

Harman Fan's picture
Submitted by Harman Fan on January 25, 2014 - 3:49pm

Great review! You mention that you were unsure of the type amp. It is a class AB.

topherdoucet's picture
Submitted by topherdoucet on April 6, 2014 - 3:04pm

This receiver utilizes class D fyi..This is how they were able to keep the weight down on a receiver that would normally weigh between 25 to 30+ lbs. The 3600 was 30 lbs, the 3650 slimmed down to 27 lbs and then the 3700 switched to class D and got its weight down to 17 lbs. Impressive in many ways especially that it's able to deliver such top level sound for class D.
http://www.digitaltrends.com/receivers-separates-amps-reviews/harman-kar...

paulo72's picture
Submitted by paulo72 on April 22, 2014 - 2:20pm

I believe you are incorrect. HK uses SMPS (switch mode power supplies, just like on a computer, which eliminates the need for Heavy Transformers. The 2700/3700 still use Class AB Amplifiers. HK spent years getting them right, another innovation from HK. Read up on it in the AVS Forum.

jontyrees's picture
Submitted by jontyrees on February 14, 2014 - 3:19pm

I've noticed that you never seem to criticize AVRs for dropping their output significantly from 2ch driven to 5- and 7-ch driven. Some AVRs maintain a healthy 70-90wpc with 7 driven, while this one drops from a strong 150wpc with 2 driven all the way down to the 20's with 7 driven. I know this AVR has a strong amp section, so why the precipitous drop? And does it just not matter? Seems HK and Yamaha exhibit the greatest drops, while Pioneer and Onkyo maintain high power even with 7 driven , but I never hear that used as a distinguishing factor. Just curious.

paulo72's picture
Submitted by paulo72 on June 7, 2014 - 8:44am

Yes, the HK 2700/3700 power output drops when driven with 5/7 channels continuously. In a movie the rear speakers are used for the surround channels, thus it isn't continuous. The nice thing about the HK is that when you turn up the volume I don't hear distortion. Plus the dolby volume helps alot for low volume listening. It is the most advanced low volume listening software, and very easy to set up. For music I turn it off.

e30cabrio's picture
Submitted by e30cabrio on March 9, 2016 - 6:44pm

I have had this unit for almost 2 years, It replaced A marvelous AVR7550HD that HK could not fix on 3 round trips. I had to buy an amp to get near the power the 7550 had. HK has abandoned it's core and I will not buy anything from any of the Harmon International brands.

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