Harmon Kardon Reciever

[noimposse]

So I've been struck with the desire to upgrade a little bit. I'm currently running a Kenwood reciever(cant remember model #, but its 5.1, 500watt, bought for 200 new about 2 years ago) and have been looking at the Harmon Kardon for a few days.

I was looking into the avr140 today(Im not wealthy, I just want something decent). When I went to look around at prices, I noticed the avr135 on amazon, and it seems to have the exact same specs as the 140. Better yet, its on sale for about $265 instead of the "$500" list price. Is there really anything different between the two? Is it worth buying? Would it be alright with the Rti4's I plan on getting sometime in the future?

Thanks

[StopherJJ1980]

Yes it would be great and much better than the Kenwood.

Honestly the 135 is really just the same as the 140 performance-wise. I doubt youd miss anything the 140 has to offer.

[bobman1235]

It'll be like night and day man, go for it.

[*Seby*-Polk-]

Yes it would be great and much better than the Kenwood.

Honestly the 135 is really just the same as the 140 performance-wise. I doubt youd miss anything the 140 has to offer.
Do you recommend me the RX-V1400 to upgrade an RX-V657??? or pay extra bucks and got the new RX-V1600 (looks great!!!) ???

[kingsqueak]

I replaced a cheap Kenwood with an AVR-435, they are $549 at www.jr.com new. I would recommend saving up and getting that model.

Reasons

Best of the surround modes and has the full EZSet/EQ auto EQ.
Does basic component switching
65W rated per channel blows the Kenwood 100W rating of my old receiver away.
Bunch of optical/coaxial inputs, really big plus.

The other option I'd say is the 240 I think, has all the same electronics and inputs but lower power, that way you can add amps later and use it as a pre if you want.

On ebay you can buy a refurb 435 for under $500 generally (which is what I did) or if you are very patient, maybe even the 635. Don't cheap out on the receiver, just wait until you can get the next level up.

[Ricardo]

Refurbs at Harman Audio

http://www.harmanaudio.com/search_browse/default.asp?sp=S&cat=REC&market=HOM

Warranty and great Customer Service

[ND13]

Refurbs at Harman Audio

http://www.harmanaudio.com/search_browse/default.asp?sp=S&cat=REC&market=HOM

Warranty and great Customer Service

That 330 for under $300 looks like the ticket. :)

[Zoom E]

What is the story with refurbs? Are these units that experienced problems and had to be repaired? What is the general lifespan of a refurb as opposed to a brand new model?

[drew spelts]

I got my AVR 635 for seriously $635. Dont know what the odds are of that but it was a friend who got me his employee discount at CC.

[BullShifter]

I just won a AVR 335Z on ebay from Harman way cheaper than they have on their website. I've been watching them for a week now and finally got a bid in for the right amount. They are usally listed as 1 Day auctions. Ebay is the place the get the refurbs.

[Ricardo]

What is the story with refurbs? Are these units that experienced problems and had to be repaired? What is the general lifespan of a refurb as opposed to a brand new model?

Refurbs either experienced problems and had to be sentback for repair; it might also include returns, or "B" stock, which is a new unit with some cosmetic flaws (Someone scratched the side of the unit while packing it, etc).

I don't think you can talk about a difference in lifespan. In fact, some people prefer refurbs, because of the "extra" QA they go through after being repaired.

Me? If I can get a refurb with original warranty, I go for it.

[noimposse]

I've been thinking about it, and I'm probably going to go with either the 240 or 340 if my wallet can handle it. I'm not really looking for all that much power, but the extra options would be nice.

And do the refurbs come with original warranty's? If so then I'm all for it.

And to be honest, Amazon has the lowest priced HK product I have seen on the net, including the refurb shop. And they are stating new retail, with free shipping. Avr240 for 350 shipped.

[BullShifter]

Yes they do. www.harmanaudio.com or www.ebay.com Look for Harman Direct I got mine for almost $100 less than they sell on their website.

Direct ebay link - http://electronics.search.ebay.com/_Receivers_W0QQcatrefZC12QQfsooZ1QQfsopZ1QQsacatZ9 4903QQsassZharmanaudio

On the left hand side you can select "completed items" this will show you only items that sold or not sold with a price. Good idea to see the difference between the 2 sites but same seller.

Ebay $340 shipped for a AVR 335 ;)

[drew spelts]

See no more than a dollar per model number. Thats the way to do it.

[BullShifter]

Instead of starting a new thread, is there a break in period for HK receivers?

[Maestro]

No break in is necessary. Just try out the various FX and processor functions and make sure they are working properly for the duration of your warranty - i.e., Dolby night mode; Sleep function; Logic, DTS, etc.

Other than that, you are ready to rock! Enjoy!!

