Harman Kardon AVR 110 A/V Receivers

Harman Kardon AVR 110 A/V Receivers 

DESCRIPTION

A/V receiver with Dolby Digital and DTS

USER REVIEWS

Showing 1-10 of 108  
[Jul 22, 2003]
Jason
Audio Enthusiast

Strength:

Performance, looks, cost, reliability and quality.

Weakness:

Features and remote (I don't like the design of the remote, but it works fine).

Luckily, I already knew how nice Harman Kardon A/V receiver's were before I bought my new one. I compared it to some really expensive units and found them all lacking compared even to the lowly AVR-120. It may not have all of the bells and whistles, but it will outperform almost every other A/V receiver on the market. Mate this receiver with a set of high efficiency speakers and you have a really nice sounding setup for cheap. HK uses true ratings on their equipment. If they say the unit is rated at 45 watts per channel, then it will push 45 watts per channel all day long with very little distortion and virtually no clipping. Find another sub 400 dollar receiver capable of this and let me know about it.

Similar Products Used:

Pioneer Elite, Sony ES, Denon, Onkyo, Nakamichi, Marantz and various others.

OVERALL
RATING
5
VALUE
RATING
5
[May 06, 2003]
John
AudioPhile

Strength:

I am still blown away by how big and open the top end sounds on this receiver, it sounds so much bigger than anything else I tried that it's not even comparable. Very rich sound, and with a sub, the lows rattle the windows in the opposite end of my house.

Weakness:

I can't think of a single weakness. I don't know what the others who say this is unreliable have done but they couldn't have been operating the receiver properly, or it wasn't vented properly, or something, because mine has run at least 8 hours a day for the last year and a half and it's never shown any sort of problem.

I agree with the previous reviewer, I looked at every receiver with all the features I wanted, from this model all the way up to Nakamichi, Onkyo, Yamaha, Pioneer Elite, and many others. After trying everything I could get my hands on, I came to the conclusion that this is simply the finest receiver on the market for anywhere near it's price, and it beats many that are priced over $1500.00 The thing that people need to remember about the power rating of this receiver is that it is rated at FULL power, meaning if you look at the THD rating of this receiver, then look at how much power it's using at that rating, it's rated at full out. You literally can use ALL of the power of this receiver. Many of the popular receivers are rated with a weighted rating...they are rated at 75% or so of their full power, but that's because if you run them at full power they would be at more like 10% THD instead of the rating they list. People need to look at specs a little closer and read them in a fair manner. I'm not a huge fan of the remote, as the buttons are small but that's no biggie, as I have a universal remote that operates all of my theater system.

Similar Products Used:

I tried everything I could get my hands on up to the $2000.00 price range and just decided that I couldn't do any better for my money than this receiver, it really is audiophile at a medium price.

OVERALL
RATING
5
VALUE
RATING
5
[Nov 29, 2002]
drwgblanks
Audio Enthusiast

Strength:

the whole thing

Weakness:

absolutely none

I have read a few of these reviews on this receiver and I can't believe someone said this unit lacked power. The only way this thing lacks power is if you are using low sensitivity speakers, or if you don't know quite how to use it. I have had mine for almost 2 yrs and I love it. I brought home a Sony, Onkyo, Denon, and Yamaha to test them in my house first. The HK won by all means. The remote works fine, I don't know why the complaints. You can make the unit seem a little more powerful if you take all your speaker levels all the way up and adjust them down as needed. I have all my levels set at 10 except the sub. I can still crank this thing to full power and it doesn't distort. You can't be in the same room with it though, for the fact that you would go deaf. I am using older Advent Prodigy towers, baby advent rears, a sony center (which needs replacing), and a Velodyne CT120 Sub. I highly suggest buying this unit even for audiophiles. I have a 30 by 26ft great room and this unit fills this room up nicely with sound.

