Great price for Dolby digital and DTS. Great sound qualitly throughout. Nice looks. Top of the line remote!

Remote is a little tricky to get used to. (Compared to standard remotes)

I had just recently purchased this reciever and have not found any problems thus far. I had done a lot of research before purchasing the VR3080. I found that for the money, this unit offers top of the line features and sound quality. I have been all over the Internet finding reviews on this unit and others. I finally decided on buying the VR3080 because of a great deal at H.H. Gregg. I bought the display model (which I've always been kind of weary against)because I was able to talk the salesman down to $350.00 ! I couldn't pass up the offer. I was also able get a brand new remote (and a second standard remote) because the orignal was stolen. All of the accesories came with it along with Kenwoods 2 years parts and labor warranty. The remote is a little hard to get used to, but with a little practice and the use of a standard remote you can learn to love it. I honestly can't compare it to anyting I have owned before. However, I have listened to newer Sony and Pioneer models of the same price range and found that the Kenwood had more features.

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Old pioneer, and sony recievers.

most everything

i got a dud

This is a follow-up to a review I posted at the first of this year. It's down there somewhere.
Well, I didn't have too much luck with this receiver. Not that it wasn't a good unit, and not that I didn't try, but I just seem to have gotten a dud.
It worked perfectly for about 2 1/2 or 3 months, and in that time I was absolutly blown away by the sound quality with every connected component. I was using DVD, VCR, CD, tape, TV and about 3 game systems. Digital connections on the DVD and CD player, video switching for all video equipment, and two sets of front speakers for added punch in stereo mode.
Two words....absolutely wonderful. Great clarity, good bass (though some think differently. It depends on your speakers) great highs and mids. I have no complaints about the features or the functionality of this receiver. It has about every feature imaginable (for the price), and the digital decoding was astounding. It really puts you right in the middle of any movie. Even Pro Logic sounds good (as far as Pro Logic goes).
So for an overall opinion of this model, I give it a 5 for features and price. The downside is that mine quit on me after 3 months. I was in the middle of a movie, and the Dolby Digital started acting up. Making a really annoying noise right in the middle of things. I took it for service, and the service center couldn't do anything with it. To make it short, it was out of service for 4 months. I got it back several days ago to find that it never got fixed at all. I went in a few circles with Kenwood, and they agreed to replace it with a 2000 model VR-4080 (which I'll review as soon as i receive it and audioreview makes it available to review).
I think what happened to me with this receiver was an isolated incident, so don't let it scare you if you're looking at one. I know other people who have had them for over a year with no problems whatsoever. The only drawback to the unit is the slow remote. Of course that's because it's two way and LCD only. This is fixable with a universal one way remote. You can't control everything with it, but it makes life easier.
So if you're considering one, it's a great unit, and Kenwood is usually a breeze to deal with in a problem situation (if one comes up), so I say go for it.

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Kennwood VR-309, VR-405, Harman Kardon AV-500

Sound Quality,Lots of inputs,Remote,Cosmetics,Manuals

Didn't list the remote control codes for my older components

I purchased the 3080 from Vanns.com for 535.00.I must say
doing business with them is a pleasure.I was not even going to consider Kenwood at first because I thought the
Quality of their receivers was inferior.I listened to Onkyo,
Denon,and Yamaha all in about the same price range.But after
I listened to and compared the features of this Kenwood there was no question in my mind it was definitely the best
choice.The sound quality and features are fantastic.This is
my first home theatre system and I might be so impressed
because of that,but I am very happy with it.I also purchased
Klipsch Quintet,Klipsch KSW-10,and Panasonic DVD 120u.
DVD and digital 5.1 are incredible.I will never go back to
VCR Tapes.The remote control on the 3080 takes some getting
use to,but it's great because it controls everything I own.

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Sony ES receiver-10 years old

Excellent play of DVD sound, excellent input/output, Clean sound, Sleek look

A little weak with stereo music, remote control is sluggish, Underpowered

I bought my 3080 on ubid.com for $290. It took a long time for them to reinventory but for the price I can't complain. I have two pairs of klipsh quintets running as my fronts and surrounds. Along with a klipsh sc-1 center and sub. All are connected via goldplated bananas and monster cable. Sound is superb. A real theatre effect occurs with DVD's but for stereo music the wattage just isn't there. It still sounds great but I really have to crank up the volume nob for intensity. If you can pick one up for around $300, I would highly reccommend it. Also the klipsch-kenwood combination is a winning combination for home theatre.

Everything so far

Reliance on remote for every function.

