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 2 responses by niki_69

I,m not shure about their receiver line, but their new stereo integrated, model HK 990, caught my attention.2/150W at 8 ohms,2/300 at 4 ohms,100 amps high curent design,balanced inputs and outputs,DIGITAL and USB inputs,DAB radio and phono stage,2 sub-out.Discrete components and audiophile grade preamp section.The quoted weight is 40 lb.(19,6 kg.).Short of Bryston integrated(with optional DAC),there is nothing like that on the market.Good to see HK has not forgotten the 2 ch. crowd.Will be looking forward for audition or reviews.
Yes...not available in the states.HK 3490 is not even close(priced at $299).The price for the HK990 is $2000.To return to the OP question,may be the problem is the marketing strategy for the USA alone.I see HK in the systems/photo on some European forums all the time(together with much more expensive equipment).I also see the top models advertised on web sites in the east,together with valve amps,McIntosh,Classe etc. Harman International allways had special JBL speakers for sale in Japan.You cant even order them via JBL/HI dealer here ...The same is true for the HK990.Bad.