• Aesthetic Appearance • Room to Grow (many inputs/outputs) • Clean & Crisp Sound • Solid and Heavy Construction • Two-year Warranty • Friendly Customer Service—replaced defective remote pronto!

• Insensitive tuner, particularly in AM but also in FM. It can't function with factory antenna or amplified store-bought antennas. Requires expensive and LARGE FM/AM antenna to pull in signal. Service center replaced tuner card once, may take it in one more time to obtain service before warranty expires. • More than half the DSPs sound cruddy compared to Yamaha’s DSPs. • Noticeable drop in sound volume/output on 5-channel stereo compared to two-channel. • Must boost KSW 10 sub output decibels very high to hear the results. • Finicky operation: If you start playing a CD/DVD before selecting the right source on the AVR 510, it will not pick up the sound signal. (Remedy: Stop CD/DVD player, select correct source on H/K and then press Play on CD/DVD.) • No Phono Jack • No custom EQs. • Remote can't "learn" on Video 4. • Apparent quality-control issues during the construction of this model and several previous incarnations.

The AVR 510 was my first voyage into Hi-Fi stereo and I'm nearly 100 percent satisfied with my purchase. This unit sounds fabulous even when running through small Klipsch speakers! (Long story.) Out of all the fine features the AVR 510 offers, it has one major weakness, IMO. This is a weakness that, as far as I can tell, hasn't been addressed by any of the other reviewers here. The issue: FM/AM tuner sensitivity. Either I have been the victim of defective tuner circuitry OR other reviewers are primarily using their AVR 510s for TV/DVD/CD and haven't reported the problem. Not so with me. For whatever quirky reason, I prefer "live radio," both FM stereo & AM talk radio. Here in the LA area, I have plenty of quality stations to choose from and all are within a reasonable distance from my home so I *should* be hearing them loud and clear. The problem is, I had to go through something like six antennas (both FM & AM) AND a replacement of my tuner card to pull in decent reception. After all this, it's still lacking! The AM/FM tuner seems to be the most overlooked feature of this system. How a AV unit with an MSRP of $1,000 could end up with more static-prone AM tuner than a $4 mini boom box that I purchased as a novelty is beyond me. This is a huge disappointment to say the least! If I had to set up an AV system over again, I may have invested in components that have their own decoders, topped off with a dedicated FM/AM stereo with amp. It seems with all the bells and whistles of today's home theater equipment the basics get neglected. I can now understand why so many die-hard audiophiles recommend buying separate components for each use. This way of building a home theater/stereo setup is more expensive, but it appears to be the best way to go. Plus, if one part of a component system fails you can replace it rather than having all the functions tied into one unit upon which your whole AV setup relies. (When my AVR 510 went to a service center for the tuner issue, I didn't get it back for six weeks—I lost the "heart/brain" of my system whereas having individual components would have left me with some functionality.) Having said this, the H/K line in general still outdoes anything from the likes of Sony, JVC, Panasonic, Pioneer, Sherwood, or Teac. If your budget forces you to invest in an all-in-one AV unit, I’d still recommend the H/K series because it offers a suburb overall sound quality compared to would-be competitors. To get anything similar to the H/K in terms of sound quality, you have to go to the very top of the Yamaha, Onkyo or Dennon line, which is fine if you are willing to spend two or three times the price of the H/K to obtain such.

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Side-by-side in-home demo of Yamaha, Dennon & Onkyo. The H/K AVR 510 sounded much more natural & refined compared to the others. Onkyo sounded flat; Dennon sounded harsh; Yamaha sounded somewhat hollo

Crisp clear sound. Great surround. Works flawlessly. Knocks my socks off.

I don't like the remote

I feel sorry for the people who have had bad luck with this receiver. I have never experienced any problems with mine. I have absolutely no complaints. For $600, I think it's a steal. Great for movies w/surround Recently, I listened to an Onkyo (I think it was model 989?) I can't tell the difference, and that unit costs about $1000 more! One thing: The remote could be better.

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A comparable Sony receiver (so they say)

nice sound when it works

almost everything

This Receiver has a very nice sound quality, but unfortunately it doent long last. It has problems inmidiately. First was the skipping problem; when you use any of the digital conectors, the machine skip the first seconds of the tracks on a cd, that is if you let the cd playing continuosly. Secondly, every time I turned up the volume, you could see a purple band going up and down my screen. I contacted HK and they told me the skipping problem was perfectly normal (Can you belive this?. Third, the receiver would not turn on a t all. I had to do a warming up thing everytime I wanted to use it, it took at least 10 minutes for me to turned on succesfully, also several of the lights on the front panel were shutted off or just some of them more brighter than others. I took the piece to a authorized repair center 5 weeks ago, and they said they need parts, which till now they didnt arrive. I tried to contact HK without success, I call them and they have only automated answer, I tried to e-mail them too without success. I'm still waiting for the parts to arrive....I will never buy a product from HK again, and I recommend to everyone to to do the same

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ONKYO PRODUCTS (MUCH BETTER) YAMAHA RX-V1300 (MUCH BETTER)

Good sound, when it works.

