DD/DTS decoding, awesome home theater sound

none for the price

This receiver is great for HOME THEATER. Notice that I say Home Theater because that's what this was built for. Some people complain that in stereo mode it lacks bass. This is true. Being an Electrical Engineer, I can tell you that it is very difficult to design an amplifier at low cost which performs very well in all areas of audio reproduction. It's common sense, really. If you want more performance over a gamut of operations, you will need to spend more money. But if you want to have an excellent home theater experience, then this receiver more than fits the bill. Some say that the wattage is not 100Wx5. This is probably true as well. What they won't tell you is that, unless you have extremely inefficient speaker, about 65Wx5 is all you would need to fill a reasonably sized room. If you want to listen to audio undistorted at reference level (108dB or so), then feel free to spend more money. But be reminded that you will lose both your money and your hearing. As an overall value versus performance issue, this receiver can't be beat. Has everything needed, and then some. Not for stereo, but complaining about that is like saying that your Honda Civic is bad for drag racing. Use this equipment for what it is built for and you won't be disappointed.

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name it, I've used it

DTS and the reliability of Kenwood for less than $500.

The remote is a bit awkward at first.

I did a little research on line before I went out and purchased this receiver. I probably could have got it cheaper in cyberspace(I paid $350), but I just don't like the idea of giving out credit card numbers over the internet. I wanted to stick with Kenwood since the previous product I had from them lasted 13 years. I guess that convinced me that I should stay with something that works. I went to Circuit City to buy this receiver. I walked in and went over to the receivers right after Christmas. I thought that they would be on sale. I was right. Nobody approached me with their sales pitch, to which I was glad. I don't mind them trying to help. I would just rather ask for it if I need it instead of seeing them all in a coil waiting to spring on me like vultures. I took it home and set it up. I was happy that it was very easy to set up. I used to have a tape deck and a equalizer hooked up to my old receiver. I removed those obsolete items from my old system and simply hooked up the cd player (also a Kenwood) and my speakers. I was afraid that I was going to have to purchase new speakers as well as a new receiver, but I thought that the new receiver might solve my problem. Boy, did it ever!! I have two pairs or rogersoundlab (RSL2600) mini monitor speakers (anyone ever heard of these?). I was surprised at how great they sound now that I have a new receiver. They sound almost brand new. Anyway, I would recommend to anyone that wants to buy a decent receiver, but doesn't have a lot of money, to buy this receiver. In my opinion, it's worth every penny.

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I had another Kenwood receiver that just hit the scrap heap after 13 years of hard labor. I do not know the exact model number.

Obviously the price can't be beat. At the time I purchased it, there was no other receiver that could over Dolby digital and DTS decoding for the price.

The coaxial digital output never worked, I had to go with the optical digital. Thank God that worked, or I would be living with Analog right now. Also, I don't think explosions on many DVD movies are as loud as they should be. I can't figure out what is missing. I have a Polk Audio speaker system with a powered sub, and it still doesn't shake the house like I think it should.

Overall, I can't complain. The unit sounds pretty decent for the money that I paid. Music sounds pretty good through the system, but I use it primarily for movies. Setting the speaker volume levels is a little confusing. As a matter of fact, I'm still not sure they are set correctly. It sounds like there is a mixed bag of responses on this unit. I am fortunate that I was lucky with mine. (so far)

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None really. My previous AV receiver wasn't even Pro Logic, just strictly four channel surround. Also a Kenwood.

Low price, not bad quality, DTS, optical in/out.

Not HIGH quality.

Im using the unit as home theater. I have listened to many friends much more expensive systems, and the Kenwood holds its own. I have a 36 inch monitor and have Polk Audio fronts, center, rears, and a Polk powered sub. It sounds GREAT!

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I've owned many Kenwood home, and car products.

Cheap: DTS, 5.1 and lots of input/outputs

Power rating is off

I like this! Bought it as a boxed theater set, HT502 I think was the model # @ a Kenwood outlet for $400. This included 5 Kenwood speakers (very low end, mostly worthless), the receiver, and an 8", 100 watt sub (which sounds pretty darn good).

It was cheap, and works as advertised. As others have said, there are three minor problems. 1: The remote stinks, looks like a throwback to the 80's. It's big, bulky, and the interface isn't too intuitive. 2: The manual stinks. 3: the power is no where near 100 watts/channel in 5 channel mode. Of course, for the price, I'm not complaining!

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Lots of older Pro Logic receivers

Reasonable price, reasonable performance, DD/DTS

Remote

I have been using this for about 2.5 months and am satisfied for the reasonable price paid (about 250). Could ask for a better remote and maybe more power, but I have yet to find that it cannot keep up with the loudness necessary for a medium sized room with bookshelf speakers (three in front), small satellites in back and a powered Energy sub. Great product for the money.

Absolutly great for AC-3 and DTS sounds spectacular.

music, unless played through the digital input from dvd player. Is it really 100w/channel?

I've had this unit for almost 2 years and it has been great since day one. I have it set up with the BIC/Venturi Encompass 5.1 speaker system--this is a great match. The system remote works great although it was a tad complicated to get programmed. I'm not sure that the power rating is what Kenwood claims it is--just seems to lack some oomph some times. But the whole system cost me less than $700--and movies still sound great. For music I have a whole different system Musical Fidelity Xa-1, dahlquist speakers, micromega stage2 blah blah blah. The VR309 does movies right and that's all that matters.

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Yamaha, carver, JVC, Sony(yuck)

Just bought this Receiver at Circuit City for $399..Let me say this is my 1st digital dolby product and im glad i switched over from Pro-Logic... This receiver even has DTS built in and at 100w, it makes my somewhat outdated speakers sound good... I guess this is the improvement over s209 since this does has the S-video connects, my only drawback is the limited sound arrangements (Virtual, Stereo, etc...) dont sound that impressive and i cant get just 4 speaker surround which i liked.. Either than that, (and the remote is simple and pratical to use).. So for my 1st Kenwood product bought..Im happy with it, no need to upgrade for awhile.....

I love audio equipment and saved up enough money to buy a system for my room, and I got a hell of a deal on it. I haven't had any problems with the receiver so far, but I have to admit the remote is kind of f##ked up. The manual is only about four pages and it does NOT explain things very clearly. I think that Kenwood owes us purchasers a new manual or a new remote with a new manual. I have it programmed for a Panasonic VCR and an old Zenith television. I was able to control the Zenith TV once, but now I cannot for my life figure it out, and I have played with hundreds of remotes, so one can imagine how frustrating it is. As for all the people that bich about cycling through menus, grow up. The setup menu and the sound menu only have about 7 choices, which take all of five seconds to go through. As for cycling through the input, please, there are only about 8 inputs on the receiver and it only cycles through the ones you are using, and the takes all of about 6 seconds. Stop whining. The thing doesn't cost much, performs well for us on a budget, has a nice selection of ins and outs, and attempts a universal remote. For all this, i give it four stars, five if a better remote. Everything else is working and sounds fine which is all one can ask for in this price range.

I bought my 309 about a month ago and love it! The sound is wonderful (although admittedly I havn't yet hooked up a sub or a center). Also, the remote works fantastic for me - It controls everything I own, including an old Zenith TV and a Magnovox VCR. Five stars!