Harman Kardon Receiver

15 comments so far

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  Abram Saphire, July 13, 2010:

  Rating:

  Pros: excellent sound for both movies and music; very powerful considering the wattage rating; full array of surround sound options to improve various audio experiences; convenience of HDMI hub; upconversion of lower quality signals
  
  Cons: updating the firmware was a pain... but entirely worth it -- this receiver has been nothing but pleasure ever since the update
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  I purchased the AVR-254 a few weeks ago along with a center channel speaker. I'm running two Athena bookshelf speakers, an 8" Athena sub, and an Athena center channel from this receiver. I was going to use the pre-outs to make my old Harmon Kardon stereo receiver an amplifier for the bookshelf speakers. It turned out there was no need. Just using the AVR-254 I ran my system at half volume and could hardly stand it. Consider here, however, that Athena makes pretty efficient speakers.
  
  I live in an apartment and don't have a place to set up the full 7.1 array, so I'm going with 3.1 for the time being. I've found in watching movies that the AVR-254 can convincingly emulate a surround experience using the 3.1 set-up. You might have to play with the speaker settings on the AVR-254 (I've got mine set for 5.1 and that seems to work).
  
  I've also found that letting the receiver choose the best surround setting almost always produces the best effect. Unlike another post I read on Amazon, I've had no problem with the receiver switching to Logic 7. It chooses this setting for TV and some DVD's, but on some movies I've decided I like another setting better and the AVR-254 accepts my choice.
  
  Of course all audio settings are not available for all source signals, but I'm happy with what is available. There are settings for movies, music, and games (PS3 never looked OR SOUNDED so fantastic!). I've played regular DVD's, HDDVD's, BluRay, and CD's. So far, everything has worked without a flaw.
  
  A note on the con: The firmware update is important. If you purchase this receiver, be sure you have the cable to update your receiver right away. You'll need a nine-pin serial cable with MALE PARTS to plug into the AVR-254 which has FEMALE PARTS. Most likely your laptop -- or whatever you plug your AVR-254 into will need a nine-pin to USB cable (USB for the computer). My guess is that I've had no problems with this receiver because the first thing I did was update the firmware. I had to do it twice; I probably made a misstep the first time. It is a fairly complicated process so READ THE INSTRUCTIONS CAREFULLY.
  
  All in all I'm perfectly happy with this purchase. I'm sold on Harmon Kardon sound, and, as always, Amazon shipping is great (gotta love that "Super Saver" option!).
  
  Addition 6/25/09: I read some other reviews that discuss problems with the HK AVR 254 interfacing with cable boxes. I'm having some trouble with that as well. Every time I switch from a HD to SD channel - and vice versa - I have to power off and power back on the cable box or I get sound but no picture. Otherwise, no problems... and I added rear channel speakers which the HK AVR 254 is feeding nicely. I still love this receiver.

  Reply
• Christopher J. Lesure "Chris LeSure" (Ellington, CT), 2008-07-25:

  Rating:

  This is the best receiver in its price range, period. For a mid-level receiver, this unit has features often found in higher-end models. Out of the box, setup was a snap. Directions are clear and easy to flow. The included microphone for the EZ setup made calibrating this unit a breeze. The sound is phenomenal. Crisp highs and deep lows. Plenty of power for the user looking to bring their speakers to life. The High Definition on-screen interface makes adjusting the AVRs features simple, and users hooking up multiple components (DVD, Bluray, Cable) will rejoice at the levels of customization. With support for all the newest lossless audio encoding, this model is sure to please well into the future.

  

  Reply
• M. Johnsen "TheGreatMJ" (NJ, USA), 2008-12-10:

  Rating:

  I've had my receiver for about 4 months now. I have read a bunch of reviews on this receiver and I hear nothing but complaints on the PS3 issue and the "Loud" fan. Just to begin with, I haven't updated my firmware yet, and will do as soon as I get a USB to Serial connector...which is the one thing I dislike. Though, I figure if you can figure out how to hook it up, you'll know enough not to mess it up. So I can't complain too much. Almost a smart move. The fan is loud if you turn everything off in the room, including the PS3 which makes more noise than the receiver. I can only hear it when I stick my head next to receiver after a long session of listening to audio at a high volume. I do have it lowest to the ground with no heat underneath it which helps keep it cool. Maybe I got lucky, but I think more people just write reviews only when they have a bad experience. My experience has been nothing but amazing. The whole issue with the volume dropping during blu ray movies, I haven't seen an extensive amount of movies, maybe in the teens, but out of all of them not 1 problem occurred. I've had compliments from all my friends on the receiver. Girls come over and say it looks "pretty." Guys come over and are in awe by the on screen menu and sound. Yes, I've had issues where it defaults back to Logic 7, but it doesn't occur often. I know there's a reason it does it, and I'm still trying to figure out the exact reason. I'm sure it's the device hooked up to it that's changing and the receiver going to logic 7 because the input changed. It's not like every morning it defaults back. Overall I've been nothing but happy with this receiver. In fact, after I bought the receiver I noticed all the PS3 and fan things going on. So I called up HK customer service just to ask them what was going on and if I should hold off on a blu ray play for now. The person on customer support was very nice and told me the truth. "Engineers have recreated the problems in the lab and are working on a firmware update." And really, the problem was found and worked on quickly. It's not like it took years for the update. That's good support! Definitely happy I bought the HK254.

  

  Reply
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  Christopher J. Lesure, July 13, 2010:

  Rating:

  This is the best receiver in its price range, period. For a mid-level receiver, this unit has features often found in higher-end models. Out of the box, setup was a snap. Directions are clear and easy to flow. The included microphone for the EZ setup made calibrating this unit a breeze. The sound is phenomenal. Crisp highs and deep lows. Plenty of power for the user looking to bring their speakers to life. The High Definition on-screen interface makes adjusting the AVRs features simple, and users hooking up multiple components (DVD, Bluray, Cable) will rejoice at the levels of customization. With support for all the newest lossless audio encoding, this model is sure to please well into the future.

  Reply
• 

  Krunal Shah, July 13, 2010:

  Rating:

  OMG....the only reason i bought this one is coz it looks extremely slick. when i connected two tower speakers, no audio :( tried almost an hour and later found that i had inserted the mic infront of the receiver. As soon as i took it out, the sound was golden. Just two tower speakers with dolby surround-wide sounds like 7.1. Then i hooked up two more surround speakers and holy god.....it's earth shattering. I watched transformers and just 4 speakers are kickin' the back. I have ordered Polk PRo series woofer to compliment my system.
  
  Guys, please read the manual properly and setup the system correctly. If you can't figure out then take someone's help who know about audio. once you setup everything correctly, this receiver can easily shatter any glass in your house. Just two tower speakers are shaking the walls of my apartment.
  
  * this is a mid level receiver. for $399 you are getting the best and latest audio formats like TrueHD, Dolby DTS:hd MA....dolby true surround. Before buying this, i read a lot of reviews saying the hdmi is broken. I think they have recently fixed most of the problems.
  
  good luck.

  Reply

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