Harman Kardon AVR 500 A/V Receivers

Harman Kardon AVR 500 A/V Receivers 

DESCRIPTION

5 channels. Dolby Digital, DTS, Dolby Pro Logic, Vmax, Logic7, and Theater modes. 65 W x 5 into 8 ohms from 20 Hz-20 kHz with 0.08% THD. 4 audio and 4 video inputs; front-panel A/V input; 6-channel input; 2 coaxial and 2 optical digital inputs; 1 coaxial and 1 optical digital output; S-video input and output; subwoofer output; remote-control jack. High-current amplifier design with low-impedance capability, discrete amplifier stage; low negative feedback; discrete D/A converters with 96-kHz/24-bit capability. 30 tuner presets; on-screen display; bass and treble controls; sleep timer; remote control. FM: 50-dB quieting sens 50 dBf stereo; cap ratio 2 dB; alt-ch sel 70 dB; S/N 70 dB mono, 68 dB stereo; THD 0.4% stereo at 1,000 Hz. Black

USER REVIEWS

Showing 81-90 of 152  
[Jan 04, 2002]
Ed
Audio Enthusiast

Strength:

Good power clean sound for the price

Weakness:

Never worked properly. Volume controls jumps around. Video jacks do not work.

Product when working properly is more than enough for most. My problem is that the unit never worked right. The volume controls jump around and the video jack don't work. Thats all I need to say.

OVERALL
RATING
1
VALUE
RATING
1
[Jan 10, 2002]
Yves
Audio Enthusiast

Strength:

The real power is 80 Watts in stereo mode and 70 in five channel mode. The power is is strength. Easy to use, relatively easy to set up, a good warantee.

Weakness:

Desynchronisation on DTS mode, I push pause and play on my DVD and the problem disappear.

First of all, in 1999, I bought a Harman Kardon AVR65, but I had a "Humm" problem with it, when I turn on the AVR, I had Humm lines (diagonales lines) over the image on my TV set but only on some channels. Six months later I had the sound too, i.e. with the "Humming" image, I heard this Humm in all five channels... After some negociation, Harman exchange my AVR-65 for an AVR500 (my choice). Since this time it's wondefull.
The AVR500 have 32 pounds of power... 70 Watts on five channels in a 170 foot square room it's astounding. I used this AVR with Bose Acoustimass 10 speakers and Energy e:XL-S10 Sub.
With the AVR500, I have the opportunity to configure the channel gain of all five channels and the LFE channel. I can increase the strenght for 10 Db in positive or negative range. In my sitting room (theater room) on the right side I have an open area to the kitchen. This fact cause a lack of power on the right channel (because it's an open area and no wall to reflect the sound of this speaker). With the AVR500 I can increase the gain of this channel to balance with the output power of the other channels. This set up was possible for Dolby Pro logic (four channels), for Dolby Digital, for DTS, and other processing like Logic 7 C, Logic 7 M, Theater and Vmax.
The power of the AVR500 means + or - 45 Amps of High Instantaneous Current Capability. I used a 14AWG wires to connect all five speakers. Originally Bose send a 18AWG wires kit with the speakers. When I change the speakers wires (from 18AWG to 14AWG) I notice a difference in BASS response, it was stronger and deeper.
The remote control was very good, I can configure it for use with my TV set (1985 RCA), my DVD (Pioneer DV414 = 1999) and my RCA VHS (1997). For Home theater this remote control was perfect.. it's provided with built-in backlight for better legibility of the buttons in my darkened room. On this remote control, you have a OSD button, that's mean On Screen Display, you can configure all fonctions of the AVR on your TV screen.
I have a friend who own a Yamaha SX-620 (100 Watts/channels) with Bose Acoustimass 15 speakers (amplified Sub).On the installation day (at the beginning of december 2001) I try the power of this Yamaha AVR, in room similar to mine, with the volume at 80% and, my feeling is: the Yamaha was not stronger than my AVR500 ! :)))

