AV Receivers Comparison: Marantz NR1608 vs Harman Kardon AVR 1710S

Compare detailed specifications, side-by-side differences, verified user reviews, and buying recommendations to help you make the right choice.

Marantz NR1608

Marantz NR1608

  • Brand Marantz
  • USB 1
  • Type fluorescent
  • WI-FI true
  • Bluetooth true
Harman Kardon AVR 1710S

Harman Kardon AVR 1710S

  • Brand Harman Kardon
  • USB 1
  • Type fluorescent
  • WI-FI false
  • Bluetooth true

Quick Verdict: Which One Should You Choose?

Deciding between the Marantz NR1608 and the Harman Kardon AVR 1710S depends on your available space, storage capacity goals, and everyday usage style:

Best For Maximum Capacity

Marantz NR1608

Designed for large households, bulk grocery shoppers, and long-term storage where total cubic feet is the highest priority.

  • Superior Volume: Easily stores bulk meats, frozen garden harvests, and family packs.
  • Cold Retention: Keeps food frozen significantly longer in power outages.
  • Energy Efficiency: Top-opening design keeps dense cold air trapped inside.
Best For Compact Spaces

Harman Kardon AVR 1710S

Ideal for apartments, offices, dorms, or secondary kitchen use where space efficiency and neat organization are paramount.

  • Space-Saving Footprint: Fits neatly under counters or in compact corners without intruding.
  • Upright Organization: Shelves allow you to organize and grab items without digging.
  • Everyday Convenience: Front-swing door provides quick, easy access anytime.

Pros & Cons

Marantz NR1608

VS

Pros

    • The Ideal autocalibration of the speakers for acoustic conditions of the particular room.
    • The device allows watching a movie in the main room and listening to the music in another one due to the Multi-Room function.
    • You can pre-out the mains to an external amplifier.

Cons

    • The only HDMI output 7x50W power plant fits better the smaller spaces.
    • No clear manual instructions, only online.

Harman Kardon AVR 1710S

VS

Pros

    • This unit sounds great, and I have a TV and a projector connected at the same time, and I can watch movies on any of them.
    • The sound quality is excellent, you do not need premium loudspeakers to hear and feel the difference, the music is fully detailed.

Cons

    • The phone application is weaker than you think, rather weak, but it is expected.

Specifications

Specification Marantz NR1608 Harman Kardon AVR 1710S
Connector Type
Subwoofer Outputs 2 2
Coaxial Digital Outputs has not has not
Optical Digital Outputs has not has not
HDMI Outputs 1 2
HDMI Inputs 8 6
Coaxial Digital Inputs 1 1
Phones 1 1
Optical Digital Inputs 1 2
USB 1 1
AV Inputs 2 6
Radio
Preset Station 40 40
Tuner Bands AM/FM AM/FM
Tuner Type digital digital
Additional Features
Pure Direct Mode Yes No
Auto Power Off Yes Yes
Bi-amplifying Yes Yes
Audio Return Channel (ARC) Yes Yes
Apple Air-play Support Yes Yes
Advanced Sound Retriever (ASR) Technology No No
Three-zone Capability No —
Smartphone Remote Control Yes Yes
A-B Speaker Switch Yes No
Dual-zone Capability Yes Yes
Functions
Digital Player Yes Yes
Network Audio Player Yes Yes
Internet Radio Yes Yes
Clock
Sleep Timer Yes Yes
Built-in Clock Yes Yes
Audio Formats
WAV Yes Yes
MP3 Yes Yes
FLAC Yes Yes
Apple Lossless Yes Yes
AIFF Yes No
AAC Yes Yes
WMA Yes Yes
Built-in Display
Colour black black
Type fluorescent fluorescent
Signal Processing
Upscaling Via HDMI up to 4K Yes
3D Pass-through Yes Yes
Video Conversion/scaling HDMI to HDMI scaling, analog to HDMI up conversion HDMI to HDMI scaling, analog to HDMI up conversion
HDMI Pass-through up to 4K up to 4K
Amplifier
Total Harmonic Distortion 0.08 % 0.07 %
Frequency Response 20 Hz-20 kHz 20 Hz-20 kHz
Output Impedance Per Channel 4 Ohm 8 Ohm
Output Power Per Channel 50 W 100 W
Total Output Power 350 W 700 W
Sound Features
Digital Content Protection HDCP 2.2 HDCP 2.2
Surround System Class 7.2 channel 7.2 channel
Surround Sound Effects Dolby Surround —
Audio D/A Converter 32bit / 192kHz 24bit / 192kHz
Built-in Decoders
Dolby True HD Yes Yes
Dolby Surround Yes No
Dolby Digital Plus Yes Yes
Dolby Atmos Yes No
DTS:X No No
Media Content Source
USB-host Yes Yes
Network Yes Yes
Bluetooth Yes Yes
Connectivity Interfaces
IEEE 802.3u Yes No
IEEE 802.3 Yes No
WI-FI Yes No
Bluetooth Yes Yes
Dimensions
Dimensions 14.8 x 17.3 x 4.1 inches 15.8 x 21.3 x 9.1 inches
Power Device
Standby Power Consumption 0.2 W 0.5 W
Operational Power Consumption 250 W 510 W
General
Brand Marantz Harman Kardon

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Frequently Asked Questions

The main differences center around storage capacity, form factor, and convenience. The Marantz NR1608 provides extensive bulk storage capacity best suited for homes, garages, or basements needing deep freeze space. In contrast, the Harman Kardon AVR 1710S offers a compact upright design that fits into smaller spaces with convenient shelf organization.

Chest-style freezers generally excel in thermal efficiency because cold air naturally settles at the bottom and does not escape when the lid is lifted. Compact upright models have lower total kilowatt-hour usage simply due to their smaller cubic volume, making both designs efficient for their respective intended purposes.

Both products are listed on Amazon with full manufacturer warranties, customer reviews, and fast delivery options. Click the "Check Price on Amazon" buttons in the comparison cards above to view today's latest promotions, verified customer ratings, and current availability.

Measure your available floor clearance first. If you have open space in a garage, basement, or utility room and want to freeze items in bulk, choose the Marantz NR1608. If you have limited room in a kitchen, apartment, dorm, or office and prefer easy eye-level access to items, choose the Harman Kardon AVR 1710S.