Power and full range reproduction

quality, reliability

Firstly the popping you hear when you adjust the volume is due to the digital volume control they are using in the new H/k's. I totally freaked out when I first heard it and took it in for a replacement. I was impressed with the sound and power but found it got a little harsh at about -20db. The other thing that bugged me was the graduation in the volume comtrol. It is either loud or off. My polk audio speakers are sensitive but not freakishly so, I couldn't adjust the volume for background listening as on the first click it was to loud. Then I discovered the undoing of the h/k out of the 4 I listened to all of them buzz through the center chnnel when in stereo mode. This I could not live with. Which is a shame because there was a signature to the sound quality that I really liked. Since then I have gotten the rotel rsx965. It doesn't have quite the in your face sound (which I kinda liked) of the H/k but is more melodic and musical. It also is capable of driving very hard (at close to 75%)with little or no harshness. It gives cleaner surround (i had trouble with crackle every once and awhile with the h/k on logic 7 cinema)The rotel sounds amazing but different. Sound wize i still do not know which I prefer each are equal but different. I do know quality and relaibilty wise the rotel kicks a--. If you like jazz or classical the rotel without a dougbt sounds better if you like rock the h/k sounds as good as rotel (maybe just a bit better)but i think surround DTS is in rotels favour as well. I had the h/k for 2 mo. and now have had the rotel for 3 and it contiues to grow on me. I would recomend it to those who appreciate good gear.

Similar Products Used:

Rotel rsx965

sound quality

i think its starting to break down

after about 2 months of use it just started showing signs of acting up this evening
the volume kept going up and down. it has stopped doing it but i hope this isnt a sign of what the future of this receiver is going to be like.
its already to late to return so i guess if it keeps phucking up i guess im screwed

Similar Products Used:

pretty mutch everything

Features, price, power, appearance

Flimsy volume knob, lack of inputs, reliability???

This is my first A/V receiver. I picked it up at HIFI.com after reading reviews of this and similar products from Denon and Yamaha.

I noticed the "volume clicking" thing right away, but the click is so miniscule that it doesn't bother me.

More troubling was the recent episode where the volume started fluctuating wildly. I was playing a CD fairly loud, around -30db, and listening from the next room when I noticed it getting louder, and louder, and LOUDER...when I walked in to look, the volume was up around -10 db and increasing by a db step every couple of seconds. (No, there wasn't a weight resting on the remote). I shut down the receiver, and the problem has not reoccurred. If it does, this unit's going back under warranty.

Overall, I'm pretty pleased -- I happen to LIKE the remote, the sound is good, and the amp has plenty of power. Would have liked a phono input, but I'lll probably just pick up a RadShack preamp for the phono. It sort of bugs me having to hook old audio gear up to inputs labeled "Video1", "Video2", etc.

Similar Products Used:

None

Sound quality, digital inputs, ability to customize audio differently for each device

clicking sound in volume

After having the avr65 sent to the repair center 3 times
my dealer replace the unit with the avr500. Original problems(distubing hum/buzz in digital signal)is gone. Now I got this clicking sound when I change the volume, It is fairly loud in the rear right speaker which is anoying, but not enough to make me go out and have it fix. I did have a drop out in DTS mode once with Eagles hell freezes over, but I wasn't able to replicate the drop out, so I'm not going to make a fuss about it.

The unit sounds so good and detailed, It does sound the same as the avr65 which was great. The power is is adequate for listening room, lots of punch. Logic 7 is a plus.

One thing that suprised me is yesterday when I watch a dvd, at the layer change the processor didn't go to "NO DATA", this is great. seems like the processor stays locked a bit longuer making the layer change seamless. I'll need to test this with other dvds.

DTS now has full bass managment, more digital inputs, added
digital outputs, logic 7. This was a great upgrade thanks to
Future Shops extended warranty.

Remote is not a problem for me since I purchaced the Marantz 5000(pronto).

I give it 4/5 since it's not perfect. I hope it is more reliable than the avr65, only time will tell.

Similar Products Used:

avr65

I just received an AVR300 to replace my AVR 55 that died in the warranty period. I don't see any reviews on this unit. Has anyone had any experience with the AVR300. I am not sure why it does not show up in the listing of HK receivers.
I have not unboxed the 300 yet so I don't have a review yet but I am scared to death that this thing is going to have all kinds of problems. It took HK 3 months to finally replace my 55. Can you imagine! 3 months waiting to have something fixed.
I will give them a low rating for sevice and quality. If this one goes bad I will simply buy anothe brand and say good riddance to HK.

Name - Harman Kardon

Sucks - completely

You know, I have two friends that have HK stuff. One of them
would give his left testacle if HK asked for it. Both of these guys just raved about Harman Kardon. I have a Pioneer VSX - D2S. I paid $2200 for it in 1994. ONE word for my Pioneer receiver: OUTSTANDING. And still is, but it doesn't do DD/DTS. So I bought a Sony EP9ES decoder (a year ago). But now I wanted a DTS decoder, so I thought it was time to get a new receiver.

