Comments for Harman Kardon Receiver

Comment on Harman/kardon AVR 144 – AV receiver – 5.1 channel by A Customer

A Customer — Sun, 21 Aug 2011 01:33:19 +0000

The HK 144 receiver has excellent sound with tight natural bass. I have been an audiophile for over 30 years and this receiver is among the best I've owned. The functions are user friendly and it has a look of understated quality. A great heart to a quality theatre system in a small to medium listening enviroment.

Comment on Harman Kardon AVR 146 Home Theater Receiver with iPod Control and HDMI connectivity by Robert H. Patrick

Robert H. Patrick — Sat, 13 Aug 2011 05:46:12 +0000

Last night my AVR-146 did not stay on, gave a faint odor of smell, and a bit of a crackling sound; given the fact, that all components are solid state; repair would cost more then replacement; my questions folow Is the AVR-154 still made? If so is it stronger than the AVR-146?; If so, then the AVR-154 will be the replacement model; I believe the power is 50% stronger than the AVR-146; is this correct? I am disappointed that this receivr lasted for around 2 years with conservative use. Please respond via this site so I may make mt decision ASAP.

Thank you in advance!

Comment on Harman Kardon AVR 146 Home Theater Receiver with iPod Control and HDMI connectivity by Charles Griffin

Charles Griffin — Sat, 13 Aug 2011 05:33:43 +0000

This will be the fourth receiver I've owned and by far the best. My last was the Onkyo TX-SR500, and it was solid. But I wasn't completely satisfied with the 5.1 surround sound generated from it. The audio was serviceable, but I knew it should sound better...especially considering it was connected to an excellent set of speakers (Onkyo SKS-HT500). So, without being too serious about it, I decided to look around for a new receiver.

I was specifically looking for an AVR that would support HDMI audio output now that I have an HD-DVD player, but frankly there aren't that many available in the store. I did find several affordable receivers that might be an improvement over what I already have. I especially had my eye on a Yamaha and this Harman/Kardon AVR. Neither supported HDMI audio, but they do provide HDMI ports for pass-through. Neither support TrueHD or DTS-HD, which also intrigued me.

When it was said and done, I decided those fancy features aren't really important for me right now. What IS important is a strong 5.1 surround sound at an affordable price. Did I mention both AVRs were out-of-the-box? I couldn't resist. I had heard some good things about the sound quality of H/K receivers and it's pleasing to the eye as well. I took it. And I'm so glad I did.

First, it has an amazing number of inputs and outputs. Plenty of ports for analog cables, coaxial and optical digital audio cables, s-video and component video cables. Maybe someday I'll actually have all those cables. As it is, I have my cable box and HD-DVD player connected with the fiber-optic cables and my other DVD/CD player connected by coaxial digital cable. And everything sounds incredible!

Now I don't want to imply that Onkyo is substandard. They make a great product. But my Onkyo AVR was probably a bit old and worn out. Sounds sometimes seemed muffled, particularly when watching movies with lots of explosions or gunfire. But the H/K is definitely an improvement. Right now, I'm watching one of the Harry Potter DVD's right now and I'm just enveloped in glorious 5.1 surround sound! The audio is sharp, crisp and, when need be, loud. When I played my Brandi Carlile CD, it sounded incredibly powerful and rich...and that's just from the Dolby ProLogic II - Music setting. I used to listen to CDs through the analogue cables to get decent audio quality from all 5 speakers and the subwoofer, but I think I'll keep the AVR on digital.

One thing that may turn-off potential buyers is the low wattage per speakers from the AVR-146 at only 30 watts per channel. I suppose if you need a new AVR for a huge Home Theater room you should get something more powerful. But I've had receivers with highter watts and they never sounded THIS good. I don't know what else to say about that...Harman/Kardon makes a great audio product and I'm truly enjoying my listening experience so far.

Comment on Harman Kardon AVR 146 Home Theater Receiver with iPod Control and HDMI connectivity by Rocky Mnt. Native

Rocky Mnt. Native — Sat, 13 Aug 2011 05:15:28 +0000

I did my homework on this one before I bought it. I was looking for HDMI connectivity and best value, and nothing else comes close to this unit. I compared it side by side with the Sony STRDG 510 (the only other unit for around $200 with HDMI pass thru connections) and I think the Harmon Kardon AVR146 is a much better unit for the price. Don’t be fooled by Sony’s inflated power ratings. BestBuy rates the Sony at 500w (100w x5) and the AVR146 at 300 watts (60w x5). My AVR146 drives 5 full size Yamaha in wall speakers and a powered sub with no effort and can do it at low listening levels. The ipod connection via “the bridge” is also a plus. The one downside on both units is that the HDMI pass thru sends the video signal, but not the audio signal. I can’t figure out why it was designed that way. Maybe someone with more tech knowledge can help out with that question?

Comment on Harman Kardon AVR 146 Home Theater Receiver with iPod Control and HDMI connectivity by Charlie Foxtrot

Charlie Foxtrot — Sat, 13 Aug 2011 05:04:11 +0000

Let's start with the positives; This unit has more features than most other receivers in this price range could dream of. It really is a great value. Currently I use this in a smallish room, and it has plenty of power to drive a set of small to medium size bookshelf speakers. HDMI switching works very well. Pretty solid construction, and pretty darn nice to look at too. Lastly, the On Screen Display is fantastic, this really could not be an easier unit to set up and configure. It's even easier when you need to add or replace components.

There are a couple downsides though. While it does seem to be pretty well built for a unit in this price range, I definitely wouldn't expect it to last a decade. If you're looking for a real workhorse, double your money and pick up a nice Onkyo.

Also, it has an annoying tendency to drop audio when it doesn't detect a signal, and it takes a few seconds for the audio to return. Sometimes it doesn't return at all and I have to power cycle the machine. This is especially noticeable when fast-forwarding on my Comcast DVR. For some reason, the receiver turns off the speakers when I FF, 30sec skip, or replay, and after pressing play again, it takes a second or two for it to turn the speakers back on. Seems to happen more commonly on digital inputs, like my DVR via coax, or HD-DVD player via optical.

Overall, I would recommend this to anyone looking for an inexpensive way to consolidate remotes, add some additional inputs, and improve sound over a Home-Theater-in-a-Box.

Comment on Harman Kardon AVR 146 Home Theater Receiver with iPod Control and HDMI connectivity by Sound and Fury

Sound and Fury — Sat, 13 Aug 2011 02:18:54 +0000

This is a solid component, but beware when it says “HDMI connectivity.” I bought this model specifically for this feature, figuring the hookups to my HDTV would be simpler and the sound quality would be first rate, but it turns out that the receiver just “channels” the HDMI video signal and does not decode the audio that comes with it — you have to connect separate audio cables anyway. If I had realized this when I was shopping, I would have opted for a model that was half the price. Harman Kardon is a reliable manufacturer, and I’ve been satisfied with the receiver’s sound quality and ease of use, but this was a major drawback for me.

Comment on Harman Kardon AVR 146 Home Theater Receiver with iPod Control and HDMI connectivity by E. Cobb "Gadget, Movie & Music Guru"

E. Cobb "Gadget, Movie & Music Guru" — Sat, 13 Aug 2011 01:01:51 +0000

When the receiver worked, I really enjoyed the way it sounded. However, after about 1 year it died. Turned it on one day, smelled burning plastic and heard some crackling noises, and then it went out - never to come back to life.

As far as receivers go, I didn't pay that much for it, but I would still expect it to last longer than 1 year. I have a receiver from the 70s that still kickin'. I guess they really don't make things like they used to.

Next time, I think I'll spend a little more money and go with Pioneer, Onkyo or Denon and get the extended service plan!

Comment on Harman Kardon AVR 146 Home Theater Receiver with iPod Control and HDMI connectivity by regularguy

regularguy — Fri, 12 Aug 2011 18:15:10 +0000

Had to put it outside right after I turned it on today. (So it didn’t cause a fire.) Had it for 2 years and now the house smells like melted electronics. The surround sound never did save that often. (It would forget and switch on different settings). I’ll never get this brand again because I actually had the fire extinguisher ready. I don’t care how good it sounds.

Comment on Harman Kardon AVR 146 Home Theater Receiver with iPod Control and HDMI connectivity by Hearing Impairment

Hearing Impairment — Fri, 12 Aug 2011 16:57:45 +0000

First of all this is a great receiver for the price. It has all the features you would ever need for a home theater application and then more. There are plenty of hookups for all of your accessories; however with my particular cable subscriber the HDMI terminal did not work from the cable box to the receiver.

Comment on Harman Kardon AVR 146 Home Theater Receiver with iPod Control and HDMI connectivity by Paul Reynolds "screwtheman.com"

Paul Reynolds "screwtheman.com" — Fri, 12 Aug 2011 12:23:55 +0000

I'm happy with this unit and it does sound great. I think the amplifier power is more than enough for a small/medium sized room. It seems to be a better quality amplification than what I was getting with my "more powerful" Sony receiver. Like others, the big reason I bought this was the 2 HDMI inputs and I was disappointed to learn that it doesn't process the HDMI data in any way. This causes 2 problems worth noting:

1 - It will not decode the HDMI audio. So you'll need to run coax or optical cables from your source device if you want surround sound audio. Otherwise, the HDMI audio is passed on to your HDMI display (which is probably a TV with just 2 speakers).

2 - It is impossible to get into the receivers settings without using the On Screen Display (OSD) and the OSD will not show up on a HDMI connected TV. Even though the unit has a nice dot matrix display, the settings aren't available that way. This means you can't configure the unit properly without having a non-HDMI display hooked up. I had to drag out a little 13" TV I had and plug it into the "monitor out" on the receiver to finish setting it up.

But now that it's configured and set up, it does exactly what I need at a great price!

Comment on Harman Kardon AVR 146 Home Theater Receiver with iPod Control and HDMI connectivity by John L. Jones "jj"

John L. Jones "jj" — Fri, 12 Aug 2011 12:03:31 +0000

using it in an 18′ x 20′ room. audio volume is adequate (30 per channel), using 5 speakers, wont blow the windows out. but loud enough. audio quality to my ears, is quite good. hdmi switching is just that, switching, no processing. that said, depending on how system is set up, hdmi signal processing is not desirable. there are all of the required i/o types, analog audio, digital (optical) audio, s-video, component video, composite video, hdmi (2 in switched, 1 out). i have not yet used the front panel inputs. all in all, i would buy it again.

Comment on Harman Kardon AVR 230 Audio/Video Surround Receiver by Thomas Lunsford "Computer Engineer"

Thomas Lunsford "Computer Engineer" — Sun, 03 Jul 2011 11:34:19 +0000

First and foremost, this unit sounds very good! In the week that I have had it, I have had no problems. Changing between Dolby modes, DTS modes, and the many, many other modes is simple. The manual is quite thorough and has not yet left me with an unanswered question. The manual can be downloaded online, which I did to help make my purchase decision.
The onscreen display is very nice, but don’t expect beautiful graphics onscreen.
Additionally, the unit has plenty of inputs for many different component types, as well as multiple audio and video input types per component.
The remote is very usable, but unfortunately, it will most likely not replace the remotes for your other components, so be prepared to flip flop between remotes (or pony up the money to buy a Harmony remote).

Comment on Harman Kardon AVR 230 Audio/Video Surround Receiver by M. Soto "mas"

M. Soto "mas" — Sun, 03 Jul 2011 09:58:51 +0000

If you have any doubts about buying this receiver, don’t worry. The looks are great and it powers my JBL speakers superbly. I was a little afraid about setting up the system (I’m using a Panasonic plasma TV, HDTV satellite TV receiver, DVD, VCR, and JBL 6.1 surround) but it was fairly easy. The instructions are pretty good, but you do have to read them in order to maximize use of all the features. The EZ setup for the speaker levels worked great. I’m really satisfied with this system and highly recommend it.
The only thing that could be improved is the remote control, but I haven’t found one yet that is perfect.

Comment on Harman Kardon AVR 2600 High Performance, 65W X 7, 7.1 channel iPhone compatible Home Theater Receiver with Dolby Volume and Upscaling to 1080p (Black) by | Harman Kardon Receiver

| Harman Kardon Receiver — Thu, 09 Jun 2011 11:17:13 +0000

[...] can learn more about the Harman Kardon AVR 2600 and find additional reviews here. Harman Kardon AVR 2600 High Performance, 65W X 7, 7.1 channel [...]

Comment on harman Kardon Audio Video Receiver Model AVR 80 REPAIR by Eddie

Eddie — Tue, 07 Jun 2011 17:25:23 +0000

Thanks for the iinghst. It brings light into the dark!

Comment on Onkyo TX-8050 Network Stereo Receiver (Black) by F. Espinosa

F. Espinosa — Mon, 30 May 2011 03:32:49 +0000

Bought this receiver and matched it up with a pair of Paradigm Atoms w/ Auralex speaker platforms. This was for a bedroom set-up and the unit and speakers sit on a 2x dresser. I was expecting an average sound and got much more.

Pros:
1. Plays FLAC via a NTFS USB Powered Hard Drive. The hard drive I use is 640 GB. It reads the Hard Drive relatively quickly (15 sec) and scrolls through the folders very quickly.
2. Adding the receiver to the network is easy - just enter your WEP - done. You can stream WMP and with the program Jamcast you can stream Spotify, MOG, etc via DLNA. Has Pandora, MyRhapsody and some other programs already installed on the receiver. Entering your username and password for those services using a dial is probably the most painstaking effort for setting it up.
3. Most important - it sounds GREAT. I was worried about having a lean sound with Atoms and Onkyo. However, it's actually quite warm. It could be that it's in a carpeted bedroom, but whatever works. The sound optimizer for playing MP3s works well overall in smoothing out the clipping MP3s have especially in those low kb bit rates from Pandora, etc. There's only so much that can be done on low bit rate streaming.

Cons:
There are several, but minor and wouldn't change my mind from recommending it. None of these issues are related to the sound, but just convenience.
1. No subwoofer cut-off capability. I don't feel my set-up needs a subwoofer, but if it's important to you.
2. No backlighting on the control.
3. Hard Drive doesn't shut off when the receiver is off. You'll have to unplug from USB when you are done.
4. The Android App really doesn't do much except change the volume and change the input. It does play songs off the Android, but with all the other options, don't really see a need for it. Would be nice to link Spotify, MOG, etc to the Onkyo via Android App.
5. On Pure Audio, would like the display to come back on when changing folders, input, stations, etc. Have to scroll through the sound options (5 total) to get back to pure audio after changing an option.

Other than that, to reiterate I was really impressed by the sound, esp ~$600 set-up. I have a dedicated listening room with a Squeezebox, DAC, SACD, room treatments, turntable, etc. Although this Onkyo + Atom combo doesn't beat out the dedicated listening room set-up, for computer audio it comes really close.

Comment on Harman Kardon HK3480 Stereo Receiver by 2004gt3

2004gt3 — Mon, 09 May 2011 21:56:25 +0000

Handsome unit, but remote is defective, which had the positive effect of informing me of just how remote dependent it is. For example, there is no way to preset the FM stations w/o the remote! Lose the remote, or like me get a defective one and many functions are crippled. Also, HK’s customer service/technical support sucks. They still have not responded to my fax which complied in all respects to the requirements spelled out on their pre-recorded 800 number — no humans! Even if it worked, the remote has a very cheap feel — when the sliding cover is opened it is loose, rattles and feels like it is going to fall off
Another feature I don’t like is the freewheeling volume control. To turn the volume way down or up, it takes many spins of the knob. And, since the knob freewheels, there is no easy visual reference as to the volume setting; for this you are dependent on the db display, which goes out shortly after the volume is adjusted.

Comment on Harman Kardon HK3480 Stereo Receiver by JR "John"

JR "John" — Mon, 09 May 2011 09:10:09 +0000

I expect a few things of a receiver: sound, ease of use, with style a low 3rd. the sound is ok. not much difference from my 20 year old low end receiver which I got for about the same price (20 years ago); This is not a high end receiver. Its solid in the middle/low-middle. It comes with VMX which makes music sound either like you are in a tin can or in a bad music hall. Its nightmarish for punk, techno, rock. Merely annoying for Mahler. The system is not easy to use. There is a manual – you will need to memorize it unless all you do is listen to CDs. You also get a large remote control device that you must use for every thing you want to do. Want to listen to FM go get the remote. Changing from CD to VideoAudio to Phono to FM get the remote or put post-its on the hard to read buttons. You can;t scan for FM AM stations w/o the remote. My box had a horrible plastic smell took about 1 week to disipate. Another issue is the power outlets are both Switched off when the unit is powered down. My 20 year old receiver works much better but it is only worth $25.00 ; I don;t think this is worth much more than that.

Comment on Harman Kardon AVR7550HD 7.2 Channel Audio/Video Receiver with Updated 1.4a HDMI by Right is Right

Right is Right — Wed, 04 May 2011 04:06:06 +0000

First off I attempted to replace my older Harman Kardon AVR 745 by upgrading with what I thought would be a upgrade to an Onkyo TX NR3008, needless to say it went back and I got all my money back, loved all the features but the sound comparison did not compare to the old HK 745. So then I tried the Yamaha RX-A3000 and another receiver returned and got my money back, loved all the features of the Yamaha better than the Onkyo, up-scaling was impressive as was all the hdmi inputs with dual hdmi outs! But, the sound the Yamaha put out did not compare to the clean crisp hear every detailed highs, mids and bass output of the old HK 745. Finally decided to stay with Harman and got the HK AVR 7550hd, glad I did, incredible sound, extremely powerful, really detailed sound output, crisp sharp highs, mids are incredible and the bass output sounds awesome on my custom home built bigboy speakers. If you are looking for good video up-scaling and that is your only concern then look at the Yamaha, but the sound output will be lacking, actually disappointing. Every feature on the Harman works like it should!!

Comment on Harman Kardon GPS-300 4-Inch Portable GPS Navigator by David Lundgren

David Lundgren — Wed, 06 Apr 2011 12:26:19 +0000

My wife got me the 300 for my birthday… although it’s clear it will be bouncing between both our cars depending on who’s going where! We are both completely impressed with it.
I second the comments about the screen size and clarity, the solidness of the windshield mount, etc. I also have to say that the thing “feels” like quality… the design is very much in the Apple mode, logical, intuitive and solid.
Software is great. Has the type prompts that you expect in the more expensive GPS systems: “Make second right here”, use of street names on the maps, really nice three dimensional perspective. We tried to confuse it in downtown Albany by doing everything wrong and it didn’t get rattled at all. I’d love to see one of these that would start to insult you after the third time you ignore its advice!
According to HK, they will be providing updates to the maps approximately annually… the maps in it are from October 2006 and are the newest available. It does have a grid of streets near our house that are new within the past year and haven’t even been accepted by the Town yet, so I’d say it’s pretty complete. You can’t change the voice, so it’s a guy and you’re stuck with him, but we’ve already nicknamed him Rocky.
For the price, or even for more than the price, Rocky’s well worth it, and someone you want with you if you’re not sure where you are. No one is getting lost with this guy on the dash. Big thumbs up.
8/21/2007, Update
OK, having had this thing for a few days now, and having learned a bit about the GPS world at large, I can still enthusiastically recommend it! We went to an outdoor concert in a nearby city last night that I am completely and happily unfamiliar with. While the GPS 300 didn’t have the name of the park in its database, I sort of knew where it was and just used it to navigate to two large green areas on the map. The first was a cemetery, interestingly enough, the second was our destination. I could have just entered intersection names and gotten there if I’d known the exact streets, but we found the place very quickly.
After the show, now in full darkness, we just headed for the nearest exit without a thought to getting to the “best” one, and hit the Home button once on the street.
They’re all supposed to do this, of course, but for the money this thing does it really well. I’ve now learned that you can pay a thousand dollars for a big-name unit that won’t even show you street names on the map unless you’re on a programmed trip! I can’t imagine what they’re thinking.
I’ve also read lots of reports about the way various units say “Recalculating” when you differ with their recommendations. As a software/user interface guy, what’s the point of that at all? Don’t tell me you’re recalculating, just do it and get on with the day. The HK works this way… Rocky just sucks it up and gives you the new route, instantly.
The darkness bit also reminded me of a trip to Charlotte, NC, where even though I had a map, under the dim map light in the car at night, my 50 year old eyes couldn’t make out the street names anymore… I rode around (I’m a guy, we don’t ask for directions) until I got a glimpse of the buildings of Uptown and reoriented myself. I won’t have to play that game anymore!
I’ve also realized that accessories can be a big deal. The GPS 300 came with a very nice slide-in case to protect it while it’s hiding in the console when the car is parked… apparently plenty of these don’t provide you with those nice extras that are actually necessities.
I can report that I’m returning the favor and buying my wife one of her own for her birthday upcoming. It’s the first piece of technology I’ve ever gotten that she likes as much as I do.
I’m not here to throw any rocks at Garmin or TomTom here, since everyone does it differently and opinion is always subjective. That said, HK is really onto something with their excellent take on the midrange GPS market.

