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What's up with Harmon Kardon receiver line?

Let's face it, as big of a corporation as Harmon International is, shouldn't Harmon Kardon be pushing AV receivers a little harder?!
I personally have thought highly of the Harmon sound mostly over years. In fact, I think their receiver line has offered otherwise excellent performance for the money - if making high current, very clean sounding pieces throughout the line!
Actually, of all the mass-marketed AV receivers I've dealt with over the years, I feel the Harmon-sound has been at the top of the heap sonically, dollar per dollar, over the years - especially at the lower price points.
But let's be honest, Denon, Yamaha, Onkyo (especially as of late), and Marantz have always out shined Harmon Kardon in marketing their receiver products - even being more "up to date" on their features and such. SO WHAT GIVES?!!!
I noticed Harmon basically offers some entry level pieces across the board with the latest features and tech (minus the superb Audyssey - boooooooooo!), and no higher end upgraded pieces.
Anyone else's thoughts on Harmon Kardon and their place in the AV receiver world?
iplaynaked
mapman's avatar
mapman
22,433 posts
 
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.
rbaker's avatar
rbaker
65 posts
 
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.
iplaynaked OP
193 posts
 
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...
winoguy17
1,155 posts
 
I just bought the HK avr 254 and love it. I researched all the brands mentioned here and dont regret my choice. I heard the Denons were a pain in the ass to set up and their remotes stunk. I just didnt like the look of the Yamaha with all the yellow and orange lights.I have a 5.1 speaker surround system ( Canton) and couldnt be happier with the sound. Movies are awsome! The HK has every feature I need as well as plenty of inputs (3 hdmi)and outputs.I dont care how they market themselves,as long as they make a good product. I read that Bose actually spends more $ on advertising than R& D.
iplaynaked OP
193 posts
 
Bose DEFINITELY spends the money on marketing! When you're in Woman's Day magazine and Better Homes and Gardens magazine, and your an audio equip manufacturer, you know your spending big bucks on advertising!
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