Harman Kardon or Onkyo?

[sdmoel]

Hi, I am a newbie looking for some advice. I am putting together a home theater for a friend. Which of these recievers listed below would be the best choice? Either the Harman Kadon or the Onkyo? Any help would be greatly appriciated. Thanks.

Harman Kardon AVR 430 7.1 Channels Receiver

http://www.dealtime.com/xPF-Harman_Kardon_AVR_430

Onkyo TX-NR801 7.1 Channels Receiver

http://www.dealtime.com/xPF-Onkyo_TX_NR801

 

[trekuhl]

if you go with the 801, onecall had them cheapest on clearance for $600

and they are authorized dealers....

goto circuit city, they should have these models, and play with them.

 

[JPW]

Having owned both brands, I never had a problem with my HK. With that being said, Onkyo was a bear to deal with and get a replacement from. I believe both companies make decent sounding gear. However if I were in your shoe's, I'd seriously consider either a Yamaha or Denon product in the same price range. With the Yamaha getting having a slight edge IMO.

 

[Rip Van Woofer]

FWIW, when I was looking for a midpriced receiver I went with HK (a DPR 1001), mainly because of the comprehensive bass management, reputation for conservatively rated amp sections (even though I'll ultimately be using outboard power amps), nice remote...and just because I liked their looks!

But really, the choice reflected my priorities, tastes and prejudices - YMMV! So I'd say look at their features with an eye to how useful to you they will be (maybe you won't need or want selectable crossover points for every speaker or speaker pair like the HK offers), play with their remotes and front panel controls to see which are more user-friendly to you and your friend and make the choice that way.

Since good electrical and sonic performance is pretty much a given in mainstream gear, the choice between receivers (and other audio components except speakers) in a given price range comes down to features, build quality, amp power (meaning honestly rated continuous or RMS power -- see the "All Channels Driven Controversy" article on Audioholics for starters), ergonomics/user-friendliness, and intangibles like styling and the look and feel of controls and the user interface.

 

[shokhead]

Cant go wrong with HK,i rate them about Yam,Denon and Onkyo. Denon would be my next choice.

 

[sdmoel]

Thanks for all the feedback! If anyone else would like to add, please feel free.

 

[sjdgpt]

Rip pretty much covered the main issues.



I would also judge the AVR display. The Denon 2805 has a dimmer setting... a good feature to minimize or eliminate the glow from the AVR. Others may also have the same feature. Do you like the display color/intensity.... which can be an issue for other people.

Is the AVR using a large heat sink, such as the Denon, or is the AVR using a cooling fan, such as many of the NAD's.

Personally, I like NAD, have owned the products in the past (I still have a 20 year old amp and preamp that continue to perform), but the idea of the cooling fan was a deterent for me.

What type of connectors does the AVR have for speaker wires. 4 way binding posts or 5 way binding posts. 4 way posts (like on the Denon 2805) do not accept spade connectors... not a big issue for me.

All these things that I mention are not "critical" issues. Just little ergonomic/layout issues that may make one AVR better than another.

At this price range, all of the products that you mentioned, as well as any other brand that is possible, is going to be a fair value and a good performer.

Buy the one you like.

 

[howie85]

Both have a good rep

The onk has equal power to all channels as per the HK info it does not. Something to think about too is the net tune feature on the onkyo. It gives you the ability to play any music library you have on your computer over your stereo via cat5 cable connection. It is a cool feature if you are intertaining and would like to play hours of nonstop music. It also has internet radio which is limited in stations but cool if you like that sorta thing. The fidelity of the music is not as good as directly from a disc but it is not that bad either. I started with a HK and moved to an Onk. I liked the all black and the display is dimmable. Just my .02
Curt

 

[trekuhl]

but then again, you can run out of optical or spdif/coax (on most onboard audio cards in the past couple of years) on ur PC and use whichever program you currently use (or change to)...

