AVR 1710, AVR 171/230, AVR 171/230C,

AVR 1610, AVR 161/230, AVR 161/230C,

AVR 1510, AVR 151/230, AVR 151/230C
Audio/Video Receiver
Quick-Start Guide
AVR Introduction, AVR Placement,
Speaker Placement and Connections

Introduction Place Your Speakers

Thank you for choosing a Harman Kardon® product! Determine the locations for your system’s speakers according to their manufacturer’s
directions and the layout of your listening room. Use the illustrations below as a guide for
This quick-start guide contains all the information you need to connect and set up your
7.1-channel and 5.1-channel systems.
new Harman Kardon audio/video receiver (AVR).
To conserve our natural resources, your AVR does not include a printed owner’s manual. TV TV
An owner’s manual containing complete information about operating all of your new C SUB C SUB
AVR’s features is available at our Web site. Go to www.harmankardon.com and download FL FR FL FR
the AVR 1710, AVR 171/230, AVR 171/230C, AVR 1610, AVR 161/230, AVR 161/230C
Owner’s Manual or the AVR 1510, AVR 151/230, AVR 151/230C Owner’s Manual.
SL SR

Place the AVR SL SR

• Place the AVR on a firm and level surface. Be certain that the surface and any mounting
hardware can support the AVR’s weight.
SBL SBR
• Provide proper space above, below, behind and to the sides of the AVR for ventilation. Maintain
a clearance of at least 12" (30cm) on each side of, above and behind the unit.
Speaker Positioning for Speaker Positioning for
• If you install the AVR in a cabinet or other enclosed area, provide cooling air within the cabinet. 7.1-Channel Systems 5.1-Channel Systems
Under some circumstances, a fan may be required.
• Do not obstruct the ventilation slots on the top of the AVR or place objects directly over them. For more detailed speaker placement information, including the use of front height speakers
with the Dolby® Pro Logic® IIz mode, download the complete AVR 1710, AVR 171/230,
• Do not place the AVR directly on a carpeted surface. AVR 171/230C, AVR 1610, AVR 161/230, AVR 161/230C Owner’s Manual or the AVR 1510,
• Do not place the AVR in moist or humid locations, in extremely hot or cold locations, in areas AVR 151/230, AVR 151/230C Owner’s Manual from www.harmankardon.com.
near heaters or heat registers, or in direct sunlight.

Connections
CAUTION: Before making any connections to the AVR, ensure that the AVR’s AC cord is
unplugged from the AVR and the AC outlet. Making connections with the AVR plugged
in and turned on could damage the speakers.

AVR 1710/AVR 171

Digital Audio
Connectors

Radio Antenna Network HDMI® Output HDMI/MHL/ HDMI Input Power Cord
Connectors Connector Connectors Input Connector Connectors (AVR 1710)

Subwoofer Speaker Analog Video AC Input

Analog Audio IR and Trigger
Pre-Out Connectors Connectors Connector
Connectors Connectors
Connectors (AVR 171)

2
AVR Connections

AVR 1610/AVR 161

Digital Audio Network HDMI Output HDMI/MHL/ HDMI Input

Connectors Connector Connector Input Connector Connectors

Radio Antenna Subwoofer Speaker Analog Video AC Input Power Cord

Connectors Pre-Out Connectors Connectors Connector (AVR 1610)
Connector (AVR 161)

Analog Audio IR and Trigger

Connectors Connectors

AVR 1510/AVR 151

Digital Audio Network HDMI Input HDMI Output

Connectors Connector Connectors Connector

Radio Antenna Subwoofer Speaker Analog Video AC Input Power Cord

Connectors Pre-Out Connectors Connectors Connector (AVR 1510)
Connector (AVR 151)

Analog Audio IR and Trigger

Connectors Connectors

3
AVR Connections

Connect Your Speakers Connect Your Subwoofer

How to use the AVR speaker terminals: Use a single RCA audio cable to connect your subwoofer to AVR’s Subwoofer
Pre-Out connector, as shown in the illustration below. (For the AVR 1710/AVR 171 you
can use either the Subwoofer 1 or Subwoofer 2 connector when you’re using a single
subwoofer, or you may connect two subwoofers for increased bass performance in larger
listening rooms.) Consult your subwoofer’s user manual for specific information about
making connections to it.