Comment on Harman Kardon GPS-300 4-Inch Portable GPS Navigator by T. Dorman "TimD"

T. Dorman "TimD" — Wed, 06 Apr 2011 12:22:30 +0000

Have been using GPS in my RV for about 8 years now. Started with Delorme on my laptop. OK, but cumbersome. Got a Navman ICN550 next. Really loved that unit, solid and extremely functional. However, maps were getting outdated and Navman no longer supports map updates for that particular model. Soooo — I needed to move on to something else. Have had the HK 300 for a few weeks now. So far, so good. I have had to re-set it a few times and the battery drains rather quickly, even when the unit is not powered up. Maps are good, GPS functions perform well. Screen is very clear, volume is acceptable. MP3 player is OK, but cannot get Windows media player to transfer a playlist. Albums and songs transfer OK. Unit does not like a 4GB SD card, but 2GB card seems to work well. HK promises that map updates will be available in the future. I’m keeping my fingers crossed. POI’s seem rather complete. Entering destinations is easy. A nice touch is that unusable letters grey out on the keyboard when entering a street or city name. This makes entry much quicker and easier. The unit has nowhere near the flexibility of my old Navman, but it does a good job getting you where you want to go, as the maps appear to be up-to-date and accurate, and that is what a GPS is all about. In the end, it will all depend on the availability of map up-dates. Failing that it will be all but useless in a few years.
I believe one of the reviews I read said you could not charge the battery except with the DC charger. That is incorrect. The unit will charge from the USB port when connected to your home computer. There are so many units out there. You can go nuts reading specs and reviews. I place a lot of stock in user reviews. The HK has good user reviews and this is another one. Will be taking a long RV trip soon and will have the chance to give it a good workout. Will update this review after that trip.
12/8/07 Update
Unit performed very well on a trip from the S.F. Bay Area to Palm Springs. Once in Palm Springs used it in a rental car with an MP3 input. Having directions with music over the car radio was neat. Unit was right on the money with all locations I needed to find. No regrets at all about buying this GPS.

Comment on Harman Kardon GPS-300 4-Inch Portable GPS Navigator by W. Roque

W. Roque — Wed, 06 Apr 2011 11:56:30 +0000

I was looking for a slick GPS in my price range, and came across this one.
Harman Kardon really knows how to capture the attention of the technology-wise individuals. This product is simply gorgeous! excellent performance!
Nice size, touch screen, automatic re-routing really fast, nice guidance, 3d maps, street naming, etc. I have tried to get this device confused by not following its suggestions, and it finds a way to get you back ontrack really fast. Like any other electronic device, is not perfect and needs some resetting from time to time..Not big deal!…overall it is worth it!
It comes with everything you will need to protect it and get going fast; except for a way to charge it when in the house. Accessories are not yet available but i’m sure will be available soon enough.
For those who can’t afford a nuby, this is it.

Comment on Harman Kardon GPS-300 4-Inch Portable GPS Navigator by Fletch

Fletch — Wed, 06 Apr 2011 11:52:17 +0000

I purchased the HK GPS300. I also have a Tom Tom One XLS. Let me tell you….there is no comparison. No GPS is perfect and I understand they to guide and help and not to think for the drivers, but the HK GPS300 is not the answer. I saw the rave reviews and there was a great deal on this unit at Sears, so I thought I’d give it a try for my other car….
Here is my out of the box experience with the HK GPS300… took forever to find GPS Signal, but finally did…. did not have my home address, even though my house has been here since 1973 (my street was listed though). The HK300 said I had reached my destination more than 1/4 mile before I was at the house. I checked for the grocery store down the street. It did have the grocery store in it’s POI database, but said it was only 600ft my house when it is over a mile a way! I don’t expect perfection, but I would expect to be in the general vicinity of the destination otherwise what good is it?
I’ll try this thing for a few more days before returning it, but there is no comparison with this unit and a Tom Tom or a Garmin…Sorry HK, but only people who have never used a GPS before would give this item a favorable review. BTW.. I called HK to ask what the deal was (maybe my maps were out of date, etc…..) the guy said I don’t know what to tell you, but it is, what it is…your unit has the most up to date maps and I really don’t know what to tell you other than that. …..What do I do when I spend $$$$ on something that terrible, I take it back and get my money.

Comment on Harman Kardon GPS-300 4-Inch Portable GPS Navigator by Mekfly

Mekfly — Wed, 06 Apr 2011 11:50:05 +0000

Great and inexpensive GPS system. Easy to operate out of the box after following the battery charging procedure. Unit automatically switches from day to night mode. The unit includes maps for Anchorage, Alaska which was not denoted in the description, the description stated that maps of Canada and America were preloaded. Clarification was requested but not received in a timely manner. I made the purchase with the risk that the unit was inoperable in Alaska.

Comment on Harman Kardon GPS-300 4-Inch Portable GPS Navigator by TraveLots

TraveLots — Wed, 06 Apr 2011 08:55:23 +0000

I wanted to get my Dad a GPS for his summer road trip. I have a GPS-500 myself and knew it would be easy enough for my parents to figure out. From the pictures of the product it looked like the GPS-300 had the same easy to use interface as the 500. Thankfully it did. My dad had no problems learning to use the device. GPS locks quickly and the interface is snappy. The 4″ widescreen is a huge plus compared to other $300 GPS devices. 3.5″ is just too small for someone my parent’s age to see. I haven’t seen anyone else offering a screen of this quality at this price point.
My parents don’t use the music player, but I can confirm it is the same player as my GPS-500, with the exception of video and DRM support. It lets you browse by album, artist, genre and playlists. Music is played from the SD Card slot.
At this price you can’t go wrong. It’s as good as other products costing much more including the nuvi. In my opinion, the graphics and UI are the best of any PND at any price. If you need video and/or DRM go for the GPS-500. Either way you won’t regret your purchase.

Comment on Harman Kardon GPS-300 4-Inch Portable GPS Navigator by H. Dinh "shooter"

H. Dinh "shooter" — Wed, 06 Apr 2011 06:10:35 +0000

I am so disappointed with the HK GPS-300′s GPS performance becuase I like it so much. It took over 20 minutes the first time to lock on GPS signal and so long the second time I had to give up on it. Needless to say, it is on its way back to Amazon for a replacement. I will give it one more try.
The screen is gorgeous. Kind of dim in the sun light, but I don’t know if there is one in the market that wouldn’t. I would rate this screen on the same level with the expensive widesreen Garmin. Menu makes a lot of sense and easy to navigate, map display is clear and provides the exact information you want. No text to speech, but it is ok as you can look on the screen and find out what street you have to turn.
I have not tried the mp3 player yet, but I trust HK to provide solid performance there. One thing, why wouldn’t HK provide a JPEG viewer? They have everything there, just add the software capability.
More update when I recieve my replacement unit.
Update:
Received the replacement unit. GPS signal is now locked under 3 minutes, not excellent, but not disappointing either. All I can say is I LOVE IT! The map is very up to date. It even has a new road that was built only within a year ago. Buy it. You wont regret.

Comment on Harman Kardon GPS-300 4-Inch Portable GPS Navigator by P. Nguyen

P. Nguyen — Wed, 06 Apr 2011 03:44:40 +0000

i bought this unit last year because:
(+) nice screen size and resolution.
(+) built-in MP3/WMA music player with SD slot
(+) Harman Kardon brand name
and i returned it after 3-week use in multiple states because:
(-) TERRIBLE algorithm and possibly old maps. the software told me to turn left into no-left-turn roads / one-way / into freeway many times.
(-) slow satellite lock-on time, sometimes even minutes. actually slower than my Sprint Mogul.
you don’t want to be a GPS horror story.

Comment on Harman Kardon GPS-300 4-Inch Portable GPS Navigator by C. Brigham "CB"

C. Brigham "CB" — Wed, 06 Apr 2011 01:41:56 +0000

Without a doubt the best GPS under 300. Great 4 inch screen. Easy to use. Good design.
MP3
I have had this for about 2 months now and am very happy with it. You can’t go wrong.

Comment on Harman Kardon GPS-300 4-Inch Portable GPS Navigator by Peter "Peter"

Peter "Peter" — Tue, 05 Apr 2011 22:49:29 +0000

I m a first time GPS user and must say this product is great. Worked straight out of the box, easy to operate, looks great and has very up-to-date maps. In my experience it re-calculates routes pretty fast (as I have tried to test that as much as possible). The screen is bright (even in Arizona sunlight!) also the night view is great. The suction cup for attaching it to a surface is strong and works great.
In some places it took a couple of minutes to get a signal, but no big deal really. (maybe 10% of the time in my case). Very easy to put in addresses or places to go. It gives very good verbal directions, so it is perfect if you are in busy traffic, you don’t even have to look at it. You can avoid toll roads, highways, ferries, u-turns, border crossings and permit needed. You can prioritize by time or distance. You can plan trips by address, zip-code, city center, place, intersection, recent places, home or saved places.
I bought this one for my wife and would buy one for myself in a heart beat.

Comment on Harman Kardon GPS-300 4-Inch Portable GPS Navigator by Str8upcop

Str8upcop — Tue, 05 Apr 2011 21:08:34 +0000

My wife unexpectedly purchased this unit for X-mas. I was not quite sure how it would fare. For the most part HK nailed it, my friend has a magellan that he’s constantly having problems with and half the time when we’re on road trips it is useless (always searching for signal or freezes). I’ve been using this unit constantly since unwrapping it just to see how accurate it is and low and behold it has not dropped the ball. The only complaint I have albeit a small one is when you get close to your destination it says arrived even though you can be about a 25 to 50 feet away. Mounting is a cinch, I definately recommend this unit.
-Justin

Comment on Harman Kardon GPS-310 4-Inch Portable GPS Navigator by Sam Vora "Sam"

Sam Vora "Sam" — Sun, 03 Apr 2011 12:48:03 +0000

The product is amazing and i am using it now. But i bought it from Crutchfield and not amazon. I placed the order on amazon as they had it in stock and i also opted for expedited shipping. This was done on a Thursday and i expected it to arrive to me by the week after that wednesday. I hadn’t heard anything from them until tuesday evening and so i just thought of calling them to check what the status of the order was and there i get a answer saying that THE ITEM IS NOT IN STOCK and we are waiting on it to come in stock. I was like why did you guys not think of informing me by email or phone that this was the case. So the guy said I DON’T KNOW AND WE WERE JUST GOING TO WAIT UNTIL WE GOT IT AND SEND IT TO YOU WHENEVER WE GOT IT. Jesus christ!!! I WOULD NEVER TRUST AMAZON ON ITS WORDS OF “IN STOCK” AND DELIVERY TIMES. Sorry but my first time shopping at amazon and this is what i get….nah i ain’t shopping here again dude…i shopped at crutchfield and i absolutely loved their response and i ordered it on a wednesday and i got it on friday…..NO CHARGE FOR A TWO DAY DELIVERY TOO….cudn’t get any better!!!

Comment on Harman Kardon GPS-310 4-Inch Portable GPS Navigator by Richard S. Miller "Rich"

Richard S. Miller "Rich" — Sun, 03 Apr 2011 09:18:23 +0000

I bought it December 16, 2007 and Its already been replaced by the manufacturer because it can’t get a GPS signal.

Comment on Harman Kardon GPS-310 4-Inch Portable GPS Navigator by Daniel Joslyn

Daniel Joslyn — Sun, 03 Apr 2011 00:45:25 +0000

The GPS was delivered in a timely matter, I’m fairly happy with the unit, although didn’t have some of the potions I was expecting

Comment on Harman Kardon GPS-310 4-Inch Portable GPS Navigator by Nedim

Nedim — Sun, 03 Apr 2011 00:11:39 +0000

I don’t like the product mainly because of two reasons:
- It takes a very long time (1-5 min) till it finds the satellite connection.
- It cannot really pronounce street names. It’s not helpful to hear street names, but it’s more trouble.
Also, it does not function if it gets sunshine for a while or is left in the car when the temperature is around 60s.
I do not recommend this product.

Comment on Ibizia iFIPO Bluetooth Module with iPod Dock Connector for iPod Accessories by J. fuller

J. fuller — Sat, 02 Apr 2011 18:09:13 +0000

Have connected to the ipod port in my Pioneer F90bt car radio. This model came with the ipod cable. Was able to attach and get music to start playing quickly after playing around with the settings. The one drawback to using with this radio is that this radio has a more suffisticated interface than other ipod connected devices. For this reason it does not reconize this as an Ipod and does not allow me to use the onboard controls for playback of the device streaming bluetooth. I am streaming from my Motorola Droid. Using the app Setting Profiles to autostart Pandora when I connect to the Fipo. Note when hooking up with this radio you have to select Video for AV1 instead of ipod. For the price and quality though of this I am very happy. Plus Amazon got it to me in 2 business days with free shipping.

Comment on Ibizia iFIPO Bluetooth Module with iPod Dock Connector for iPod Accessories by Rubaiz S. Virk

Rubaiz S. Virk — Sat, 02 Apr 2011 18:08:15 +0000

I plugged this into my creative x-dock. Paired it with my iphone in less than a minute and was playing crystal clear music. As soon as i moved the bad news came. 4-5 feet away from the reciever the sound was breaking crazy. 6-7 feet away no sound. (and they claim 10 meters range). anyways to give it a fair chance i tested with my laptop (lost audio when 2 feet away) and my roommates moto-razor (lost audio in 3-4 feet). No good for me am returning it..

Comment on Harman Kardon GPS-510 4-Inch Widescreen Portable GPS Navigator and Media Player by Dr. Gail Winbury

Dr. Gail Winbury — Sat, 02 Apr 2011 18:05:50 +0000

I bought the GPS on impulse as someone who has gotten lost in unsavory places. One day I had to get to a meeting , had no time to map quest. I ran out the door, entered the address and followed the voice the whole way, and it got me there easily. My only complaint is that is doesn’t activate until we are in the street. But it estimates time involved in the travels and adjusts the time as it calculates the real time speed. Having a 17 year old driving it gives us both a level of comfort that he can get places easily. Great!

Comment on Harman Kardon GPS-510 4-Inch Widescreen Portable GPS Navigator and Media Player by V. Kohli

V. Kohli — Sat, 02 Apr 2011 17:58:04 +0000

The GPS has worked in most occasions. The address entry is intuitive and easy to setup. I have seen the GPS not identify some fairly new locations , however. This has only happened once so I am giving the benefit of doubt to the product. With Garmin, you have the ability to update the GPS software. I will be investigating to see if the GPS maps can be updated with this unit as well. The other Media player capability though is nice. However, I rarely use that feature in the car. The unit comes with a protection for the GPS unit when not in use. That is very helpful if you take the unit of the car and store it in the car.

Comment on Ibizia iFIPO Bluetooth Module with iPod Dock Connector for iPod Accessories by ajkl

ajkl — Sat, 02 Apr 2011 17:52:08 +0000

My 2008 Scion tC has a iPod connection cable which allows me to control the iPod from the steering wheel. With the Ibiza iFipo (Anycom Fipo), I was able to easily connect my Motorola Cliq via Bluetooth and still change tracks from the steering wheel. Sound quality is very good. The artist/album/track titles don’t display on the radio, but that’s fine as I mount my phone in front of the radio anyway. Only issue I notice is that I hear a clicking sound from the speakers when the phone isn’t playing any audio. I haven’t yet taken or placed a call when this was connected.

Comment on Harman Kardon GPS-310 4-Inch Portable GPS Navigator by Wayne Huang

Wayne Huang — Sat, 02 Apr 2011 17:48:04 +0000

A solid unit, but beware, you are buying a product with outdated map data from 2007. You will get lost or mislead. I contacted HK about map updates, but they had no definitive answer. Rumor has it, HK doesn’t intend to provide any updates to their customers because they’ve stopped investing in GPS. So now I’m stuck with an out-of-date GPS. When using it for long-distance trips, be careful because if there is a freeway interchange built after the 310 came out, it’s not going to be in there and you will get confused and possibly lost. In my view this is not a reliable product for such uses.

Comment on Harman Kardon GPS-310 4-Inch Portable GPS Navigator by TraveLots

TraveLots — Sat, 02 Apr 2011 17:39:09 +0000

The unit gets amazingly quick GPS locks. Typically less than 15 seconds, and often just a few. The UI is extermely easy to use. Very snappy graphics and operation. No owner’s manual is necessary. Has all the features you would expect from a unit this price. Even has 12M POI which is 2x to 9x the number that other units have. I played with the unit a little at BestBuy before buying it. What sold me is the TTS feature that announces street names in the directions (Turn on Lincoln Ave instead of just Turn Left). It was the cheapest one there that had this feature. When I compared the TTS quality with that of the more expensive units, the h/k GPS-310 won hands down. The others sounded like robots. This unit sounds much more natural. Easy decision. Great product. Fantastic price.

Comment on Harman Kardon GPS-310 4-Inch Portable GPS Navigator by D. A. Rogers "beagles"

D. A. Rogers "beagles" — Sat, 02 Apr 2011 17:37:14 +0000

After doing much research on GPS device’s I decided to take the plunge. I had a hard time making up my mind but finally decided on the HK 310 and I’m glad I did. I tested it around my area and was very happy with it. I have turned the GPS on in at least six different areas over a fifty mile radius and haven’t had to wait more than one to two minutes to pick up a signal. It was easy to program and the graphics were top notch. I purposely took wrong turns to see how the unit rerouted me and it was perfect. The unit is very well made it seems and in my opinion is the best looking unit that I saw. The only issue I may have is that the sound/speaker could be a little better especially considering that Harmon Kardon is in the audio bussiness. But other than that I am very happy and satisfied with this unit.

Comment on Harman Kardon GPS-510 4-Inch Widescreen Portable GPS Navigator and Media Player by B. Mikkelsen

B. Mikkelsen — Sat, 02 Apr 2011 17:31:41 +0000

The Harman/Kardon gps 510NA is a GPS that gets the job done and more. The navigation is really intuitive and easy to use. I live in the Midwest and seems to me that I get a GPS lock really quickly even from a cold start. The text-to-speech is a great feature, I love it for when I have no idea where I am. When I do know where I am I like to change the voice to the British person, it just sounds cool. After reading some of the other reviews I was a little worried about purchasing this device expecting the navigation to be lacking. I’ve used a TOMTOM before and this works just as well as a TOMTOM it goes to the same places it even gets lost in the same places. Yes it does it lost, but all GPS’s get lost, roads change. If you have ever driven before you should be able to figure it out by just reading the road signs, so don’t worry about it getting you lost it rarely happens if at all. The maps on the device are still really good, just as good as TOMTOM. I am surprised by how many POI it has. I was really impressed by that, I would buy for that ability alone. I only wish you could save the spot you were currently at, otherwise the navigation is great. I use the music feature every time I go on a long trip, I plug the device into my car system and listen that way, it sounds really good. One downside is the playlists don’t work. You can create playlists but they are never in the order that you created they sort alphabetically in the device. Whenever I get some where before I have to, or if I have to wait for someone, or even just sitting around at home I use the movie feature. I like to always have at least two movies saved on my memory card to watch whenever I need to. It did take me awhile to find the right AVI format that looked the best and worked.
PROS: Watch movies, navigate while listening to music, text-to-speech, store media on large SDHC card, tons of POI, and it is easy to use.
CONS: No power saver, no new updates until 2009(says company), the manual isn’t very useful, onboard speaker isn’t great.
Overall: The navigation will get you from point A to point B while looking good. It sounds great using headphones or other speakers. The movies look great, and I can watch entire movie on one battery charge.

