Looks, sound, build. THE REMOTE?

Having to throw out the remote that comes with the unit and upgrading to the new one from HK and Microsoft.

This unit rocks the cradle. Time to put Pioneer to sleep. This unit is far better sounding then the Pioneers and the Denon's

Take a 100 watt Denon or Pioneer and compare them to the 100 watts HK has to offer. The Pioneer is 110 watts in stereo as the HK avr500 is 80 watts per channel. Im using JBL LX10 loudspeakers rated at 300 watts. The Pioneer was not able to make them roar like the HK did, maybe its the HCC in the HK that brings out that extra punch. The BASS is low and tight, great sounding

The seperation in DD Digital is great. As for CD listening via COAX in stereo mode "Fantastic sound" Beautiful depth and clarity.

Thanks to the FEW bad ratings here, otherwise I would never have tried this unit against my Pioneer.

I will be purchasing the AVR7000 when it´s available. Hopefully a better remote.

Thanks to HK for sounding good.

Similar Products Used:

Pioneer VSX-908

none

Turns itself off at high volume and goes into "protect mode", volume clicking, tuner output was just static after about an hour or so.

I don't know where to begin. I'm writing this because I fell it is important to let people know just what garbage Harmon Kardon sells. I originally bought the HK AVR 65 back in May of 1999. The salesman from circuit city convinced me to buy it by assuring me what a great unit it was, especially since he owned one himself. Although he mentioned the earlier models had a grounding or interference problem, he assured me HK had fixed it (so I guess only the people who bought earlier models were supposed to get screwed). After I hooked it up using only monster cables, it appeared to sound pretty good. However, it was my first receiver, so I really didn't know what to look for, though I did think that the right, left, and center speakers had unnecessary noise during quiet parts of songs. What bothered me the most was that it would turn off at high volume (>-10db) and go into "protect mode" after playing CDs for 2-3 hours (SLEEP TIMER WAS NOT ON). After resetting it with the main switch, it would happen again after 20 minutes or so. Because it was running hot, I just figured I was playing my music too loud and the heat sinks just couldn't keep up. Since I had a 5 year warranty on it, I was planning on bringing it in to have it checked out when I felt motivated to disconnect all of my audio/video equipment. I suddenly got motivated when the AVR's DVD video input stopped working. After sending it to the shop, circuit city said it couldn't be fixed and authorized an exchange. I figured I try the AVR 500. After hooking it up, I noticed the volume clicking right away. Although it bothered me, I wanted to at least give the unit a chance. Well, it too cut out after an extended high volume session (-10 dB for about 2-3 hours) and went into "protect mode." The tuner output also sent out static after several hours of play. Needless to say I returned it and decided to try the ONKYO TX-DS777. All I can say is: WOW! The sound quality blows the HKs away, and I've been playing it loud (-5dB) without any problems. I never knew what I was missing until I dumped my HK and got the ONKYO. I'm even hearing instruments on my CDs I never heard before. I'm not pretending to be an audiophile, but I will say it doesn't take an audiophile or a genius to realize Harmon Kardon sells a lousy product. Do yourself a favor and stay clear away from HK products.

Similar Products Used:

HK AVR 65, ONKYO TX-DS777

Sound quality, Logic 7, Front jacks, DD & DTS

Clicking when adjusting volume, especially in right rear

Bought a HK AVR 45 about a year and a half ago from Circuit City. After a year of use each of the surround settings started going out. For example, while listening to a TV program through Prologic the sound started to cut in and out and eventually out all together. This initially happened, but did not occur for another couple weeks, then all of a sudden all the modes were screwed. Took receiver back to CC and after 2+ weeks they said they couldn't repair the problem and gave me store credit. By this time the model #'s had been changed and I got the AVR 500 for the same price I payed for the AVR 45. I rarely buy the extended warranty program, but did on this and it paid off. Brought the new receiver home and loved the Logic 7 C & M modes, as well as the extra jacks in the back. Noticed the clicking and took it back. Same clicking sound on this one, but decided it wasn't that big of problem since it didn't effect the sound quality. Maybe I'll take this receiver back to CC when the price of the AVR 700 goes down and upgrade again? I have been using Cambridge Soundworks New ensembles for the mains, Infinity CC-2 center, Mirage 150i sub and Infinity Quadpoles in the rear. The sound has been great, but saw a deal on a pair of Mirage OM-8's at Hi-Fi Buys ( $799 a pair, retail $2200) and had to upgrade. Wow, these speakers really show off the HK. If your looking to upgrade speakers check out these quick b/c they are closing out and going quickly! I have not noticed the humming from the center and really like the remote. By the way, if anyone knows where to get a Mirage Center speaker, OMC-2 or OMC-3, cheap please e-mail me.