AVR 1710/ AVR 1610/AVR1510/

AVR 171 AVR 161/AVR 151

1. Unscrew Cap 2. Insert Bare Wire 3. Tighten Cap

Always connect the colored (+) terminal on the AVR to the (+) terminal on the speaker
(usually red), and the black (–) terminal on the AVR to the (–) terminal on the speaker
(usually black).
IMPORTANT: Make sure the ( + ) and ( – ) bare wires do not touch each other or the other
terminal. Touching wires can cause a short circuit that can damage your AVR.
Connect the speakers as shown in the illustration. Use either
connector Powered
Subwoofer
AVR 1710/AVR 171 Only:
Connect Surround Back L/R Speakers
-OR- Front Height L/R Speakers Here

Single
RCA Audio Cable
(not supplied)

Connect Your TV or Video Display

If your TV has an HDMI connector: Use an HDMI cable (not included) to connect it to
the AVR’s HDMI Out connector. (For the AVR 1710/AVR 171 you can use either HDMI Out
connector.) You do not need to make any other connections to your TV from the AVR or
from any of your video source components.

AVR 1610/AVR 161/

AVR 1710/AVR 171 AVR 1510/AVR 151
FHL FHR
C
FL FR

Use either
SL SR connector
TV
HDMI Cable
(not supplied)

SBL SBR
AVR 1710/AVR 171 only: Connect a single TV to the HDMI Out 1 connector. If you have a
second TV you can connect it to the AVR’s HDMI Out 2 connector. Both TVs will display the
same picture, but the HDMI Out 2 connector will not output the AVR’s on-screen display
and does not have Audio Return Channel capability (see below).
Note: If your TV is equipped with the HDMI Audio Return Channel function, you can feed
its sound to the AVR via the HDMI Out connector’s Audio Return Channel, and it will not
require additional audio connections to the AVR. (For the AVR 1710/AVR 171 the ARC is
available only on the HDMI Out 1 connector.)

4
AVR Connections

If your TV does not have an HDMI connector: Use a composite video cable (not Connect Your Audio and Video Source Devices
included) to connect the AVR’s Composite Monitor Out connector to your TV’s composite
video connector. A source device is a component where a playback signal originates – a Blu-ray Disc™ or
DVD player; a cable, satellite or HDTV tuner; etc. Your AVR has several different types of
AVR Composite input connectors for your audio and video source devices: HDMI, composite video, optical
Monitor Out Connector digital audio, coaxial digital audio and analog audio. The connectors are not labeled for
specific types of source devices; they are labeled numerically, so you can connect your
devices according to your individual system’s makeup.
TV Your AVR’s various source buttons have default assignments to different input connectors
(listed in the “Default Connector(s)” column of the table below). For ease of setup, you
should connect each source device to the connector where the corresponding default
source button is assigned (e.g., connect your Blu-ray Disc player to HDMI 2).
Composite Video Cable However, you can connect your source devices as you wish and re-assign any of the
(not supplied) input connections to any of the source buttons listed in the table according to where you
actually connect each of your source devices.
Note: The HDMI connection to your TV is preferred. If you use the composite video
connection to your TV, you will not be able to view the AVR’s on-screen menus and will As you connect your various source devices, fill out the “Connected Device” column
need to use the AVR’s front-panel display to set up the AVR. in the table – it will make it easier for you to assign the various source buttons after
you have completed making all of the connections. (You will make any changes to the
source-button assignments and fill in the “Assigned Connector(s)” column later in the
setup process.)
Note: You cannot assign connectors to the Network, Radio, TV and USB source buttons.