Comment on Harman Kardon GPS-310 4-Inch Portable GPS Navigator by MFC

MFC — Sat, 02 Apr 2011 17:27:15 +0000

I have used both the Tom Tom and the garman Nuvi and I find the GPS-310 to be superior in many ways. The onscreen display is very intuitive and I really like the widescreen look on such an inexpensive unit. My wife loved it and it has the look and feel of a much more expensive unit. The trip information is shown on the left and is very clear about upcoming turns, distances and the like. The windshield mount is especially nice and allows a great degree of adjustment and is much smaller and cleaner than my others I have. I don’t like such a big block of stuff stuck to my windshield. The unit itself is very thin and just has a very clean look to the whole unit. It is much easier to use that the TomTom as well with fewer menus needed to be accessed to do all of the basic stuff.
The music player works well with artist search, playlists, etc. I synch a few SD cards with my PC and I use it on trips, very slick

Comment on Harman Kardon GPS-310 4-Inch Portable GPS Navigator by Donald E. Sims "Don07tncav"

Donald E. Sims "Don07tncav" — Sat, 02 Apr 2011 17:27:13 +0000

It is a nice GPS for the money and has worked well in the car as well as a motorcycle but it is not water resistant. The maps were more current than another brand GPS that I purchased a year after I bought the Harman Kardon. The music player works well.

Comment on Ibizia iFIPO Bluetooth Module with iPod Dock Connector for iPod Accessories by Bjc "bjcochrane"

Bjc "bjcochrane" — Sat, 02 Apr 2011 17:26:59 +0000

Setup is simple, and sound quality, while not perfect, is very good. Wireless range is a bit limited, and connection can be lost if you place your hand in the wrong place. However, especially in combination with the multitasking available on iOS4, it adds a new dimension to an iPad’s entertainment capabilities. Strongly recommended.

Comment on Harman Kardon GPS-510 4-Inch Widescreen Portable GPS Navigator and Media Player by Tink "Tink"

Tink "Tink" — Sat, 02 Apr 2011 17:23:15 +0000

Bought this for my husband for Christmas. We’ve used it quite a bit and we’re really pleased with its functionality. Frankly we’ve only really used the GPS function but I’ve played a bit with the others and I’m always meaning to investigate them fully but haven’t yet. So far we have no issues with this unit and we enjoy having ‘Fred’ (that’s what we call him) along for the ride. Of course one of our favorite games is to go a different way than Fred wants us to and listen to him get ‘frustrated’….so we annotate his directions ..family fun in 2008 :)

Comment on Harman Kardon GPS-310 4-Inch Portable GPS Navigator by R. Dell

R. Dell — Sat, 02 Apr 2011 17:23:12 +0000

I had been pricing gps’s on Amazon with text-to-speach in which the actual street name was announced. I came across this Harmon Kardon model with a very reasonable price point. The delivery was prompt and right on the money. As per the instructions I charged up the battery, opened the locking device outside, and received the gps signal. I entered a destination and was on my way. The gps worked like a charm with turns and actual street names being announced. The second time I tried it the gps read waiting for gps signal. I’m still waiting. The so-called manual or operator’s guide that comes with the gps has only the basic start up instrictions. It is vague and does not supply enough enfo. I could not find a support site for Harmon Kardon on the web. I’m extremely dissapointed in this product and hope that Amazon investigates these short comings for me. Amazon once again has backed up their return policy and has aloud me to return the gps for a full refund.

Comment on Harman Kardon GPS-310 4-Inch Portable GPS Navigator by S. Masud

S. Masud — Sat, 02 Apr 2011 17:18:09 +0000

Looses signal often, I live in New England so that was somewhat expected with the trees. System froze and stopped working in the Middle of Boston. Was extremely slow to load and calculate routes. Worked well when it was able to download the directions. However, will not buy another Harmon Kardon GPS system.

Comment on Ibizia iFIPO Bluetooth Module with iPod Dock Connector for iPod Accessories by Christian Capil "bigwh00p"

Christian Capil "bigwh00p" — Sat, 02 Apr 2011 17:15:52 +0000

I’ve got a 2008 Scion xB with the premium headunit and the audio streaming is working with my Nexus One. A2DP profile is working (which is mainly why I got it) but it doesn’t seem like the AVRCP profile is working with my setup. I can stream music fine but can’t skip tracks from my head unit’s controls (it would’ve nice).Pairing the device with my phone was really simple. I just had to enable bluetooth, select the FIPO, and it was paired. My headunit actually says “Bluetooth” in the title and “Anycom” in the artist field, that was a nice surprise.

Comment on Harman Kardon GPS-510 4-Inch Widescreen Portable GPS Navigator and Media Player by good stuff

good stuff — Sat, 02 Apr 2011 17:15:15 +0000

Nice looking device, fits perfectly in hand. Touch screen is slick and very responsive… menus are easy to navigate and a home key is always present to take you back to beginning.
Charged it up and took it outside… was surprised when it locked on the instant i powered up… it had our spot on the map where it should be, so we started walking to end of street and the 510 tracked almost instantly when we were walking, as well as when we turned direction and headed back other way. Spent the next few days having it on in car and GPS function worked extremely well… never had any mistakes or weird routes (keep in mind only tested over a few days)… said names of streets clearly. Seemed to perform very well as GPS device.
Now for media player review:
OK, first of all — the screen on it is very sharp and crisp… demo movies, and movies i loaded on to it, display very nicely. converted some dvd’s to .avi or .xvid (cant remember which right now) and it played with no problems.
Anyway the biggest disappointment in the media department is that there are virtually no basic options/controls for mp3 or video playback. On videos there is absolutely no options to select from (zoom, full, etc.)… but they played well, so not a big deal.
MP3, however, is a different story. There is no “now playing” feature, nor the ability to create playlists from the player. (and of course no equalizer options or anything else.) So say you have a bunch of pop songs on the player and a bunch of classical and/or comedy tracks — if you are in your car and you want it to shuffle through all of your pop songs there is no way to do that unless you have made a playlist on your pc comprised of only pop songs and have downloaded that playlist to the player. VERY restrictive. You can sort by artist/track/album in the player…. but you can’t choose it to select more than one specific artist/track/album at a time. So if you want to listen on shuffle — it’s either shuffle through EVERY song on the player, or shuffle through one artists tracks. you can’t specify more than one of any category to play through the player. Big bummer.
Add into all of that the fact that you are restricted to a max of 4GB of storage on an SD card — so a couple of movies and you are going to have to buy another card if you want to carry around a lot of songs at the same time. Oh and no ability to view pictures either in case you wondered.
Summary: If you are looking at this as the perfect device to include mp3,video, gps — i would pass. Personally the restrictions of the audio playback, along with no pics and 4 gb max just wouldn’t cut it for me. I use my mp3 player (creative vision w) all the time in car, in house, etc. and need those basic mp3 controls. The extra price of the 510 for the media capabilities isn’t justified IMO. For the same price of the unit ($400ish) i can get a nice gps only device and a solid media player (creative w for instance) with 30 – 60 gb of onboard storage.
Now if you aren’t a big mp3/video user, then perhaps you would be satisfied with the limited media options as a trade off for the convenience of having it all in one package instead of having to carry around 2 units.
Hope this helps someone.

Comment on Harman Kardon GPS-510 4-Inch Widescreen Portable GPS Navigator and Media Player by seamonkey10

seamonkey10 — Sat, 02 Apr 2011 17:13:02 +0000

Picked this up on a Gold Box deal for $200. My wife was especially interested in the MP3 capabilities, but unless you happen to have a stereo with RCA input jacks, the only way you can listen to the songs you put on it would be using the little speaker on the GPS. (I guess if you have a mini-jack plug in, you might be able to convert the two RCA’s to mini-jack and plug it in that way.) But if you have neither of these options, it might just be better to get a new stereo.
Okay, what about the GPS capability? I’d give it a 95% thumbs up. A few times it screwed up where it would “merge in the left lane, now prepare to turn right”??? Also, we took it on a trip to a concert in Manchester, TN. We stopped in Brentwood, TN for our hotel, and it took us to xxxx Lane instead of xxxx Street, and we had to stop and ask for directions.
On the positive side, it’s great to have in a city where you have no idea where you’re going, and don’t have to stop a look at a map to figure out where you’re going.
There’s plenty of restaurants, stores, tourist site, etc. programmed into the unit too. Just type in an address, location, whatever, and you’re ready to go. Plus, there’s a battery so you can do all of this in your hotel room.
Something I would like to see on it is a better way to look at maps to plan a trip, and a way to say to it, “Hwy X is backed up, find a way around it”
For the price I paid, it’s great, and the feeling of confidence it gives you driving around an unfamiliar city is well worth the money.

Comment on Harman Kardon GPS-510 4-Inch Widescreen Portable GPS Navigator and Media Player by TD "Fairy Lover's Mom"

TD "Fairy Lover's Mom" — Sat, 02 Apr 2011 15:58:41 +0000

The GPS unit itself seems to be well designed and feels like it would hold up well. The manual is sparse, but in its defense, it didn’t look like there was that much to be explained so it was probably adaquate.
I’d like to be able to review its functionality, but HK forgot to put the wall plug prongs in the box. I’d already found out the Amazon description was wrong in that this unit doesn’t have the FM transmitter and wireless button in the box. I would have gone ahead and kept it (FM transmitters are pretty cheap) but when I called HK to get a set of prongs, I was told I’d have to schlep out to the car, in a thunderstorm, to get the amazon reciept before they’d talk to me. Now who in the heck would call them with a product seriel number trying to scam a set of wall prongs? That was stupid and I don’t reward stupidity. Its being sent back. I’ll get a Nuvi.

Comment on Ibizia iFIPO Bluetooth Module with iPod Dock Connector for iPod Accessories by Gabe R.

Gabe R. — Sat, 02 Apr 2011 15:04:05 +0000

I bought the Ibizia iFIPO to be able to play my music from my sonyericsson xperia mobile phone on my Harman Kardon Go + Play speakers using Bluetooth, and it works great, I recommend this product.

Comment on Harman Kardon GPS-510 4-Inch Widescreen Portable GPS Navigator and Media Player by A. Schneider

A. Schneider — Sat, 02 Apr 2011 14:07:34 +0000

I’ve used a couple of GPS devices in the past, and this one is very nice. The unit itself is very sleek and cool, and I love looking at maps, so this is perfect for me. The map screen is very detailed, and there’s lots of little details like the flags that wave at your destination, and the arrows on the route that pulsate in the direction you’re supposed to go. I’ve read reviews of other units where people have trouble with GPS performance, but the GPS-510 seems to work pretty well.
My wife and I used to argue about the directions it gave. When we plugged in the address to her mom’s house, it told her to go a different way than she was used to. This made her very upset, and then she would take it out on me, as if it were my fault that she wasn’t taking the most direct route. We’ve since resolved all this, but it was a definite consideration for you new GPS people – the unit is only suggesting a route, and you still have to use your common sense. :)
Finally, I did notice that this one announces the street names you’re supposed to turn on, but I found that this wasn’t quite as cool as I was hoping until I was in an area I knew well. Also, the music player is nicely integrated into the nav software, but I haven’t used it much. Oh, and the traffic idea is neat, but I live in LA, and there’s ALWAYS traffic.
Overall, a very cool device, and I wouldn’t try to find something without it, especially on vacation. Oh, and my wife wants one of her own (perhaps I’ll give her this one if I can find a good deal on this: Harman Kardon GPS-810 4.3-Inch Widescreen Portable Navigation + Traffic + Audio + Video + Bluetooth)

Comment on Harman Kardon GPS-510 4-Inch Widescreen Portable GPS Navigator and Media Player by Kaushalkumar Chinai "kaushal chinai"

Kaushalkumar Chinai "kaushal chinai" — Sat, 02 Apr 2011 11:57:57 +0000

I bought two GPS from amazon one for myself and one for my friend. After opening package i followed the process suggested by Harmon Kardon to start the GPS for the first time. First GPS froze while initial setup only. Even after several resets it never completed initial setup. Second unit was also facing problems in initial setup but it completed initial setup after several resets. I used that GPS for a testing it lead to wrong destination. It asked me turn on dead end streets. I could never access its music and video functions. Then I tried to call HK for its firmware update but they asked me to return device to reseller.

Comment on Ibizia iFIPO Bluetooth Module with iPod Dock Connector for iPod Accessories by Chuckster

Chuckster — Sat, 02 Apr 2011 10:42:26 +0000

While this is actually a rebranded device and sold as an accessory for the ibiza media player, it does work with other devices using bluetooth to allow them to connect to an iPod/iPhone dock and it does a great job at that.Yes, the specs say it has up to a 10 meters (30 feet) range but that is under the best conditions and those conditions also include the quality of the bluetooth transmitter in the device it’s paired to.Saying that you can’t move your player, cellphone or whatever more than a few feet away from it before losing the audio isn’t necessarily this device’s fault. Try using bluetooth headphones with your player and see how far you can get away from the player before you lose audio, most likely it will probably be about the same distance.By it’s very design, bluetooth is meant to be a very low power device because it’s meant to be near the body/head. Think about it, would you really want a high power transmitter right next to your body? Especially since most people wear their cellphone near their waist and their bluetooth headphones or headset on their heads. Bluetooth works in the 2.4ghz range, which is at or near microwave range. Would you want it cooking your brain or something else below the waist? I don’t think so. I certainly don’t want that.By the way, the company that developed the ibiza player, Varia Mobile (Haier was only the manufacturer and distributor) stopped work on it in July of 2009 and was recently bought by RealNetwork who also owns Rhapsody and it’s not known what plans they have for the technologies Varia Mobile has or was working on.Personally I think the ibiza was one of the best players when it came out and I would have liked to have seen what other improvements they were working on, or could have come up with. Adding RDS and HD Radio to it’s built in FM Radio would have been good improvements. A touch screen version was suppose to have been in the works but never made it to market before development stopped.

Comment on Harman Kardon GPS-510 4-Inch Widescreen Portable GPS Navigator and Media Player by H. R. Conn

H. R. Conn — Sat, 02 Apr 2011 10:32:09 +0000

Thanks Amazon.I sent back 4 or 5 GPS,s. Surprised Amazon didn’t tell no more orders from you.I wasn’t looking for a GPS with all the bells and whistles, just a GPS to get me there.very simple to navigate.takes a few mins.to pick up all the satellites.It has other features,that are described.Here’s a tip, Check these out at Bestbuy or Ciruit city first.

Comment on Harman Kardon GPS-510 4-Inch Widescreen Portable GPS Navigator and Media Player by W. Penners

W. Penners — Sat, 02 Apr 2011 10:03:45 +0000

Some of the bad reviews almost scared me away. I bought this unit anyway. I like it. Easy to use, and it is easy to program in destinations. I’m impressed with the software. Solid unit!

Comment on Ibizia iFIPO Bluetooth Module with iPod Dock Connector for iPod Accessories by BRIAN E RICHARDSON

BRIAN E RICHARDSON — Sat, 02 Apr 2011 09:51:13 +0000

I was skeptical of sound quality and functionality, but this device is working great with my Android 2.2 phone! I love it! Plug and play functionality. The sound quality is good, better than radio. As a bonus, the “next track” button on my Mercedes GLK steering wheel controls is functional, it forwards tracks in the Android music player and in Slacker radio. Although the other functionality around picking Genres and Playlists does not work (I didn’t expect it to) via the steering wheel. Anything you do on the phone obviously works, since you’re just sending the audio signal.

Comment on Ibizia iFIPO Bluetooth Module with iPod Dock Connector for iPod Accessories by Nachiket Phadke

Nachiket Phadke — Sat, 02 Apr 2011 07:46:21 +0000

I must say this is an amazing little device for wireless sound….I took it out of box, plugged into by Bose Portable SoundDock, added this device to my Nokia E51 device list as well as MacBook Pro…and thats it…magic started in 2 mins…amazing sound quality, perfect range…well when I say perfect it actually depends on transmitter, my MacBook Pro has a more powerful transmitter than my mobile phone, so its gonna differ. with MBP I get a range of 25 Feet (its not straight line, I am talking about 2 bedrooms in between Player and MBP), I also tested it in straight line and you know what the range is whooping 38 feet 8 inches…..is it not a good product then???? I adore it and highly recommend this one. The sound is perfect, pairing is effortless and it looks great on you dock too…

Comment on Harman Kardon GPS-310 4-Inch Portable GPS Navigator by Ken

Ken — Sat, 02 Apr 2011 07:06:35 +0000

I wanted a portable GPS unit with at least 4″ display and text-to-speech feature. This is my first GPS. I would say the text-to-speech feature is a MUST; otherwise, you may get confused. A 4″ Garmin was too expensive and it didn’t look very attractive. I like Navigon because it made GPS for European cars, it had photo images of the streets, and it looked really good but I need to get the expensive high-end model for the 4″ display (the free lifetime traffic info was very attractive too). However, it didn’t have any audio and/or video features and several reviews indicated problems with navigation and the text-to-speech.
I could pick TomTom but I liked HK. I picked it has mp3 feature. I wanted the GPS 510 video one but that costed more than I expected. Anyway, I guess I expected too much from HK. As a basic GPS unit, it’s great, especially with the large screen and text-to-speech feature. The display will adjust day/night automatically.
Pro:
1. 4″ display, looks beautiful, solid built.
2. It’s very easy to use. 3. Speech is clear.
4. Re-routing is very quick (usually takes 5-6 seconds).
5. You can do navigation and listen to music at the same time.
6. It’s not too difficult to learn all the features. 7. Long battery life (I think it’s 5 hours).
Con:
1. The initial search for GPS signal is very slow, up to several minutes.
2. I turned on all the POI but I don’t see them all the time. Most of the time, the unit will tell me turn on which street and then tell me to turn right or left to a ramp but sometimes it tells me to turn left/right after 200 ft. If I set my routing priority to shortest time instead of shortest distance, it will try to get me on the highway even though it is a much longer route. 3. I don’t know how to get the most updated map…I am sure it does not have some of the 2007 constructions.
4. As someone commented on the older model, GPS-300, the speaker was not good for music. I used the unit to play mp3 songs on a SD card (not included) and it didn’t sound good. Yes, it’s a HK! It may be good for radio programs or sermons. 5. The “quick user guide” and the owner’s manual on the HK website are the same. They are way too simple. You need to explore the unit for different features. The guide scared me. I thought I need to charge the unit in my car all the time but someone mentioned you can use the USB cable to charge it from a PC. Yes, I tried it but it didn’t tell me when it was fully charged. I bought the dash mount unit but this GPS unit cannot be sticked to it tight. The unit will move a little bit at a time but it will not fall out from the dash mount.
I am still ok with the unit but I didn’t focus too much on the mp3 feature and tried TomTom.

Comment on Harman Kardon GPS-510 4-Inch Widescreen Portable GPS Navigator and Media Player by Christopher D. Hobbins

Christopher D. Hobbins — Sat, 02 Apr 2011 07:00:57 +0000

Works great. Recovers and resets if you take a different route. It has my house 400 feet down the street. It seems to always want to take me on longer routes than it should.

