New Harman Kardon Flagship

[GSRBOB]

AVR 7550HD. Looks nice. One of three AVR's to incorporate Dolby Volume i believe.

[Kex]

Fairly complete introduction, I think: http://www.fm-group.net/press.cgi?clientid=111&prid=122

[Conradicles]

That is the best looking H/T receiver I have ever seen IMHO.

[jwhitakr]

Dolby Volume? Seriously?

What's next ... Dolby Buttons? Dolby Display? Dolby we-are-just-going-to-call-it-Dolby-to-make-money?

[Kex]

Dolby Volume? Seriously?

What's next ... Dolby Buttons? Dolby Display? Dolby we-are-just-going-to-call-it-Dolby-to-make-money?

Dolby Volume is actually a pretty big deal. As far as I understand it, it tries to keep the sound at the same levels regardless of variations between source, like switching from CD to tuner, or different TV channels: all very annoying. If this cures this, it's quite a success IMO!

You're right, Conradicles, a nice looking receiver ... but I have a weak spot for harman/kardon myself!

[ViperZ]

Mmmm.. Harman Kardon goodness... looks awesome... DTS HD-MA decoding... Dolby Volume (I actually like this stable volume idea a lot)...

[GSRBOB]

That is the best looking H/T receiver I have ever seen IMHO.

X 2 I wish i wouldve gone with HK. Still happy with my 801 though.

[GSRBOB]

Dolby Volume is actually a pretty big deal. As far as I understand it, it tries to keep the sound at the same levels regardless of variations between source, like switching from CD to tuner, or different TV channels: all very annoying. If this cures this, it's quite a success IMO!

You're right, Conradicles, a nice looking receiver ... but I have a weak spot for harman/kardon myself!

I think its an excellent idea. I hate how i have to constantly adjust volume while watching a movie.

[comfortablycurt]

Dolby Volume sounds like a cool idea...That drives me crazy when I have to constantly readjust the volume all the time.

I'm not to big on the looks of it myself though...I like my receivers to have a few more buttons on them...that's to plain looking for my tastes. To each their own though.

[bigred7078]

Dolby Volume? Seriously?

What's next ... Dolby Buttons? Dolby Display? Dolby we-are-just-going-to-call-it-Dolby-to-make-money?

its essentially the same thing as Dynamic Volume from Audyssey;)


The only bad thing about volume stabalization is that is compresses the crap out of the sound. I mean it does what its supposed to but if your watching like a movie on an HD station in 5.1, its not so nice on the SQ. But for just regular TV watching i would say its pretty good, at least it keeps my g/f from nagging about the volume ;)

And that h/k really does look sexy. Hopefully it doesnt have lots of bugs like the lesser models.

[thuffman03]

It looks good but $2799 msrp is a lot of money imo for an AVR.

[Kex]

It looks good but $2799 msrp is a lot of money imo for an AVR.

I don't think it'll ever sell for that. Even the recent AVR254 and AVR354 sell for about 60% of their MSRP (just to clarify, I mean 40% off, ... get it? ).

Even at $1,500 - $2,000, there's a lot of stiff competition out there for this new h/k!

[GSRBOB]

It looks good but $2799 msrp is a lot of money imo for an AVR.

x 2 unless yr a baller.

[dipiazza]

Whens this thing supposed to be out?

[timmythugs]

I kind of lost respect for Hk infinity and JBL when JBL had to ask crown for there help to make amplifiers. When they had HK right in house!

[fossy]

Wasn't there a post about a HK 2 channel receiver that put out 200 wpc a few months ago & wasn't gonna be released in the US ???
Did a search but so many post when ya HK it, i must be over lookin it.

[sdcfan18]

And that h/k really does look sexy. Hopefully it doesnt have lots of bugs like the lesser models.

That right there is the kicker for me...I've had too many HK's with bugs. On the other hand, I've never owned flagship so there might be a big difference there.

[timmythugs]

Doubtful! HK, contrary to polpular belief, is junk! In my personal experience!

[sdcfan18]

Doubtful! HK, contrary to polpular belief, is junk! In my personal experience!

I was trying to have tact, but that's what I was thinking. Just MHO...and timmy's too i guess.