Source Buttons and Assigned Connectors

Source Button Default Connector(s) Assigned Connector(s) Connected Device
MHL
(AVR 1710/AVR 171/AVR 1610/AVR 161); HDMI 1
Server (AVR 1510/AVR 151)

Disc HDMI 2

Cable/Sat HDMI 3

STB HDMI 4

HDMI 5
Game (AVR 1710/AVR 171/AVR 1610/AVR 161);
Composite 2/Analog 2 (AVR 1510/AVR 151)

Aux Composite 1/Analog 1

Audio None/Analog 2

Monitor Output Connector Connected Device

HDMI Out 1

HDMI Out 2
(AVR 1710/AVR 171 only)

Composite Video Monitor Out

5
AVR Connections

Roku Streaming Stick™ (AVR 1710/AVR 171/AVR 1610/AVR 161 only): Composite Video Devices
If you have a Roku Streaming Stick device, insert it into the AVR’s HDMI/MHL In connector. Use composite video connectors for video source devices that don’t have HDMI or
NOTE: Do not insert the Roku Streaming Stick device into any other HDMI In connector. component video connectors. You will also need to make an audio connection from the
source device to the AVR.
AVR HDMI/MHL
In Connector AVR Analog
Video Connectors

Composite Video Cable

(not supplied)
To Composite Video
Output Connector
Roku® Streaming Stick

HDMI Devices
Composite Video-Equipped Source Device
If any of your source devices have HDMI connectors, using them will provide the best
possible video and audio performance quality. Since the HDMI cable carries both digital
video and digital audio signals, you do not have to make any additional audio connections Optical Digital Audio Devices
for source devices you connect via HDMI connectors. If your non-HDMI source devices have optical digital output connectors, connect them to
the AVR’s optical digital audio connectors. NOTE: Make only one type of digital connection
AVR HDMI IN Connectors (HDMI, optical or coaxial) from each source device.
AVR Digital
Audio Connectors

HDMI Cable
(not supplied)
Optical Digital Audio
Cable (not supplied)
To HDMI Output
Connector To Optical Digital Audio
Output Connector

HDMI-Equipped Source Device

Optical-Equipped Source Device

Coaxial Digital Audio Devices

If any of your non-HDMI source devices have coaxial digital output connectors, connect
them to the AVR’s coaxial digital audio connector. NOTE: Make only one type of digital
connection (HDMI, optical or coaxial) from each source device.

AVR Digital
Audio Connectors

Coaxial Digital Audio

Cable (not supplied)
To Coaxial Digital Audio
Output Connector

Coaxial-Equipped Source Device

6
AVR Connections

Analog Audio Devices Connect the Radio Antennas

Use the AVR’s analog audio connectors for source devices that don’t have HDMI or digital
audio connectors. • Connect the supplied FM antenna to the AVR’s FM 75Ω antenna connector. For the best
reception, extend the FM antenna as far as possible.
AVR 1710/AVR 171 AVR 1610/AVR 161/ • Bend and fold the base of the supplied AM antenna as shown and connect the antenna
Analog Audio AVR 1510/AVR 151 wires to the AVR’s AM and Gnd connectors. (You can connect either wire to either
Connectors Analog Audio Connectors connector.) Rotate the antenna as necessary to minimize background noise.

AVR 1610/ AM Antenna

AVR 161/ (supplied)
AVR 1710/ AVR 1510/
AVR 171 AVR 151
Antenna Antenna
Connectors Connectors

Bend and fold base

Stereo Audio Cable

(not supplied) FM Antenna (supplied)
To Stereo Analog
Audio Output NOTE: To connect multizone, remote IR and trigger equipment, please download the
AVR 1710, AVR 171/230, AVR 171/230C, AVR 1610, AVR 161/230, AVR 161/230C
Owner’s Manual or the AVR 1510, AVR 151/230, AVR 151/230C Owner’s Manual from
www.harmankardon.com.
Analog Source Device

