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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

Showing 5 responses by mapman

mapman's avatar
mapman
22,754 posts
 
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.
mapman's avatar
mapman
22,754 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.
mapman's avatar
mapman
22,754 posts
 
I would give HK serious consideration if I were to buy an A/V receiver. I recall some good things with HK sound in the past.

The H/K speakers in my Toshiba laptop sound really good for built in laptop speaks, for what its worth.
mapman's avatar
mapman
22,754 posts
 
The HK 990 sounds very nice.

Anyone know if it is Class D and whether it will be available in the US?

How much does it cost?
mapman's avatar
mapman
22,754 posts
 
Probably just too limited of a high end market and too much competition in the US for HK, especially with the devalued dollar.

Oh well, at least we know they are capable of making very good stuff when they chose to.
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