In your opinion, Does Harman Kardon make good receivers ?
- Thread starter mzkhadir
- Start date
Yes, they are right up there with Denon, Pioneer, Marantz and such.
However, they do have their quirks which can be annoying.
However, they do have their quirks which can be annoying.
I've heard mixed reviews on their quality control.
Back when I was researching a receiver, I heard HK had excellent build quality. So I got a refurb AVR-330 and it's worked flawlessly.
When I was looking at the new receivers, some people implied that HK wasn't that good, but that confused me. It could have just been a couple bad customers or something. I don't know.
I do know that some of the newer receivers (I think the 245 and 345) with HDMI have issues with getting audio in through HDMI. The sound would crackle for some unknown reason. The problem may have been fixed, I haven't kept up since I heard the first reports.
I'm quite satisfied with my receiver. It's solid as a rock. HK tends to have relatively low wattage ratings compared to other companies, but they report them honestly. They don't inflate their numbers like other companies. Their amps are supposedly "high current" amps, so that also helps with their ability to drive speakers. When I need a new receiver, I'll do the research on the current models as always, but I'll strongly consider sticking with HK.
Back when I was researching a receiver, I heard HK had excellent build quality. So I got a refurb AVR-330 and it's worked flawlessly.
When I was looking at the new receivers, some people implied that HK wasn't that good, but that confused me. It could have just been a couple bad customers or something. I don't know.
I do know that some of the newer receivers (I think the 245 and 345) with HDMI have issues with getting audio in through HDMI. The sound would crackle for some unknown reason. The problem may have been fixed, I haven't kept up since I heard the first reports.
I'm quite satisfied with my receiver. It's solid as a rock. HK tends to have relatively low wattage ratings compared to other companies, but they report them honestly. They don't inflate their numbers like other companies. Their amps are supposedly "high current" amps, so that also helps with their ability to drive speakers. When I need a new receiver, I'll do the research on the current models as always, but I'll strongly consider sticking with HK.
YOyoYOhowsDAjello
Moderator<br>A/V & Home Theater<br>Elite member
- Aug 6, 2001
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I used a factory refurb HK 325 from the seller HarmanAudio off ebay.
Worked quite well while I had it and it's still working fine for the current owners. No complaints from me.
Worked quite well while I had it and it's still working fine for the current owners. No complaints from me.
I am asking the question because I would like to replace my kenwood vr6060 with a harman or a comporable receiver that has hdmi.
YOyoYOhowsDAjello
Moderator<br>A/V & Home Theater<br>Elite member
- Aug 6, 2001
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How much are you thinking of spending?
Onkyo has some pretty decent receivers out for several priceranges with different HDMI functionality.
- Oct 28, 1999
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I purchased an AVR-247 from Best Buy a month ago for around $415 (onsale, plus 12% off). On a looks standpoint there isn't anything better looking out there. It's sharp looking piece of equipment. My wife saw it after I had it hooked up and her first words were "that's sexy".
Not that you buy a receiver for looks, but it's a nice bonus.
Feature wise for the money really only Onkyo compares. The new 605 is the closest and has a few more bells and whistles (True HD and the HD DTS formats). Denon and Yamaha don't have anything in this price range that do HDMI upconverting. It's got more inputs (video and audio) that I could ever imagine filling up. Plus you can rename your inputs making them a little more meaningful if you S/O needs to change a source component.
It's not the loudest receiver out there. It won't be melting any speakers with excessive power. But it's perfectly acceptable for a mid size HT.
My biggest complaint is that the remote is pretty weak. It's filled with a billion tiny buttons and just isn't that user friendly. Not a huge deal though. My Harmony does most of the stuff that I use on a day-to-day basis and I never touch the receiver remote.
I do have some reservations on the reliability. Some posts over at AVS had me a little scared. It came with a 2 year warranty though from H/K and by most accounts they are good to work with if needed. So that was a little peice of mind. I'll take my chances on the long term durability of it.
In your price range you are looking at the AVR-247 and 347. By most accounts there, most people can't find a compelling reason to jump up the 347. There just isn't much more you get for the extra $300. It's a couple extra watts that you'll likely never notice and another digital input or two. That's really it.
Not that you buy a receiver for looks, but it's a nice bonus.
Feature wise for the money really only Onkyo compares. The new 605 is the closest and has a few more bells and whistles (True HD and the HD DTS formats). Denon and Yamaha don't have anything in this price range that do HDMI upconverting. It's got more inputs (video and audio) that I could ever imagine filling up. Plus you can rename your inputs making them a little more meaningful if you S/O needs to change a source component.
It's not the loudest receiver out there. It won't be melting any speakers with excessive power. But it's perfectly acceptable for a mid size HT.
My biggest complaint is that the remote is pretty weak. It's filled with a billion tiny buttons and just isn't that user friendly. Not a huge deal though. My Harmony does most of the stuff that I use on a day-to-day basis and I never touch the receiver remote.
I do have some reservations on the reliability. Some posts over at AVS had me a little scared. It came with a 2 year warranty though from H/K and by most accounts they are good to work with if needed. So that was a little peice of mind. I'll take my chances on the long term durability of it.
In your price range you are looking at the AVR-247 and 347. By most accounts there, most people can't find a compelling reason to jump up the 347. There just isn't much more you get for the extra $300. It's a couple extra watts that you'll likely never notice and another digital input or two. That's really it.
What are some features we can expect?
My current receiver took a crap the other day, starting to look around....it's been like 10 years. Do you mind sharing?
I read HDMI 1.3 is due out, how does that compare to 1.2?
Thanx
YOyoYOhowsDAjello
Moderator<br>A/V & Home Theater<br>Elite member
- Aug 6, 2001
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There's some info about what various receivers get you with HDMI types here
http://www.avsforum.com/avs-vb/forumdisplay.php?f=90
(general threads at top and then specific model threads)
"Yes, but I prefer separates, personally."
Parasound makes nice separates.
OutlawAudio.com also makes separates that aren't too expensive either.
Parasound makes nice separates.
OutlawAudio.com also makes separates that aren't too expensive either.
Adul
Elite Member
as does emotiva.com
these two are the only two companies i found to make pre amp processors for less then 1k.
I am thinking of getting the LMp1/lma1 combo.
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