Comment on Harman Kardon GPS-510 4-Inch Widescreen Portable GPS Navigator and Media Player by Mr. Xianghong Wu

Mr. Xianghong Wu — Sat, 02 Apr 2011 04:10:05 +0000

It is a very bad GPS. First, it can not locate the best traffic route and alway let you go much far away. Second, it is very easy to die, such as no signal on the street at all or keep locking and can not open at all. Third, their service is very bad. No phone was be received when you call them. When you write emails, Mr. Le will reply you soon and agree replace another one for you. Their shipping is fast. But the replaced GPS is very old (nicks back) and can not work too (keeping locking). Never buy this brand GPS, Trash!

Comment on Ibizia iFIPO Bluetooth Module with iPod Dock Connector for iPod Accessories by CHRIS

CHRIS — Sat, 02 Apr 2011 03:47:09 +0000

My Scion XD has an iPod dock connector. The product is supposed to work with all powered iPod devices (including car stereos), but I plugged it in and it did not work. No power, no blue LED, and the stereo did not recognize that anything was plugged into it. I had a replacement shipped out immediately hoping that I just had a bad unit, but the replacement also failed to work. Be careful about buying this product. It isn’t as universal as they make it seem.

Comment on Harman Kardon GPS-310 4-Inch Portable GPS Navigator by Latonya Ranelwilliams

Latonya Ranelwilliams — Sat, 02 Apr 2011 02:18:16 +0000

Well I received it and set it up. Put in my address to navigate to and it gave me spoken directions half way there and stopped and never came on again. I probably received the faulty one. But other than that the screen was a nice size the features seemed great.

Comment on Harman Kardon GPS-510 4-Inch Widescreen Portable GPS Navigator and Media Player by Unashamed Conservative Minority

Unashamed Conservative Minority — Sat, 02 Apr 2011 01:45:10 +0000

I bought one of these for my dad for Christmas. It pretty much sucks for navigation. Videos and stuff work alright but the navigation is difficult to use. It automaticlaly zooms in when you are ocmming to a turn, super annoying. That’s just one of many things. It’s also difficult to move around the map and choose your own route. A GPS I had from 2002 was simpler to use.
It has text to speech, but no voice recognition and an irritating GPS layout. It doesn’t take a ridiculous amount of time to connect to satillites but it takes a couple minutes sometimes.
I see this as more useful for watching videos than anything else, but I got it for my dad to use as a GPS, what a let down.
HK kind of ruined their brand name, which used to stand for excellence, with this product.
It doesn’t remember where you’ve traveled either, to answer popovich.
It works as a GPS, and gets you from point a to point b, but it’s just not as good as it’s competitors.

Comment on Harman Kardon GPS-310 4-Inch Portable GPS Navigator by David Hays "HaysDB"

David Hays "HaysDB" — Sat, 02 Apr 2011 01:06:36 +0000

Pros:
. 4.3″ (480×272) screen with text-to-speech for $300.
. Integrated antenna
. Clean, uncluttered, and mostly intuitive interface
. Destinations easy to enter – more on this feature below
. Large “buttons”
. Touch screen requires only a light touch
. Nicely contoured case with a high quality feel
. Suction cup mount nicely designed
. Unit clips in and removes from the mount very easily
. Charges via the USB cable (undocumented)
. Boots instantly
. Volume dial
. Bright screen
. Built-in MP3 player
. A nice compact slipcover is included
Cons:
. It takes awhile to lock on to the satellites. I haven’t timed it, but it’s much slower than my Garmin Street Pilot 2720.
. I haven’t figured out how to save the “current location” to a favorite. Please tell me how to do this as this could be a deal breaker!
. Screen brightness doesn’t automatically adjust to the conditions. It switches between Day and Night modes automatically, but not the brightness. Fortunately changing the brightness requires only a few touches.
. Screen can be hard to read in bright daylight.
. Only one choice of female voice. I like the Australian English voice on my Garmin.
. The spoken directions are not as concise as my Garmin, and the unit tends to repeat itself, which is either helpful or annoying depending on my mood.
. No option to prompt the unit to repeat itself, such as if you don’t hear the directions over a loud stereo. In fairness, I don’t know of any portable GPS units that offer this feature.
. The map is missing some streets vs. my Garmin
. A few options are non-intuitive to reach. This isn’t a major problem since there aren’t that many options vs. some of the more high-end GPS units, but that makes these few occasions all the more vexing.
. Does not display speed. I like this feature of my Garmin. There also is no “trip computer” although I don’t use this feature much.
Top three features:
1. Large high resolution wide screen.
2. Text-to-Speech.
3. Destination entry feature:
As you enter letters in a city or street name, any letters that aren’t possible are grayed out. For example, maybe you enter a city name beginning with H. You might then see all letters except A,E,I,O,U,Y grayed out because there are no cities with any other character following the H. This makes entry easier because (A) the next key is easier to find because there are fewer letters to choose from, and (B) touching the wrong key is less likely.
If I were buying a new GPS for myself, it would probably be a Garmin 750 for half again the price, but at the $300 price-point, the mostly minor compromises are acceptable.

Comment on Help! I Am Buying An A/v Receiver Today And I Need To Choose From A Few Receivers? by flapjack

flapjack — Fri, 18 Mar 2011 00:50:00 +0000

I don’t trust Harman Kardon anymore after they merged with JBL and other companies. Go to Onkyo or Denon for the most bang for buck.

Comment on How Do I Set Up Audio In Other Rooms Using My A/V Receiver? by dansinger61

dansinger61 — Fri, 18 Mar 2011 00:49:46 +0000

You need to set up an audio distribution system. Basically this is an amplifier that takes your speaker outputs from the A/V receiver and splits them into 3, 4, or more ouputs to be routed to the various rooms. Google “multi-room audio” to find more information.

Comment on Will My Receiver Be Able To Drive A 6 Ohm Speaker? by SUN G

SUN G — Fri, 18 Mar 2011 00:47:36 +0000

From Harman Kardon, a similar question:Question:Can my surround-sound receiver handle a 4-ohm load? Answer:All Harman Kardon Audio/Video receivers can handle most 4 and 6 ohm speakers on the market today. However, there are some manufacturers’ speakers that have a minimum impedance well below the 4 and 6 ohm nominal impedance. In this situation, the receiver will protect itself by going into standby mode. This will not damage the speakers or the electronics, but it is an indication that the speaker in question is not compatible with our receiver. Note: The continued use of the receiver with speakers that cause it to shut down can result in eventual failure of the receiver which is not covered by the warranty.

Comment on Factory Remanufactured? by rattysam

rattysam — Fri, 18 Mar 2011 00:46:47 +0000

2 main things about refurbs. First, check the warranty. Most of the time, it’s way less than for the original product. And often times, has more specific exclusions.Second, check condition statements. Many times cosmetic pieces aren’t replaced. Faceplates, knobs, cases, etc. So, your unit might be scratched, cracked, rubbed, etc.Bottom line: research the item. If most of the failures occur within the first three months, and the refurb warranty is three months, you probably have a winner. If most failures occur in months 4-6, and it comes with a month warranty, then you’re looking at a much more risky proposition!

Comment on Harman/Kardon AVR-120? by agb90spruce

agb90spruce — Fri, 18 Mar 2011 00:46:22 +0000

I don’t have one and I didn’t find any pro reviews but here is a list of user reviews. Overall quite positive.HK generally make good equipment … their specs tend to look a bit enemic but their amps are high current and produce lot’s of power.If you bought new I’d contact the seller. It isn’t much good if it doesn’t work … no matter what others think.Hope this helps.

Comment on Help! I Am Buying An A/v Receiver Today And I Need To Choose From A Few Receivers? by rk4u247

rk4u247 — Fri, 18 Mar 2011 00:45:56 +0000

I suggest the Denon AVR 1707 or 1907 or you cal always call 2014068300 for help he hooked me up cheap

Comment on DVD No Voices Just Background Sound? by beasties70

beasties70 — Fri, 18 Mar 2011 00:44:32 +0000

I believe your issue are those red/white RCA cords. They will not carry the entire 5.1 Dolby Digital signalYou need to run an HMDI cord from the DVD player to the Receiever, and then another HDMI cord from the reciever to your projector.OR to save a few bucks from having to buy another expensive HDMI cord, buy a optical or coaxial digital cord and run that from your DVD player to your reciever.Set the correct input on your receiver and you should be all set.

Comment on Is This A High End Stereo Receiver? by Paul F

Paul F — Fri, 18 Mar 2011 00:39:52 +0000

People who put together a complete “Hi end audio system” get to spend easily close to $100,000. No sense to have only the receiver being “Hi end”.My opinion is that with that amount of money, you could purchase tickets for concert halls around the world including hotel and meals. If you attend 26 concerts per year at $1,000 each, you could do this for about 4 years. You would enjoy the best system available, no distortion, full fidelity.If you Google for “Most expensive speakers”http://www.higherfi.com/spkrlist/speakerlist.htm you will find that some cost over $1,000,000. So my question is: How high do you want this “High end” to be?Go down the list near the bottom of page #4 of that site, you will see Kharma speakers that cost $100,000. Would it make unhappy to know that other people own the top one on page #1 that costs $2,000,000?

Comment on Harman Kardon AVR340 Makes Loud “Thump” When There’s No Sound? by http://installingflats.com

http://installingflats.com — Fri, 18 Mar 2011 00:39:37 +0000

You should have a frequency dial. You need to turn it down or go into settings an adjust is maximum output. It is too high. Here is an analogy. If I had momentum and pushing a 1000 lb car I can go and keep it going by just having my hands on it. If I try to start pushing it that is very difficult, but if I had to STOP IT – I AM DEAD!Your receiver is trying to start or stop/end with too many watts. When you plug in a new item and it is trying to connect with too many watts loaded through it, it pushes it to the speakers and your hear the pop. You when stop/end the receiver is pushing out the watts. That is your problem.

Comment on Help! I Am Buying An A/v Receiver Today And I Need To Choose From A Few Receivers? by Izzy S

Izzy S — Fri, 18 Mar 2011 00:39:08 +0000

I sure hope your buying a factory refurbished / warrantied model because those are all older receivers. This place has great products for the price:http://www.accessories4less.com/cgi-bin/category.cgiI have the Onkyo 504 in my bedroom 5.1 system, works great. Can’t beat it for $160.

Comment on DVD No Voices Just Background Sound? by Vincente E

Vincente E — Fri, 18 Mar 2011 00:34:52 +0000

another option is checking your reciever. It could be that your running a different surround option. I would switch thru the options of what type of surround you want to use on your Harman / Kardon till you are able to hear the voices again. And if I was you I would go with Optical or HDMI also

Comment on Sound Issues With Xbox 360 (using HDMI Cable)? by BANG P

BANG P — Fri, 18 Mar 2011 00:32:44 +0000

Are you connecting optical cable from Xbox to receiver for audio ?

Comment on How Can I Connect Additional Pairs Of Speakers To My A/V Receiver? by flip_can

flip_can — Fri, 18 Mar 2011 00:32:35 +0000

Don’t do it, you will over work your AV receiver.If you still want to do it you can parallel zone to with zone 3. YOu will not get an independent zone. You will be getting the same sound as zone 2.Just take some speaker wires and connect the 3rd set of speakers to the binding post/connection of zone 2.Now if you want to get fancy-get another amplifier take the pre-amp out of zone 2 and feed the amplifier. Then you can drive as may zones as you have amplifier channels. You will be listening to the same audio through out though.It gets costly if you want to have different audio in different zones. You will need a house music system then.

Comment on Audio/Video Receiver Clicks While OFF Position (Standby Mode)? by Lance

Lance — Fri, 18 Mar 2011 00:28:07 +0000

You probably have a resistor or capacitor going out..you could try and locate it and replace it or just try unplugging it completely until it stops working, also it could be a ground problem, or the ground problem could be the cause of the resistor going out, make sure the unit is grounded properly and that you are using a surge suppressor

Comment on Will My Receiver Be Able To Drive A 6 Ohm Speaker? by wilderwriter

wilderwriter — Fri, 18 Mar 2011 00:27:13 +0000

They should work, but the impedance-mismatch will result in energy losses and potential distortion. Better to stick with standard 8-ohm speakers.

Comment on Which Sound Card Should I Get For 2 Channel Music? by laptop expert

laptop expert — Fri, 18 Mar 2011 00:27:00 +0000

check out at amazon there are really good deals goinghttp://www.amazon.com/s/ref=nb_sb_ss_i_0_8?url=search-alias%3Daps&field-keywords=sound+card&x=0&y=0&sprefix=sound+ca&ih=6_0_0_0_1_1_0_0_0_1.162_143&fsc=7&tag=sdhrhiaiaa-20Also check out at ebay there are many good reatilers selling this product at good pricehttp://rover.ebay.com/rover/1/711-53200-19255-0/1?ff3=4&pub=5574865779&toolid=10001&campid=5336440665&customid=sdhrhiaiaa&mpre=http%3a%2f%2fshop.ebay.com%2fi.html%3f_nkw%3dsound%2bcard%26_sacat%3d0%26_odkw%3dsound%2bcard%26_osacat%3d0%26_trksid%3dp3286.c0.m270.l1313

Comment on Which Receiver Should I Get? by CableGuy

CableGuy — Fri, 18 Mar 2011 00:24:53 +0000

those 3 are very comparable. If you were to buy all 3 I guarantee you would never tell a difference audibly. So close your eyes and pick one. Or buy the Yamaha because they are just better!!!!!

Comment on Home Theater Receiver? by Golfer

Golfer — Fri, 18 Mar 2011 00:23:40 +0000

Harmon Kardon makes a decent receiver but they also make a few not so decent ones so it will depend on what model your looking at.I like Denon, Onkyo, and Yamaha for receivers. All 3 make very good products and use high quality components. Depending on your budget, Macintosh (not Apple computer) makes one of the best amps in the world but I think they start around $5,000. Speakers are really in the ear of the beholder. You have to do a lot of legwork. Test out Klipsch, Cambridge soundworks, Polk, Boston Acoustics and Definitive Technologies (only sold online but they’re very nice for the $ and they do accept returns). Those speakers are in the middle range, price wise. If you have a large budget, you’ll want to try Martin Logan as well.

Comment on Will My Receiver Be Able To Drive A 6 Ohm Speaker? by flapjack

flapjack — Fri, 18 Mar 2011 00:21:00 +0000

If you read your owners manual the manufacture warranty is void if you do this. I would expect the manufacture to know better than a remote holder.

Comment on Help! I Am Buying An A/v Receiver Today And I Need To Choose From A Few Receivers? by AM

AM — Fri, 18 Mar 2011 00:18:42 +0000

I suggest to spend few bucks more and go for Onkyo TX-SR605 or TX-SR805 – depemding on your budget. The have HDMI 1.3 capability, and this is the future of HD connectivity – audio and video. I saw TX-SR605 for under $400 on the net.

Comment on Any Decent Surround Sound Systems That Have Wireless Capability? by PoohBearPenguin

PoohBearPenguin — Fri, 18 Mar 2011 00:17:49 +0000

You might want to check out Yamaha’s Sound Bar products. This combines a receiver and 5 channel speakers in a single unit, with an external subwoofer. The idea is that the receivers use some fancy processing to produce simulated surround sound. I don’t know how well this works, but the product is intended for smaller spaces, or places where running wires may not be possible.JBL now makes a universal wireless transmitter for use with any standard receiver or pair of speakers. It’s about $300, though. You connect the transmitter to your receiver, and the use the powered receiver to connect your rear channel speakers. You’d just need to have a shelf or a table with a nearby outlet available in the back of your room for the speakers.As for the receiver itself, be sure you get a true receiver – not one of those gimped DVD players with the surround sound processor crammed inside. For speakers – ditch BOSE. For the same price as a BOSE set, you can get a really nice set of bookshelf speakers and a REAL subwoofer, still have enough money left over to buy the wireless transmitter, and a nice dinner for two. I really like the Definitive Technology speakers I got. The satellites are about 4″ wide and 7″ tall and it has a downfiring 10″ subwoofer. Paid about $700 when I got them 4 months ago. I mainly use them for gaming and movies.

Comment on Help! I Am Buying An A/v Receiver Today And I Need To Choose From A Few Receivers? by piano guy

piano guy — Fri, 18 Mar 2011 00:11:26 +0000

The reason I chose the HK 300 and up is that it has pre-amp outs – I don’t use the power amps at all because all of my speakers are powered. I think they are easy to work with, and they have done well for me – I own 3 – and I would buy them again.

Comment on Home Theater Wiring Tips? by macintosh

macintosh — Fri, 18 Mar 2011 00:10:21 +0000

Congradulations in getting your home theater set!Below are some useful links

Comment on Which Is Better For A Media Room, Bose Acoustimass 10 Or Harmon/Kardon HKTS 18? by Steve B

Steve B — Fri, 18 Mar 2011 00:09:37 +0000

Bose speakers are excellent in the high and low frequencies, but they lack in the mid-range. With mid-range being where the human voice falls, this can obviously be an issue. Harmon/Kardon is a respectable choice in the world of home theatre, but as is the case with any system, you can never tell until you listen to it in your own environment. Move the speakers around, play around with the tone controls, and find something that suits you. Brand names alone can’t dictate a great system.

Comment on Need Help Picking A Home Theater Receiver? by pagodaboy2001

pagodaboy2001 — Fri, 18 Mar 2011 00:09:24 +0000

Good choices, I would recommend the Onkyo. Besides having one (TX-SR603) for over a year, I researched it before purchasing it (ie consumer reports, cnet) and it is one of the top rated receivers. It does run hotter than other receivers that I’ve had or compared too, but it isn’t a problem.I think you’ll be happy with any of these recievers.

Comment on Samsung LED To Receiver? by Chris

Chris — Fri, 18 Mar 2011 00:08:09 +0000

Have you checked to make sure the batteries in the remote are in properly? if you are just wanting to the hook the tv to the speakers thru the reciever this can be achieved by either using the Composite Red and white cable or the digital optical. Now if you are wanting to hook up either a blu-ray or dvd player or vcr or even Satellite or cable box….that can get a little more complicated.

Comment on Any Decent Surround Sound Systems That Have Wireless Capability? by videoCWK

videoCWK — Fri, 18 Mar 2011 00:07:35 +0000

Edit: I just realized the “wireless” part. You may want to ditch that though, wireless can lower sound quality and is also prone to interference from other things. Plus, this reply is mostly useless if you don’t mind not having wireless.All I can help with is speakers, but for small bookshelves I’d recommend Definitive Technology (theirs are very good) or Orb Audio. Orb can’t be found in stores but is the best of it’s size, the website is http://orbaudio.com/ and you can return them in 30 days if you don’t like them (get a Mod-2 system at the least).Definitive’s are a bit bigger, but they sound great as far as bookshelves go. The mids don’t sound strained or anything like that and they just sound very good. If you want to go bigger than Definitive Technology’s offerings, take a look at Paradigm. They make some of the best speakers I’ve ever heard.Also, stay away from Bose. Despite what the Bose salesman tells you, or the Bose-o-phile who owns tons of Bose tells you, they are not good. The Bose salesman will blind you with science that sounds like it makes sense so their speakers will seem like a good choice, and any Bose-o-phile who could rave about it for hours and not get bored simply hasn’t heard better. While they look good on the surface, they are highly disrespected for their high price (their most expensive systems literally cost about $150 to make, and the high price is partially to make it look like a luxury item and to make more money), they aren’t used anywhere in the audio industry (as in they are ignored by all real musicians and aren’t used for audio mastering), and if you look around, there are plenty of Bose customers who loved their speakers until they heard the competition’s, which sounded better for usually less money. For everything you really need to know about Bose, check this link out (it turned me from a Bose-o-phile into a real audiophile) http://www.intellexual.net/bose.htmlAlso, some people will recommend Klipsch. They are a good brand if you can get some of their older speakers (try to go for ones designed/sold before the year 2000), but their new ones are cheap, don’t sound as good as other speakers in their price range, and just aren’t worth the money. Now instead of going off good sound like Klipsch used to, they go off their old reputation of being great. They sound good in Best Buy and other such stores because while they aren’t the best for their price, they certainly are the best you’ll hear in a big-box store such as Best Buy, Target, etc. Go to a real audio store and compare theirs to speakers priced similarly, and there really isn’t any competition. Also avoid their subs. They are good for movies where the sub usually only produces special effects such as explosions, but they are very “one note” and will be bad for music. Hope I’ve helped.

