Great Sound, Ergonomics, and Price

No simulated surround for watching normal non surround television.

This is an excellent receiver for those with a fixed budget. I have used it with DCM speakers and am upgrading to Klipsch and will see how it performs with those. It's menus are easy to use and there are not any adjustments needed when switching components. I had a more expensive Sony before with Dolby Digital/DTS before this one and the Kenwood wins hands down.

Similar Products Used:

Sony, other Kenwood models

great value, dolby and dts decoding, s-video switching!

universal remote is worthless! no dsp modes, no pre-outs but thats asking for quite a bit at this price range

Reciever is very nice for the money. i havent had any problems with it. i love the fact that it has s-video switching. i would definetly recomend this reciever to anyone looking in this $ range.

great value, dolby and dts decoding, s-video switching!

universal remote is worthless! no dsp modes, no pre-outs but thats asking for quite a bit at this price range

Reciever is very nice for the money. i havent had any problems with it. i love the fact that it has s-video switching. i would definetly recomend this reciever to anyone looking in this $ range.

great value, dolby and dts decoding, s-video switching!

universal remote is worthless! no dsp modes, no pre-outs but thats asking for quite a bit at this price range

Reciever is very nice for the money. i havent had any problems with it. i love the fact that it has s-video switching. i would definetly recomend this reciever to anyone looking in this $ range.

Sound

I have had it fixed twice.

This thing sux. Hands down.

Similar Products Used:

Mitsubishi

it works

remote control, no DSP

Nice sound for a cheap receiver. Lots of connections. All the features work well.

I bought Pioneer 509S which had a overheat problem (sound was flat too). So I brought it back and get this one which i am very satisfied.

Similar Products Used:

Sony, Pioneer(for 2 weeks)

Sound quality, In/Outs, Value

Manual, Manual, Manual!!! The cheesy remote. The center speaker just doesn't sound good. The supplied speaker cable.

After struggling a little with setup I have found that this "cheap" system kicks butt! The overall sound quality is outstanding. The receiver is great. The subwoofer is more than adequate. This system gets plenty loud. So loud, in fact, that my wife made me turn it down because the sub was "vibrating her cheeks". You gotta love that. The dd and dts are awesome.

The only thing I will change in the near future is the center speaker. Like I said it just doesn't sound good.

Overall this system is great! I am more than satisfied. Buy this system if you don't want to spend a fortune. But, buy speaker cable before you get it home and set it up.

Subwoofer, Remote, sound

wires

I don't think an average consumer can find anything better for the money anywhere!! If you consider yourself an audiophile, go spend lots more money on something else that produces "superior" sound you can scrutinize with your trained ear. As for the rest of us, this system has more than ample power...it literally shakes my walls. The level of quality, detail and separation in the sound is fantastic, for both digital 5.1 and DTS. I love going to the theater, but honestly...in regards to the sound quality, the experience of watching a dvd at home on this system, is far superior to that you'll get in a theater. The only thing you'll miss is the big screen. I find myself renting and watching movies over again sinply to experience the superior sound on the DVD and this system will not disappoint. If you want to impress your friends with expensive equipment and techno-babble about sound quality, buy something else...if you want great sound at a reasonable price, this is the system for you.

Similar Products Used:

first A/V receiver

Has the input and output capabilities of much pricier recievers. Used with the right speakers, power is superior to $800 and up recievers.

REMOTE SUCKS. Am buying Philips Pronto just stay sane.

I was looking for a higher end setup, and ended up liking this reciever more than any other I tested. I have Boston Acoustics Lynfield Series speakers, and the sound is tremendous. It takes some adjusting of settings, but it is well worth it. Optical in makes a huge difference, plus the DTS at this price. Power is plenty unless you are a anal retentive with an enormous room. I have a large living space and it is still way to overwhelming, but great.

Similar Products Used:

Numerous recievers previously, including Denon and Technics

Awsome sound, heavy bass in digital modes, I/O's galore, front inputs

front woofer sizes, adjustment a bit confusing, remote

I spent 6 hours playing with the 407 that I got with the HTB-503 package. Read all the manuals, hooked it up and pow! Digital modes rock, stereo and prologic modes are a little above average. I love the digital outputs for use with my mini disc player. The remote is a little off the cuff but I was able to get it to work with my Sony TV, Sony VCR. Won't work my Apex 600A though and that's a big disappointment. Getting the sub to work in modes other than digital is still a trial. Without this the bass from the front channels is weak. when the sub kicks in the room rocks. Strong buy, I've always loved Kenwood and this system gives you a lot for very little.

Similar Products Used:

Kenwood UD-7