USB and iOS® Devices Connect to AC Power

Use the AVR’s front-panel USB port to connect an iPod, iPhone or iPad using an Apple AVR 171/AVR 161/AVR 151:
cable (not supplied) or to connect a USB memory stick. You can play audio files from the
device or memory stick, and use the AVR’s remote to control playback. Connect the supplied AC power cord to the AVR’s AC Input connector and then to a
working, non-switched AC power outlet.
AVR Front-Panel AVR AC
USB Port Input Connector

USB AC Power
Memory Outlet
Stick
Apple Cable
(not supplied)
Power Cord
(supplied)

AVR 1710/AVR 1610/AVR 1510:

Connect Your Home Network
Connect the AVR’s power cord to a working, nonswitched AC power outlet.
Use a Cat. 5 or Cat. 5E cable (not supplied) to connect the AVR’s Network connector to
your home network to enjoy AirPlay (AVR 1710/AVR 171 only), Internet radio and content AC Power
from DLNA®-compatible devices that are connected to the network. AVR Outlet
Power Cord
AVR
Network
Connector Network
Modem

To Home
Network
Cat. 5/5E Cable and Internet
(not supplied)

7
AVR AVR Setup

Set Up the AVR Configure the AVR for Your Speakers:

AVR 1710/AVR 171/AVR 1610/AVR 161
Install the Batteries in the Remote Control Note: The on-screen menus shown in this guide may differ slightly from your AVR’s actual
Remove the remote control’s battery cover, insert the two supplied AAA batteries as shown in menu screens.
the illustration, and replace the battery cover. Before you use your AVR you need to configure it to work with your particular speaker
system. Your AVR’s EZSet/EQ™ Plus system uses the supplied EzSet/EQ microphone to
1. Remove 2. Insert 3. Replace detect the capabilities of each connected speaker and optimize the AVR’s performance
Cover Batteries Cover for them automatically. Before beginning, be sure you have correctly connected your
speakers to the AVR.
1. P lug the supplied EzSet/EQ™ microphone into the AVR’s Headphone connector.
AVR Headphone Connector

EzSet Microphone (supplied)

2. Place the microphone at ear height in your listening position.

3. Turn on your TV and select the TV input where you connected the AVR in Connect Your
TV or Video Display, on page 4.
NOTE: Remove the protective plastic from the AVR’s front panel so it doesn’t reduce the
remote control’s effectiveness. 4. Press the remote control’s AVR button, then press the OSD/Menu button. The AVR’s
on-screen display (OSD) setup menu will appear on the TV. (Note: If you have used
a composite video connection to your TV, the OSD menus will not appear on your TV.
Using the Remote Control Follow the steps below using the AVR’s front-panel display.)
You will be using the following remote-control buttons to configure your AVR:

OSD/Menu Left/Right/Up/Down
MASTER MENU
Button Buttons
Source Select
Source Setup
Surround Mode
Speaker Setup
Zone2
Network
System Setup
AVR OK Back/Exit
Button Button Button

Turn On the AVR

Press the front-panel Power button. 5. Use the remote’s arrow and OK buttons to select “Speaker Setup.”

Power Button

Speaker Setup
Auto: EZ Set/EQ
Manual Setup

6. Select “Auto: EZ Set/EQ.”

7. Select “Continue.”
8. Follow the instructions that appear on the screens. Remain quiet while the test noise
plays through the speakers.
8
AVR AVR Setup

Configure the AVR for Your Speakers: AVR 1510/AVR 151 6. Press the Back/Exit button to return to the Manual Setup screen, then select
“Crossover.”
Note: The on-screen menus shown in this guide may differ slightly from your AVR’s actual
menu screens.

Before you use your AVR you need to configure it to work with your speakers and to
compensate for the acoustic characteristics of your room. Before beginning, place your Crossover
loudspeakers as explained in the Place Your Speakers section, on page 2, and connect Front Left/Right 100Hz
them to the AVR as explained in the Connect Your Speakers section, on page 4. Center 100Hz
Surr Left/Right 100Hz
1. Turn on your TV and select the TV input where you connected the AVR in Connect Your Subwoofer 100Hz
TV or Video Display, on page 4.

