Both AVR 254 and 354 models are available in July 08' as per Harman Kardon's website. Let me know if anything is incorrect or if updating is necessary and I'll try my best to make the corrections/updates.
AVR 254 introduction...
7 x 50W 7.1-Channel A/V Receiver with HDMI™ 1.3a Repeater, Audio/Video Processing and Upscaling to 1080p.
The Harman Kardon® AVR 254 is the most affordable Harman Kardon receiver to feature both Dolby® TrueHD and DTS-HD Master Audio™ decoding on the audio side, and Faroudja DCDi Cinema® video processing to 1080p on the video side. But there's plenty more to recommend the AVR 254, including three HDMI™ inputs, connections for external amplifiers, EzSet/EQ™ technology to fine-tune your system to the acoustics of your room, and an RS-232 port for future firmware upgrades. Perhaps the highest recommendation of all? As do all Harman Kardon A/V receivers, the AVR 254 features a high-current, ultrawide-bandwidth design for maximum fidelity.
AVR254 front panel is same as AVR 354, scroll down for a photo of the AVR354 front panel.
Official Harman Kardon AVR 254 page
AVR 354 introduction...
7 x 75W 7.1-Channel A/V Receiver with HDMI™ 1.3a Repeater, Audio/Video Processing and Upscaling to 1080p.
The AVR 354 includes a full complement of Dolby® and DTS® decoding technologies, HDMI™ repeater capability, Faroudja DCDi Cinema® processing, EzSet/EQ™ equalization and multiroom capability. It connects to a universe of digital and analog sources, as well as to external amps. And with The Bridge II docking station (included), it will even play, control and charge your iPod. To ensure that everything works together seamlessly, the AVR 354 features a full-color graphical user interface and an eight-device programmable remote. Harman Kardon® founder Dr. Sidney Harman has always believed technology should serve users, not intimidate them. The AVR 354 is a perfect case in point.
Official Harman Kardon AVR 354 page
Breakdown of AVR 254 and AVR 354 Feature Listings...(354 in BOLD)
Audio Section
• 50 Watts x 7, seven channels driven at full power at 8 ohms, 20Hz – 20kHz,
AVR 254 introduction...
7 x 50W 7.1-Channel A/V Receiver with HDMI™ 1.3a Repeater, Audio/Video Processing and Upscaling to 1080p.
The Harman Kardon® AVR 254 is the most affordable Harman Kardon receiver to feature both Dolby® TrueHD and DTS-HD Master Audio™ decoding on the audio side, and Faroudja DCDi Cinema® video processing to 1080p on the video side. But there's plenty more to recommend the AVR 254, including three HDMI™ inputs, connections for external amplifiers, EzSet/EQ™ technology to fine-tune your system to the acoustics of your room, and an RS-232 port for future firmware upgrades. Perhaps the highest recommendation of all? As do all Harman Kardon A/V receivers, the AVR 254 features a high-current, ultrawide-bandwidth design for maximum fidelity.
AVR254 front panel is same as AVR 354, scroll down for a photo of the AVR354 front panel.
Official Harman Kardon AVR 254 page


AVR 354 introduction...
7 x 75W 7.1-Channel A/V Receiver with HDMI™ 1.3a Repeater, Audio/Video Processing and Upscaling to 1080p.
The AVR 354 includes a full complement of Dolby® and DTS® decoding technologies, HDMI™ repeater capability, Faroudja DCDi Cinema® processing, EzSet/EQ™ equalization and multiroom capability. It connects to a universe of digital and analog sources, as well as to external amps. And with The Bridge II docking station (included), it will even play, control and charge your iPod. To ensure that everything works together seamlessly, the AVR 354 features a full-color graphical user interface and an eight-device programmable remote. Harman Kardon® founder Dr. Sidney Harman has always believed technology should serve users, not intimidate them. The AVR 354 is a perfect case in point.




Official Harman Kardon AVR 354 page
Breakdown of AVR 254 and AVR 354 Feature Listings...(354 in BOLD)
Audio Section
• 50 Watts x 7, seven channels driven at full power at 8 ohms, 20Hz – 20kHz,