Similar Products Used:

Sony, Marantz, Yamaha, Onkyo, Denon, Pioneer

OVERALL
RATING
5
VALUE
RATING
5
[Oct 17, 2002]
payner
Audio Enthusiast

Strength:

Sound is clear, lots of digital inputs. Looks like a million bucks. HK all so has the best support as well, When the AVR110's first came out the remotes did not work and they replaced mine right away. I just emailed HK and they sent it out with no question asked. It will last for years to come.

Weakness:

I find the remotes sucks too but lets face it anyone that has a home theater has a home theater remote too. I know that the AVR100's remote can control a lot of things but having a touch pad display is a lot nicer.

I have had my AVR 110 for almost two tears now, and I love it for the price you pay you can't get anything better. A friend of mine has a $2800 Nakamichy (spelled wrong but close enough)And you can't hear any difference at all. If you are looking for great sound at a great price get a AVR110 or I guess it would be a AVR125 now but it the same amp with some small changes.

Similar Products Used:

Technics, Sony.

OVERALL
RATING
5
VALUE
RATING
5
[May 31, 2002]
Bigbellyburgz
Audio Enthusiast

Strength:

Looks good, makes decent coffee table

Weakness:

remote, manual, made in China, BROKE after less than 5 months of less than casual use

What's the old saying?? It's not what's on the outside that counts. This thing looks like a million bucks, but the insides are junk. STAY FAR AWAY from this so called piece of garbage. I have had it for less than 5 months and the front Left, Right and center channel speakers are not working. For my trouble of unhooking all my gear and the unit going back to CHINA to get fixed is not worth my time. For people that think they got a great deal on it from harmonaudio.com, think again. You want to spend a few hundred bucks on refurbished junk that's going to break down in a couple months? The sound from this unit is good, but for brand new electronics to break like this is unacceptable. I do not abuse my gear, and this just tells me that HK is not the company it used to be.

OVERALL
RATING
1
VALUE
RATING
1
[Apr 19, 2002]
jdudas
Audio Enthusiast

Strength:

Millions of outlets and options Will never be out of date for connectors Easy to set up

Weakness:

Small remote buttons and some compatiblity issues with Digital cable.

This is my first Home Theater receiver and i is totally awesome. It sounds fantastic in my living room and I look forward to every new DVD. I have all my TV audio going through it to get the best sound with whatever I am watching. The remote is only hard to use because the buttons are small and I have to keep pressing which device I want, Cable or AVR sound. That get difficult for my 9 year old. But with a little practice she loves it now too. I thought this was the best deal for the money I paid and it is much better than those other systems for $499.00 and up on the net. With DTS and Dolby sound not to mention all the input and output jacks how can you refuse?

Similar Products Used:

old stereo and lots of aluminum foil.

OVERALL
RATING
5
VALUE
RATING
4
[Apr 10, 2002]
kentlawstudent
Audio Enthusiast

Strength:

GREAT Dolby Digital & DTS decoding Plenty of power Tons of inputs/outputs Functional remote Solid unit Easy to set up

Weakness:

no way to dim the panel lights (that I know of)

WOW! At first I was very skeptical of this unit. I thought to myself I can always use it in the bedroom if it doesn''t have enough power for my living room. I am so impressed with the power and the clarity of this unit. I cannot say this enough more than enough power!!! I still cannot get over all the inputs/outputs provided with this unit. There is a lot of negative postings regarding the remote. I found the remote to be very functional and compatible with all my components. Here is the kicker - I would of been just as pleased with this unit if I had paid 2-3 times the $200 I "stole" it for. It blows away the Yamaha RX-V593 it replaced. This has better sound and more power. I was planning on upgrading when funding allowed to the AVR 7000, however I honestly feel that would be a waste of money now. I have to also mention that I have had a problem with Harman Kardon in the past. I had an AVR100 (non DTS) and the left channel blew out after a day or two. However in all fairness, I also have to mention that they (Harman Kardon) sent me an advanced replacement right away. Top notch customer service.

Similar Products Used:

AVR-100, Yamaha RX-V593(doesn''t even come close to performing like the HK)

OVERALL
RATING
5
VALUE
RATING
5
[Apr 08, 2002]
Chiguy981999
Audio Enthusiast

Strength:

Many Assignable Digital Inputs and decoding options. Clean, high current power.