[GSRBOB]

And that h/k really does look sexy. Hopefully it doesnt have lots of bugs like the lesser models.

The first thing that comes to my mind as well with new equipment like this.

[Bass_Pedal]

The HK AVR 8000 (flagship back in 2000-01) I have is still awesome. Build quality, sound and reliability. I don't have any experience with their stuff since then. By most accounts, the 8000 may have been HK's last great AVR.

[Kex]

That right there is the kicker for me...I've had too many HK's with bugs. On the other hand, I've never owned flagship so there might be a big difference there.

Doubtful! HK, contrary to polpular belief, is junk! In my personal experience!

I was trying to have tact, but that's what I was thinking. Just MHO...and timmy's too i guess.

[RANT] You guys are making some very bold statements IMO. There are quite a few very happy owners of h/k here (including myself, although it has already been replaced, but not for reliability issues). True, there is a very long thread on the AVS forum concerning HDMI issues on the 247/347 line, but you must remember:

(1) There are also far more numerous owners with no issues at all.
(2) As receivers get far more sophisticated, in the race to keep up with new technology, they seem to be developing more teething problems that require fixing with firmware updates (and some that cannot be fixed). Harman/kardon is in no way unique in this regard.

I think it is useful to point out shortcomings that you have encountered with any product, since they may occur with someone else too, if they purchase the same unit, but to say categorically that because of your bad experience, that brand is all "junk" is not a very thoughtful or useful comment IMO, and fairly soon we would self ban ourselves from almost every brand out there.

The whole "X is brilliant, Y is junk" argument can be had over and over again on almost any topic, from cars to universal remotes to trucks to amplifiers and receivers to Mac vs. PC etc. etc. It and is frankly meaningless ... IMHO of course, and YMMV.

[/RANT]

[GSRBOB]

[RANT] You guys are making some very bold statements IMO. There are quite a few very happy owners of h/k here (including myself, although it has already been replaced, but not for reliability issues). True, there is a very long thread on the AVS forum concerning HDMI issues on the 247/347 line, but you must remember:

(1) There are also far more numerous owners with no issues at all.
(2) As receivers get far more sophisticated, in the race to keep up with new technology, they seem to be developing more teething problems that require fixing with firmware updates (and some that cannot be fixed). Harman/kardon is in no way unique in this regard.

I think it is useful to point out shortcomings that you have encountered with any product, since they may occur with someone else too, if they purchase the same unit, but to say categorically that because of your bad experience, that brand is all "junk" is not a very thoughtful or useful comment IMO, and fairly soon we would self ban ourselves from almost every brand out there.

The whole "X is brilliant, Y is junk" argument can be had over and over again on almost any topic, from cars to universal remotes to trucks to amplifiers and receivers to Mac vs. PC etc. etc. It and is frankly meaningless ... IMHO of course, and YMMV.

[/RANT]

I agree. I wouldnt go as far as sayin HK is junk. I have a cousin with an older HK AVR ( not sure model Black/Gold finish ) and that thing sounds amazing with his older polks (right before RTi10's & or 12's I believe, i think there the ones w/the powered subs built in).

If circuit had a flagship at the time i got my Onkyo i would have bought it instead.

[AndyGwis]

I had an AVR 635 for several years and experienced ZERO issues. I loved its looks, sound, functionality, price, etc.

I'm definitely going back to HK soon as I purchased a house and need to go with HDMI for the family room connection (plasma over fireplace, not enough room to run Component and audio cables to TV.

I'm thinking of either going with HK-354 or HK-3550HD. Anyone have opinions on which to go with? Does the 3550HD offer much more than the HK-354 besides Dolby Volume? Is Dolby volume something you can turn on for TV viewing and then manually (or automatically) back to different processing for movies / music? I hate the idea of compressed movies or music but like the idea of not having to play with the remote too much for tv viewing and load commercials. I think commercials being loud is the main reason Dolby volume exists.

[lakesailor]

I don't think it'll ever sell for that. Even the recent AVR254 and AVR354 sell for about 60% of their MSRP (just to clarify, I mean 40% off, ... get it? ).

Even at $1,500 - $2,000, there's a lot of stiff competition out there for this new h/k!

Correct; it can be had for far less than list price. It's a nice unit.