 

[howie85]

certainly you could but I have a 75ft run of cat 5 from my router to my ht. I am sure that the cat 5 cable is the cheapest solution by far for a long run like that. The great benefit is you can control your music library from your receiver with your remote without having to go to your computer. I suppose if my computer was in the same room as my HT it would be a bit different.

 

[marky]

the 801 is probably better than the hk 430 but theyre probably in different classes. the HK 630 might be a better comparlson. personally i like HK over onkyo. if u have the money i suggest looking at the HK 7300. it went down in price a lot! i wish i have 1400 to spear...

 

[trekuhl]

not sure what the 630 is going for, i know circuit city still sells if for over a grand....but i just picked up a 635 last nite off amazon (JandR) for 799 shipped.

gonna take back this pioneer elite vxs54 i got last week, maybe trade it in for some polk LSi bookshelves and a center.

the 801 is a great value from onecall right now, but the only receiver that can use the front panel to input AND OUTPUT is HK.

the onyl thing i couldnt find info on is the video conversion...states it all goes up to component, but not whether composite --> s-vid or vice versa.

either would be a good buy, if you have the time and the money (or credit limit) goto circuit city and buy one and try it out at home for a week or two, you have 30 days to return. sometimes getting it home is the ONLY way to see if it meets your needs.

 

[e30cabrio]

I am waiting for my new AVR 430 from Harman. I got a "great" deal on an open box H/K AVR 7000 which did not work correctly out of the box I sent it back for warranty repair and they couldn't fix it I had my choice of my money back or a 335 or 430 (I paid 437.00 so they made me get a unit in that neighborhood.

I already downloaded the update and can't wait to get it. I have an H/K AVR 310 so I already know how good H/K sounds, I just hope this one works.

 

[shokhead]

Keep us posted.

 

[e30cabrio]

I got the 430 and am in love! after years with the universal remote SL 9000 it is weird using the 430's remote (laziness has me using the 9K) but I really like the new remote. The 430 sounds AMAZING!!! I really love the upconversion so I don't have to switch inputs on the TV. I have only had it home for a few days so I am still getting used to it but so far so good!

 

[Buckeyefan 1]

SDMOEL,

What pricing are you getting on these two receivers?

 

[sshukwit]

Equipment:
aud:Harmon Kardon DPR 1001
spk:Onkyo SKS-510
vd:Hitachi-46W500

I am trying to configure these components but am having trouble with the HK IN/OUT OSD plus interface with the Hitachi - knowledgable input appreciated: The I/O OSD of the HK is confusing as Hell. Input 3(in) input 4 (in) and/or (out) gives me unknowable ulcers. i am unsure of these consequences.

 

[Rÿche 1]

I would only buy H/K or Nad...The only two receivers proven to produce their rated wattage, and usually a little more...

 

[j_garcia]

I would only buy H/K or Nad...The only two receivers proven to produce their rated wattage, and usually a little more...

You didn't mention Marantz, Arcam, B&K, or Rotel.

Only because they rate their power realistically, not because they are better than others. That doesn't mean that a comparable receiver won't do the same, it just means the power ratings are often overstated. H/K seems to rate the all channels driven number, which also means their stated rating is lower than others.

Between Onkyo and H/K (talking about comparable units), I prefer the sound of H/K and that's what I would buy, but Onkyo isn't bad at all. I've installed a number of Onkyos and they're a good value for what you get. Between the two listed, I'd get the Onkyo because it is at least 1 step up from the H/K in question; as someone said, the 635 would be more comparable.

 

[WndrBr3d]

The onk has equal power to all channels as per the HK info it does not.

Albeit a true statement, this is only the case when comparing STEREO to SURROUND mode.

While in Stereo mode, because there's not as much demand on the amp, it can bridge several of its circuits and deliver 80wpc to Stereo speakers.

Then, in surround mode, it will deliver a 65wpc to all 7 channels.