Reliability. It has none.

Sound fine; when it works! This receiver was acquired for a price too good to pass up. Or so I thought. This amplifier has very poor durability. After 6 months of frequent, but never hard usage, the amplifier stopped putting out any sound except for a weak signal out of the right front. Anyway, this wouldn't be so bad, but I have received horrible "customer service" from HK and their service centers. When I first called HK, (after holding for 20 min.)their stupid "technician" gave me the name of my local servce center. I called them, and they told me they did not handle HK repairs any longer. After another phone call, and another long hold, I was referred to another service center. How can a place that merely ships the broken unit to another place be called a service center? Anyway, this pass-through told me I had to call the place they shipped it to to find out its status. I called them, and they couldn't tell me because I didn't have a service number! I called the pass-through service center, whose clerk had no idea what I was talking about. After several more phone calls to HK and both service centers, all I could find out was that the parts were delayed from HK. Not much info after waiting SIX weeks and counting!

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Various stereo and AV receivers. And the AVR 510, when I had it.

Decent sound when functioning, in short doses.

Grates on your ears after a while. The 520 - the newest 5 series is a bit misleading. Says it's 7 channels, but it's not 7 POWERED channels. Only 5. OSD is spotty - only works at times and is quite confusing. Completely unreliable product.

GARBAGE! That's the best way to describe this unit. I bought the AVR 500 from ubid. After a month, it broke - would not play dts or dolby digital sources. I brought it into an authorized repair shop and it sat there for 2 months. HK said they were short on parts....after complaining to HK, they sent me a 510. Great, so I thought - an upgrade! Well, after 2 months, it crapped out - the front channels went in and out randomly. Sent this to HK parts and service and they claimed I made the problem up. Checked all my components out through an old receiver and everything was fine. It WAS the receiver. I was then sent my 3rd HK - another 510. This one stopped playing anything sent through my optical digital input - only heard a high-pitched screeching noise. I contacted HK again and was accused of lying by Mike Christian, the proclaimed head of customer service. I explained that I don't like wasting my time lying about problems that aren't there. I just wanted a functioning receiver. He became very belligerent and continued to accuse me of lying. Finally, I spoke with the VP of customer service and was offered a refund or a new unit. I took the refund. The product is horrible and the customer service is equally poor. I spent a few hundred more dollars on a Marantz 7200 and couldn't be happier. No problems that others have reported. Much warmer sound than HK 510, which sounded very harsh after a half hour to my ears. Couldn't listen to music without cringing after a while. The Marantz is so much cleaner, it's not even funny. To add, this is an unbiased review. I have no ties with HK or Marantz. I just think people should know the crap they'll deal with from HK. I'll never buy anything from them again. I did honestly want my HK to work, but it wasn't to be.

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Marantz, Onkyo, Denon

Quality of sound. easy setup.Front panel is easy to use. On screen menu is great for setup. Highly recomended.

Instruction manual is hard to read and has no diagrams for hook-ups. Remote control is at times hard to use and very weak. HK needs to read all these reviews in order to come up with the best product on the market. Interference from the FM tuner is heard FAINTLY ON THE BACKGROUND when CD is selected as a listening source and no CD is playing! Bad thing.

Wow. Super sound quality.The features on the unit are easy to use and usefull. One must understand all the differeces between the sound effects in order to select the best one for the different music sources. % channel stereo is a must, and the Logic 7 C and M are most important.

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Onkyo, SONY

Quality sound, nice looking

Remote control not powerful

I've been using this unit for about one year, mostly for movies. This is a great unit, the sound is crisp. Just one complaint about it, I noticed that when I listen to cd's each track seems to be cut or speeding up at the beginning which is really annoying. At first I thought it was the dvd, but it is not, I also got a cd recorder from hk and again it happens with it too. I sent an e-mail to Harman Kardon and they answered me that this is perfectly normal, the reason is a digital sensor that detects which kind of signal is coming, and the machine takes this time to adjust to the signal. I think this is ridiculous. Have any of you noticed the same problem? Please if you do write me.

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Onkyo

Clean power, Warm detailed sound, Improved backlit remote, Design/Appearance, Flexible settings w/extensive memory, Effective front panel Bass/Treble output control, great as a 5.1 pre/pro with external amp systems, etc., etc., etc.