Similar Products Used:

HK 45

Awesome sound!

None

CLB, I am glad you posted about the problem w/ the Saving Private Ryan DTS DVD! When I first auditioned this receiver at a local shop, I experienced the same problem that you described. I am glad that it is not the receiver.

Similar Products Used:

Denon 3300, Sony DB930

OK...I decided to replace my defective AVR500 (see review below this one), but I was a little afraid to replace it with the same model so I bought an Onkyo instead. The TX-DS676 sounds flat in midrange bass, so I took it back and tried my luck on the AVR500 again. I hate to say it, but this new unit lasted just 10 minutes before it started to get terribly distorted. I thought to myself that it is just not possible...I mean, two in a row, no way. So I gave the AVR500 the benefit of the doubt. I hooked my speakers back up to my 3 year old AVR40, and they sounded just fine.

What the heck? $769 for this...something is just not quite right here. Both units were manufactured in March of 2000. Did Circuit City just get a bad batch? I love the sound of these receivers, but I think I'll wait a few months...maybe CC will get a new batch in that was manufactured more recently.

warm, powerful, crisp, true sound

the remote

Outstanding value. Bought packaged w/ AT T70 speakers for only $1100 total! (They've already bumped the package price by about $100. Priced seperately at $500).

Listened to a few receivers and read countless reviews before throwing caution to the wind and pouncing on this deal. Glad I did. Surround sound is wonderful. About 95% of my listening is movies, so that's the basis I used for comparison. The 5th element was crisp and clear through highs and mids. U-571 depth charges rattled the walls with the booming bass.

My wife is a bit of a technophobe. The remote was totally greek to her. It was even a bit foreign to me (always needing to switch back to the receiver to change the volume on a universal remote? Using source chnging keys as component functions when controlling a device? come on). Maybe it's a ploy to sell more of the LCD remotes... Anyway, this doesn't affect the sound - and this receiver puts out lots of sound.

I haven't had the problems others have had. hk seems to be aknowledging the problems, though, by going to a new line of receivers. I just hope they got the kinks worked out before they went to the new line.

Sure, if you want to spend more, I'm sure you can do better. The Onkyo 787 is outstanding. I needed multiroom/multisource output, and this was by far the best value in that arena. At this price, I just couldn't pass this up - and I'm glad I didn't.

Similar Products Used:

listened to Denon, Kenwood, Onkyo

Great sound, lots of inputs/outputs, good remote.

Terrible manual-not enough info, many mistakes. Clicking noise in volume control.

This is my first high end receiver and so far I am very pleased with the performance. I've had it for two weeks and use it quite a bit for music listening as well as HT. I've left it on for hours at a time with no problems yet.

One feature I really like (maybe other receivers do this also-I don't know) is that the receiver automatically changes from surround mode to stereo when I put an audio CD in my DVD player.

The sound from all six speakers is much more defined than it was with my pro-logic JVC. Also, I can turn the volume up as high as I can stand and it still sounds great-no distortion. Dolby Digital surround is fantastic. This is why I bought the DVD player in the first place!

I read many reviews before purchasing this unit and decided to buy it because I really like the sound quality. This is a really sweet sounding unit. I hope I do not have any problems with it but just in case I did get the 5 year warranty from Circuit City-this gives me some peace of mind anyway.

I do notice the clicking when adjusting the volume only when the source is very quiet. This is the only short-coming of the receiver so far and it really doesn't bother me.

Also, it doesn't run really hot like some units I've read about.

The only other receiver I considered was the Denon 2800 and I didn't think it sounded as clean as the HK.

If you are looking for a receiver that can do home theater as well as music listening then I would seriously consider this one.

Also, I would only buy this from an authorized Harmon Kardon dealer. I have heard horror stories about some online retailers not exchanging defective units, leaving the customer to deal with the manufacturer directly.

Similar Products Used:

old JVC pro-logic

Remote, D/A Converters, Digital Expandability

Clicking noise when changing volume

Well, first off, let me say that I was a previous AVR 65 user until I discovered that my unit had a little problem playing DTS encoded material. After taking it into the shop, where it sat forever because Harman Kardon didn't call the technicians back about the unique problem, I eventually got word that Harman would replace the AVR 65 with an AVR 500! A week later I got this baby in overnight mail on a Saturday. After hooking it all up, the difference between the two receivers was amazing. The biggest difference would have to be the clarity of DD 5.1 DVD's. I popped in Air Force One and the quality was just stunning. I was hearing things I had never heard before, the gunshots were much more realistic, and the volume seemed to be much louder.

Another benefit of the 500 over the 65 is the remote. I now have no problem controlling my SD-3100 DVD player with it.

Finally, the abundance of digital connections on this model will ensure capability for years to come.