I have had the 3080 for about 2 months now, and I must say that I am completely satisfied with my purchase.
I shopped extensively before I decided on this unit, and actually bought other models and tried them out at home, and for the money (don’t pay more than $550.00. spend some time on the web and do some serious shopping) I don’t think you can beat what you get. This unit gives all the high end names some close competition. Another plus for the price is Kenwood’s 2 year parts and labor warranty, most other comparable companies only give you 1 year.
Before buying this model, you will want to decide what it’s main use will be. If you’re looking for a good home theater center piece, this is definitely a good choice. On the other hand if it’s main use will be for music, you might think of looking elsewhere. The 3080 does lack a little in the bass department when in tuner or cd mode. The best fix of course, is a good powered sub. I have a 100 watt active sub connected to the sub pre-out and a 100 watt passive sub run from my front speaker outputs, and I have more bass than I can handle.
If your main concern is surround sound, then you just can’t go wrong with the Kenwood. Pro-Logic is about as good as Pro-Logic can be, but wait until you run a digital signal through it. The landing scene in Saving Private Ryan has people ducking for cover when I play it for company. I have yet to play a DTS disc through it, but I can’t imaging it being much better than Dolby Digital. It has a great sound range with any movie, with crisp highs and thunderous bass. It’s about as real as you can get, outside an actual theater
The video switching has been flawless so far. I have my entire system run through this receiver, and have yet to have a problem with anything. Setup is not very difficult if you follow the manual to a T.
If you read all of the postings here, you will probably get a negative idea about the remote. Granted, it can be a pain in the you-know-what at times, but short of a touch screen, you can’t get a better remote for the detailed set up functions that the 3080 has. From the research I did before my purchase, I was under the impression that you got a simplified, one way remote that could be used for major functions such as power, volume, input selection etc. Mine, however, did not come with one. I e-mailed Kenwood, and they quickly send me one free of charge, so if anyone buys this unit and it only has the power pad remote, contact Kenwood about it and they should take care of it.
One thing about the remote…..don’t let it get broken!!! The 3080 only has about 4 or 5 buttons on the front panel, and these only control power, A B speaker switching, volume, input selection and display mode. So if you ever lose, or damage the power pad remote, then you’re up the creek. My suggestion on this is to check e-bay or other auction sites. I have seen people selling these remotes after they have upgraded to the power touch remote, and have seen them as cheap as $25.00 (retail $200.00). I would suggest buying an extra and storing it in case of disaster. Just my thoughts….
So overall I have to give the 3080 the best marks I can, 5 stars. As far as value goes, retail stores will charge you up to $700.00 for this thing. DON’ T DO IT!!!! As I mentioned above, shop the web extensively! I got mine for $450.00 + $20.00 shipping, brand new in the box. So make sure you do your homework. If you can find it for less than $550.00, consider it a great deal and go for it. I don’t think you’ll be disappointed.

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Kenwood VR-309

Lots of features and inputs, 2nd remot ethat works

Main remote has slow response time

I like the sound of this receiver a lot. I'm running Infinity CC, R, L, and Surround speakers and a Panasonic DVD changer (C220). Otherwise, I am wasting all of those inputs! I love Dolby Digital movies and have trouble watching anything else now.
I give this receiver 5 stars because I bought it for $429 at Circuit City (open box) and I don't think you can approach this performance at that price point. While the remote is slow, it does allow you to do a lot with it.
If you can find this between $400-$500, go for it.

I have had a seemingly unrelated problem with powered subwoofers with the 2080 and now the 3080. First with the Kenwood 2080 receiver and the Infinity BU-120, the Infinity stopped getting a signal in "stereo" mode when listening to CDs or TV. Then it stopped getting a signal entirely (not even from the pink noise generator). So get this, I then got a WHOLE new receiver, the 3080 AND a new Omage BB12 subwoofer, and the sub still gets NO signal (no it's not the Monster Cables) either from the preamp connection or the line in wire connection. What are the chances of that happening? Well, Kenwood told me to reset the unit by unplugging it and holding the power button as I replug it in, but I don't think that will work. In any case, I have a whole new subwoofer on the way that will work (hopefully!)

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2080

Sleek look. Plenty of inputs. Sufficient power for small-medium room. Good price for DD/DTS.

Can't do anything without the remote. Remote is slow to perform simple functions. Amp seems a bit weak. No external inputs. No 6 channel upgradability.

Internet price for this receiver is a good buy. It gives out ample power, but compared to others in the same power rating it seems weak. However, the sound is clean. Plenty of inputs. Biggest weakness is the control. Everything must be done with the remote. Only thing you can do on the receiver itself is switch speaker A/B, mute, volume, Input selection and Display mode. If you wanna switch between Pro Logic and Stereo you'll have to use the remote. The remote response is slow, you have to go through a couple of menus to perform simple tasks. Remote would be my biggest gripe. Another is the display on the receiver itself. I'd like to see which input it is using and what sound mode it is using at the same time. Another thing is when I listen to music in stereo mode I want my surround speakers to output alongside with the mains. There is no way to do this however on the Kenwood. Some receivers have a DSP or Matrix mode to do this. For the same price you may find a receiver you like more. Nonetheless, it gets the job done and is good value.

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