OVERALL
RATING
5
VALUE
RATING
3
[Dec 04, 2001]
patrick sheeley
Audio Enthusiast

Strength:

good power,great finish,lots of inputs/outputs

Weakness:

no a/b speaker switching

purchased avr 500 in february of 2000,have no complaints like volume control knob moving on its own or anything like that.this reciever drives my paradigm monitor 9s just great,have a velodyne 10 inch powered sub hooked up also,but even the paradigms by themselves sound just great,lots of bass and clear,crisp highs.for home theater i love it too,very good decoding in my opinion.i have owned marantz and sony recievers,i love marantz,but i would reccomend this reciever just as well.

Similar Products Used:

denon avr 2802

OVERALL
RATING
4
VALUE
RATING
4
[Oct 28, 2001]
Tim
Audio Enthusiast

Strength:

Digital Ins & Outs, Clean Sound, Basic Looks, Basic Set-up

Weakness:

No Phono Input, No Second Stereo Speakers, Volume Jumps (w/ knob)

I read bad reviews about H-K AVR 500 but I decided to purchase H-K Outlet. Sometimes they have refurbished units at $300. Yes, the volume does jump around when done by knob. I have never seen the jump when using remote volume control. I consider this a minor problem. Some may have different opinion.

I wish there was a phono input but I use unit in bedroom with DVD and TV. I use my Sony STR DB-840 in game room with my phono and other gear. There is no second stereo speaker set. I use H-K with older JBL ARC 50 speakers (4 / 2 front & 2 rear) with JBL N-Center and no subwoofer. Loud!!!!! One day I may try to set-up in game room. Set-up is easy. Other brands in this range also do not include phono input and second stereo speaker set. If you need phono input or second stereo speaker set look elsewhere.

Two digital outputs (1 optical & 1 coaxial). I have not seen many receivers with two digital outs. Eventually, I may use for CDR and MD recorders. I have both in game room.

Now for the test!!! I compared full volume with no input. H-K silent. My two Sony's hiss bad. I have seen other reviews for Sony, same problem. I have tried several Dolby Digital and DTS DVD's. I think the H-K does sound better. One day I may try to compare on same system.

Overall great unit for the price. I considered holding out for H-K AVR 510 clearance. Cheapest price I have seen for 510 is around $600. It may drop with newer models.

I will post update.

Similar Products Used:

Sony STR DE-835, Sony STR DB-840

OVERALL
RATING
4
VALUE
RATING
4
[Jan 04, 2002]
Ed
Audio Enthusiast

Strength:

Good power clean sound for the price

Weakness:

Never worked properly. Volume controls jumps around. Video jacks do not work.

Product when working properly is more than enough for most. My problem is that the unit never worked right. The volume controls jump around and the video jack don't work. Thats all I need to say.

OVERALL
RATING
1
VALUE
RATING
1
[Jan 04, 2002]
Ed
Audio Enthusiast

Strength:

Good power clean sound for the price

Weakness:

Never worked properly. Volume controls jumps around. Video jacks do not work.

Product when working properly is more than enough for most. My problem is that the unit never worked right. The volume controls jump around and the video jack don't work. Thats all I need to say.

OVERALL
RATING
1
VALUE
RATING
1
[Jan 04, 2002]
Ed
Audio Enthusiast

Strength:

Good power clean sound for the price

Weakness:

Never worked properly. Volume controls jumps around. Video jacks do not work.

Product when working properly is more than enough for most. My problem is that the unit never worked right. The volume controls jump around and the video jack don't work. Thats all I need to say.

OVERALL
RATING
1
VALUE
RATING
1
[Jun 29, 2001]
Jan
Audio Enthusiast

Strength:

Powerfull sound, very good bass control (Mission 701 speakers LF & RF), Logic7 (music and for TV Surround)

Weakness:

Well...a bit more sting in the cymbals department.

My model has a mai 2000 sticker on the back and was bought summer 2000. Untill now no problems. And yes, my volume control procuces tiny click-click-click sounds goning up or down. Can't say it bothers me.

