Kenwood VR-205 A/V Receivers

Kenwood VR-205 A/V Receivers 

USER REVIEWS

Showing 1-7 of 7  
[Aug 13, 2000]
Theman
Audio Enthusiast

Strength:

Good Price, Great 1st time buyer receiver, Nice features on remote.

Weakness:

lacks power on rear channels, needs to be updated.

I notice that there is no model VR-255 on the list so I picked this model as the closest comparison. I don't know if I got lucky and bought the only model of it kind. (sucker eh!)

Pleased for 1st time buyer products. I need to purchase higher end products.

Any how I have Paradigm Micro x2 in the rear channels and I don't get any sound, there is no way to correct the levels unless you turn down the front channel volumes and loose alot of sound. I tested the Micros and they works very well and give off nice sound. Anyone got any suggestions other than replacing the receiver.

Thanks.

Similar Products Used:

Some Tech Product can't recall model number overheater (don't care)

OVERALL
RATING
4
VALUE
RATING
4
[Oct 26, 1999]
Saturn
Audio Enthusiast

Strength:

Lots of unexpected high end features.

Weakness:

Surround channels lack power.

It all started when I was walking through sears looking for a small T.V.
They had a closeout table set up with all thier demos, damages, and discontinueds. I saw this surround sound reciever sitting there and looked at it casually. It was rated for 250 watts (50x5) and it had its paperwork still with it. At the time I didn't know jack about surround sound or even that much about audio systems in general, but I thought having surround sound would be cool. Besides it was only $99.00!! I also bought a set of cheap pioneer surround speakers for it. I made a deal with the sales man so that if I bought the extended warranty he would send me the missing remote control. A deal was struck and my head first dive in to Home Theater began. Well here it is about 7 months later and I now have a complete setup I am very happy with. The reciever needs more power to the rear channels but otherwise has proven to be very loud and have exceptional sound quality. It doesn't distort at high volumes and packs enough punch to rattle the walls if I'm in the mood. Kenwood has built a very durable great sounding reciever in the VR-205. My only gripe is that the surround channels really need more power. I have to position the surround speakers very close to get them to compete with the front channel.

OVERALL
RATING
4
VALUE
RATING
5
[Nov 30, 1998]
Brian Straight
an Audio Enthusiast

Bought this for a low-end system I have set up in the basement for the kids. I originally tried Pioneer, but several returns later, I decided to change manufacturers. In the budget I allocated, I had a choice of this receiver or a JVC. Both use discrete components (unlike the Pioneer, which uses IC amplification [ugh]). The JVC was 100W by 4ch, the Kenwood 50 by 5ch.
I decided to go with the Kenwood, despite its lower power, because it would allow me to use the 6ch Dolby Stereo input from a DVD (to be purchased later). I reasoned that with a healthy powered subwoofer, the 50W/ch wouldn't be too much of a limitation.

I was very pleasantly surprised by this amp. It has lots of usable power (more than the Pioneer), and it was tough to drive it into clipping. My old JR 149 Left and Right channel speakers are very inefficient, but this amp drove them to very high sound levels. Bass was controlled and surpisingly extended. A 10db bass boost switch had the floor shaking--a surprise for such a modestly powered amp.

The overall sound was transparent and quite detailed for an inexpensive product, with a great deal of midrange neutrality. Highs were a little steely from digital sources.

All in all, Kenwood built this unit right! I have to give it a max rating for outstanding value.

OVERALL
RATING
5
VALUE
RATING
[May 04, 1999]
Clarke Johnston
an Audio Enthusiast

I picked up this Kenwood, at, of all places, Sears, where I found a demo for a mere $169. I was looking for a replacement receiver for the bedroom to drive a pair of Bose 301's. My main criteria was a remote that could be easily handled in the dark, with good tuner preset access, volume adjustability, and an easy to locate mute button. The Kenwood has a very intuitive remote, learnable in a short period of time, and miles ahead of equally priced Pioneer and Technics products. The spring-loaded speaker terminals are a bit cheesy, but the unit weighs pretty hefty. Sound? Not bad at all for the price. Straight stereo is actually the best, I tried a center for (Stereo-3), and disconnected it after ten minutes of listening. Additionally, programming the tuner presets wasn't too bad either, one uses the multi-function knob to assign preset positions to stations. For casual listening,AM radio at the top of the hour for news, a starter for the kids, this unit will prove quite acceptable.

OVERALL
RATING
4
VALUE
RATING
[Nov 17, 1999]
Michael Pineo
Audio Enthusiast

Strength:

Many features for the price.

Weakness:

Could use more power.

When I first bought my DVD player, I immediately wanted to upgrade from Dolby Pro-Logic to Dolby Digital, but I didn't have a lot to spend. I was able to get this receiver for little money and coupled it with a Technics SH-AC300 Dolby Digital Decoder. It has done a very good job in my modest, low-budget home theater. Even at its low price point, the sound overpowers my current screen size to the point that I plan on getting an RPTV to compliment it. It certainly can't be compared to a Yamaha DSP-A1 or Denon's top of the line model, but for the price it does a respectable job.

OVERALL
RATING
4
VALUE
RATING
4
[Sep 29, 1999]
Charlie Sims
an Audiophile

My home audio all started out with this reciever. It was ok for a beginner but now i realize the error of my ways. It didn't have enough power for good sound. I now own a denon and am pleased with my $1200 purchase.

OVERALL
RATING
1
VALUE
RATING
[Mar 26, 1999]
WES
an Audiophile

When I first bought my kenwood VR-205 I thought it was powerful enough to shake up the house.It was.The only problem with this reciever is the surround speaker power.It's not enough!I can bearly hear them.I have a pair of JVC surrounds.They are 70w each.I have to use a separate amp to power them.Aside from that I think the reciever is pretty good,it lacks bass though.Unless ofcourse you have a subwoofer hooked up.My rating is 4 out of 5

OVERALL
RATING
4
VALUE
RATING
Showing 1-7 of 7  

(C) Copyright 1996-2018. All Rights Reserved.

audioreview.com and the ConsumerReview Network are business units of Invenda Corporation

Other Web Sites in the ConsumerReview Network:

mtbr.com | roadbikereview.com | carreview.com | photographyreview.com | audioreview.com