2. P ress the remote control’s OSD/Menu button. The AVR’s on-screen display (OSD) setup
menu will appear on the TV. (Note: If you have used a composite video connection to
your TV, the OSD menus will not appear on your TV. Follow the steps below using the
AVR’s front-panel display.)

Consult the technical specifications for all of your speakers and locate their frequency
response, usually given as a range, e.g., 100Hz – 20kHz (±3dB). Write down the lowest
MASTER MENU frequency that each of your speakers is capable of playing (100Hz in the above example).
Source Select 7. Use the Left/Right buttons to set each speaker group’s crossover frequency to the
Source Setup frequency that most closely matches the frequency you noted above in the speaker’s
Surround Mode specifications. If the speaker’s crossover frequency is lower than 40Hz, select the first
Speaker Setup option, “Large.” (This setting doesn’t refer to the speaker’s physical size but to its
Network frequency response, which is also called “full range.”)
System Setup
• We recommend that you set the Subwoofer Crossover to the same frequency you use
for the Front Left/Right speaker setting.

Your AVR will divide the source signal at the crossover frequency; all information above
that crossover point will be played through your system’s speakers, and all information
3. U
 se the remote’s arrow and OK buttons to select “Speaker Setup.” below the crossover point will be played through the subwoofer. This way, each
loudspeaker in your system will perform at its best, delivering a powerful and enjoyable
sound experience.

Speaker Setup • If you set the Front Left/Right speakers to “Large,” select one of the three following
settings for the subwoofer:
Speakers
Crossover L/R+LFE: This setting sends all low-frequency information to the subwoofer, including
Distance a) low-frequency information that is also played through the front left and right
Output Adjust speakers and b) the special LFE (low-frequency effects) channel information that is
present on some DVDs, Blu-ray™ discs and other digital programming.

LFE: This setting plays low-frequency information contained in the full-range program
channels through the front left and right speakers, and directs only the LFE-channel
information to the subwoofer.

OFF: Select this setting when no subwoofer is in use. All low-frequency information will
4. S elect “Speakers.” be sent to the front left and right speakers.

8. When you’re finished, press the Back/Exit button to return to the Manual Setup screen,
then select “Distance.”
Speakers

Front Left/Right On
Center On
Surr Left/Right On Distance
Subwoofer On
Front Left 10Ft
Center 10Ft
Front Right 10Ft
Surround Right 10Ft
Surround Left 10Ft
Subwoofer 10Ft
Delay Reset
Unit Feet
5. U
 se the Up/Down buttons to select a speaker group and use the Left/Right buttons to
select “On” when the speakers are present in the system, or”Off” for positions where
no speakers are installed. The Front Left/Right setting is always On and may not be
disabled. (Note: The settings in this menu affect the remainder of the speaker-setup
process and the availability of various surround-sound modes.)

9
AVR AVR Setup, General Specifications

9. Measure the distance from each speaker to the listening position, and write it down. 5. Select “Video In” and select the video input connector you want to assign to the source
(Even if all of your speakers are the same distance from the listening position, you will button. Press the OK button. NOTE: If you select an HDMI connector as the video input
need to do this.) connector, the audio input connector will automatically change to the same HDMI
connector. You cannot use a different audio input connector with an HDMI video input
10. E nter the distance that you measured from each speaker to the listening position. connector.
Select a speaker, then use the Left/Right buttons to change the measurement.
You can enter distances between 0 and 30 feet (9.1m). The default distance for all
speakers is 10 feet (3m).
Source Setup
• If you want to use metric measurements, select “Unit” and use the Left/Right buttons Source Disc
to change the units to meters. Title
Video In HDMI 3
11. When you’re finished, press the OSD/Menu button to exit the menu system. Audio In HDMI 3
Tone OFF
Bass 0
Treble 0
Assign Connectors to the AVR’s Source Buttons Night Mode OFF
Lip Sync 0mS
1. 
Review the input connections you listed on the Source Buttons and Assigned
Connectors table, on page 5. Note what changes (if any) you want to make from the
default connector assignments that appear on the list.
2. Turn on your TV and select the TV input where you connected the AVR in Connect Your
TV or Video Display, on page 4. 6. If you have not selected an HDMI connector for Video In, select “Audio In” and select
the audio input connector you want to assign to the source button. Press the OK button.
3. Press the remote control’s OSD/Menu button. The AVR’s on-screen display (OSD) setup
menu will appear on the TV. (Note: If you have used a composite video connection to
your TV, the OSD menus will not appear on your TV. Follow the steps below using the
AVR’s front-panel display.)
Source Setup

