Good amopunt of equipment for the $$

Very bad manuals. Can't run pairs of front speakers and the sub-woofer

Okay. I listened to all of you people on the review site, and I settled for the Kenwood VR 407 and the HTB503 package. Guess what? I was sorely disappointed. First, it took me way to long to get the system connected with my present components. Then, once connected, the transition between setup functions was poorly laid out, and the overall system was not user-friendly. Add to this that I could not get the sub-woofer to fire at all after the first two hours of playing with the unit. Finally, I was able to get the sub-woofer and surround-sound working on the unit. But this required setting one of the options "Speakers Front" to "Normal." The options are "normal" and "large". Now, who wants "normal" speakers? I prefer to drive mine hard, and this unit did a nice job of that on "large." But, the thing clipped badly in the highs when I dropped it to "normal" to invoke the sub-woofer. This "feature" was not evident, nor was it clearly mentioned in the manuals. I'll leave out discussion of the "speakers" for the HTB503. They are adequate but save the money and go get a real set if you can.

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Very Good for video

Awfull for stereo

I saw this receiver on sale for $389.00 Canadian and bought it to replace my Pioneer, which was not digital. I hooked the thing up to the rest of my equipment(Altec Lansing Model 7's in front, JBL SC-305 center, and Paradigm Atoms rear) and waas pleased with the surround effects.
The problem came when I hooked the rest of my stereo eguipment to it and tryed to play music. We have a very bright room with hardwood floors and plaster walls. The sound was awfull, hollow, like yelling into a bucket. No amount of tonal changes or equalization would make it bareable.
I took the darn thing back and traded it for an Onkyo TX-DS474. What a difference! Pure, crisp sound with good base and crystal clear highs. I hope the rest of you have better luck than I did with the VR 407. If not, I highly recommend the Onkyo TX-DS474.

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Pioneer VSX-4800, OnkyoTX-DS474

Good Receiver

The Speakers are Huge in Size and Remote is small

I bought this receiver in march 2000, I am satisfied with over all performances except the remote size and speaker size.

S-Video inputs,Dolby Digital,DTS,Overall quality,Price

Remote too small,some problems with Subwoofer pre-out,Manual

Overall a great unit. The sound mix is plenty in the variable category,setup is a snap,although the manual is not much help. I had bought a VR309,which is really the earlier version of the VR407. The subwoofer pre-out went out after 60 days,and was replaced with this from Circuit City. Then I found out their floor model also had a subwoofer pre-out problem. The salesperson said an occasional few had the same problem,however, this 407 seems to work fine so far.
S-video inputs are easy to figure out.
Dolby pro logic sounds OK,but a little light on the power side. However,Dolby Digital and DTS seem to have much more power running through them. Subwoofer is about perfect..not too boomy or too tinny,and center channel with Polk CC speaker is crisp and clear..a great unit for the price!

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Power, good bass, good mids, good highs, Got some good features

Remote is a piece o' crap but hey just buy a learning remote

This is a GREAT product for the price. I just got it and I love it. Its sufficient power supply good sounding up against some of the more expensive receivers like yamaha, denon, H/K, and even onkyo. Its only flaw is its remote.

Fantastic DD & DTS decoding! Monitor In/Out for external processor. Virtually NO heat.

Remote is El Cheapo. Must scroll through surround modes. No On Screen GUI but hey....at $299.00 who are we kidding? Manual is not so friendly.

I purchased an Onkyo 919 receiver a few years ago only to replace it with a more featureful product. I looked around for a candidate for DD & DTS encoding, since the 919 did not have either one(1995). I waited and researched cheaper receivers for a week, since I paid like $1,500 for the Onkyo, I wanted to try a hand with the smaller guys.

I almost bought the VR309 due to it's great reviews and price, but because I was so use to HIGH quality receivers, I chose the VR409 instead. The receiver has something that I really wanted to have as an option...dual Toslink inputs. Because I have SAT and DVD, I wanted to be able switch automatically.

I am pleasantly surprised with the performance with this product. Highs are a bit bright, but with a little tweeking, you can dial it in pretty well. Also, paired with a powered sub, you can really get it cranked! Watched Titanic and it almost felt sufficating in some scenes due to the very believable surround effects (particularly the water rushing scenes).Did I mention how cool this thing runs? At crankin' volumes, it was alsmost cool to the touch!

Overall, I'd give the Kenwood VR409 top billing. Sure the remote sucks, but most of you have a Universal remote that could handle the main functions instead. I have a Pronto remote, so I'm glad I don't require the non-asthetic Kenwood...Gross ;P. I was tired of paying top dollar for receivers when you only get a 10%-15% increase in features and sound quality..I'm done with that!

So pick yourself up one of these Gems and give it a whirl. You'll feel better knowing that the money you saved is better suited for a larger DVD collection..Oh and don't forget to buy some DTS titles too!!

ShaggyD

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None to compare directly.

DD and DTS Decoding, S-Video Switching, 6 Channel Inputs

A few more DSP Choices would have been nice, Cheap feeling remote, No optical output

I did a lot of research before I purchased the HTB-503 Package from Kenwood. Feature for feature and dollar for dollar I couldn’t find a better deal in its class. I got it for $478.00 including S&H and Tax (if you live in CA) delivered to my door. I really didn't need the speakers that came with it but it gave the wife a Pro-Logic system in the bedroom (why the wife let me get it). The only speaker from the package I am using in my Home Theater is the subwoofer. I rely on Cerwin-Vega VS-120’s for my fronts, Cerwin- Vega RE-6C for Center Channel and KEF C-15’s as my surround.

