power,high power circuitry,extreamly clean sound(depending on input source),many useful features,price...etc..

no composite video switching,remote,manual

First i want to say bar none this unit is awesome. I have tested many other units before this,and can safely an honestly say that this unit is to be classed with the middle upper and upper class units on the market. I had owned the yamaha dsp-a1000 and liked it. I wanted to upgrade to dsp and dd but was not in a rush. My best friend was in the market for a new unit to replace his technics and enlisted my service. I accompanied him to Future shop and was suprised to see them carrying harman kardon products.
after a lengthy conversation i convinced him to get the hk110 and enden up getting one for myself, best move on my part. He initally complained about the power as i have noticed in previous postings, however after explaining to him the difference between true and distorted power,also proper speaker load and amp mating which was demonstrated to him in his listening environment he was impressed. he has also changed his speakers to 6-ohms,turned up line levels on the amp channels to his prefrence,no more complaints. Just a note,i have noticed a lot of complaints about power. First hk produces pure power which will always out perform and sound better than turning up power that is distorted, which by the way will always sound louder.
We had troubl with the remotes also but lucked in. I placed a call to hk and after a short waiting period was able to convince the to upgrade our remotes to the one from the avr310. i now have no complaints about the remote also i want to compliment hk on their great customer service.

My one complaint is that i have a first generation panasonic video camera with built in digital photo feature. as the camera has no s-video ports and i have connected all of my components to my hk via optical and s-video connections. i cannot get the picture to work only sound when connected to the amp. I guess to justify a lower pricing on these units something had to suffer and fortunately it was only the remote and the owner's manual.

I highly recommend this unit, it simply cant be beat for its quality and price.

Similar Products Used:

yamaha dsp-a1000,pioneer,marantz

(AVR 120) Warm sweet sound, without any detectable hum or hiss between tracks. Digital (optical & coax) ins. DD,DTS & DPLII.

Remote - not fully "universal", but I can get along with multiple remotes.

My first receiver was a Kenwood which produced 40 watts x 2. It easily drove two JBL L26 and two Pioneer C550S. I then graduated to an early Kenwood AV 100 watt per channel receiver circa 1988, noticing a significant difference in sound clarity. I must admit, the AVR 120 (at 40 watts per channel) produces such precise, clear music that my interest in music has been renewed. The primary purpose for this receiver purchase was for Home Theater, and it is a stellar performer in this arena as well. Placed in a 15 x 30 room with vaulted ceiling, I have never needed to go above -18 on the volume! I definitely would recommend anyone interested in a good, clean sounding a/v receiver with lots of input options to give the H/K AVR 120 a try. You won't be disappointed.

Similar Products Used:

Kenwood, Sony, Pioneer, JBL

Multiple inputs, decent remote, nice flexibility for listening style

manual

I've owned and tortured this unit for nearly 10 months now, and overall am very satisfied. My listening rooms are small so I can't evaluate overall power, but sound purity is excellent. We use the unit as the router for our dvd, vhs, xbox and video cam-corder, and it performs extremely well. My main mode of listening to critical music is by headphones and this unit uses components that are well matched and will give headphones good sound (this was one of my major deciding points). The remote is easy enough for my kids to figure out, concerning which video input they want, how to adjust the volume and which stereo mode to choose. For pure sound performance or as a command center for juggling multiple inputs, I have no problem recommending this unit.

Similar Products Used:

Onkyo, Technics, Sherwood

Clean sound, H/K name, expansion

No phono input

This review is for the AVR-120. I looked for about three months to replace my aging Technics receiver and looked at comparable Sony and Onkyo produts. Granted, I am not an audiophile so my decision was based purely on listening pleasure and user reviews. I have known the H/K brand since I was a kid and their repution preceded them. My home theatre that I am replacing used Dolby Surround and the H/K blows it away! One thing that I did notice about the H/K was its extremly clean sound. No hiss, just pure music. As for the power rating I have yet to push this thing to its limit. Plenty of power for my needs. I cannot attest to the reliability of the unit for I have only owned it for a couple of days now. I sure hope nothing breaks! The only negative that I can say is that it has no phono input. H/K's expanation is that to provide room for the surround circuitry they had to omit the phono input. (Hard to believe since this thing is massive!) I didn't even realize it until I unpacked the thing. I just assumed that all receivers in this range came with phono inputs. Don't assume anything! Not sure what to do with my LPs now. The manual and remote are fine. No problems at all. Programed all my components into the one remote except for my Scientific Atlanta digital cable box. The codes provided didn't work. All-in-all I would recommend this receiver. It has truly great sound for its price point.

Similar Products Used:

Technics, Sony

Clean Crisp Sound..plenty of power for small to mid sized rooms. Lots of digital in/outs.

DTS mode requires listner to increase bass levels on sub to feel anything.

This is a review for the AVR120. When I was first looking for an a/v reciever I looked at the standard brands (Sony Pioneer, JVC etc.) I searched the web and came around this site...let me just say that this site is awesome I narrowed my list down to the Yamaya rx v520 and the h/k. I listened to both before deciding on the h/k based on it's price ( $549 Canadian)and the reviews on this site.

The h/k is a great reciever for the price but my only complaint is that in DTS mode, I really have to crank up the bass levels as comparaed to DD. Can anyone tell me if I'm doing something wrong or this is normal? Finally, for the price and what you actually get, the avr120 is the best bang for the buck.

