Excellent Sound, but Problems Developed
Written: Mar 20 '01
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Pros: crisp highs and excellent bass; very powerful; 5 channel preamp output
Cons: developed hissing problem; no 5 channel stereo mode; could have more inputs
The Bottom Line: To summarize, if working properly, the sound is incredible. But, if you are going to try this Harman Kardon, MAKE SURE YOU GET A WARRANTY!
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| kevin30327's Full Review: harman/kardon AVR 65 Receiver |
For the first three months of using this receiver I absolutely loved it! The sound is incredible and it has tremendous power. I had tried other high-end receivers and by far this was my favorite. However, after three months of using this receiver it developed a hissing sound, even when it was turned to very low volume. When I brought it in to be fixed, HK would not allow the store to fix this problem. I was given store credit but since they no longer sold the same receiver and the replacement (AVR500) was approximately twice as much money, I had to choose something else.
Forgetting about the problem that developed, the AVR 65 is an extremely high quality A/V receiver at a very reasonable price. It has incredible bass and treble with loud, crisp sound. It has excellent response from 8hz-80kHz and (with the help of the 35 amps of high current) delivers powerful sound. The AVR 65 features 6 channel input, 5 channel preamp outputs (great for adding an external amplifier, although I don't think anyone will need one), DTS, DD, and Dolby Prologic decoding, and S-Video in and outs.
High Current
Probably the best feature of Harman Kardon receivers is the high current output. The AVR 65 uses 35 amps to deliver its 65 watts x 5 (75w x 2 stereo mode). Unlike many other less expensive receivers that may claim ~100w x 5 @ 1kHz, the high current enables the 65 watts to be driven into 8 Ohms through an entire range of 20hz-20kHz. 65 watts from a high-current HK receiver will be much louder than most 100 watts/channel systems. You have to hear it to believe it.
Although the sound quality is fantastic, there are a few down sides to this receiver. The most important is the amount of problems they seem to develop. I had read many reviews about reported hissing and humming sounds, but I did not believe it until it happened to me. In addition, the AVR 65 lacks the 5 channel stereo mode that some other receivers have.
To summarize, if working properly, the sound is incredible. The highs and lows are unmatched and with 35 amps driving 65 watts into all 5 channels, this receiver is MUCH louder than ordinary 100 watt x 5 receivers. But, if you are going to buy this Harmon Kardon, MAKE SURE YOU GET A WARRANTY!
Recommended:
No
Amount Paid (US$): 400.00
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Epinions.com ID:
kevin30327
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Location: Atlanta, GA
Reviews written: 13
Trusted by: 3 members
About Me:
I'm a student at Georgia Tech studying computer science.
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