Very clean sound, variance +/- 10dB per speaker, even power, 45 amp HICC output

Few digital inputs

A lot of people are dismayed by the specifications of this unit. Let me tell you that this thing kicks the crap out of my Cerwin Vega E315 15" cones. I have been a Harman/Kardon user for years, our last one lasted 26 years without a single problem.

If you buy any receiver, regardless of the use, buy Harman/Kardon.

Similar Products Used:

Harman/Kardon AVR80 MKII (THX)

Digital AC-3 Decoding, Decent Amps

NO Phono input! Quirky remote, no S-Video switching, big volume changes when switching to surround modes.

Well it is worth the $300 I got it for, but little more as it really is unable to balance an external power amp for the front speakers, as the gain differences make it change volume a lot when switching surround modes. The lack of Phono and S-video is probably going to cause me to return it if I find something more flexible. The remote seems weak, it can barely control the unit from across our room,
and it seems like the surround modes have to be set for level on every input used and every mode, which could be a plus in some situation.

On a more positive note, the sound is quite good, the tuner seems excellent. Of course I'm still using my Moscode power
amp for my main speakers so it's hard to really review the sound of the HK when only using it's center and surround amps.

Oh - it's also darn big - close to too deep (17.1") for my cabinet.

Excellent sound quality,under rated power,simple looks,and the ability to keep the music clear at high volume levels.

No s-video switching (and the that bothers me the most)the fact that you can't hook up more than one main speaker pair at a time(a/b switching).

I have loved this receiver since I bought it and use it mostly for music purposes.The sound is great,strong and powerful,and can get extremely loud(louder than my friends 100 watt Kenwood).I have had no hum or hiss problems and the build quality is excellent.The only shortcomings that bother me are are the lack of a/b switching because I have several pairs of speakers that I would like to use at the same time when I throw parties or have guests over.It bothers me because even lower priced Pioneers and Sony's have a/b switching.However,the sound always keeps me happy and the fact that I paid $400 brand new when it retailed for $799.

Similar Products Used:

My friend's Yamaha RV1105,and a friend's old Kenwood.

nice cosmetics, remote

poor sound quality

When I took this unit out of the box, I thought it was a gorgeous looking unit. After I hooked it up, I was thoroughly disappointed. I experienced several intermittent defects including no volume, volume level sticking and an annoying hissing sound at moderate to loud listening levels. Based on most of the reviews I've read here, Harman/Kardon should be ashamed of themselves. What a load of CHEAP JUNK!!

Similar Products Used:

Newcastle R-725

It was great when it worked!

It does not play in ANY surround mode. Speakers pop in every mode but 2 speaker stereo.

Well. . .on 9/30/99 I LOVED this unit. (See prior review.) Just about a month ago, the speakers would go "blank" and hum. I would shut the unit down then it would work again for another 10 minutes. Now, no surround mode works. I was going to get it fixed, for over $100.00, but now reading the other reviews, it looks as if I am not the only one with this problem. This is a BIG F'ing DEFECT HK! I am very disappointed and won't buy HK again. I did purchase a 5420 Yamaha (DD and DTS)for $250.00 and it is great. It has also received great reviews. . . but then again, so did this unit in the beginning!!

Similar Products Used:

HK, Kenwood, Yamaha, Onkyo

simple, clean, clear

After picking up this receiver from coolaudio.com for $285 i was impressed by the clarity and precision of the sound i got. this receiver paired with my wharfedale modus 8's make even watching tv much more fun, not to mention watching DVDs. you dont know what you are missing until you get this receiver. i cant speak for the quality problems of the other reviewers, but i have had none so far.

Similar Products Used:

YAMAHA rxv492

Clean sound and looks;Adequate power for my small room;easy to set up.

No s-video switching;no DTS is sad for a $600 receiver;only 2 digital inputs;no digital out;remote is limited as far as functions for other components;INCESANT HISS IN CENTER CHANNEL....UNDER ALL CIRCUMSTANCES!!!!

This was my first foray into digital surround processing but I thought that I was fairly educated when I went shopping. I had a short shopping list of specs that I wanted and the AVR45 fit the bill. I wasn't certain it was the one for me but a store was going out of business so I took the leep. OUCH.....that hurt. This thing is very limited. I never thought that I would need the extra dig. inputs or s-vid switching, but I do. The remote? Crap! I programmed all of my other components into the supplied remote only to realize that I had to keep all of the others still on the coffee table if I wanted to do anything but play and stop.

All of this would have been acceptable. I would have dealt with it's limitations and enjoyed it, but damn if this thing doesn't have a AC hum at all times comin out of the center channel. Even in 2-channel audio mode, there it is. Try a higher power handling speaker? There it is. Buy a line conditioner? There it is. Maybe it's just me...but I can't stand it. The sound from this unit is quite good and fun to listen to at mid to high volume levels, but if the movie drops to quiet dialog with no music as background you get that terrible hum. I am completely disappointed and am now shopping for something better. What the hell were they thinking. With that hum all the other problems are amplified by 10x. Not acceptable.

Similar Products Used:

Onkyo pro-logic; Kenwood pro-logic

Out of box failure

The Unit failed, exhibiting the identical symptoms repoirted by GL under the AVR65 review-
After 10-20 seconds, the center speaker hummed louder and louder until the system shut itself down to protect itself.

Looks like a design fault in a batch of units.

I question Harman's manufacturing quality control

Excellent sound for a apartment.
Will upgrade to a newer HK in the near future.....

No problems yet...

This is my first HK reciever. I was visiting NFM and I have always purchased Sony product for my entertainment center. The customer service person showed my a Sony reciever and told me they really specialize in TV not really recievers. He then took me into the Theatre Room where that had a Sony TV and a HK AVR45 hooked up to a HK surround sound system, with a JVC surround systems with. It appeared that the reciever was connected to the JVC speakers which were big maple speakers. He put in Jurrasic Park and I was blown away. Superior sound! Then he told me that the HK cube speakers is where the sound came from.
Knowing that they were having a sale, I picked up the HK surround sound 6 speaker system and the HK AVR45. Purchased the Sony Tv later, and wow what a Entertainment center I have know. Next night the apartment manager called and told me that my neighbors complained of loud noise coming from my apartment......

Similar Products Used:

Sony

again... it is a Harman Kardon receiver

Harman Kardon was supposed to be a high end audio brand. Well, this receiver is a high end looser. I bought mine refurbished from Ubid.com, and like most of the people that did this mistake, it was defective. The volume of the receiver kept going up and down for no reason. The machine is going back to Ubid.com that (i have to admit that) has a nice return policy. They will pay for the return shipping costs and the only bad thing is that i will have to wait at least a month before i get my money back, but thats ok.
Anyway, bottom line is: DON'T BUY THIS RECEIVER! This model was the first Harman Kardon product i ever bought, and i have to admit, the last one!