Nice appearance.

Remote control.

There are no controls on the unit and one must use the awkward, clumsy, frustrating remote. The best place for this unit is the ocean, deep, either one, take your pick. While the sound is acceptable, the remote, and only method of control, detracts from any good points of the system. A non-expert can spend hours learning and using the system. The operating manual leaves much to be desired and technical support is equally lacking. Kenwood should do a general recall and refund everyone their cost.

Similar Products Used:

None, but looking.

Beautiful Silver finish. 2-way communication on remote.

Learning to use the remote takes a long time.

I believe that this silver Kenwood style is one of the best on the market, however it's been hard to find other components to match this receiver (even other Kenwood products).
It took several hours to learn to use the remote which is crazy and sometimes there is a delay from the time you press a button on the remote to when the receiver responds.
I've had the receiver for over a year now with no problems. The sorrund sound is excellent and the receiver is very flexable to set up. The receiver lacks power when listening to cd's in stereo mode--fedility is good but there is not enough meat to the music. Kenwood could have done a better job in this department.
Overall, it's been a good receiver but I'm glad that I didn't pay full price for it.......it's not worth it.

sound quality. flexible adjustment for surround.

Quality Control.
Stupid remote

I've heard of people complaining in internet forums that this receiver died after loud pop from the real speaker. well... I've heard it too last night after owning this receiver for 1 1/2 year. adios kenwood. adios retarded remote.

What are you looking for? Home theater? Home audio? Features and Value? This unit delivers on the first, but comes up shy on the other two. With DTS and AC-3 built in and 100w per channel, this is an excellent choice for a one-unit-do-it-all home theater receiver. Sound is clear and strong. Imaging is not so good though. Therefore, don't get it if you plan to listen to CD's etc., and expect the music to come from some mystical point between the speakers. The audio is very much tied to the speakers and appears to be coming directly from each speaker. Great for home theater, bad for James Taylor CD's. I replaced a 3 piece AudioSource ensemble with the VR-2080 because I wanted to finally own a home theater system. Now I do, but I know I won't be reveling in audio nuances as I did before the replacement. As far as features and value goes, I like all the techie whiz-bang stuff this unit can do, but find the remote so annoying (Palm Pilot without a pen) that I wish I could buy a replacement with buttons. For the price, I paid $599, you get a really nice home theater receiver, that won't replace a nice home AUDIO system, with a crappy remote. 4 star potential, 3 star reality.

I purchased this receiver from DealDeal.com for $439. Overall, I really like it, although I have not tested it in Dolby Digital or DTS. The remote is a little cumbersome.

Great sound..... while it was working.

Died after two months use. It spent the next 6 months in the repair shop. Each time I got it back, something else was wrong. Finally, the repair shop gave it back to me "fully repaired". I got it home. The noisy exhaust fan ran constantly (even when cold from my car and with no sound running to speakers) and it put out no sound at all. I don't care if it's covered by the warranty. I'm done with it. If anyone would like it, it'll be on my front doorstep while I go shopping for a Yamaha.

I have been a Kenwood fan for 25 years. I am now ashamed that I bought this giant paperweight.

Sounds great, when it produces a signal.

Similar Products Used:

I have used Kenwood receivers since 1975.

Good sound, great looks, good deal

Still waiting for any breakage

Good machine. I'm going on 2 years and have had no problems. I think there are alot of these out there and most people that have good luck never write in to talk about it. Let me represent the all the people that haven't had problems with the unit and yes it was a refurbished unit from Ubid. (their shipping charges are crap) The unit definitely sounds good, but if you want the best sound stop crying about the amp and go get a decent pair of speakers. For those of you that have had burn ups, I do feel for you. For those that are having problems figuring out the remote, Barney is having a complete week devoted to programming vcrs and remote control operation.