Plastic/glass face can be hard to keep clean---use the remote, nothing else worth mentioning

I own 2 510''s and a 310. Put a review in on my new 310 a little while ago and it occurred to me I had never rated the 510. What can I say that hasn''t been said already? I love H/K, pure and simple. Just so you know, I did a sound level test after getting the 310 to verify the power differences. It was originally bought for a bedroom system upgrade but I broke it in on the main system downstairs before installing. The performance level was so indistinguishable from the 510 naturally I had to do an A/B test. Everything checked out however and the 510 averaged 1.25dB+ louder at all usable volume ranges. In my smallish living room (12x17) this was of no consequence but room sizes (the bedroom is roughly the same) do change with relocation. Sooooo, I was so gratified to verify the extra oomph in the 510 I decided another one was in order. Ubid obliged with a timely auction and H/K obliged with a two year warranty and a very much improved remote. So now the 310 will be sold off on Ebay most likely. I have to say I will be sorry to see it go. Now as to the 510, it is so refined, so capable, I find it difficult to think of a better buy in this price/power class. Come to think of it...there isn''t one. The power reserves are quite substantial and the sound quality of both the 2 channel and multi-channel output is extraordinary in a receiver. H/K knows a great deal about amplification. The preponderance of complaints against the company seem to be related to other areas/issues. This is a good situation as the quality of amplifier design and implementation is job one for a name receiver IMHO. H/K has continued a great tradition with these x10''s and the new x20''s. I haven''t found a music style that this workhorse can''t elevate. In stereo, it drives my 125W, 6 Ohm, 88dB Emerald 97 towers without a hiccup and sits in a cabinet open at the front and back with only an inch of top clearance with no heat issues. The 6 Ohm power output matches the speaker rating almost to the watt. What more can you ask for? For me, the 510 is altogether an outright best buy...from any perspective. I wrote it before, I will write it again...I am an H/K fan for life. If you are reading these reviews because you''re in the 5.1 market and doing a little research, do yourself a favor and grab a 510. If you can''t find a 510, the 310 is a superb performer as well.

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H/K 310, H/K AVR5, JVC 884BK (stereo OK, multi-channel blah), Fisher 616 Stereo AV hybrid

Great for dvd movies.

Not so great for two-channel music but that''s the same for most of its competitors. Do yourself a favour, buy a dedicated two channel amp if you really enjoy listening to CD''s and can afford the extra expense. I now have the HK510 hooked up to an Arcam A85 integrated amp and I enjoy the best of both HT and Two-Channel music.

The 510 has been part of my HT setup for the last 8 mos. in a large living room. For HT, it provides clean distortion free sound up to the most extreme high volume levels. Bass output to Monitor Audio subwoofer was a little weak so a second one was added. For strict two channel music, the HK 510 in spite of some claims to the contrary, is not up to par with even medium quality integrated amps like the Nad 370. Then again, most a/v receivers really don''t measure up to a dedicated two channel kit.

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Pioneer 509, Onkyo 494, Nad 370, Arcam A85

Dolby Digital 5.1 and DTS modes sound dramatically superb. Great sound in Dolby PLII enhances stereo sources like VCR and CD''s, respectively in Cinema and Music Modes. Nice cosmetically elegant receiver.

Restrictive Speaker Impedance - 8 ohms. Questionable Build Quality and Design Functionality - The Remote Control Video 1 Stop button returns to DVD Mode; Dolby PLII Cinema/Music mode plays off Center; Volume Control Up/Down Push through Override is the result of poor design choices for controlling the volume of the other Audio/Video components; Only the Audio components can be assigned to the Optical/Coax Inputs. Video has fixed Input assignments.; I couldn''t hear the Analog Audio only for the non-digital Cable channels when the Digital Cable Box was connected to Video 3. The digital audio Cable channels sounded strong and clear (I had digital coax and analog cables connected.)

The AVR520 Receiver that I bought was "intermittently" shutting down when I was watching a DVD movie or listening to a music CD. Some days I could turn on the receiver and watch movies or listen to music for several hours at a time. Other days I would turn the receiver on and 2 minutes later it would turn itself off. I would turn it on again and it would turn off. I would turn it on again and then it stayed on like nothing ever happened for several hours till I turned it off. It was frustrating. I couldn''t prove it. There was no consistency. I couldn''t tell a store manager that something was defective because it didn''t always happen. I tryed to figure it out on my own. I contacted the Harman Kardon Technical Support. They just said to check the wire connections for frays or shorts. That is typical for them to say. They have no idea how careful I am when it comes to wiring speakers up. My first impression was that since I did not know anything about surround sound receivers that maybe I did not set something up yet. To make a long story short, it took way past the 30 day return period for me to figure out that the speaker impedance of the Harman Kardon Receivers are 8 ohms. They aren''t built to handle anything less. The Harman Kardon company should clearly explain that in their manual. They don''t have a special note for this. They just have an 8 ohm symbol on the back of the receiver panel next to each speaker connector without any caution statement. So without going into more of a story, the store let me exchange the receiver for another brand. I chose Onkyo. The original brand that I had bought in the past. I am sticking to them like glue. Their speaker impedance is much less restrictive from "4-6 ohms" or "6-16" ohms, both ranges are switchable impedance settings. The HK AVR520 receivers build quality and the logical functionality of some of the design features is questionable when compared to the solid design of the Onkyo receiver. E.G. The HK Remote reverts to the DVD mode after choosing the Video 1 Stop button when I played a VCR video tape. The Dolby PLII Cinema mode was off balance closer to the left speaker. The Dolby PLII Music mode was balanced closer to the right speaker. I hooked up the Onkyo with the same speakers I used for the HK AVR520. No problems. Everything is fine now. The sound of my system is gre

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Onkyo TX-DS898