After getting this all set up and running the Video Essentials disk to get everything tweaked to my likings I went out and rented a few DVD’s to test this thing out. I rented The Matrix(DD 5.1), Saving Private Ryan(DD 5.1) and The Eagles When Hell Freezes Over(DTS). Saving Private Ryan had the wife and I ducking for cover from the incoming rounds in the opening sequence with the volume set at –28db. The Matrix was played at the same volume setting and was just as exciting. The Eagles disk in DTS was absolutely amazing to listen to. All of the little nuances that come from music that you only hear when its live come out crystal clear. The highs are a little bit bright sometimes. The power is clean and clear throughout the power band. No distortion that could be detected before my neighbors would have called the police.

As a whole I don’t understand how Kenwood offers so much in a package for so little. The features of this receiver are only found on those costing significantly more money. Starting with S-Video Switching and continuing on through the 6 Channel inputs this receiver is amazing for the money. The only shortcoming I could find were the kind of cheap feeling remote that doesn’t have a code for my JVC DSS system. No Optical output for a CD burner or Mini-Disc Recorder. Not enough DSP’s preprogrammed in.

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HK AVR 500

6 Channel Inputs, including DTS decoder, & Dolby Digital Decoder. Total 600 WATTS.

I have not found any yet.

This is new year 2000 model. I got this system with a package of home theater, MODEL-HTB503. (It consist of Kenwood Complete Dolby® Digital Home Theater System, DTS, 6 CHANNEL input, 100 Watts per Channel Power Output in Stereo and Surround Modes, Digital AM/FM Tuner with 40 Station Presets, 8" Subwoofer, 5 Voice-Matched Satellites, Universal Preset Remote Control.) It includes A/V Reciever KENWOOD VR-407, 2 FRONT SPEAKERS, 1 CENTER CHANNEL SPEAKER, 2 SURROUND SPEAKERS & 8 inch SUBWOOFER. ( Best for the price. I got this HTB503 Home theater package from Circuitcity for $479.99, But receiver VR-407 alone cost for $300. It is better to buy a package HTB503 instead of buying VR-407 seperately) All the speakers including subwoofer is also 100 watts each. (Total 600 WATTS). It has 2 Optical & Coaxial Digital Input. VR-407 produces Simulated surround sound and has Midnight Theater Mode.
Overall it is great for the price. Sounds great. I saw couple of movies in all the different modes Dolby Digital, DTS and also with 6 channel input. It sounds great. I am satisfied with it.

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May be more but not for this price.

Excellent sound and features for the price.

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I have listened to models from Pioneer and ONKYO in depth at freinds houses and really believe that Kenwood makes a serious competitor. Tons of inputs, more power than you'll need and very competitively priced. I bought mine for $299 at mczone.com plus got free rentals from blockbuster. Define 5 stars for value. Definetly worth a listen.

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ONKYO 575 and Pioneer 608

Value for the money. Overall, I'm very pleased with the receiver.

The universal remot is irritating for a number of reasons.

I purchased the receiver on the strength of the reviews listed on this site (I find this site to be an incredible resource generally) and I have not been disappointed. I notice that all of the reviewers here gave this unit high grades for its DD and DTS performance. I have yet to experince these capabilities(as I am still contemplating the type of DVD player to buy...) but I'm sure I'll be impressed. However, some reviewers have questioned the audio CD quality of this reciever. Unfortuntaly, I have not had the opportunity to compare this receiver with other on my system (which currently consists of Sound Dyamics RTS-3 front speaker and a Polk Audio 8" subwoofer, both of which I am very happy with) and therefore do not have a good reference point from which to comment -but - I can offer these comments:

There are certain CDs which for lack of better words, don't seem to sound as good as they could, and it seems like no amount of tonal adjustment (though I haven't bothered to pick up an equaliser, and I don't think it would allow me to get that "perfrect" sound anyway) could give me that "perfect sound". There are however, certain CDs (like Sade's greatest hits, or depeche mode) that sound absolutely outstanding - i.e. I can't imagine how one could get a much better sound. That leads me to thing that the compromise in sound quality on some of my cds may just be inherent in the CD (ie, they would sould more or less like that with any receiver) or in another part of my system (like my pathetic cd player!). It's tough to say.

Certain features of the remote are irritating (aside from the small buttons) - specifically, the remote seems to "reset" itself after after a certian period of time (i.e. you press "TV" so you can use the thing to switch TV channels, then, if you haven't switched channels in a while (i.e. 10 min), your have to hunt for the "TV" button again to set the remot in "TV" mode so that you can use it to switch channels again). This is definately a pain in the butt.

But aside from those minor criticisms (some of which may not be the fault of the receiver - ie. sound quality on certain audio cds) I think the receiver offers outstanding value for the money, it's future proof, with plenty of connectivity etc. Overall a solid purchase.


, indicated that the performance of this receiver in respect of audio CD is purchase Generally, I feel the unit offers great value for the money. Some reviewers here have complained about the quality of CD audio

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