Comment on Will My Receiver Be Able To Drive A 6 Ohm Speaker? by GGG

GGG — Fri, 18 Mar 2011 00:07:27 +0000

He Who Holds The Remote is absolutely correct. I couldnt have explained it better……… Use his advice and you will not go wrong!!!

Comment on Surround Sound Set Up? by Lisa R

Lisa R — Fri, 18 Mar 2011 00:06:19 +0000

http://www.retrevo.com/search/v2/jsp/mytrevo/myTrevo.jsp?page=man

Comment on AV Receiver With HDMI Sound And Video Along With IPod Input? by cja752003

cja752003 — Fri, 18 Mar 2011 00:04:37 +0000

There is a JVC model i saw on cnet and i think it did hdmi audio and video. Jvc is not a good brand normally but c-net gave it good reviews so maybe its ok. Other than that unless you get used you are going to have to spend $500-$600 at least the last i checked. ALOT of recievers have hdmi just as a video pass-thru but dont do the audio from it only the mid to high end ones do.

Comment on Bose Acoustimass Vs Harman Kardon Sub? by i tell it like it is

i tell it like it is — Fri, 18 Mar 2011 00:04:34 +0000

dont do it. trust me. the hk sub is fine. this will be tricky,and crappy.

Comment on What Receiver With Klipsch? by The Eagle Keeper

The Eagle Keeper — Fri, 18 Mar 2011 00:03:15 +0000

Your right about what you have heard. In your case I would not do a receiver. I would go separate amp & preamp. If you have the cash, Conrad-Johnson. If not, Parasound. G’luck!

Comment on Is It Better To Have Good Speakers Or A Good Receiver? by matt n

matt n — Fri, 18 Mar 2011 00:02:15 +0000

a good receiver (if you don’t have a good receiver you will never reach the full potential of the speakers) is better than good speakers. and adding those speakers is fine

Comment on Help! I Am Buying An A/v Receiver Today And I Need To Choose From A Few Receivers? by Tiffany

Tiffany — Fri, 18 Mar 2011 00:01:07 +0000

Harman Kardon Avr 325

Comment on The Fuse In My Television Subwoofer Keeps Blowing Out? by calumetarts

calumetarts — Fri, 18 Mar 2011 00:00:57 +0000

Output transistors, or output chip, or power supply is fried. Unless you’re handy troubleshooting & replacing them, it’s cheaper to buy a new one.

Comment on AV Receiver With HDMI Sound And Video Along With IPod Input? by pontgranprix

pontgranprix — Thu, 17 Mar 2011 23:59:44 +0000

Check out Onkyo. I just bought an tx-sr805 and I love it. Great sound and all HDMI hookups. Checkout Circuit City they carry them. Look at the 5 series. They are a great receiver and priced very competatively. I got mine at a local dealer for cheaper than at Circuit City.

Comment on Sony & HK Idea Tell Me What You Think? by Bob

Bob — Thu, 17 Mar 2011 23:59:06 +0000

I like both companies o_o’In my opinion, you should not judge Sony based on one experiance with a lady that was having a bad day being sorry for herself for being stuck in a Tech Support job. My experiances with their products have been outstanding, so I have never has to go to their support.Harmon/Kardon… I enjoy their speakers. I own a pair of computer speakers from 8 years ago that I have run on max bass/treble/volume for 1 hour+ at least 20 times over the year and they have never ever given me a problem. The reciever you had may have been a cheap model, as most brands lower end models are not very great sounding if you are used to better.

Comment on I’m Helping A Friend Install A Home Theater A/v System And We Are Unsure About Which Cables To Use? by GordonH

GordonH — Thu, 17 Mar 2011 23:58:50 +0000

Depending on your inputs and outputs on the TV and receiver, you have multiple choices. I have listed them in order with #1 being the best.Audio: 1) optical (toslink), 2) coax or 3) plain RCAVideo: 1) HDMI, 2) component, or 3) s-videoCheck the back of the TV and receiver. You also need connections from the DVD player, cable box, X-box and whatever else will be used on the TV. If you don’t have any connections and will be using the TV tuner, then you won’t need the video connections.All cables can be purchased at Best Buy or Circuit City.Hope this helps. Email me if you need additional assistance!Good luck!

Comment on Which Is Better For A Media Room, Bose Acoustimass 10 Or Harmon/Kardon HKTS 18? by JP

JP — Thu, 17 Mar 2011 23:53:57 +0000

I would listen to both and make your own decision. In general in the realistic audio world, Bose is not highly regarded as quality speakers. However if they suit your individual needs, purchase them.

Comment on How Do I Connect A PS3 Playstation 3 To My Surround Sound Receiver? by PS3 player

PS3 player — Thu, 17 Mar 2011 23:51:39 +0000

It sounds like you’re connecting it correctly but you have to change the system settings in the PS3. Change the audio in the onscreen menu to output through the optical cable.

Comment on What Receiver With Klipsch? by racerx66

racerx66 — Thu, 17 Mar 2011 23:51:25 +0000

I agree with the other poster about separates, I own a couple Parasound 2125′s which are great, but might I recommend Emotiva, absolutely the best bang for the buck you are gonna find, I own both pieces in the links and could not be happier, they are mated with the Emotiva ERC-1 CD player and a pair of Swan D2.1se’s. With the cd player, I spent about $1500 for the whole set-up, would put it up against a $5k system in a second. My Parasound amps cost 3x what the Emotiva amp cost and their is no discernible difference in sound. Good luckPre-Amp:http://emotiva.com/usp1.shtm125wpc 2 channel amp:http://emotiva.com/upa2.shtmCD player:http://emotiva.com/erc1.shtmSwan Speakers:http://www.theaudioinsider.com/product_info.php/p/swan-d2-1se/products_id/69

Comment on Factory Remanufactured? by unknownsoundman

unknownsoundman — Thu, 17 Mar 2011 23:47:09 +0000

If they can not get it right the first time> well maybe it works correctly but…it shows you their quality control may not be all it should be. I’d buy from a pawn shop before I’d buy a re-manufactured item!If the warranty is not as good or better than the original do not take the chance with-out a service agreement > adds to the price and now it is as expensive as the NEW one! Do they even offer an extended service agreement? Probabally not! Shows you they do not believe in their products either!Once crap is always crap.

Comment on Quality And Value On A Harman Kardon AVR 10 Receiver? by Lance

Lance — Thu, 17 Mar 2011 23:39:10 +0000

It was an entry level AV receiver produced front 1995- 1997 its a pro-logic receiver and was rated at 35 watts per channel Harman Kardon has a habit of under rating there power outputs so it will probably compare with other receivers putting out 40 watts RMS and up to 70 watts from companies that tend to exaggerate there ratings…it will probably sell for 30$ to $75 dollars depending on the condition whether you have the manual and the original box if you have the original box and manual it sells for more…. Harmon Kardon does have a following but they are really not a high end receiver company like they would lead people to believe, there main competition is Denon Onkyo and Pioneer…

Comment on Home Theater Receiver? by pontgranprix

pontgranprix — Thu, 17 Mar 2011 23:10:58 +0000

Onkyo receiver and klipsch speakers. Onkyo makes the best priced receivers with the most features. Klipsch speakers are very efficient and put out tons of sound with great detail.

Comment on Which Receiver Should I Get? by nick

nick — Thu, 17 Mar 2011 22:43:39 +0000

Yamaha RX-797 Audio/Video Receiver is best choice http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B000FHC0Y2?ie=UTF8&tag=nop107-20&linkCode=as2&camp=1789&creative=390957&creativeASIN=B000FHC0Y2

Comment on Is This A High End Stereo Receiver? by bbt91945

bbt91945 — Thu, 17 Mar 2011 22:03:41 +0000

Harmon Kardon is not a high end receiver. Look at Pioneer Elite, Onkyo Integra, and Denon are the top 3 receivers. Kenwood is at the bottom.

Comment on Factory Remanufactured? by R8derMike

R8derMike — Thu, 17 Mar 2011 21:57:09 +0000

Yes, you are correct Whatever the problem is, it is repaired.I was looking at the refurbs also. If you are talking about the HK ebay store, they offer the same warranty as their new products.After bidding on several AVR’s, I found that I could get the same thing, new, for the same price elsewhere on the internet.I got a HK 435 7.1 AVR for $499.00 at onecall.com. It retailed for $1099.00.Shop around, there are great deals out there.You might want to look at Onkyo. They offer a quality product for a really good price, although I don’t believe their recievers have high current amplifiers.Denon recievers are really good also.

Comment on I’m Helping A Friend Install A Home Theater A/v System And We Are Unsure About Which Cables To Use? by flapjack

flapjack — Thu, 17 Mar 2011 21:12:30 +0000

Here is a set of hook up guides to get you started with general information. But like the adage goes there is 1001 ways to skin a Cat (poor cat). If you provide EXACT models of everything you want to hook up, we will be able to get you pointed in the right direction. Note: TVs never come with cables. Also most provided cables in any device are not great at all. Use my 10% rule to get the best out of your system without overbuying cables. 10% of total system cost should be cables and interconnects. You need a lot of different cables to make it happen. What equipment do you have?I also am providing a link to a book for your perusal, since you asked about a home theater yourself. This book I recently finished reading and thought it did a OK job of explaining the basics of budgeting, component selection, hookup, evaluation, etc.. I think it will educate you so you will not go down the wrong path and get the right stuff the first time.EDIT: Here is the cable type links, make sure to observe signal direction and proper polarity.

Comment on Any Decent Surround Sound Systems That Have Wireless Capability? by NicoStar

NicoStar — Thu, 17 Mar 2011 20:54:49 +0000

There is kit available from Best Buy called a Rocketfish rear wireless kit. It is a universal kit that works with any system. It’s about $105.00 and you are not bound to any one speaker system. It also does not incur interference from radio waves. Here’s the link.http://www.bestbuy.com/site/olspage.jsp?skuId=8275528&st=Rocketfish+rear+wireless+kit&lp=1&type=product&cp=1&id=1171058476489

Comment on Good Receiver And Speakers For A Dual 721 Turntable? by James

James — Thu, 17 Mar 2011 20:45:52 +0000

Personally, I think they Harman Kardon GLA-55′s look cool (they look like glass) and have good sound across their range.Just my opinion :)

Comment on Need Help Picking A Home Theater Receiver? by HT Guru

HT Guru — Thu, 17 Mar 2011 20:06:16 +0000

Check out the RX-V line of Yamaha receivers those are real home theater receivers if not Onkyo is good, sony is good but is more brand marketing than anything else and HK is good too.

Comment on Home Theater Wiring Tips? by herbal_cheeze

herbal_cheeze — Thu, 17 Mar 2011 19:02:22 +0000

Here is my suggestion:connect your DVD video to Projector with DVI-D cable (proj has dvi-i but should accept dvi-d)audio should be digital coax to the HK unit.PS2 video to projector with component cables (Red/Green/Blue) audio digital optical to HK unit.connect HK unit to speakers using two runs of 14/2 cable like Coleman, Signature, Liberty, etc to each speaker.connect HK unit to sub with coax based patch cable like NXGI hope your goo is the grey lite or even the crt white. It is low brightness but nice contrast for the money. There should be little to no ambient light with the light grey but it will give you the best picture.Make sure you check out the dolby web site for speaker placement and you will have a very nice system. Oh, tell your wife not to worry, you have this under control.NOTE: you will have to change the receiver AND the projector when changing between PS2 and DVD. Don’t forget to label ALL of your cables including speaker wire you will be too confused if you don’t and can harm the equipment.

Comment on Need Help Picking A Home Theater Receiver? by jmowgli1

jmowgli1 — Thu, 17 Mar 2011 18:08:41 +0000

Picking a good home theater receiver can be fun but tricky at the same time, simply because there are so many choices on the market to choose from. But to me seem like you have narrowed it down to a few choices here. Well I am going to just be frankly honest with you______The only good choice out of the (3) you choose [just to name a few] would be the Onkyo TX-SR605, Harman Kardon, just can’t pull the wattage and they product[s] just don’t seem to handle the heat. As far as Sony, they to me just seem to be a good name when it come to game gear, video and other products. I wouldn’t purchase a Sony receiver. Now I noticed that you have a price range. What if I told you that Pioneer makes a 7.1 with 120watts along with THX Select 2 for $499.00 [VSX-1017TX] and it is better than the (3) choices that you chose, without hurting the piggy bank__now if you just prefer to go with the one[s] you made, go with the Onkyo……good luck!

Comment on Will My Receiver Be Able To Drive A 6 Ohm Speaker? by He who must hold the remote

He who must hold the remote — Thu, 17 Mar 2011 17:44:26 +0000

(sigh)There is no “impedance matching” speakers to receivers. You are fine to run those speakers, but it will draw a bit more power than “8 ohm nominal” speakers so be careful about cranking the volume and make sure the receiver is well ventilated to draw off the extra heat.If you want to know scary details about impedance – read on.SPEAKERS & IMPEDANCEFACT: 8 ohm speakers …. are NOT 8 ohms except for some sounds.Speakers actually swing from 2 to 30 ohms during a song. The impedance changes with different frequencies being played at that moment.When you see “8 ohms” on a speaker – Think “8 ohms nominal” or “8 ohms average”.Here is the trick: Speakers come in 8,6,4 ohms. The lower the number, the closer to zero/direct short and the more power these speakers will try to suck from your amp. More power drawn = more heat generated. RECEIVERS AND IMPEDANCEReceivers are never called “8 ohm” receivers or “6 ohm” receivers. Because speakers swing through a range of impedances, receivers cannot expect a fixed impedance.But to compare one amp to another, honest companies publish numbers about how much power the amp will provide to:8 ohm6 ohm4 ohmspeakers as SEPARATE values.So receivers are POWER MEASURED for different impedances. This does NOT mean you are limited to one type of speaker with just 8/6/4 ohms impedance.The poster was correct to say “55 watts at 8 ohms”. This also means that receiver could produce:80 watts ate 6 ohms110 watts at 4 ohmsSo this gives you an idea about what the receiver can do with lower-impedance speakers.

Comment on Help! I Am Buying An A/v Receiver Today And I Need To Choose From A Few Receivers? by gotcha25

gotcha25 — Thu, 17 Mar 2011 17:43:04 +0000

Do yourself a favor and look at the Denons.

Comment on I’m Helping A Friend Install A Home Theater A/v System And We Are Unsure About Which Cables To Use? by GINNY M

GINNY M — Thu, 17 Mar 2011 17:42:39 +0000

I have the same a/v reciever, all you do is hook a/v hdmi out on the receiver to a/v hdmi in on the tv. Then hook all other components in on the reciever. wiring for that depends on what kind of components you have. say if you have a hd-dvd or blu-ray, or even a upconvert dvd player, then you use hdmi out. If you have an older dvd player that doesnt have hdmi out then you use component for video out and spdif out “tos-link” optical out for audio.

Comment on DVD No Voices Just Background Sound? by coco2591

coco2591 — Thu, 17 Mar 2011 17:21:45 +0000

Sounds like a bad connection from the DVD player to your receiver.You should be using a digital connection from your DVD player to your receiver if at all possible either coaxial or optical, this should help.If you have to use the composite cable (red/white), make sure your receiver is set for analog or Dolby Pro logic and not Dolby Digital, because it is not receiving a digital signal but an analog one..Also make sure in the audio set up you are telling the receiver that you have a center channel ,and that it is not turned off and it has been properly balanced in your audio set up.

Comment on Will My Receiver Be Able To Drive A 6 Ohm Speaker? by tinicum54

tinicum54 — Thu, 17 Mar 2011 17:00:31 +0000

Difference slight. I doubt the resulting distortion and power usage would be audible.

Comment on DVD No Voices Just Background Sound? by piano guy

piano guy — Thu, 17 Mar 2011 16:54:26 +0000

I own a couple of HK receivers. You need to go into the setup, and turn on your center speaker. This should work. Absolutely use some sort of Digital Cord from the DVD to the HK – the best you can hope for is Dolby surround (not Dolby Digital) without this. Also make sure that you are asking it to do Dolby Digital in your setup – it sounds as though you’ve requested a different setting. If there is still a problem, post a follow-up and I will try to help from there.

Comment on Which Is Better For A Media Room, Bose Acoustimass 10 Or Harmon/Kardon HKTS 18? by grindkingtrucks0

grindkingtrucks0 — Thu, 17 Mar 2011 16:40:54 +0000

the harman kardon will blow the bose away bose doesent sound good those are just people who dont know quality sound.

Comment on Need Help Picking A Home Theater Receiver? by pontgranprix

pontgranprix — Thu, 17 Mar 2011 16:33:21 +0000

Onkyo. I just bought an 805 and couldn’t be happier. As for the pioneer that was recommended the hdmi doesn’t transmit the audio you have to get a pioneer elite to get that luxury. The reviews at bestbuy.co say it all. Hk doesn’t have the power and it is more $. The only decent product sony seems to make is tvs.

Comment on Which Is Better For A Media Room, Bose Acoustimass 10 Or Harmon/Kardon HKTS 18? by Some guy

Some guy — Thu, 17 Mar 2011 16:18:09 +0000

The Acoustimas 10 would generally just be wasting your high quality amplifier as it works by using the subwoofer as a high low converter and then reamplifying through an amplifier in the subwoofer, ergo I’d highly unrecommend that system. The Harmon Kardon is an okay unit, though anytime you can go with separate components, you’ll get a better sound for generally less money. If you do four Polk Audio RM6801 speakers and a Polk center channel (not sure of your layout so I couldn’t really recommend one) plus the subwoofer, it would sound a lot better. You could also go with four Definitive Technologies Pro-Monitor 800 speakers, which cost about ten dollars more and have a much more clearly defined tweeter and sounds a little softer. With a full definitive package, all in all you’d be looking at $1100 or so and would sound the best. Of course, it all depends on the room layout and what have you. Are you looking for small speakers? Obscure speakers? The best sound possible where size doesn’t matter? Without more details, it’s harder to elaborate on. My contact info for this messenger service is in my profile if you want additional help.

Comment on Help! I Am Buying An A/v Receiver Today And I Need To Choose From A Few Receivers? by ROBERT P

ROBERT P — Thu, 17 Mar 2011 15:48:57 +0000

Hi, the NAD below is better than the two brands you have in mind .These receivers are very musical ,take my word for it.http://www.soundcity.com/index.asp?PageAction=VIEWPROD&ProdID=569

Comment on Home Theater Receiver? by R8derMike

R8derMike — Thu, 17 Mar 2011 15:41:46 +0000

I have a Harman Kardon AVR and I love it. I bought it at onecall.com for 55% off, as it was last years model. You can also buy factory repaired refurbs at the HK ebay store.http://stores.ebay.com/Harman-AudioDenon also makes a really nice high current AVR that is more reasonable that the HK.Onkyo makes really good equipment for the money. http://www.nextag.com/onkyo-tx-sr-505/search-htmlFor speakers, I bought the Ascend Acoustics CBM 170 and they sound incredible. Read the reviews. http://www.ascendacoustics.com/pages/products/speakers/cbm170/cbm170.html

Comment on Help! I Am Buying An A/v Receiver Today And I Need To Choose From A Few Receivers? by Jake

Jake — Thu, 17 Mar 2011 15:39:04 +0000

I agree with AM. go for the Onkyo 605 or 805 because of the HDMI v1.3. it definitely looks like future for HD content…maybe the future for quite some time.

