What's up with Harmon Kardon receiver line?

HK has always produced unique looking designs generally with pretty good and distinctive sound as well, I'd say.

I think those who go for HK a/v equipment are attracted to the unique appearance and control layout, some but fewer to the distinctive sound, which will not appeal to all as much as the the more common looks and operation of most of the lines HK competes with.

Nothing wrong with that. It is what it is. All products need a niche to survive. HK seems to have one.

"I think those who go for HK a/v equipment are attracted to the unique appearance and control layout, some but fewer to the distinctive sound" (Mapman)

Ok, interesting assumptions. I'm curious though. What then might you think makes Denon, Yamaha, and Onkyo MUCH MORE appealing to customers?! Are they so attractive and well layed out, with such superior sound, that buyers are simply more attracted to those products - and thus have higher sales?
I personally think it all comes down to marketing. Which is a huge reason Bose does as well as it does. Basically, everyone knows about them!
there's gotta be many many times the number ads, articles, reviews, and more press on the other competing products to the HK receivers! I personally think that right there will sell.
So, again, why do you think HK doesn't push their products more? Yes they're in Best Buy. And yes, they're in Fry's on the West Coast. But I still think they'd do better with a stronger marketing and advertising campaign. Besides all of that, I think they've made some excellent, if a little behind in features/tech, products - not to mention they don't push flagship receivers as of late, really

I just think Denon and Yamaha are the best known brands, yes, and they are more similar/interchangeable in appearance and operation perhaps as well. HK has a more distinctive look and operates more differently as I recall. Some will go for it and some will not.

I'm more familiar with the sound of the vintage HK stuff from the 70's which I sold at one point than the modern stuff. Back then, the HK receivers definitely had a unique look and the sound was different from the Pioneers and TEchnics and even Yamahas of the world back then as well, a bit warmer and smoother as I recall. Unfortunately, they also had a tendancy to develop more issues than other more popular brands. Some steered clear of HK for that reason alone. Not sure if that is the case these days or not.

HK is available in the big chains so I'm sure they must be doing pretty good these days even if not the market leader.

Just my opinions...I could easily be wrong.

I agree with the feeling that HK is not aggresive in their
marketing.I am not sure why--I have owned many amps/preamps
etc through the years-I currently have a home theater setup
with merlins-tsm/b&w/velodyne--and a HK avr7200--I tried
a yamaha reciever prior and was somewhat disappointed in the sound. IMHO-the HK has superior sound-I have read many
comments about the problems some have had with HK-I have had none--the 7200 gets very hot--I use a cooling fan-my
daughter uses a avr-85-this unit must be 10 years old--never had a problem and it has that great-warm-sound.

Yeah, fundamentally, I find no other receivers at those price points that can really beat the HK sonically, IMO! I think Denon is next closest in the lower priced receivers, all things considered - as well balanced, good sounding, higher current receivers go. And, of course, Denon offers the superb Audyssey - which I wish HK did.
Although I don't like HK's cheesy volume control knobs on the units. Besides that and the lack of Auydyssey, I like the HK's, myself...