Harman Kardon AVR 65

Ratings:Top:Audio/Video:Receivers:Harman Kardon AVR 65

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Brand and Model:Harman Kardon AVR 65
Price ($USD):1299
Features:
checked Tunerchecked Ampchecked Dolby Prologic
checked Dolby Digitalchecked DTSun-checked THX Certified
un-checked 7.1 Channels
Audio Inputs:
6ch:1Phono:0
Digital Coax:4Digital Optical:4
Video Inputs:
Composite:4S-Video:3
Component:0
Audio Outputs:
Speaker:5Preamp/6ch.:6
Video Outputs:
Composite:0S-Video:0
Component:0
Amplifier
Power (Main Speakers):65 Watts
Power (Surround Speakers):65 Watts
THD:%
Weight (lbs):32 lbs.
Dimensions (w/h/d):17.3 "/6.5 "/17.1 &quo
Description:6 channel inputs

backlit remote

Vote Highlights Vote
Harman Kardon AVR 65
A great AV receiver, especially when coupled with a 100w powered
subwoofer to provide low-end grunt. Paid $497 at ONECALL!
Suggested retail $1195!

Overall Rating: 10
Weight: 1 (Unreliable Vote)
Date:
By:
Link to this vote: http://www.excelsis.com/1.0/displayvote.php?voteid=27251

Harman Kardon AVR 65
No Buzz, No Hum, nothing to distract you from the pure sound this unit provides. The detractors of this unit are disingenuous at best and dishonest at worst. The sound is crystal clear and voluminous, I can't imagine a speaker the 65 can't drive (Christ, there's 35 amps available, that's alot of watts, do the math). If this doesn't sound delightful in your living room, there's something wrong with your room, not the receiver. Setup couldn't be easier (assuming you made it past grade school) and adjustments can easily be handled from the very well laid out remote. I have an obscure Memorex s-vhs vcr and the H/K recognized it immediately. As has been the case for over 20 years, harmon/kardon has again provided a product that exceeds all expectations. Detractors will steer you to inferior products, don't believe them. If you have to, go to a retailer and demo H/K products (even Circuit City, just don't buy it there, YOU WILL BE SORRY, I HAVE BEEN). Oh sure, it won't play source material encode in DTS (so get the new AVR500 if you must) but this unit will astound you in the currently available Dolby digital format, just turn it up!

Overall Rating: 10
Weight: 1 (Unreliable Vote)
Date:
By:
Link to this vote: http://www.excelsis.com/1.0/displayvote.php?voteid=27250

Harman Kardon AVR 65
VERY VERY GOOD !!!!!

Overall Rating: 10
Weight: 1 (Unreliable Vote)
Date:
By:
Link to this vote: http://www.excelsis.com/1.0/displayvote.php?voteid=27246

Harman Kardon AVR 65
There is no question that this unit sounds aweinspiring in DVD DTS and AC3 movies. It has very good general music qualities as well. You can listen to Nak's AV 10, Yamaha, Dennon and Krell....the HK 65 stands out, it definetly fills the room with quality, bright, distinctive, accurate sound....BUT...every where you read people have had problems with this unit....early units had grounding problems ( pre serial # 7075 or so ) mine is sr# 111,446 and no hum or hiss but I did get the video interference when amp was on and watching normal TV...BUT THE FIX IS IN>>>>here is the scoop...

I have just received some information from HK that I will share with you that you can confirm and share with your readers.....it seems the video interference ( bars/stripes on some TV channels when amp is turned on) is caused by the cirrus prologic chip set. ALL computer chips ( yes even Intel) send out RF frequencies, and in computers these RF signals are prevented from sending
out lines to your monitor by wrapping a lead "like" cylinder around the video cable at both ends ( going into your computer and into your monitor )...have a look at your computer video cable).. HK will provide for free, this cylinder..just call their tech dept at 800-553-3332 and be prepared to wait 20 to 30 minutes....they are busy but co-operative and helpful......you attach the cylinder to your TV's 75 ohm cable in line and another to the Amps ac power cord close to the receiver. If you are using a larger than normal 75 ohm cable line ( ie monster cable or the like), let them know as the cylinders come in two sizes.

Overall Rating: 8
Weight: 1 (Unreliable Vote)
Date:
By:
Link to this vote: http://www.excelsis.com/1.0/displayvote.php?voteid=27244

Harman Kardon AVR 65
This unit generated so much noise that I couldn't get ckean video anywhere in the house.

Overall Rating: 5
Weight: 1 (Unreliable Vote)
Date:
By:
Link to this vote: http://www.excelsis.com/1.0/displayvote.php?voteid=27243

Harman Kardon AVR 65
European version, costs about $1100 in Sweden.
The difference from US version I found so far: 240volt, PAL video output, Remote Control device not programmable via Direct Code method only via head to head learning. BTW, the remote works pretty good as a Universal remote...cool.