[Joey_V]

Had the HK330 about a year ago before I sold it to Silverghost on this board. That was a solid setup... loved it! You will too. :D

[Mike Sedai]

I did the refurb thing at Harman Audio, the receiver came with servere distortion in the right front channel. I sent the receiver back over two weeks ago (almost three), and Harman is claiming they never got it back. They sent me the shipping labels, and took care of the UPS business, so I have no way to ever track the package, and they claim they don't either, even though they took care of the UPS labels/shipping etc.

So, I am starting to think I got ripped off, and will never see my $535 again. I packed the receiver in it's original box, exactly as specified, and affixed the labels as instructed, with the Return Authorization number written in giant bold type with a large black marker, just as instructed. The box took exactly five days to get from Harman Audio to my place of business, and now, at almost three weeks since I shipped it out, they supposedly haven't received it.

Why, oh why, didn't I buy this thing at an actual store....

I will give it another week, and if they haven't received it, I will begin action against the company.

Once again, I tried calling this company at the number on the site, and the voice mail box is STILL full. It has been this way for at least three weeks, probably longer. No one ever answers, no matter what the day or hour, and leaving a message is impossible. I sent an email to the address on the site, and was met with a response of "I would need more information about the order, we don't really have a way to track your return" response. Meanwhile, I had provided my name, the order number, the RA number, my phone number, my email address, my phone number at work, and a description of the receiver that included the model number, the exact problem, the date shipped, and a simple question that basically asked when my new unit was shipping out...

Not sure what else they would need....

Frustrated...

MS

[aaharvel]

damn that's a first. :confused:

[Mike Sedai]

Yeah, I am hoping it all works out, because I just want to shut up and listen to my new gear :), but this place has been a pretty bad experience for me so far. I just want some information, and these people are very hard to lock down and talk to.

A tracking number for my return would have been nice, and I thought they would have set one up, but since the initial email with the RA number and the label, I haven't gotten much out of them. Companies that never answer their phone make me nervous. They supposedly open back up for business today after some inventory lockdown, and I am hoping this is what has caused this hic up..

I am just sick of listening to this 199 dollar sony piece of trash I have running my system right now...


UPDATE: Of course, I just got something from them after I posted this, and they managed to dig up a tracking number for me. It appears the inventory shutdown has delayed all shipments for the last week+....

We shall see how this turns out...

it appears it sat at UPS for over a week (9th-17th), hence the delay...

[drew spelts]

GOD...... I hate shipping companies....EVERY LAST ONE OF THEM..... NONE OF THEM CAN DO A PERFECT JOB... you just have to settle for second best service.

[BullShifter]

:mad: Damn Harmanaudio has poor shipping. Paid for the item 2/15, ship on 2/24, expected 2/27. When I get paid for items sold on eBay they ship the next days not 9 days later.

[kingsqueak]

It's not Harman with the shipping, at least not with my order from them.

They shipped right away but UPS in Phoenix where it started sat on the package for four days. It took six business days to get to NJ from there...I've rarely ever had UPS take more than three business days from anywhere in CONUS.

I have a guy I do business with over in CO, UPS takes forever from him, if he uses USPS it takes two days to get here. I suspect UPS has lousy southwest hubs.

[noimposse]

So I don't want to start another new thread for a simple question so Ill just ask it here.

I've really been struck with the urge to buy audio equipment lately, but funds are limited. What I know I want is the HK Avr240 and a pair of Polk Rti4's, but Im not completely sure what I should get first. Tax returns are in and I want to spend it on something that I will notice a difference in the most. Im not sure, given the crap I have now, what would be the best purchase. The sony speakers I have are just awful, but reading up on recievers Ive realized how bad my kenwood seems to be.

I guess what Im asking for is what would I end up noticing more? New speakers or a new reciever? Im slightly leaning towards the speakers, I could be easily swayed. Thanks.

[okiepolkie]

I might have missed it, but what speakers are you using now?

[krabby5]

So I don't want to start another new thread for a simple question so Ill just ask it here.

I've really been struck with the urge to buy audio equipment lately, but funds are limited. What I know I want is the HK Avr240 and a pair of Polk Rti4's, but Im not completely sure what I should get first. Tax returns are in and I want to spend it on something that I will notice a difference in the most. Im not sure, given the crap I have now, what would be the best purchase. The sony speakers I have are just awful, but reading up on recievers Ive realized how bad my kenwood seems to be.

I guess what Im asking for is what would I end up noticing more? New speakers or a new reciever? Im slightly leaning towards the speakers, I could be easily swayed. Thanks.

What model Kenwood do you have? It should say on the front of the panel..I just upgraded from a Kenwood myself (Pioneer Elite) and the sound is much cleaner..which means you can turn the volume up higher without cringing:D

but I also upgraded my speakers as well...