Comment on Need Help Picking A Home Theater Receiver? by canderton01

canderton01 — Thu, 17 Mar 2011 13:49:57 +0000

I would go with the Harmon/Kardon. They are the best brand of the three because they still accurately rate all of their audio equipment so what you see is what you get. The sound quality of Harmon/Kardon receivers is also excellent. It’s a little more expensive than the others but it’s worth it. The model you mentioned has 85watts/(7)ch which is more than enough power to fill even a large room with great sound. Onkyo is a good brand too but H/K is better. I would not get Sony though. I have a Sony stereo receiver and there is a slight hiss if it is idle which is kind of annoying. I would only get a high-end Sony receiver. Sony’s lower-end receivers aren’t very good. This is the order of the brands to me (1 being best, 3 being least)1. Harmon/Kardon2. Onkyo3. Sony

Comment on Need Help Picking A Home Theater Receiver? by RankingSlackness

RankingSlackness — Thu, 17 Mar 2011 13:25:58 +0000

The Onkyo by far. HDMI 1.3 compliant therefore futureproof. Harman Kardon give off a “high end” vibe but are far from being there. They are overrated. The Sony I wont waste my time on.

Comment on Need Help Picking A Home Theater Receiver? by He who must hold the remote

He who must hold the remote — Thu, 17 Mar 2011 12:40:08 +0000

The Onkyo 705 unit won “Best Home Theater Receiver” in a recent “Perfect Vision” magazine. I imagine the 605 is a reduced power version of the higher end unit. This would by my first choice of the three.The Sony “ES” line is their better receivers. Sony makes a lot of so-so quality units and the DG910 does not stand out.HK is not very popular. When Circuit City was nearly going out of business, they only carried HK receivers for a while because they were so inexpensive. I have not read any reviews on HK receivers in a while so I just dont have anything good/bad to say.

Comment on How Do I Set Up Audio In Other Rooms Using My A/V Receiver? by flapjack

flapjack — Thu, 17 Mar 2011 12:09:28 +0000

Your amp does not support Powered audio out. However you can hook up to the multi RCA out on the back to get stereo sound to an additional amp or receiver to power your speakers. There is also both types of digital out to run an additional 5.1 system as well.You will need a audio distribution system for the other rooms. Niles offers a good place to start for ideas since they started the whole thing years ago.

Comment on AV Receiver With HDMI Sound And Video Along With IPod Input? by TV TECH-man

TV TECH-man — Thu, 17 Mar 2011 12:07:49 +0000

Dang, Harmon Kardon is a good Amp….a little more pricey than DENON, but still worth it….The HDMI connections usually aren’t a source of DOLBY as much as the Optical outputs are….I suspect that’s why HK decided to only use it for video…..But they still have the OPTICAL OUTPUTS to use for audio….My Denon has the SAME situation as yours does….I really doubt you’ll find audio processing on the HDMI jacks, since they are MORE DEDICATED to just providing Video to your TV set…..But maybe next year or so….

Comment on How Do I Connect A PS3 Playstation 3 To My Surround Sound Receiver? by mig

mig — Thu, 17 Mar 2011 10:44:49 +0000

you have the steps correct. ps3 >> optical cable >> receiverps3 >>hdmi >> hdtvdouble check input selection on receiver. double check settings on ps3.

Comment on Is It Better To Have Good Speakers Or A Good Receiver? by yujiro

yujiro — Thu, 17 Mar 2011 09:59:07 +0000

Obviously you want both, but I would invest in good speakers first. If you look at the way technology changes, receivers change just about every year. However, take a look at speakers. Speakers do not change nearly as much as receivers from year to year.

Comment on Home Theater Receiver? by mmountainbiker

mmountainbiker — Thu, 17 Mar 2011 09:47:50 +0000

Dont forget Pioneer elite thay are more expensive then most but is a beautiful piece to look at.

Comment on Is This A High End Stereo Receiver? by Daniel K

Daniel K — Thu, 17 Mar 2011 09:34:37 +0000

It was never $2000 but it was around $1100 when it came out. Here are some reviews:http://www.audioreview.com/cat/amplification/a-v-receivers/harman-kardon/avr-55/PRD_118594_2718crx.aspx

Comment on Is It Better To Have Good Speakers Or A Good Receiver? by MATTHEW B

MATTHEW B — Thu, 17 Mar 2011 09:29:04 +0000

You want good speakers, they are the single most important factor when it comes to sound. For example, you can have a 10,000 reciever and have it hooked up to cheapie speakers and it will sound horrible, but you can have a cheap reciever (300.00) hooked up to great speakers and it will sound great.I would look at buying last years Onkyo 705 or 805 for around 300-500.00 and use that to drive your speakers. Now for your other question, you want to use the same speakers all the way around for timbre matching, so if you use the JBL towers for mains and a H/K speaker for the center and surrounds, the sound is going to be off when the sound travels across the screen. because you have giant towers and a smaller different brand center.It’s really not that important for the surrounds as much, but having timbre matching will give you flawless sound all around. Since you have H/K 5.1 speakers, I would look at buying two more of the same speakers, if they no longer make them, look for H/K speakers with the same tweeter and midrange drivers to blend as close as possible with your existing speakers.

Comment on Factory Remanufactured? by Hitman

Hitman — Thu, 17 Mar 2011 09:22:41 +0000

Ratty sam is correct about everything that he said, cause i bought a refurb unit and had scratches on the outside of the reciever but they covered it with a full 1 year warranty, But like he said sometime they will not do that so make sure you ready into it, but as far as you asking is it worth it sometimes in my case of course it saved me $200 just check into it.

Comment on Bose Acoustimass Vs Harman Kardon Sub? by Kenneth P

Kenneth P — Thu, 17 Mar 2011 09:08:59 +0000

usually bose products have different cables to hook up to surround systems. they are specially made to fit bose and bose unit only. i would stay with the h/k sub anyway it will give you better response than the bose

Comment on Which Is Better For A Media Room, Bose Acoustimass 10 Or Harmon/Kardon HKTS 18? by magu2k

magu2k — Thu, 17 Mar 2011 09:03:53 +0000

I try to stay brand neutral.. but I really do NOT suggest you buy Bose. If you like Bose, you might as well save money and buy a 100 dollar HTIAB. However, listen to a number of choices, read some reviews, and most of all listen to your choices. Pick what you like the sound of.

Comment on Is This A High End Stereo Receiver? by sjburke73

sjburke73 — Thu, 17 Mar 2011 08:00:50 +0000

Pioneer Elite, Onkyo and Denon are not the top 3 receivers.Classe, Pathe, Rotel, Parasound, Anthem, Krell, Levinson, Macintosh – these are high end and would outperfom anything from Denon, Pioneer Elite or Onkyo.Pioneer, Denon, etc., are all “normal” consumer receivers capable of decent performance and I would include Marantz, Integra, Yamaha, Emotiva, Sony (ES only) and HK in that list.However I wouldn’t base anything off what it was worth in 1997. You may be able to get something brand new that outperforms a 10-year old stereo receiver for $300. Check out Emotiva’s website.www.emotiva.com

Comment on Buying A Receiver Tomorrow And Im Between Harman Kardon Arv-146 And Marantz Zr6001sp. What Do You Suggest? by ROBERT P

ROBERT P — Thu, 17 Mar 2011 01:41:30 +0000

Hi. I think it is wise to have extra watts for clarity .Also it depends on your speaker requirements.Have you got enough power to drive your speakers with either Amp.If Yes go for the Marantz.Cheers.

Comment on How To Hook Up Denon D-70 Eq To A Harman Kardon Avr-320 Receiver? by twogen1

twogen1 — Thu, 17 Mar 2011 01:17:44 +0000

There is no good way to hook these two components together. An EQ requires that the receiver have either a tape monitor, or a preamp in and out. This receiver has neither. So while it is possible that you could use them together the hookup would be a little expensive, very convoluted and the best result you could get would be to have only the front right and left speakers respond to the EQ

Comment on Buying A Receiver Tomorrow And Im Between Harman Kardon Arv-146 And Marantz Zr6001sp. What Do You Suggest? by dddd

dddd — Thu, 17 Mar 2011 01:15:15 +0000

thre both good i suggest the marantz

Comment on 2 – 25ft Advanced 1.3a HDMI Cable 24AWG, Supports well over 1080p exclusively designed for Close Hassle free Cable Connections to your Favorite Components including PS3, Denon, Harmon Kardon, Onkyo, or Sony Receivers, XBOX 360, LCD, and Plasma TV Monitors by laura

laura — Thu, 17 Feb 2011 16:31:00 +0000

It was quite convenient that I was able to purchase this necessary item, yet the package contained two cords and only one worked.

Comment on Harman Kardon HK3480 Stereo Receiver by Rudolf Vracko

Rudolf Vracko — Mon, 14 Feb 2011 23:22:39 +0000

My new HK3480 Harman Kardon Receiver serves as radio reception from cable, input from a CD player, input from a wireless room-to-room A/V sender, and input from a stereo cassette deck. I like the receiver except for two issues. As a senior citizen who uses reading glasses I find the thin black letters on the dark grey background of the remote control very hard to read, even in full light and with my brand new glasses on. Equally difficult to read are the labels on the front of the unit. Bigger and brighter letters would be nice. The other issue is amplification of higher frequencies. The treble control of my new unit just does not seem to be as effective as the one in my old Calibre 240 unit, using the same speakers, wires and ears. I do not think my hearing has suddenly changed because I can detect the difference if I play the units side by side. All in all, I am happy with the new Harman Kardon and recommend it highly to those who do not require reading glasses.

Comment on Harman Kardon HK3480 Stereo Receiver by S. Barnett

S. Barnett — Mon, 14 Feb 2011 15:45:44 +0000

I bought the HK3480 to replace a 25-year-old HK receiver that was losing steam. I was floored to hear how much music I had missed hearing over the last few years, especially with the Klipsch RF3 speakers I’ve had for about 3 years. It’s as if the HK was designed to go with Klipsch, pure, clear, yet mellow high end and plenty of bass for my ear. The volume control is excellent, it rises in 1dB increments. This would be a sensible buy at the list price, but at the discount price I feel like I’m stealing it. Delivery was quick and hassle free. 5 stars all the way.

Comment on Harman Kardon HK3480 Stereo Receiver by Alan C. Hahn

Alan C. Hahn — Mon, 14 Feb 2011 12:22:06 +0000

I would have given this 5 stars except for the fact that you’re paying for the Vmax 360 degree concert hall surround….blah, blah, blah….it just doesn’t work. Sounds terrible and my wife and I never use it. However, the amp itself is terrific. Pure clean power. My cds never sounded better. Lots of punch in the bass and no coloration whatsoever. We set the tone controls dead center and forget it. Nothing fancy, just pure clean power. Very pretty blue lights on it too. Nice to look at. Plug a sub into the back of it and enjoy old fashioned stereo. It’s getting hard to find a good 2 channel stereo amp with a sub output. Everything sold nowadays is multichannel receivers. This one is terrific and the price is good, even though it could have been lowered by eliminating the useless Vmax feature.

Comment on Harman Kardon HK3480 Stereo Receiver by R. Lanthier

R. Lanthier — Mon, 14 Feb 2011 12:20:13 +0000

My dilemma began when my old NAD receiver began getting wonky in one channel. I started to research repair costs and quickly moved on to new alternatives in receivers and was overwhelmed by the choices and complexity of setting up these new receivers. After much thought and analysis, I realized that I really only need a two-channel setup. I have a good set of Klipsch speakers that still sound great and delivered excellent sound from the old receiver. Also, I was always pleased with the movie viewing experience when I hooked my DVD player through the old two-channel receiver. This realization greatly simplified my search as there are not many two channel receivers made anymore. So, enter the HK 3480. This is one sweet receiver. Very reasonably priced. Good connectivity. A functional remote (though VERY hard to read in lower light!). The sound is clean and ample, powers my Klipsch 4.2s very well). I highly recommend this receiver, but remember if you are looking for surround, THX, etc, this is not the one for you. Excellent value AND performance, such an odd combination. It also looks very good if that is a concern. Be sure to buy HK products from an authorized reseller like Amazon (see HK site for others) in order to have a valid warranty…

Comment on Harman Kardon HK3480 Stereo Receiver by P. Langenfeld

P. Langenfeld — Mon, 14 Feb 2011 11:15:12 +0000

I decided that all I needed was to listen to 2 channels and that Dolby surround sound was a nice trick that didn’t mean much too me to justify the cost. This Harman Kardon HK3480 receiver allows listeners to have a very capable and powerful amp at a very very low price. Typically, surround sound receivers will cost at least three times as much and give you much less power per channel. For instance, I had a Denon 2805 which I paid over $800 for which had 7 channels of surround sound at 100 Watts per channel or listed as 135 Watts when playing two channel. When I compared its two channel ability to this Harman Kardons 125 Watts per channel the difference was night and day. With the Denon the bass through my audiophile speakers – by my ears better than B&W can be purchased at discount used at Audiogon.com) was grainy and distorted. With the HK the bass became clear accurate and deep. With the Denon the highs by my ears were slightly harsh and digital, and with the HK they were natural and warm yet still open. Apparently Denon overstates their power and HK understates theirs. The HK Amp will drive small and large speakers with warm deep clear sound and precision (it is low powered amps with distortion not high ones with clear sound that blow out speakers). If you don’t need Dolby surround sound and if you are on a budget or not and just want strong clear warm sound don’t look any further. This amp is for you.
This HK easily bested the Denon 2805 Home theater receiver falsly advertised at more Watts at about 1/4 the cost! P.S. The row of small round buttons that look a gaudy silver in the photo are actually black and attractive. My only complaint style-wise about this otherwise attractive receiver is the open gash with RCA plugs on the front pannel. An optional cover would have been nice – but afterall, it is already competing with their much more expensive receivers! (One additional speaker note, if you want some bookshelf speakers with audiophile grade sound and plenty of bass at a great price, the Onix Reference 1 in the low 500 range at less than half price new on at Audiogon.com is the way to go. Wonderful sound with a natural rosewood veneer.

Comment on Harman Kardon HK3480 Stereo Receiver by Fred Keske "fackbell"

Fred Keske "fackbell" — Mon, 14 Feb 2011 08:15:21 +0000

I’ve had this HK receiver for a couple of months now and I really am enjoying the clean natural sound of the audio. I was looking for a reasonably priced receiver with a phono input. Tuner works well and the remote is easy to use.
Unfortunately, the video portion leaves a lot to be desired. I use this unit in my mostly listening room, but I also wanted to hook it up to my second TV. I have two problems with the video setup, the first is just a design flaw and the second is just a dumb design decision.
As for the first problem it seems that the unit is just incompatible with my DVD player. When I hookup my DVD player to any of the inputs the brightness and contrast are horribly out of whack, though the picture is fine when the DVD player is connected directly to the TV. What’s puzzling about this is that my dish satellite receiver output works fine on any of the HK 3480 inputs. The DVD unit is actually a recorder with the brand name of Balance. This was purchased a little more than a year ago. I tried swapping cables and get the same result. I’ve also tried connecting the DVD directly to a total of three TVs as a test with the video working just fine. I’m sure it’s probably a capability issue, probably an impedance mismatch on the RF front end of the receiver…very disappointing performance.
As for the second problem, there is an A/V output labeled video 1 output. I would expect that the video1 output would pass whatever is on the video 1 input regardless of the source selected. In other words it should act as an active splitter to pass the video 1 input source such as a satellite receiver to a recording device to avoid having an external A/V splitter box. However, it doesn’t work this way. If you wish to use the Video 1 Outputs, you cannot have Video 1 selected as the source. Since the unit does not work as a Tape Monitor, you can only send out a signal when not using that specific source. The Video 1 output should pass any video signal being sent into the receiver, but, will NOT pass the Video 1 output when this source is selected. For example, when video 2 is selected, that source that will be present on the video 1 output. The same is true for the video 3 source. I find that the video 1 output is basically useless since you can’t view through the recording device to make sure it’s recording properly. I find it extremely odd that an output would be labeled video 1 when there is no way you could ever view the video 1 source through the video 1 output…very strange. The manual also don’t come close to explaining this operational abnormality. By the way, the unit operates correctly otherwise; each source when selected is properly displayed on the video monitor output and the correct audio present at the speaker outputs.
HK technical support concurs and sympathizes with the above issues, but say that this is how the unit was designed and there is nothing wrong with the unit I have. So for what it’s worth, you basically have a good audio receiver.

Comment on Harman Kardon HK3480 Stereo Receiver by D. Wendel

D. Wendel — Mon, 14 Feb 2011 00:33:50 +0000

I have owned this receiver/amp for almost a year and half now, and I am thrilled with its performance for music (CDs and records). I’m a musician and love to be able to hear the musical nuances of my CDs – I’m one of those people who rips music in lossless formats because I want to make sure I’m not missing anything! I’d recommend this to anyone who wants to hear music the way it was recorded but can’t afford $10,000 systems.
I have this amp paired with 2 JBL Studio Series S38II speakers. It sounds terrific with a deep, detailed soundstage, singing highs (clear but not harsh), and solid, tight lows. It also gets vision-impairingly loud in my small room 35 notches below max volume (I’ve never tried max).
I also love all the inputs – I have my CD player hooked up to CD, my computers (one is a music server, the others is for movies) hooked up to VID1 and VID2, and a spare 1/8″ jack hooked up to VID3 for when a friend wants to play something for me from his/her iPod.
- This amp is designed for stereo sources. Since all CDs and most records are mixed in stereo, any “surround sound” amps are actually fiddling with the signal to try to split it into more speakers. In the studio, the producers listen on only 2 speakers. This amp reproduces that stereo sound – no more, no less. This is NOT the amp for you if you want artificially-created “surround” music. Only DVDs are recorded in surround, and for that you should buy a 5.1/6.1/7.1 receiver, not this.
- There’s a difference between loud and strong. My alarm clock is loud, but that’s because it’s a piercing, high frequency. This amp has the strength to move things around on your shelves – I’d like to see that from an alarm clock. I almost never turn the volume up past -30dB for fear of neighbors. It goes to +10dB.
- This amp is quite heavy, but here’s why: it has power capacitors the size of soup cans. What does this mean? Well, here’s where the “high current” comes in. Amplifiers drive speakers by changing the voltages on the speaker wires. The voltage (which is like pressure on a pipe) makes electric current flow through an electromagnet, which in turn moves the speaker cone. However, low-frequency sounds need a LOT of current from the amp, which on many amps can make the high sounds get thin whenever low loud notes play (or, high notes can make the low notes weak). The capacitors in this amp, though, store enough reserve power to play those low notes AND high notes at the same time. So, unlike cheaper amps, this can provide short bursts of current (for bass drum, etc.) that are even more than the amp is drawing from the wall outlet, so one loud instrument in the recording doesn’t prevent you from hearing other, softer instruments.
- The headphone jack on this receiver provides much better sound than portable CD players. I prefer to run my CDs through this amp, and listen that way. You’ll really notice the difference if you compare with nice headphones. – In my opinion the only use for the VMAx feature on this thing is for movies. It really messes with the tonal balance, bringing vocals forward and overemphasizing the bass. I have a 12″ 100W sub that I have set up for music, so it’s earthquakey with VMAx. This is NOT a loudness feature like the STC (Selective Tone Control) on Onkyo receivers. STC makes up for frequency ranges that get hard to hear at low volumes, and it works well for music. VMAx just puts it in “movie mode,” and does not sound great with music.
In conclusion, I’m happy with this amp (when used with decent speakers and headphones), and if you’re looking for a good STEREO system I bet you will be too.
For comparison, I’ve also heard the comparably-rated Sony, Onkyo, and Denon products. The Onkyo is great (although maybe less stylish), the Denon is possibly clearer (but for a lot more money! and not quite as powerful), and the Sony doesn’t quite cut it for low-impedance speakers in my opinion.