My only gripe about the unit would be the clicking noise you hear when changing volumes. This should not influence your buying the product, however. I just hope this unit has better quality control than my last. Harman Kardon's customer support is very slow and non-responsive.

Overall a good receiver for DVD and music playback.

Similar Products Used:

Harman Kardon AVR 65

Very good sound & power, HDCD/MP3 decoding, front digital & analog ins can be configured as outs, 5 chanel stereo dsp, good dialog out of front center

remote need work, dd distorts on some dvd's, internal crossover points leaves a whole in the music, VMax is a joke

THIS IS S REVIEW ON THE AVR510... not the 500!!! Set this piece of on Xmas day! Nice. For a 70 Watt receive, this thing oozes with power and doesn't seem to strain to much as the volume goes up. What a difference 45 high current amps make. The Logic7 c&m modes are to die for, much better at 2 chanel and ProLogic stuff than Dolby logic's mono surround stuff. Even with 70 watts and 45 amps, on some dvd's I can hear some clipping and real strange speaker noices. Just to check and make sure it wasn't the speakers, I rerouted my dvd through the analog outs and the distortion went away. Put'em back through the digital outs (coax & optical) and the noices and clipping came back. I may be wrong but, that leads me to believe there's a problem in the decoding of DD5.1 material. In standard stereo mode, the sound is clean and inviting and all volume levels up to -0, and at that level, I could hardly breath let alone listen. The bass crossover points are 40 & 60 if the fronts are set to large, and 80 & 100 if they are set to small. And at all points, the crossover seems to be a little slow. At 40 there seems to be a whole and at 80 & 100, the Yamaha Servo SW80 Sub seems to work to hard. Wished they would have just given you three points, whether you set your fronts to large or small, and just left it at that. I wish Harman would have used better filter was used as well. Like the ones in the Denon 4800 or even the Pioneer VSX 37 & 39TX's. But they're THX Ultra certified and I believe the filters they use are part of the THX spec.

The Hall 1&2, Theatre and Logic 7 C&M dsp's are pretty good and usuable, which is a relief. Many times these things are just trash. But the HK VMax stuff is just that... trash. The 5 chanel stereo mode is a nice touch. Used it with much enthusiasm when we had folks over for a after Xmas get-together. Filled the room nicely and compensated well for bodies soaking up the music.

Plenty of outs in the rear, enough to accomodate most needs. There are digital ins right next to the analog ins on the fronts. What's great is that through the OSD, you can re-configure all of these front ports to be outs... very nice!!

Now, after getting on the net, I see I've paid entirely way too much for this thing. Have no idea what circuit city is thinking. If I figure Maryland sales tax, I paid $913.49 for the AVR 510. That's just $78 less than I could have purchased the AVR7000 on-line. Just how many of you out there need to attend a class to guess what my move is come Monday morning!!! I'm taking a star away in the "Value" rating because of the price, it should list for $749 to $799 and compete in price with the Denon 3801... not weigh in above it!!

Well, gotta go. Wanna get back to watching The Ravens kicking the Bronco's butts. God bless "The Baltimore Lewis Klan". Have a safe Festivus and New Years everybody!

Sounded Great in all modes for about 2 hours. Slightly cleaner sounding than my previous HK Receiver

2 hours was all that it let me test it.

I had the HK AVR20MKII but now have a DVD player so I purchased this unit to be able to upgrade to DD 5.1 and DTS for Home Theatre. The 20MKII I have used since '95 without any problem what so ever. I felt very positive about HK, loved its sound.

The first couple of hours with the new receiver were great, DD 5.1 sounds considerably better than prologic on my old receiver. I shut the reciever off and upon powering it back up there was no sound and it was not decoding the incomming digital signal. I tried hooking up an analog output CD player with similar results and could not even get any sound to come out of the AM/FM tuner in the unit. I tried reseting the unit as outlined in the owners manual, no help either.

I had read the reviews of the HK AVR500 on line and there were some issues with volume climbing etc., but at about 1/3 of MSRP I thought I would take the risk, based upon my previous experience with HK. I sent an E-Mail to uBid customer service telling them of my difficulty and asked if I could exchange it for another because they auction these things off just about every other day. They sent me the typical go take a flying leap E-Mail back and told me to take it up with HK.

Well tomorrow I guess I'll find out what HK's customer suport is like, I hope it is better than uBid's was.

I have purchased several items from uBid before with excellent results, paid about 25-40% of MSRP and everthing has worked well, up until this point. This expecience has me feeling very negatively about doing business with uBid again. Tomorrow I will find out if I ever own another HK product or not.

Unless someone wants these same problems as me, I would not recommend buying one of these units from uBid.

Similar Products Used:

HK AVR20MKII