If your current receiver doesn't have digital sound (AKA Digital Dolby and/or DTS), you should DEFINATELY get a new receiver...otherwise I would get speakers first...then a receiver

Awhile back I went from a Pro Logic receiver to a newer Kenwood that did Digital Dolby and DTS...NIGHT and DAY difference

[noimposse]

Well, as for the sony speakers the model number I got from Best Buy is: SSMB350H. They still sell them in stores an online, for about 90 bucks. I got them about two years ago....and they certainly do sound better than the speakers on my tv but I know they arent decent at all.

The reciever, I have no clue honestly. Im at school now and it's at home on my desk so I can't get you the model number, all I can tell you is that its two years old, 5x 100w, dolby digital, dts, 1x optical and 1x coax inputs. I picked it up for about $200, nothing special.

Im running on a dying set of cheap logitech 5.1's as of now and its starting to drive me nuts. What I would like to do for the remainder of this semester is just have a nice sounding 2.0 setup if possible.

[BullShifter]

Just checked UPS tracking, it's only 30 miles away! It better be here friday.

[BullShifter]

Damn thing finally showed up today, monday. I am very happy except for the fact it didn't come with a mic for EZ-set up. My only complaint is the speaker connections, they're too damn close to each other. Now I need another set of rears and a better center channel. It just never ends, next I'll need a better subwoofer and an amp...... Here's a better idea, send my R50's to the rear and get some Bose for the front. :rolleyes:

I noticed some "white noise" at 0db on any input with no signal. It's pretty hard to hear it, if it's there, when it's turned to 0db with a signal. Is this normal?

[kingsqueak]

I would say definitely it is normal. 0db is cranked way up on the Harman, lesser receivers driving that hard would have very audible noise.

[noimposse]

It didn't come with a mic for setup you say? I know I plan on getting the 240, but I thought from the 240 up it came with the mic?

And from what I've heard, most recievers will put out some kind of noise like that at such high volumes.

[Drumingman]

The Mic in a Harman Kardon is located in the Remote control. They put it there so you will adjust the speakers from your listening position. The owners manual will walk you through the set up.

[BullShifter]

It should have one with it, I got shorted. No reply yet from Harmanaudio. When I select EzSetup it tells me to plug in the mic. The manual also explains plugging in the mic for this setup option. I don't think I really need it, but that's not the point. In my line of work we don't tell a customer we're installing a new engine and forget the pistons.

The newer models 240, 340, etc have it built in the remote. Either way it's a lot more fun tweaking the settings yourself.

[Mike Sedai]

So, after all sorts of delays etc., I finally got a receiver that works! I am still attempting to tame this beast, but even right out of the box, the AVR 630 sounds incredible. After a few minutes tweaking speaker configs, tone, and x-over settings, the thing sounds even better. I look forward to tweaking it over the next week or two to get it sounding top notch. Still, I ordered my receiver on January 20th, and I am just setting the thing up on March 1st, after getting a blown receiver the first time.

A couple things still bug me. I know when buying remanufactured items, and getting the price that comes along with it, one must make a sacrifice on cosmetic quality. The receiver itself looks pretty good overall, but it does have a few dings and a big scratch on one side. The remote was BEAT. Scratched up front/display, lots of marks and blemishes on the front from what looks like heavy use, and it had FOOD stuck all over the back. At least it looked like food. A lot of the stuff washed off with warm water and soap, but um, YUK. The first receiver I got had blown channels, but a new remote, with the plastic covering still on it. Hey, the thing works this time, so I guess I should count my blessings.

[noimposse]

For the small price difference I've seen, I think I'm going to stick with a new unit. If not for the lack of price difference, just for piece of mind knowing that I should be getting a unit in top condition....especially asthetic condition, thats a bit important for me.

[a_mattison]

Damn thing finally showed up today, monday. I am very happy except for the fact it didn't come with a mic for EZ-set up. My only complaint is the speaker connections, they're too damn close to each other. Now I need another set of rears and a better center channel. It just never ends, next I'll need a better subwoofer and an amp...... Here's a better idea, send my R50's to the rear and get some Bose for the front. :rolleyes:

I noticed some "white noise" at 0db on any input with no signal. It's pretty hard to hear it, if it's there, when it's turned to 0db with a signal. Is this normal?

Dude...You're kidding about the Bose, right?.......right? please be kidding?

[BullShifter]

Yes I'm kidding. I was thinking more like Theater Research :eek:

My receiver looks like new, not a single scratch. They do list cosmetic damage as a possibility. Instead of a scratch I got no mic. Harmanaudio is sending me one and refunding my full shipping cost of $27.00 for the delay in shipment.