Comment on Harman Kardon HK3480 Stereo Receiver by applewood

applewood — Sun, 13 Feb 2011 19:38:38 +0000

Recently I needed a replacement for my old preamp (HK6100), and narrowed it down to a choice between the similarly priced HK3480 and Onkyo TX8511 receivers. A salesman gave the advice that the HK has better sound, so I went with it, and I am pleasantly surprised with the sound, noticable more clear than my old HK preamp.
One of the main deciding factors was that the Onkyo amp reportedly has a bright (irritating green) and non-dimmable display light, while the HK has a 3 stage dimmable one (cool electric blue). These little features make a big difference in the long run.
The attractive and sturdy unit was easy to set up with plenty of hookup jacks on the back (multiple tape, video, speaker, subwoofer and phono jacks). The 2X35 watt channels give plenty of volume, with nice precise digital (in 1dB increments) control. The FM receiver is powerful (able to pick up several channels in this remote mountainous area), and tunes in .1 MHz increments. The proprietary optional VMax mode is interesting at first (expands the sound to be a more spacial surround-like sound from only 2 speakers), but is not for every listening situation; it works best for instrumental and acoustic music since it mostly expands and loudens the bottom end and, especially at higher volumes, can make vocals too distant to understand (a subwoofer makes VMax seem unnecessary as well).
Mostly what makes me happy is the pristinely clear and clean audio quality (oh yes, and the remote!). I’m very glad I went with HK again.

Comment on Harman Kardon HK3480 Stereo Receiver by Ears Open

Ears Open — Sun, 13 Feb 2011 13:52:39 +0000

I had picked up an older HK AV 5-channel receiver for video use a couple of years ago, and have always been impressed by how clean and clear the sound was, even when temporarily hooking it up to my better stereo system. After recently moving, I found myself wanting that HK in two rooms, so I retired my old NAD stereo amp and bought the HK 3480 for my main music listening setup. I have a Denon 2900 to play CDs, SACDs, and DVD-As, and the HK is driving a pair of Vandersteen 2ci speakers. To say it sounds great is an understatement! The detail and depth of the soundstage are remarkable, and it is possible to shake the house without any apparent effort. The only disappointment was the remote, which is not programmable, although for the price of this unit, I’m not really complaining.
If you’re looking for a high quality, great sounding stereo receiver for a reasonable price, I can’t recommend this product enough.

Comment on Harman Kardon HK3480 Stereo Receiver by Julio Castro Karg

Julio Castro Karg — Sun, 13 Feb 2011 12:29:29 +0000

A couple of months ago my old and very simple Sony equipment started to give up on me after years of use. So I started to look for a good replacement for it.Since this was meant to be a replacement to be located at my bedroom and mostly for music playing, my first idea was to look for one of those popular mini-systems with everything integrated on them. I found some interesting products from Onkyo and Denon but, although their sound was quite nice (especially Denon’s), I found that their power was somehow limited.Then, I decided to look for some of those “Home Theater in a box” systems that are so popular nowadays, even if I would use it primarily for music reproduction! I tried Sony, Kenwood and Denon. I found an interesting Denon system, but before buying it I decided to bring along a couple of my own CDs in order to try it out with my own music!The next day I took a couple of my favourite CDs with me to try them with the Denon. I chose Mahler’s Symphony #3 (with Boulez), Andreas Scholl’s “Ombra mai fu”, some Dead Can Dance and Air’s “Moon Safari”. It really sounded nice but since I had those CDs with me I decided to make a last visit to the department store where I had seen the Denon and Onkyo mini-systems before making a final decission.An hour later I visited this department store and went to their audio department. Instead of looking for the mini-systems I went directly to the high-end audio area. Among the various Onkyos, Marantz, Denons and Yamahas I noticed Harman Kardon’s new HK-3480, and I immediately liked the looks of it’s new design! Then, I contacted a salesman and after telling him that I mostly listen to classical music (although my other musical tastes are quite varied), he suggested me to give the Harman Kardon a try!I was able to compare the Harman Kardon with the Denons (both the mini-system and the Home Theater options). After some listening I was convinced that a nice stereo system was more than enough for me. The power and sheer clarity of sound of Harman Kardon’s HK-3480 was immediately noticeable!We first tried it with a couple of Yamaha speakers, then with Cerwin-Vega, Infinity and finally with Polk. Boy oh boy, what a beautiful sound the Polk’s have, cristal clear and absolutely gorgeous!!! Besides, they look so sharp! We finally added an Infinity subwoofer and there it was, the perfect setup for me! I was really ready to make a final decission! I bought Harman Kardon’s HK-3480 reciever along with H-K’s FL-8385 CD player, a pair of Polk’s RTi8 speakers and Infinity’s PS10 subwoofer. What a difference from my old and humble Sony setup! By the way, if you choose Polk speakers like I did, get the black ones, they look great along Harman Kardon’s silver and black design!The HK-3480 receiver works great! There are more than enough connections inputs on it, including several for audio/video and a phono input too (now I’m also thinking about replacing my old Technics for a brand new turntable). The HK-3480 is surely a great receiver for those who want top quality stereo sound, but it should me mentioned that with the VMAx feature on this receiver you can have simulated surround sound too when you need it!I now feel that all of a sudden my CD collection doubled in size since every single CD in my collection sounds so much better now! I’m rediscovering music that I bought 10 or 15 years ago! What a joy!!!

Comment on Harman Kardon HD990 CD Player with RLS III (Black) by Casey L. Tomlinson "CLT"

Casey L. Tomlinson "CLT" — Fri, 11 Feb 2011 09:29:56 +0000

Thanks to the few reviews here I opted to choose this cd player over many others in a more upward price point. I was looking at CA, Marantz, Rega, but couldn’t really justify the additional coin for a system that may not take advantage of a higher end player; [my sysem]Denon AVR, Emotiva monos, Martin Logan Preface (2) and AudioQuest cables&interconnects.
The first thing I noticed when playing my first cd, JoshuaJudgesRuth by Lyle Lovett, was that it was very bright in the midrange and much more noticeable bass than my previous Yamaha 5-disc, much cleaner output, less distortion and more sound delivery in terms of db.
I’ve used Teac burn-in cd and I believe this has smoothed out the player much more rapidly that one disc at a time. Presence, dynamics and and response is just beautiful. I have noticed a difference in audio cds that were developed in the mid-80s not having the same delivery as newer production cds; not sure how to technically differentiate them, but they still sound at least twice as good than with my older unit. Some quality cds will offer nuances and instruments that were well hidden without this player.
I give HIGH praise to this player, especially for the money. Buy one before the price surges or the supply dwindles.

Comment on Harman Kardon HD990 CD Player with RLS III (Black) by Eclectic Reader

Eclectic Reader — Fri, 11 Feb 2011 09:22:00 +0000

Just bought it to replace my 10 year old Cambridge Audio D500. I’m very impressed that the HD990 plays CDs that skipped in my former player. The sound quality is simply awesome – breathtaking at times. I’m hearing subtleties and nuances that I never knew existed on stuff I have listened to for years. Who would think that a CD player could make such a profound difference? This is well worth the $400 I spent.

Comment on Harman Kardon HD990 CD Player with RLS III (Black) by vinokurov

vinokurov — Fri, 11 Feb 2011 01:53:12 +0000

The magnificent player! Bought with fears. Listening to the shop is not very informative. Houses .. I’m happy! Very detailed, soft (in a good way), a rich supply of music. I use it with Benchmark-DAC1. Own analog output of the player is not bad, but a Benchmark-DAC sound better. Own analog output has a very wide stereo base and big bass, but inferior to Benchmark in detail (a little) and HD990 (a little!) “sour” at the hi range. It really is quite a bit! Before buying, I used Denon DCD1450. Tired of squeaky… Now the sound of getting a real pleasure. Player need “warming up” and he responds to the purity of electricity in your wall outlet. During warming midrange are clearer and more detailed, and for a beautiful bass you need a good power cord. Recommend!!!
(listen opera and symphonic music, only..)

Comment on Harman Kardon HD990 CD Player with RLS III (Black) by J. Klein "jeff1818"

J. Klein "jeff1818" — Fri, 11 Feb 2011 00:06:50 +0000

i read the glowing reviews online, the product was supposed to be amazing. i bought one and immediately it skipped. i took it back and got another. i popped in a brand new CD and less than 2 minutes in it skipped. 2 HK 990s right out of the box and they skipped. i have zero confidence in the product. now maybe i’m in the minority and i got 2 lemons. i’m not here to bash the company or anything, i just have had bad luck. i just bought the Onkyo C S5VL and it is amazing. no skips, great sound.

Comment on Harman Kardon HD990 CD Player with RLS III (Black) by Nick

Nick — Thu, 10 Feb 2011 15:30:00 +0000

I bought this over a month ago, from another online retailer. Some friends think I’m crazy for investing this much money into, of all things, a CD player at this point in time, but I’ve never been one for compressed MP3 music. Call me old-fashioned, but I still prefer physical media. The HK 990 does not disappoint. Finally, my CD’s sound just as lush, warm, and rounded as my vinyl, without any of that cold harsh metallic sound that plagues most CD players! Paired with my HK 3490, the sound quality is stunning. What more can I say? Controls are easy enough to handle on the machine, yet standing a just a few feet away, no buttons are visible at all on the front face of this marvelously minimalistic design. (I use a universal remote, so I can’t comment on the ergonomics of the HK-supplied remote.) To date, the machine has played every kind of CD I’ve thrown at it with ease; even CD’s that skip on other players due to scratches don’t skip on this one. The extra bonus of the HD 990 is that there are digital in and out jacks so that you can route the sound from a bluray or other player through its audiophile quality DAC in order to benefit from the upgraded sound (which insures that this machine will still be relevant and useful long after CD’s are no more). When I bought my HK3490 two years ago, I wanted this CD player but Harman didn’t sell it in the US. At one point, I even thought about importing it, but dealing with the voltage converters would have been too much of a hassle. I’m glad Harman Kardon finally decided to bring more of their audiophile quality music equipment to the US market. Even if it doesn’t sell as well here as it does in Europe, it reminds customers of Harman’s commitment to good old-fashioned, never-out-of-style stereo music.

Comment on Harman Kardon HTFS2 Black Speaker Stands (Pair) by M. Finn

M. Finn — Thu, 10 Feb 2011 08:21:46 +0000

Bought 2 sets of these stands for our new Harmon Kardon HKTS 18 surround sound speakers. They are easy to assemble, sturdy and attractive. The cleats on the bottom keep them stable on the carpeting, yet I like the fact that we can still move them a little further out or closer in depending on the number of people we have in the room and where they are sitting.

After reading the other reviews, I called Vann's to ask if they were still offering a discount if you were buying 2 sets of stands. They took $10.00 off of each set. I took the chance and ordered them directly from Vann's to get the discount since this wasn't an electronic component and I wasn't in any hurry for them. Usually I prefer to buy through Amazon because their return policy is excellent and I've never had any problems with them. Happily the stands arrived in 3 business days, safely packed and all is well. Thanks Amazon, Vann's and reviewers!

Comment on Harman Kardon HD990 CD Player with RLS III (Black) by John_Atypical

John_Atypical — Thu, 10 Feb 2011 07:42:47 +0000

My first CD player was a Harman Kardon, bought in 1990, and it served me well for nearly 10-years. In the intervening years I’ve bought fewer CDs and played them on a DVD player, but increasingly downloaded music in AAC or MP3. But these compressed formats are just not that good, and lately I have developed a passionate hatred of the restrictions imposed by the Digital Rights Management (DRM) associated with such media. So it was time to go back to solid, tangible media where I know where I stand as regards where I can and can’t legally play it.
Next question; where to buy? I did what would make most audio-evangelists splenetic with grief. I bought my HD990 and a Harman Kardon receiver (HK3490) from Amazon, without having even listened to them. Why? Over the years I have suffered buying audio equipment from up-market Hi-Fi dealers. I’m over being treated like an ignorant peasant because I’m not prepared to spend $1000 on a cable. Audio equipment obeys a law of diminishing returns. A $5000 CD player does NOT sound ten times better than a $500 one. Maybe spending that much money just makes you want to believe it does?
Not surprisingly, the HD990 has 100% fulfilled my expectations. It was dead simple to set up. The front panel controls and remote control are simple, and elegantly designed. There are both analog outputs and digital (optical and coaxial) outputs. I’m using analog because cable distance to the receiver is very short. You even have the option of exporting playback to another DA converter, but I’m not sure why you’d want to do this.
And the sound is just lovely. There is no transport noise during quiet passages. Listening to a selection of R&B, jazz and rock, I think it handles acoustic better than electric, but then this could be my speakers.
Well done HK, and well done Amazon for the keen price.

Comment on Harman Kardon HTFS2 Black Speaker Stands (Pair) by James D. Wolfe

James D. Wolfe — Thu, 10 Feb 2011 04:14:27 +0000

I ordered 4 of these for each of my main channel speakers. The bases are very heavy and will keep the speakers steady.

It comes with floor studs for either hard wood or carpet. The carpet ones are pretty neat little cleats that stick into the carpet to give it even more stability. The hard floor studs are some little rubber nubs.

The base of the stand is made of aluminum it seems, with a high gloss paint job that matches the speakers surprisingly well. All very modern looking.

I'd def. recommend these for your HKTS systeam.

Comment on Harman Kardon HTFS2 Black Speaker Stands (Pair) by Patrick G. Moore

Patrick G. Moore — Thu, 10 Feb 2011 03:21:53 +0000

I got 6 of these since my new living room did not have walls in the right places. They have good heavy bases with spike things to screw in for sitting on carpet or rubber pads for bare floor. Beautiful match for the HKS-18 and the matching rear pair.

Comment on Harman Kardon HTFS2 Black Speaker Stands (Pair) by Brandon Gabbard

Brandon Gabbard — Thu, 10 Feb 2011 01:54:48 +0000

I held off ordering these because I have a 4 year old and was worried about him knocking them over on our hardwood floors but these have a very nice build quality. Heavy weighted base with rubber or spiked feet for carpet. I put the spiked feet inside when I assembled the stands so in case we ever move and I need to use them I’ll know where they are. My only complaint is there isn’t some kind of keeper to hold the cord in the notch on the bottom so when you move them to vacum or clean the cord comes out of the notch and the stand wont sit level until you move the cord back into the notch. Been meaning to place a bit of gaffers tape on it. Very very pleased with these. I had these speakers all bunched up on a wide entertainment center/tv stand and the voices were hard to make out and really hurt the surround sound, now that I have all these speakers separated voices are clear, distinct and the surround sound is amazing.

Comment on Harman Kardon HTFS2 Black Speaker Stands (Pair) by Pauline M. Scoggins "itzpms"

Pauline M. Scoggins "itzpms" — Wed, 09 Feb 2011 21:59:53 +0000

these work with the HK speakers.
my nephew hooked them up in less than 5 minutes !!
four of them !!
the speakers attach to the stands beautifully and they actually look like one piece.
the wires are fed through the stands easily.
they are extremely sturdy.
my dog ran into one, and it wobbled a little bit, but never fell over !!
that sold me !!!!!

Comment on Harman Kardon HTFS2 Black Speaker Stands (Pair) by thedayearthstoodstill

thedayearthstoodstill — Wed, 09 Feb 2011 20:43:25 +0000

Good height.
Nice appearance.
Sturdy enough (on tiles at least).
Easy install.
Quality material.
Good Price.
Good Shipping.

Comment on Harman Kardon HTFS2 Black Speaker Stands (Pair) by Timothy J. McGuire

Timothy J. McGuire — Wed, 09 Feb 2011 20:35:39 +0000

If you buy the HKS-9 – Satellite Speakers, or the HKTS-18 5.1 Channel Speaker System: USE THESE, they are PERFECT.

Comment on Harman Kardon HTFS2 Black Speaker Stands (Pair) by M. Donahue

M. Donahue — Wed, 09 Feb 2011 19:16:45 +0000

These Harmon Kardon speaker stands look great and are built with quality materials. The base is made of iron which adds to the overall stability. The height is perfect and allows the speakers to perform at their best. I order my stands from Vanns. I am very happy and would recommend to anyone.

Comment on How Do I Connect 2 Subwoofers In 1 Receiver. Ihave A Harman Kardon Avr340 And Bose Am10. I Want To Add 1 More? by James

James — Wed, 09 Feb 2011 18:55:34 +0000

You can’t if your receiver has only one subwoofer out, which is the norm. You’d be better suited upgrading your existing sub than adding another (truly). The location matters more than the number, it’s only delivering bass… quality is better than quantity here. good luck

Comment on Harman Kardon HTFS2 Black Speaker Stands (Pair) by J. Higbee

J. Higbee — Wed, 09 Feb 2011 17:25:25 +0000

Amazon shows two vendors for this item. Toyzz and Vann’s. Toyzz charges $199 a pair and $24.99 for shipping with a three week wait. Vann’s price is $99 a pair and free next day shipping. What a HUGE difference. Check the price thoroughly, with shipping and delivery times, before ordering.

Comment on How Do I Connect 2 Subwoofers In 1 Receiver. Ihave A Harman Kardon Avr340 And Bose Am10. I Want To Add 1 More? by Sloth

Sloth — Wed, 09 Feb 2011 17:11:14 +0000

Sorry James, I think there’s a better way… Actually, if you have a sub that has a “LFE in” and a “LFE out,” you can definitely run the LFE out from your receiver, and “Daisy Chain” the 2nd sub, and then run it to the Bose AM10 sub. The Bose Acoustimass Subwoofers are very muddy in bass, and do not do well below the 50 htz range. I can understand why you want a 2nd one!I’ve sold a few subwoofers to customers who installed a Bose system already in the wall, have a separate AV receiver, and wanted to get more bass out of their system.. Bose is very picky in their setup in that they want to have everything proprietary in their setup. Also, have you set your Harman Kardon to “Full” instead of “Small” on the receiver setup? Bose has all of the speakers hooked up first thru their Acoustimass Sub, then it gets routed to the speakers. They do this because the tiny cube speakers create no bass, and when your receiver is set to “Full” you get the response Bose speakers are designed for. Try it!

Comment on Harman Kardon HTFS2 Black Speaker Stands (Pair) by David Bradford "David"

David Bradford "David" — Wed, 09 Feb 2011 16:46:24 +0000

Really attractive stands and easy to assemble. Very stable and hides wiring. I noticed that there was a 25% Savings from Vann's if you buy two pair. I do not know if this will continue. I may have just been lucky. Great for the HKTS 15's or 18's.

Comment on Which Harman Kardon Receiver To Buy? by Robert W

Robert W — Wed, 09 Feb 2011 16:29:18 +0000

Buy the system that matches your speakers

Comment on Which Harman Kardon Receiver To Buy? by Jewel J

Jewel J — Wed, 09 Feb 2011 09:03:21 +0000

You can consider Harman Kardon AVR 2600 High Performance, 65W X 7, 7.1 channel iPhone compatible Home Theater Receiver with Dolby Volume and Upscaling to 1080p (Black)Dolby Volume maintains volume across all your content no matter what the source while also improving surround sound performanceHigh-current, ultra-wide-bandwidth amplifier generates 65Watts per channel for uncompromised realismEzSet/EQ automates room-equalization and system-calibration for simple system setup and optimal audio qualityOptional Bridge III iPod dock allows playback of music and movies from your iPod, iTouch or iPhone in richDolby True HD and DTS-HD Master Audio decoding delivers high-resolution sound from today’s Blu-ray discs

Comment on Which Harman Kardon Receiver To Buy? by Lowenf

Lowenf — Wed, 09 Feb 2011 04:45:12 +0000

recommend this site for you to choose your receiver.