Now, I knew I should have bought another Pioneer. A VSX-27TX or VSX-29TX. But, I listened to my friends tell me how wonderful HK is and absolutely awful Pioneer is in comparison. I read about how HK builds their amps with so much more quality, etc, etc, etc.

Well, I bought an AVR300. Paid $500 for it. It sucks bad. The DD it puts out (on Eosone speakers - paid ~$4000 for my set) doesn't even come close to the sound the Sony decoder puts out. In Saving Private Ryan (using my Sony Decoder) you almost feel like you should duck your head from the bullets shooting by. With the HK, you get a good machine gun sound - and that's it.

Tell me people: Do I have a lemon here? VERY good marketers - that's what they are.

Pioneer, Sony - they both have better sound, quality, and appearance for that matter! The appearance of the HK can only be described as "spartan".

I am so dissapointed in HK I cannot see straight. My only problem now: finding a sucker who will take this piece of crap of my hands.

Similar Products Used:

First HK product - will be my last

sound

reliability, quality

I have always been a fan of Harmon Kardon since I was in High school. I just never wanted to spend the money before but I decided that it was time to buy a decent DD receiver so I bought this one from circut city (should have known that nothing worth owning can be bought at circuit city.) It sounded great in the store but when i got it home it had a horrible hum. I got a replacement for it and it also had a hum. It sounded pretty good if it wasnt for the humming problem. Needless to say, I am no longer a fan of Harmon Kardon. I returned the unit and bought a Denon 2800. The Denon unit was about the same price and is probably twice as good. Does HK know what quality control is?

Similar Products Used:

denon, kenwood

When it decides to work sound quality is very good

RELIABILITY RELIABILTY RELIABILITY

I purchased the receiver in November of 1999. It has been in the repair shop 3 times and still not working properly.
I've read some reviews and I wish the only problem I had was the volume control going up or down on its own. Don't worry mine does that also. The worse problem with this piece of junk is the constant hiss that comes from each speaker as soon as you turn the power on. The hiss is so loud I have to face the rear speakers away from me so I can hear the dialogue from the front speakers. The only time I dont hear the hiss is when the receiver shuts down for no reason at all and goes into power protect mode. I try to turn it back on and it turns itself off. I"ve stood by the receiver for 20 minutes constantly turning it back on after it shutting off on its own. That problem has gotten progressively worse where now its unusable. I also have the same problem where the volume control starts going up by itself and I have to fight it with the remote control to bring it back to the original level. I also have the distortion problem where intermitantly you'll hear loud static from the speakers for no apparent reason but not that often. And to make matters worse when Ive brought it to the 2 authorized repair shops relatively close to me there's always a hassle if Ecost is authorized to sell HK products. The latest place I've brought it to is waiting for a call back from the HK rep to verify if they will back the warranty service. If not I'll call Ecost for the 9th time because of course they assure me they are authorized to sell HK products.
In summary The few times I have gotten the receiver to work and turned the volume up to compensate for the constant hiss the sound was great. But this will be the first and last HK product I ever purchase. What a complete piece of crap.

P.S. I also will never buy anything from Ecost after the experience Ive had with them but thats a whole other story.

OK for movies and some music

Had a problem with center channel noise in certain modes, was not impressed with jazz recordings through it

My humble appologies to Rick but after reading some things on this site, which have thankfully been removed, I got angry. I did try the H/K 500 when I was looking for a new receiver. It did most things well however there was an annoying hum in the center channel in some modes. I also did't like the sound of some jazz recordings through the 500. I opted for the Denon 3300 which I have'nt had any complaints about so far. Again my appologies to Rick from PA but I just coul'nt let the ignorance go unanswered.

Similar Products Used:

Denon 3300

Clarity, Power, DD5.1 DTS

Onscreen menu's, Physical Display ( my old 1993 Sony had a DOTMATRIX display that looked really nice with custom Labeling)

I have had this receiver for a week now and it sounds wonderful. I matched it up with the Atlantic Compact Theatre Two and it sounds GREAT! It is unbelieveably LOUD. I used AudioQuest Type4+ Cabeling which I heard is awesome cable. Great Center Channel reproduction. I haven't experienced any problems like some others. I hate to complain about a product but they could have really improved on the Onscreen Display/Menu and Remote functionality.
Performance wise, there is NOTHING to complain about this superb unit. I have waited 6 months to buy this unit. Almost got the AVR65. The day before I ALMOST ordered the 65 I heard about them releasing new models ie the 500. Sooo After waiting and waiting to get SPECS and trying it out at circuit city I finally purchased it at onecall.com for $649 Delivered. Onecall.com has been very helpful and a pleasure to deal with.
BTW, does anyone else's AVR500 Remote have a undocumented button to the right of the LIGHT button? What is this and what does/can it do? (email me : mike@deland.net )

Similar Products Used:

Harman Kardon AVR20
Sony