Weakness:

Volume curve is different...it seems you have to crank it to get any sound, though you can crank and crank it, and there is almost no distortion. (OK that''s not really a weakness...)

This review is for the AVR 120. When I first saw this open box deal at Circuit City, I was impressed. It has a good number of assignable digital inputs, (3 Optical and 3 Coax, two of which are on the front panel) and two digital outputs!! (One Optical and One Digital) It also has many decoding options, Dolby Digital, DTS, Pro-Logic II, as well as a few more DSP Modes. When I was told about the power, 50w x 2 or 45w x 5 I was a bit skeptical, but I remembered that Harmon/Kardon Recievers are high-current, therefore can drive sound louder and cleaner with less distortion. The way that the volume is set up is different, you have to turn it up more to get it to play at a reasonable level...though the sound is cleaner and can actually go louder with much less distortion than higher wattage recievers. I think Harmon/Kardon underrates their specs anyway. I am very impressed with the sound quality and decoding capabilities of this unit, so much so, that I am going to upgrade my main stereo pair of speakers. I have a set of older Yamaha NS-638s...which now I have come to realize have mediocre treble as well as bass...though I knew about the bass ever since I bought them. No big deal, though, that''s what my sub is for. I think I''m going to go with the JBL N38s, they seem to have the best sound for the money.

Similar Products Used:

Pioneer, Kenwood, Marantz.

OVERALL
RATING
5
VALUE
RATING
4
[Apr 03, 2002]
Kevin Le
Audio Enthusiast

Strength:

Clarity. Many Digital In/Outputs. Display. Harman-Kardon.

Weakness:

No, I don''t think so.

People usually look at the Power Rating and laugh at this "baby." Well, it''s 40W, but you have to check the clarity of the sound. It''s crystal clear. Just turn up the volume if you want; -10dB, my room was shaking. It can go up to +10dB. The LFE is very strong and provides real low sound. Moreover, no brands can beat HK for the style. Once you see it in real life, you just want to grap one home, and actually I''m talking about myself. I saw one in Circuit City; next day, I went on eBay and looked for one. Amazingly, I got the receiver for $205. I saw somebody write that AVR110 doesn''t have enough inputs and outputs. I think that guy should go to a mental hospital or something. It has "front/rear digital inputS" AND "digital outputs." I call it my baby. I know that this model is a very humble one compare to other brands and models like HK AVR-520, Denon AVR-5802, Onkyo TX-797, or Marantz 7200. But guys, for the money, what do you choose? I''m just an audio enthusiast, so this one is perfect for me. I''d recommend it to anyone like me, who love cheap but well-performing audio stuff.

Similar Products Used:

Marantz-SR5000

OVERALL
RATING
5
VALUE
RATING
5
[Mar 29, 2002]
John Aguada
AudioPhile

Strength:

For only 40X 5 of juice, it''s the bomb!

Weakness:

Remote, no TV dispaly menu

It''s been a month now since I purchase the HK AVR 120. I got to admit, while I was at the counter purchasing the receiver, thoughts of the receiver not driving enough juice to my speakers was in mind. I actually thought of just bringing the AVR home and just returning it the next day without opening the box. To my surprise I think dollar for dollar the AVR 120 kicks a$$. I took the receiver out of the box, hooked up the speakers and threw in "The Matrix" (DVD player)where Reeves and that babe goes pass the security to save Morpheous. The sound was incredible! It was so precise and cystal clear you could hear the shells dropping from the machine gun echoing in the backround. I paid top $$ for my Onkyo and PSB speaker system upstairs in my loft and I can truely say this $1k system I put together sounds just as good. I''m sure my NHT''s was a big factor, but I can easily recommend this receiver to any first time audio enthusiast.

Similar Products Used:

Onkyo TX-DS898

OVERALL
RATING
4
VALUE
RATING
4
Showing 1-10 of 108  

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