Best price/performance currently available around $1100-$1600. Other brands that include DTS costs $1300+ without RDS tuner (in Sweden), they have more features and are more expensive but does not sound as good. If you value sound more than features the choice of receiver is Harman/Kardon AVR-65. Does not have a phono input, if you want to use vinyl buy a RIAA device.

Very low return rate, quality is ok. Does not seem to have any of the problems the first US versions had.

Good bargain for those people who prefer good sound before lots of buttons and features but do not be mistaken there is enough in and output connections and so forth.

• High Current Capability (+/- 40 amps), Ultrawide-Bandwidth (8Hz - 80kHz) amplifier Design for Maximum Performance from Digital and Analog Sources
• All-Discrete Amplifier Circuitry
• Uniform Power to All Channels
• Dolby Digital and DTS® Onboard
• Automatically Switches to Correct Digital-Processing Format
• Sophisticated Multiroom Control System
• Versatile Bass-Management System
• Preamp Outputs for All Channels
• Advanced Crystal DSP Circuit for Best Possible Digital Decoding
• Advanced On-Screen Control System
• Multiple A/V Inputs, Including S-Video
• 6-Channel Direct Inputs for Future Expansion
• Elegant, Backlit, Programmable Multiproduct Remote Control


Overall Rating: 8
Weight: 1 (Unreliable Vote)
Date:
By:
Link to this vote: http://www.excelsis.com/1.0/displayvote.php?voteid=27240

Harman Kardon AVR 65
I've had an AVR65 since Feb 99. Out of the box, it had a hum from all channels.
HK admitted to a design flaw which had an internal grounding change that an
authorized dealer could make as a work-around. Then I found out that no 3rd
party remotes would control the unit at a distance of greater than 6 ft (I
tried the One For All Pro-Producer and the Marantz amongst others). HK never
admitted a problem. I finally got it to work by using an external IR receiver
attached to the IR IN jack on the HK. The unit also causes severe RF
interference on TV channel 4 (they admit that this is a problem if you don't
have cable TV). My last call to them just over a week ago resulted in "engineering is looking into it, no fix date available."

Now, to top it off, this evening my center channel output "fuzzed out".

I would not wish this unit on my worst enemy.

Needless to say, I'm in the market for a decent receiver :(

Overall Rating: 1
Weight: 1 (Unreliable Vote)
Date:
By:
Link to this vote: http://www.excelsis.com/1.0/displayvote.php?voteid=27238

Harman Kardon AVR 65
It worked great for 3 months or so. Then, one of the front speaker outputs was gone. It had to be repaired. I guess HK should change its manufacturing site to some other country where they can have a better quality control. A lot of stuff made in China is sub-standard (sorry to say that, but I have experienced it with other stuff too).

Overall Rating: 7
Weight: 1 (Unreliable Vote)
Date:
By:
Link to this vote: http://www.excelsis.com/1.0/displayvote.php?voteid=27236

Harman Kardon AVR 65
I got my AVR-65 from www.sounddistributors.com (great price at $750.00)I Love It. DTS decoder on board. Hi current amplifier section. Sounds great with the Infinity speakers. I would tell anyone looking for a good quality unit to buy this one. The only slight draw back is 1 digital input. So far not a problem - but if I want to expand it I need a splitter. Definatley a unit to have.

Overall Rating: 7
Weight: 1 (Unreliable Vote)
Date:
By:
Link to this vote: http://www.excelsis.com/1.0/displayvote.php?voteid=27235

Harman Kardon AVR 65
i've had my HK AVR65 for nearly 5 months and i love it!! i had no major humm/hiss but i could hear something with my ear to the centre channel so i've sent it in for a free upgrade that i'm told is a replacement of 6 ohm resistors to 10 ohm.

i have set mine up with an SPL meter and hardly ever go over -25db. the sound is beautifully clean and clear and the 65W rating doesn't seem to matter all.

i deducted 1 mark as i don't like the soft start that gives a 1 sec audio delay when detecting a dolby digital signal. apart from that everything is sweet. the remote is one of the best i have seen - learning, easy to use and well laid out. i use it to control my dvd, tv, vcr and cable box without any problems.

i chose this over the yamaha 795 'cos this is better built and doesn't have any cheapo spring clips instead of binding posts!

give this a "day in court" and go home happy :-)

boss nas

Overall Rating: 9
Weight: 1 (Unreliable Vote)
Date:
By:
Link to this vote: http://www.excelsis.com/1.0/displayvote.php?voteid=27234

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