[kingsqueak]

So, after all sorts of delays etc., A couple things still bug me. I know when buying remanufactured items, and getting the price that comes along with it, one must make a sacrifice on cosmetic quality. The receiver itself looks pretty good overall, but it does have a few dings and a big scratch on one side. The remote was BEAT. Scratched up front/display, lots of marks and blemishes on the front from what looks like heavy use, and it had FOOD stuck all over the back. At least it looked like food. A lot of the stuff washed off with warm water and soap, but um, YUK. The first receiver I got had blown channels, but a new remote, with the plastic covering still on it. Hey, the thing works this time, so I guess I should count my blessings.

Hey man, I'd call them. You bought this from harmanaudio.com direct? My 435 arrived in spotless condition from them as a refurb, I mean, not a single mark.

I've bought refurb merchandise from other companies in the past and it has always been in new condition, and I expect it to be that way. If something is in 'used' condition I expect it to cost me nearly nothing, though I suppose that is why general ebay prices baffle me.

I've never heard of Harman sending anyone equipment in this condition and I suspect that they sent you an incoming box by mistake rather than one that was inspected and due to ship out.

[Mike Sedai]

Hey man, I'd call them. You bought this from harmanaudio.com direct? My 435 arrived in spotless condition from them as a refurb, I mean, not a single mark.

I've bought refurb merchandise from other companies in the past and it has always been in new condition, and I expect it to be that way. If something is in 'used' condition I expect it to cost me nearly nothing, though I suppose that is why general ebay prices baffle me.

I've never heard of Harman sending anyone equipment in this condition and I suspect that they sent you an incoming box by mistake rather than one that was inspected and due to ship out.


Well, The unit itself just has the scratch on the side. The front looks perfect, and the top looks pretty much perfect. The remote is what had the issues, and it looked like someone's baby was playing with it or something. I would raise a stink, but I already waited more than a month to get this thing. I may indeed give them a call, but if they want me to ship the whole thing back, that just isn't happening. Did more tweaking last night, and put the system through the LotR:FotR test. It totally blew our doors off... Loving the sound of this thing...

[MattN03]

I received my H/K 635 refurb today. The receiver was in pretty good condition. The only problem was a scratch on the side, which no one should ever see. The accessories were included and in like new condition. I'm pleased with it overall.

[acstech]

Just curious how long did it take HK to get you your receiver. I am thinking about buying an avr 635 just not sure if I will buy new or refurbished.

[MattN03]

Just curious how long did it take HK to get you your receiver. I am thinking about buying an avr 635 just not sure if I will buy new or refurbished.

3 days UPS from Phoenix to the Memphis metro area.

[acstech]

I am trying to decide if it is worth saving the $100.00 or just buying new and not worrying about it. I know there is always a chance to receive a bad new one but hopefully less of a chance. I am always go to buy a new svs sub and would like to take the $100.00 and put it toward a better sub. I have been upgrading my equipment piece by piece. It would be a lot easier if i was rich. Thank you for you time and I really appreciate this forum.

[MattN03]

I am trying to decide if it is worth saving the $100.00 or just buying new and not worrying about it. I know there is always a chance to receive a bad new one but hopefully less of a chance. I am always go to buy a new svs sub and would like to take the $100.00 and put it toward a better sub. I have been upgrading my equipment piece by piece. It would be a lot easier if i was rich. Thank you for you time and I really appreciate this forum.

I figured I saved $100 to $200 at least by buying a H/K receiver as a refurb. I'm taking the money I saved and putting it towards the speakers. :D

[acstech]

If I where you I would take the money and put it towards my receiver. But hey that's just me! The best price I could find for the 635 new from and authorized dealer is $649.00 so we will see. Thank you for the help

[Mike Sedai]

I am trying to decide if it is worth saving the $100.00 or just buying new and not worrying about it. I know there is always a chance to receive a bad new one but hopefully less of a chance. I am always go to buy a new svs sub and would like to take the $100.00 and put it toward a better sub. I have been upgrading my equipment piece by piece. It would be a lot easier if i was rich. Thank you for you time and I really appreciate this forum.

Yeah, they sent me a blown amp. The only thing it cost me was time, and the guy on the phone said it was a VERY rare occurrance, and was pumping me for info about who inspected it. They appear to keep after the QC on these things pretty heavily. regardless, they sent me pre-paid shipping labels, and I was able to ship it from work, so i didn't have to drive to UPS or anything. They got the bad one back, and immediately dispatched a different refurb, which sound amazing. My only complaint was that I got a used remote with the second box, when I had gotten a new one with the first one. I am happy with my H/K though, and it has a two year warranty... Go for it!

[BullShifter]

I got the mic in 2 days after talking to "Support Specialist" at no charge. Overall I am very happy with the overall service & product. This HK kicks my Sony's ass. Now I have 5 receiver's in a dust collection.