Comment on Which Harman Kardon Receiver To Buy? by James

James — Wed, 09 Feb 2011 02:35:10 +0000

What brand of receiver you buy will have no effect on ease of setup. Receivers don’t know or care what brand of speakers you connect to them.

Comment on Harman Kardon HK 3490 120 Watt X 2 Stereo Receiver with XM Radio-ready Tuner and Dolby Virtual Speaker by Lower East Sider

Lower East Sider — Tue, 01 Feb 2011 10:01:13 +0000

I purchased the HK 3490 from Amazon to replace a 13 year old Sony receiver. The Sony had served me well, but it had a lot of confusing buttons and features, many of which were related to the surround sound Pro-Logic and video switching functions, which I never used. I wanted to replace the Sony with something that was easier to use. I also wanted to stay at about the same level of RMS per-channel power (the Sony had 110 watts per channel RMS in two-channel mode, the HK 3490 has 120 watts per channel RMS).
The HK 3490 sounds very clean (low distortion) and has ample power to drive my Jamo 660 tower speakers and an older passive (non amplified) Jamo subwoofer. I especially like how the volume control allows very easy and precise control of the volume for low to moderate listening levels. The HK 3490′s tape monitor loop permitted me to hook up a small graphic equalizer (Behringer FBQ800 – also purchased from Amazon) to make more specific tone adjustments than possible by using the receiver’s built-in bass and treble controls. A tape monitor loop is becomming increasingly difficult to find and many receivers no longer have them.
I still have an older TV that works very well. I hooked up various connections between the TV, DVD recorder/player and the HK 3490 with no problems. The 3490 uses only composite video connections, but for my uses, they are fine. I don’t watch a lot of DVD videos, and usually don’t listen to TV sound through the stereo. To me, the video signal looks just fine when processed through the HK 3490′s video inputs and outputs.
It would have been nice if the HK 3490 had been equipped with a “tone defeat” bypass switch and a “loudness” button. Also, I would have liked to be able to pre-program “mono” and “stereo” FM modes for each FM preset. For future compatibility purposes, it would also have been good to have one or two HDMI plug-ins for the newer TV’s. But these are minor shortfalls.
The optical and coaxial digital inputs (both located on the back panel) are a nice touch. I have the CD input button of the HK 3490 programmed to the “coaxial” input and one of the video input buttons programmed to the “optical” input. Both work well, although it appears that the tape monitor loop is bypased when either digital input is used. This is no problem, because by switching back to the analog inputs, the tape monitor can be used, if desired. (this will require additional RCA cables for the corresponding analog inputs.) The built-in FM tuner works very well, and has XM capability, but no HD radio feature. I purcahsed a Sangean HDT-1X tuner to pick up HD stations. However, it would have been nice if the HD capibility was built in to the HK 3490.
Overall, I am very satisfied with my purchase. The HK 3490 sounds clean and natural, and does not contain complicated surround sound features which are typically of little importance to those who aren’t glued to the TV set. The HK 3490 is also modestly priced, costing far less than some surround sound receivers with comperable power.

Comment on Harman Kardon HK 3490 120 Watt X 2 Stereo Receiver with XM Radio-ready Tuner and Dolby Virtual Speaker by Robert W. Truebe "amynrobt"

Robert W. Truebe "amynrobt" — Tue, 01 Feb 2011 09:25:40 +0000

I have been looking for a receiver to drive a pair of 20 year old Snell bookshelf speakers and this is it. I did not want a receiver for my TV, so I won’t comment on how it works with movies, etc. I just wanted a receiver that would produce quality sound and push the Snell speakers. I am extremely happy with this product and am sure you will be if you are looking for a stereo receiver. It looks great and sounds even better.

Comment on Harman Kardon HK 3490 120 Watt X 2 Stereo Receiver with XM Radio-ready Tuner and Dolby Virtual Speaker by W. Revis

W. Revis — Tue, 01 Feb 2011 09:12:54 +0000

I used the HK 3480 (the precursor to this model) for five years and loved it. The 3490 is even better. The sound is more robust and full, not different, but just more refined. It easily powers my Klipsch Synergy speakers and would pair well with any mid-level speakers. With 120w even inefficient speakers will have more than a enough power to move air.
Further, the 3490 has an important new feature: digital inputs. This is a very nice option for those who have made the jump to an all digital music library and use a digital jukeboxes like the Roku Soundbridge or the Squeezebox. Both players have digital outs and pair up nicely with the 3490.
The difference in quality from digital inputs or analog is debatable, but to my ear, going from the 3480 with analog cables, to the 3490 with optical TOSLINK, there was an immediately improvement in clarity. Songs with delicate sound work came alive. Soft details were more apparent. It’s been a great upgrade for me. It’s important to note that the 3490 doesn’t leave analog fans in the cold either. It has a very nice tape loop and a wonderful gold plated stereo pickup. In short, whether you’re library consists of vinyl or mp3s this amp will do it all.
I have always been a fan of Harmon Kardon, and I bought the older 3480 because I’m a strict fan of stereo music listening. The 3490 is a very smart update to the 3480, bringing it into the 21st century with a host of digital options. For those who rely on an iPod for music, there is specific iPod cradle for this amp that allows you to play your iPod’s music effortless over the stereo while controlling it with the HK remote. This amp is also XM Radio ready, just plug in your XM receiver and the HK will allow you to control it.
It’s very hard to find a subtle, high powered stereo receiver with these features. The market has sadly moved away to the home theater, multi-channel world, but I’m glad Harmon Kardon is still loyal to their stereo listeners.
Build quality is very nice. It’s not a flashy amp, it doesn’t light up the room with needless LEDs. It’s very understated, and handsome. HK even includes two little inserts that hide the front inputs and bass, treble, and balance controls (nice if you don’t want people messing with your settings, or you appreciate a clean look.)
Other than the digital options, the tape loop and the phono pickup, the amp does allow video switching and pass through should you want to integrate into your home theater. The other notable detail are the speaker posts. They allow the use of banana clips or allow you to secure naked wire in two different ways to the posts. This is nice if you don’t have a lot of clearance behind the amp.
At this price point, there is simply nothing out there that can compete with this amp in terms of quality, performance, or features.

Comment on Harman Kardon HK 3490 120 Watt X 2 Stereo Receiver with XM Radio-ready Tuner and Dolby Virtual Speaker by Inquiring Mind

Inquiring Mind — Tue, 01 Feb 2011 06:27:23 +0000

I was in search of a good old-fashioned amp, a replacement for a previous Harman Kardon, so I was a bit biased…but this is an incredibly powered amp, with FM tuner, video inputs, much more, and at a price that causes one to stop dead in your tracks and order it. I did, and I have no idea how they put together such sound quality at such a low price.

Comment on Harman Kardon HK 3490 120 Watt X 2 Stereo Receiver with XM Radio-ready Tuner and Dolby Virtual Speaker by R. Ferguson

R. Ferguson — Tue, 01 Feb 2011 03:56:21 +0000

Purchased hk3490 from and discovered a firmware bug after later adding the ipod doc. This was confirmed by a FAQ on the manufacturer website. They required an RMA of the unit at my expense to get it fixed. Shipping charges totaled $78. Also, their FAQ has a dead link to request support. The real support form elsewhere on their site doesn’t render correctly in firefox. And as confirmed by their support department, that form is partially broken in that the uploaded receipts never make it to their RMA department.
I would recommend dealing with a company that respects their customers. The HK is a good device. It’s a shame they undermine the engineering with a duplicitous warranty.

Comment on Harman Kardon HK 3490 120 Watt X 2 Stereo Receiver with XM Radio-ready Tuner and Dolby Virtual Speaker by RMG "ASU OC DEVIL"

RMG "ASU OC DEVIL" — Tue, 01 Feb 2011 02:36:20 +0000

I just replaced my 30 year old Harman Kardon HK350i receiver ( and it still worked very well, and yes it was really 30 years old and used nearly daily and for long strectches)with this new HK unit. I couldn’t be more pleased. I have it hooked into my ipod without the HK bridge, just basic RCA cables and the sound is terrific. The receiver is driving 6 Bose speakers in 3 rooms thru a Monster cable speaker switch without any trouble or distortion whatsoever. On the old unit I had an Audio Source EQ hooked up to it but this new unit doesn’t need an EQ, sounds great on its own. However it is one of the last remaining receivers that has a tape monitor which would allow you to hook up an EQ loop, which I still might do to see if it makes a difference. I can’t say enough about the quality of HK products. They have done it again with this great receiver. And a great price too, with free shipping and no tax thru amazon.com!!! I would highly recommend this product.
***UPDATE 9/2/09****- Wow! The price of this receiver really went up. On July 7th (less than 2 months ago) I paid $289.00 for this same product thru amazon. Why the $160.00 price increase? It doesn’t make sense to me. I still LOVE the product at $289.00—I might only LIKE the product for $449.00.

Comment on Harman Kardon HK 3490 120 Watt X 2 Stereo Receiver with XM Radio-ready Tuner and Dolby Virtual Speaker by Nick

Nick — Tue, 01 Feb 2011 02:22:13 +0000

I’ve owned my previous HK receiver for over 15 years, and it still works wonderfully. I wanted to upgrade to more power and features, so my old receiver will be relocating to my basement. First off, the HK 3490 is absolutely stunning. I’ve always been a fan of HK’s commitment to minimalism but this receiver takes it to a new and beautiful level. The one horizontal row of slim buttons is not visible at all when standing a few feet away, creating the appearance of a completely buttonless perfect space, but when you’re standing at the receiver, each button is clearly visible for easy operation. When turned on, the white glow of the power light and volume knob is very cool; the reading is clear, but along with the volume knob light, it can be dimmed or shut off. When turned off, the power light glows red. The sound is amazing. I’m noticing strong bass but more impressively strong mids and highs, so much so that, maybe it’s just my imagination, but I think I’m hearing things in my music I never heard or noticed before. Stereo separation is good, and the receiver creates a very wide soundstage with a lot of presence. I do have two issues with the receiver, though they’re very minor. The Volume takes some getting used to–I can be listening through the speakers at a perfectly comfortable volume, but when I switch to headphones, it’s deafening. I have to remember to lower the volume by at least 15db before putting the headphones on. The other issue has to do with the power button on the remote control. Some have reported that the remote is rather big, and, well, it is, but that’s not a problem for me because I use a Sony Universal Remote instead. What bothers me is that there are two separate buttons on the remote control for On and Off, which is somewhat awkward when switching both of those commands to the universal remote. Again, these are minor MINOR issues. Overall, this is a great receiver and a great price!

Comment on Harman Kardon HK 3490 120 Watt X 2 Stereo Receiver with XM Radio-ready Tuner and Dolby Virtual Speaker by W. M. Werich

W. M. Werich — Tue, 01 Feb 2011 02:17:37 +0000

I would give this a 7+/10. The design on this unit is clean, solid, and pleasing to the eye. Power is plentyful, and it is stylish and pumps out plent of crisp sound with the twist of the illuminated gain control out front. Amazon has a great value here, and better’s the price of Vanns, and others. On the “con” side, the front controls are poorly marked, hard to read (you’ll need reading glasses), and you are stuck with the design engineer’s decision to call all three inputs (including the optical input) Digital 1, 2, 3. No relabling feature is built into that – so your MP3 player is now Video2. My Sony of 15 years vintage allowed the relabling function. Another negative is that there is really only Treble and Base control, and no Mid-Range. My 25 year old Marantz had midrange. The net net is, this is a solid low end receiver with good sound. If you are looking for customization and 3 layers of equalization, look elsewhere. If you are looking for something you setup and forget, and gets daily usage and a low relative price – this baby is perfect. Would I buy another one? Yes. Go Amazon! Go JBL / HK!

Comment on Harman Kardon HK 3490 120 Watt X 2 Stereo Receiver with XM Radio-ready Tuner and Dolby Virtual Speaker by kjpowe

kjpowe — Mon, 31 Jan 2011 23:44:09 +0000

My first Harman Kardon was purchased in the early seventies. I ordered this recevier expecting the same high quality merchandise and was sadly disappointed. I tried two of the same item and they were both defective. More trouble than they were worth. No more Harman Kardon for me. Made in China. If I could have chosen “no stars” I would have.

Comment on Harman Kardon HK 3490 120 Watt X 2 Stereo Receiver with XM Radio-ready Tuner and Dolby Virtual Speaker by Andrew Beitlich "Beitie"

Andrew Beitlich "Beitie" — Mon, 31 Jan 2011 20:46:06 +0000

I ordered this receiver to replace my old Pioneer SX-828. I figured that harman/kardon was great brand name, and was hopefully something I could trust sound wise. I do consider myself picky when it comes to sound quality, and that means the world to me from a receiver. Hooking up the HK 3490 is easy and pretty simple, as most receivers are. I like the fact that it’s a new receiver that has digital inputs and allows you to control the bass, treble, and balance manually with knobs. That helps to give it a nice simple feel to it. However, when I turned the unit on, using the same equipment I had my Pioneer SX-828 hooked up to, I noticed a huge lack of sound behind my music. This amp was very poor sounding in my honest opinion. There was virtually no bass behind it, and the highs sounded… just really odd. I’m used to a warm sounding amp, and this has a very electronic sound to it. I honestly could only feel bass at extremely loud levels. The phono input was a total joke too. The phono input was the main reason I bought this unit since my Pioneer was acting strange. The sound behind the phono input was even weaker than the sound behind my CD player, and any of you who have used a nice old Pioneer know that doesn’t need to be the case. I had to have the volume knob up about 65 to 75% of the way up for a decent level, and then it was just weak. It’s no wonder that you don’t find speakers with 10 or 12 inch woofers in them anymore these days, the receivers don’t drive them anyway.
I gave the amp a week to see if maybe the sound would get a little bit better, and was just more and more disappointed in this unit. After one week of use I noticed how poorly shielded the amps are in this unit, just having a PC on in the room would drop FM and AM signals dramatically. Never was the case with my Pioneer. Also I noticed a buzz on the phono pre amp. I couldn’t figure that out fully. I just figured that was the last straw. This is a $449 unit that you could easily get the same sound out of a $50 portable stereo, maybe not the amount of volume, but sound defiantly. For that kind of money I’d rather just get the Pioneer fixed up, so worth it.

Comment on Harman Kardon HK 3490 120 Watt X 2 Stereo Receiver with XM Radio-ready Tuner and Dolby Virtual Speaker by pfed "pfed"

pfed "pfed" — Mon, 31 Jan 2011 20:14:10 +0000

I’ve had this receiver for a little over a week now, and I am incredibly impressed. I’m a college student working on creating my first high-end stereo system, and this receiver fit the bill precisely. I’m powering a set of Cambridge Soundworks T205 speakers, and they sound unbelievable with this receiver. The towers are bi-wireable, so I wired the high end to the A speaker-set and the low end to the B speaker-set, which allows for terrific separation of the of the high’s and low’s.
bottom line: for the money, this receiver is a no-brainer. incredible sound (not noticing any color or distortion), its varying inputs are a plus (few stereo receivers in this price-range have digital input, which are great for hooking up computers), and it can really crank up the volume when needed (no distortion at high or low volume).
There are higher-end stereo receivers with more features and the like out there, but this is a no-compromise solution if it has all the features you want.

Comment on Harman Kardon HK 3490 120 Watt X 2 Stereo Receiver with XM Radio-ready Tuner and Dolby Virtual Speaker by M. Galicki

M. Galicki — Mon, 31 Jan 2011 19:23:22 +0000

I formally owned a Rotel RX-1050 and decided to give the 3490 a try. I really prefer a nice 2 channel amp to drive my B&H 603′s and the HK does the job well. What I liked that you won’t find in other 2 channel amps is two digital in’s, xm ready, ipod integration and 2x sub out. For the price you really can’t beat it. The size is about 33% larger than my Rotel. The power about 25% more.
The controls of course are very limited, source+balance+tone. No EQ.
The phono amp provided hum free sound from my Tech. 1200.
I will mention that the Bridge I device has some problems with this new amp. HK told me that the manual has a typo when they said the Bridge I would work with this device and I have to wait until the Bridge II is released in September.
My only other small complaint is the device has composite out for video. Why bother? This would have been a home run with component/DVI or HDMI out. Doesn’t seem like it would have added that much to the price to add a HD capable switch to the device.
I’m sure a 3495 will come out in a year and fix this. :-)

Comment on Harman Kardon HK 3490 120 Watt X 2 Stereo Receiver with XM Radio-ready Tuner and Dolby Virtual Speaker by Robert C. Bricker

Robert C. Bricker — Mon, 31 Jan 2011 18:54:41 +0000

The HK 3490 delivers a clear sound. When the musice source is a CD or Ipod, the sound is remarkable. Use the optical digital audio for playing CD’s, which enhanced the sound quality, this was a nice feature. Use the HK Ipod bridge II for this receiver, this was the reason for purchasing this system. The HK Ipod bridge II allows you to use the reciever display for song Info and control, or you can switch control to the Ipod, and use the Ipod itself for song selection. In either case, you can use the remote for selecting songs. Because of the amount of songs I have on the Ipod,(over 4,500) I have have found it easier to use the Ipod as the control source, and create playlists using the on-the-go feature on the Ipod, or the computer.

Comment on Harman Kardon GPS-810 4.3-Inch Bluetooth Portable GPS Navigator by D. Lee

D. Lee — Sat, 22 Jan 2011 04:48:26 +0000

Cons:
Crashes/locks up (all the time – have your dedicated reset paperclip at ready)
Weak FM transmitter – my Belkin FM transmitters have never had this problem
Fickle on sdhc detection
Routing changes from trip to trip
No updates yet – this unit has been on the market since Q4 07
Weak microphone compared to Nuvi 200
Uses Tele Atlas maps
Pros:
LOVE THE REMOTE CONCEPT!!
Shame – this thing’s going back.
You get what you pay for – so buy a navigation unit made by people who specialize in navigation units.

Comment on Harman Kardon GPS-810 4.3-Inch Bluetooth Portable GPS Navigator by S. Leeder

S. Leeder — Fri, 21 Jan 2011 19:52:20 +0000

I’ve had my 810 for over two years now and have only used it a handful of times. The battery life is awful, just awful. And don’t even get me started on the mount. It breaks so easy. And when it breaks, forget about harman/kardon support. Finally I decided to just purchase a new mount, but guess what? HK no longer makes it. I had to order it from the UK! And that’s not the worst part. About into a month of having it, it stopped turning on. HK said, “OK, we’ll fix it!” So I excitedly sent it in. Folks, it was gone for 4 months. 4 months. And it wasn’t fixed. It would always randomly decide to not turn on. Out of nowhere. It would usually start working about 10 days later. This happened literally 5 times. FINALLY, my nightmare is over. I sold it over the internet and what a great feeling. I sold it way cheaper than any other used 810′s on here, simply because I wanted it out of my car and out of my life. Never in my life will I purchase something from HK. Never.

Comment on Harman Kardon GPS-810 4.3-Inch Bluetooth Portable GPS Navigator by Donald J. Fritzges "donald j"

Donald J. Fritzges "donald j" — Fri, 21 Jan 2011 18:15:35 +0000

product stopped working after 3 weeks. harmon kardon will not replace it. i’ve had Garmin, Tomtom, mio, and magellin before and will stick with tomtom.

Comment on Harman Kardon GPS-810 4.3-Inch Bluetooth Portable GPS Navigator by Michael D. Ponce

Michael D. Ponce — Fri, 21 Jan 2011 11:37:11 +0000

Bought this item today and it’s going back. Slow system that locks up. Have had to reset it 5 times. I want out of box and go not let me reset over and over again. Really pissed because I like the idea, look and concept. Oh well, will try again and research.