Source Disc
Title
MASTER MENU Video In Composite 1
Audio In Optical 1
Source Select Tone OFF
Source Setup Bass 0
Treble 0
Surround Mode Night Mode OFF
Speaker Setup Lip Sync 0mS
Zone2
Network
System Setup

7. Press the remote’s Back/Exit button and repeat steps 3 – 6 for the remaining source
buttons with connectors you want to re-assign.
You are now ready to enjoy your AVR!
4. Use the remote’s arrow and OK buttons to select “Source Setup,” and use the left/right
IMPORTANT: For complete information about using all of your audio/video
arrow buttons to select a source button with connectors that you want to re-assign.
AVR’s features and capabilities, download the AVR 1710, AVR 171/230,
AVR 171/230C, AVR 1610, AVR 161/230, AVR 161/230C Owner’s Manual
or the AVR 1510, AVR 151/230, AVR 151/230C Owner’s Manual from
www.harmankardon.com.
Source Setup

Source Disc
Title General Specifications
Video In HDMI 2
Audio In HDMI 2 Power consumption
Tone OFF
Bass 0 (AVR 1710/AVR 171): <0.5W (standby); 510W (maximum)
Treble 0
(AVR 1610/AVR 161): <0.5W (standby); 450W (maximum)
Night Mode OFF
Lip Sync 0mS (AVR 1510/AVR 151): <0.5W (standby); 410W (maximum)
Dimensions (W x H x D): 17-5/16" x 4-3/4" x 11-13/16"
(440mm x 121mm x 300mm)
Weight
(AVR 1710/AVR 171): 11 lb (5.1kg)
(AVR 1610/AVR 161): 10 lb (4.6kg)
(AVR 1510/AVR 151): 10 lb (4.6kg)

10
HARMAN International Industries, Incorporated
8500 Balboa Boulevard, Northridge, CA 91329 USA
516.255.4545 (USA only)
Made in P.R.C.
© 2013 HARMAN International Industries, Incorporated. All rights reserved.
Harman Kardon and Logic 7 are trademarks of HARMAN International Industries, Incorporated, registered in the United States and/
or other countries. EzSet/EQ and the “beautiful/sound” logo are trademarks of HARMAN International Industries, incorporated.
AirPlay, Apple, iPad, iPhone and iPod are trademarks of Apple Inc., registered in the U.S. and other countries.
Blu-ray and Blu-ray Disc are trademarks of the Blu-ray Disc Association.
DLNA is a registered trademark of the Digital Living Network Alliance.
Manufactured under license from Dolby Laboratories. Dolby and Pro Logic are trademarks of Dolby Laboratories.
HDMI, the HDMI logo and High-Definition Multimedia Interface are trademarks or registered trademarks of HDMI Licensing LLC in
the United States and other countries.
iOS is a registered trademark of Cisco Systems, Inc., and/or its affiliates in the United States and certain other countries.
Roku is a registered trademark of Roku, Inc. Roku Streaming Stick is a trademark of Roku, Inc. All rights reserved.
Features, specifications and appearance are subject to change without notice.
Part #: 960-0287-001, Rev. A www.harmankardon.com