Harman Kardon Beats Denon

[Elvis1977]

Well, I have done alot of listening in many modes for both of these receivers. I listened to the Denon 4306 and HK 645 on my JBL setup and compared them very closely. Now, both weight around 41lbs. True, Denon has more features. But for sound QUALITY HK beats Denon especially for music. Home theater surround is close, but still the edge goes to HK. Build quality goes to Denon, but SOUND goes to HK for sure. I really could not believe it myself. Denon 4306 goes for around $2000 and I just bought a HK 645 on clearence for $599. Also, when I cranked up the volume at very high levels the Denon's safety turnned the unit off several times. The HK 645 NEVER turnned off at that same level. I also noticed a warm, very smooth sound from the HK. Denon's sound was also good, but the high's were harsh an not SMOOTH like HK. No question the bass control was better with HK. Both receiver's fans were running continously throughout the high level testing. HK 's manual is terrible, but it makes up for it in SOUND. I can only imagine what the HK 745 would sound like!!

Here is my setup:

JBL e100 (FRONT)
JBL ec35 (CENTER)
JBL E50 (SURROUND)
JBL e250p (12" Sub)

All hooked on audioquest 14 gauge speaker wire.
Ironically, I used a top of the line Denon (dcm390) cd player to compare music and a Sony DVD player for Digital testing.

 

[mtrycrafts]

...I can only imagine what the HK 745 would sound like!! .

Yes, I bet you can

 

[Elvis1977]

I just ordered the 745 hk today online for $950. The 645 hk is going back. Can't wait to listen to the system.

 

[Seth=L]

Yes, I bet you can

I laughed out loud at this post.

 

[Elvis1977]

What's so funny Seth=L? You don't believe me? I even had several of my friends listen and even blindfolded and they all say Harman Kardon 645 was better!

 

[Seth=L]

What's so funny Seth=L? You don't believe me? I even had several of my friends listen and even blindfolded and they all say Harman Kardon 645 was better!

Not laughing at your expense, it was just a funny post. No need to be offended, I am not laughing "at" you.

Besides, it doesn't matter if I believe you or not, you are going to do what you believe is best regardless of what others think, at least I hope that would rely on yourself to make decisions.

Good luck with all your audio ventures.

 

[Elvis1977]

No problem steth=L. I must say that even I could not believe the results. I thought for sure the Denon 4306 would kick the pants off the 645, but it clearly did NOT. It is better built, but did not sound better. And sound to me is my first prioity. They both came with a 2 year warranty. You know Denon has come along way over the past decade in technology, but harman/kardon has 50 years of research to back them up.

 

[wire]

No problem steth=L. I must say that even I could not believe the results. I thought for sure the Denon 4306 would kick the pants off the 645, but it clearly did NOT. It is better built, but did not sound better. And sound to me is my first prioity. They both came with a 2 year warranty. You know Denon has come along way over the past decade in technology, but harman/kardon has 50 years of research to back them up.

Im not surprised . in the old days H/K made some pretty good equipment .
Try a Sunfire if you can get your hands on one Vs H/k .
I am surpried that your not taking some flames , there mustbe 40 % of the board that owns Denon .
PS try a Yammy vs the 2 and see what you get ( im a Yammy hater , can't stand the amp sections that come with those recievers )

 

[Tomorrow]

Anyone for an H/K-Denon-Yamaha blind listening comparo? Mtry?

 

[Seth=L]

Anyone for an H/K-Denon-Yamaha blind listening comparo? Mtry?

Hey, don't forget Onkyo and Pioneer Elite!

 

[Tomorrow]

Hey, don't forget Onkyo and Pioneer Elite!

Yeah. Them too! Sony?

 

[mike c]

if I can only hear differences between audio stuff, I'd volunteer myself

 

[avaserfi]

if I can only hear differences between audio stuff, I'd volunteer myself

Mike, you should never post on this site again clearly your ears are not gold like the rest of us. Although I am special mine are diamond encrusted platinum . I hear differences between my gear if I change my socks! Its like a night and day difference when I wear wool socks vs cotton. I mean the wool just builds up so much static electricity on my rug and loads all my speaker cables with EMI. I really need to raise my wires higher and wrap them in ERS paper .

Quit worrying so much about your receiver and focus on speakers more! I bet blind folded your friends would hear even greater differences between nicer speakers than they did with the receivers.

 

[mtrycrafts]

... Its like a night and day difference when I wear wool socks vs cotton. .

But, this is appropriate, isn't it, Night listening with wool socks, keeps it nice and warm.
And, cotton in the day, nice and breezy, transparent sort of, right? Who can deny it?

 

[mtrycrafts]

Anyone for an H/K-Denon-Yamaha blind listening comparo? Mtry?

I'll be right over. Is it a bike ride away?
I'll even bring my boomboxes for grins.

 

[Seth=L]

Quit worrying so much about your receiver and focus on speakers more! I bet blind folded your friends would hear even greater differences between nicer speakers than they did with the receivers.

I heavily agree with this statement. Even your current receiver outclasses the JBL speakers you have. I would look at Boston Acoustics VR series before they sell out everywhere as well as any other speakers you get a chance to audition. Start putting money up for speakers and a subwoofer, you will thank yourself in the long run.

 

[Seth=L]

I'll be right over. Is it a bike ride away?
I'll even bring my boomboxes for grins.

When did H/K, Denon, and Yamaha start making Boomboxes?

 

[Seth=L]

Yeah. Them too! Sony?

No Sony please.

 

[naisphoo]

No Sony please.

I'd rather have Sony building receivers than M$ with their crappy manufacturing practices...33% failure. Gotta love those 360 xbox. Wait I just realize why they are called 360...because they always need to come back to M$ for repairs thus making a 360 degree turn. Here's another thread being hijacked...

 

[mike c]

Mike, you should never post on this site again clearly your ears are not gold like the rest of us. Although I am special mine are diamond encrusted platinum . I hear differences between my gear if I change my socks! Its like a night and day difference when I wear wool socks vs cotton. I mean the wool just builds up so much static electricity on my rug and loads all my speaker cables with EMI. I really need to raise my wires higher and wrap them in ERS paper .

Quit worrying so much about your receiver and focus on speakers more! I bet blind folded your friends would hear even greater differences between nicer speakers than they did with the receivers.

problem is, I can barely hear speaker differences.


maybe I should stick with subs.