Similar Products Used:

Pioneer

Beautiful display, user-friendly controls, lots of digital inputs, excellant tuner

Gets a little warm

After researching a few different models for about three months, I finally decided that the AVR-120 was by far the best deal. The Denon AVR-1602 and -1802 had more power, but the power that was put out is not nearly as clean as the Harman/Kardon. The Denon also did not have nearly as many digital ins, which to me are necessary to clear audio. Both Denon's cost more as well, and did not look nearly so cool. The Onkyo TX-DS595 was little better. It had slightly more power and it looked okay, but again, it had few digital ins and NO digital outs. How can a reciever be considered high-end if there are no digital outs?
In my situation, I will be using the AVR-120 in a dorm room at college, so 40 watts per channel is more than enough, considering there are other people in the sane building that might be a little annoyed by blaring sound. But I found that the -120 can play as loud as my dad's 100-watt Yamaha, and mine sounds far clearer.
I read the other reviews on this website, and they were very helpful, however, I do not have a problem with the remote or the manual. Sure the remote looked a little complicated at first, but it really only took a few days to get used to it. I just read the manual two or three times before actually implementing some of the functions.
There are a few minor things that do need to be stated. I really think the main volume button feels like a cheaper plastic than the rest of the front. It probably is just me, you should probably go check yourself, but it really does feel cheap. I also think the whole front panel should be aluminum at this level, just to add a little more high-end feel to the equipment. Even if a it cost a little more I think it would be worth it.
Overall, the AVR-120 is great. Twenty years from now, when I'm still using it as an office system or something, it will still be great.

Similar Products Used:

Sony, Yamaha, Onkyo...

Sound, Inputs, Power

Optical Hook-ups giving me trouble.

---For the money you can't do much better.

I've gotta admit I'm an K/K fam, but with the products they put out, who wouldn't be? My old H/K outperformed everything in it's class and was a UBid steal. This amp could be as cheap but got tired of the auctions and shelled out the extra $75 and bought it at Circuit City. $330 open box was a steal!!

I tried the Yamaha, but it was SORELY underpowered... 100watts my behind. The 110's 40x5 put's the Yamaha to shame. I was sold on the Onkyo TXD-484 but when put up against the H/K 110, it just didn't stack up. Especially when paired with my Paradigm Monitor 9's (efficienct speakers) the speakers sang.

Enough soundfields to play with...gimmicks if you ask me. But great sound overall. Still loving the 5 channel surround, but the 2 channel sound is very nice.

The remote is funky and doesn't work with some of my components, but really, what universal does? (the Yamaha's did but we'll forget that)

Pleanty of inputs for later expansion. Optical analog and component. Most veritile for it's price range.

Looks amazing, but it's big. The amp barely fit on the shelf. But the simple design a shiny face make for a classy look. People can't help but compliment it.

It runs rather warm, like most amps in this range (not pricey enough to afford fans), but it's not too bad...the Onkyo is hotter as was the Denon. The Yamaha ran cool as ice.

For the money one of the best on the market. Great sound, pleanty of expandability and ample power.

Similar Products Used:

H/K AVR-10, Yamaha RVX-620, NAD, Denon, JVC

sounds good... but not great

quality

This is an update for a review that I wrote when I first got this-
The 110 is junk. Harmon-Kardon is wannabe audiophile equipment, sounding fairly good but poorly built. I went through two of them in several days, the first one sparked out the first time that I plugged it in. The second one wouldn't even turn on. I'm now using a Denon 1801 that is about a thousand times better- for the SAME PRICE. I bought mine a little too early because now you can get the 1802 and its got ProLogic II for the same price. If you're looking for good, reliable audio equipment then skip Circuit City, Best Buy, all those places. Find a good Audio/Video store and they'll set you up right.

Similar Products Used:

Onkyo, Denon

Dolby Digital, Crisp, clear sound. Aestheticaly pleasing.

Not a whole lot of power in anything but 'stereo' mode. 40Wx5.

GREAT for the price, especially as H/Ks go. Previously had a Nakamichi AV-8 in this room. Decided to try something diff. So far so good. The thing can double as a toaster though, LOTS of heat! The sound is incredible, as H/K usually is. (We wont include the H/K AVR-300 'incedent'.)
As usual it also looks beautiful. But youd think that H/K would rate it at a little more than a VERY conservative 40WPC (In any 5.1 mode.) Though I DO like the VMAx and Stereo 7 ideas.

Similar Products Used:

Nakamichi, Denon, Bose.

a billion inputs, all matched with outputs; front a/v jacks include composite, digital, and optical; unparalleled sound; awesome looks; best bang for the buck

night mode is available only through digital sources... a pretty weak imperfection, as the receiver is almost flawless for under $500.

While everone nags about the remote, i will say this: its complete with all the necessary features to operate your receiver without getting up. however, the biggest flaw i would say about it is how you have to swtch the input mode back and forth to utilize your receiver and device (ie channel up on satellite would require you to press 'vid1' then the channel button... if tyhe vol neeeds adjusting, the remote will need to be reminded by swtching back to avr, and then back to vid1 to change the channels)..........................................
other than that, i have never heard a receiver that emulates sound as clearly as this one. the bass is crisp and the treble is the sharpest i have heard. the ultrawide bandwidth feature is invaluable as it really creates an audible difference in the form of superior sound. the VMAX feature is a must for people who only use two speakers, as it is the only non-dolby surround mode that i have heard on any receiver that creates such marvelous sound that literally surrounds you. i have been doing research on this receiver and others (including onkyos and kenwoods) for almost half a year now, and now that i have finally pounced on this one, i can gladly say this is one good ass receiver.......
recommendations by profile;
if you are a college student, get this thing as the vmax sound emulation is as trippy as you know what;
if you are a parent with kids and want a home theater, get this receiver because it truly will sound like you are a part of the movie.
if you are an old fart, get this as it is the only receiver i have heard that still sounds clear and unmuzzled when on the lowest setting

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aiwa nsx v70, bang and olufsen beomaster/beocord