Similar Products Used:

Pioneer, Sony, Technics

Good sound, great looks, good deal

Still waiting for any breakage

Good machine. I'm going on 2 years and have had no problems. I think there are alot of these out there and most people that have good luck never write in to talk about it. Let me represent the all the people that haven't had problems with the unit and yes it was a refurbished unit from Ubid. (their shipping charges are crap) The unit definitely sounds good, but if you want the best sound stop crying about the amp and go get a decent pair of speakers. For those of you that have had burn ups, I do feel for you. For those that are having problems figuring out the remote, Barney is having a complete week devoted to programming vcrs and remote control operation.

Similar Products Used:

Pioneer, Sony, Technics

DTS/Dolby Digital, awesome sound, sleek

None

I have had this receiver for over a year and a half and I seem to be lucky enough to have one that still works.

I hear all of these people crying about the PowerPad remote and it really really annoys the heck out of me. Call Kenwood and complain about the volume problem and they will send you a FREE Klicker remote that controls volume, selecting inputs, and even the channels on your TV (it is programmable for whatever brand). I emailed them about the volume problem and the little 3" x 2" remote was in my mailbox 3 days later!!! After about 2 months I truly recognized the function the PowerPad remote serves. You only need to use it to customize the system (i.e. speaker size/placement/room size) AND THAT IS ALL. It is big and clunky and not efficient for volume/input controls, however it is a very clear and genious way to shape the way your system sounds in any given environment. Trust me, get the Klicker remote and you will love this Receiver.

DTS Audio CD's are incredible to listen to on this system, as well as DTS and Dolby Digital DVD's. However, I think I prefer DTS over DD, which could be due to either the receiver or just due to the fact that DTS is superior encoding. I am not the kind of person that likes DSP modes (i.e. Church/Stadium/Jazz) because I realize that they are just gimmicks thrown onto every receiver today just to make the feature list longer. If you want to enhance the sound of Audio or Video Tracks, just keep it in stereo or buy a DTS enhanced CD/DVD. This is the only way to listen to sound on all 5.1 channels. The receiver automatically recognizes DTS/DD signals and will switch for you when the CD/DVD begins, and for this reason I do not see the PowerPad as an inconvenience simply because you do not need it for this sort of thing.

At very high volume levels the VR-2080 sounds very good and provides clean sound all the through the power range. There is very good separation in DTS/DolbyDigital, however I had to boost the center channel about 4dB to balance it just right.

The buttons on the front panel are very basic, and are truly the only buttons necessary. They keep the receiver clean and very sleek looking as opposed to many other receivers confusing array of buttons. They back of VR-2080 has many inputs and is fairly self explanatory, though I have seen cleaner layouts on the backs of other high end receivers. If you run your video inputs through your receiver and use S-video do not get this receiver, as it lacks these inputs. However, the next model VR-2090 and VR-3080 has these inputs. I have a 36" Sony WEGA which has component video inputs and S-video inputs for all 4 inputs on the back of the TV, so just run this direct.

I feel bad for those of you who have had bad experiences with this receiver, and I pray I do not share the same fate as those of you who have had electrical problems and overheating problems. The unit I own was purchased new, not a refurb, and has shown no symptoms yet. I am a college student and I listen to loud thumping music, and believe me I push this amp Very Very hard. I hear the elctrical problems are merely due to a faulty fuse, which is very easy to replace.

I show no sympathy for those of you who complain about the remote because obviously you are the type of person who does not see things for what they actually are.....If you don't understand the remote then you don't understand the potential of this receiver.

These days there are superior receivers to the VR-2080 everywhere. However, if you can get this for under $300 and it is new, not a refurb, I would highly recommend it. It does everything the new ones do, and probably just as well. And definately get the FREE Klicker remote from Kenwood, as it will save you the time from giving this awesome system a bad review as has been done so many times and allow you to appreciate the quality of the VR-2080.

Similar Products Used:

None

Sound and ease of use.

Remote, Made in China

This unit ran fine for about a year and half before it developed a loud thumb out of the subwoofer. Every time you change an input you get this. Its been in the shop now for over a year. Its crap and it should be avoided!!

Bought the Sony STR-DB835 demo unit from Good Guys for $200.00 and could not be happier.

Similar Products Used:

Vantas / Marantz
Sony STR-DB835