One thing really bothers me (and the shop where I bought it was VERY unhelpfull): I can't get the remote operating my Pioneer CD nor my JVC TV. I tried out a Kenwood which remote without much hassle did. But the Kenwood forgot putting out bass at higher volumes and the Circle Surround was very prine to sibbilence. Although the CS effect was often stunning.

Well...there ain't no perfection. Things always are trade-off's.

Similar Products Used:

Sony Dolby Receiver, JBL Pro-Logic receiver

OVERALL
RATING
4
VALUE
RATING
5
[Jun 29, 2001]
Ron Johnson
Audiophile

Strength:

Good sound

Weakness:

Quality, reliability, repairablility, failure by company to do a proper recall

Probaly a mute point since this junky model isn't made anymore, for good reason, Harmon Kardon's reputation.

When I first kicked this baby on, I was truly impressed. My last sterio was a Akia analog everything. The first thing I noticed was sounds I had never realized existed on the RHCP album. Some of this is owed to Bose.

Personaly I dread the day I plunked down the cash to by this unrepairable receiver. What good is your tunes if you can't hear them. After my last experience, I would warn everyone to stay clear of Harmon until the fix their problems.

My story goes like this....
3 months into my daily use of the AVR500 it decided to raise about 20 dB on its own. I thought some punks had broken in my house and were messing with me. Only to uncover the same story from my wife just days earlier. I e-mailed them and the e-mailed me back 4 days later that a small # of these had volume control problems and to just bring it over to the local repair shop. I ignored the problem since I would be devastated if it where gone for a month. Well Xmas hit and the dam thing locked itself into protected mode.

Sent it to the local repair shop and they held it for 2 months. From what I am told they had to try 2 diferent volume control knobs that were never in stock at HK central. They wound up not being able to fix it and sent it to United Radio for another month and 1/2. United radio claimed to have fixed it and sent it back. I hooked it up and it sounded like poop. Volume control made loud popping noise and the amplifier only had about 10 watts in it for steam. So I sent it back HK promised it would be fixed within 30 days. They took 32 days, not that I am nit picking. It came back and the thing played great for about 15 minutes. Then it crapped out. same clicking noise and weak output. Seamed like the preamplifier stage was blown. Doesn't United Radio put these amps on a load for a couple of hours for burnin? Come on 15 minutes isn't a long time.

I have been guarenteed a new amplifier. I tried asking for the AVR-510 as other reviewers suggest but that was a crock of bull. I would prefer my money back and I would plunk it down on a Onkyo. Oh lets not forget to mention that I have to ship it to Pheonix at my expense. The only will call tag is from United Radio and they can't fix the buggy design. I shore hope that designed team got canned.

You know what the hardest part is? When your wife tells you she likes the $100 pioneer I bought better than the HK. She doesn't notice a difernce and likes the features better. Quite frankly the Pioneer pisses me off because it sounds like garbage at high volumes.

I personaly recomend Jap crap for the quality reason. What good is your sterio when it don't work. I love my music. It is what keeps me alive.

Similar Products Used:

Yamaha, Onkyo, Akia, Rice burners in general

OVERALL
RATING
1
VALUE
RATING
1
[Nov 13, 1999]
gifford largey
Audio Enthusiast

Strength:

Logic 7, Sound quality, easy to use, Price

Weakness:

Same look as old ones

Hk should now be a new contender for the best reciever/buck with this model. Basically it is the successor to the HK avr65 with a tad more power, some more features and for two hundred dollars less. I am most impressed with the logic 7 feature which is a dsp mode developed by Lexicon who is also owned by Harmon international. Logic 7 simulates a 5.1 (not 5 channel stereo) experience from two channel source. It sounded great. This reciever is also a great sounding reciever. I only hope it won't have any bugs that the 65's had. I really don't think you can do better for $799 retail at this point in time

Similar Products Used:

onkyo 777, hk avr 65

OVERALL
RATING
5
VALUE
RATING
5
Showing 81-90 of 152  

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