Frustrated with Harman Kardon!

[bjornb17]

I'm starting to get irritated by all the problems that my Harman Kardon products have. Let me first state what i have:

Harman Kardon AVR130
HK DVD22
HK FL8385

My FL8385 just crapped out on me for the 4th time and now its going back in for service. I watched in amusement yesterday as the CD tray for no reason, popped out, spun around once, went back in, and just keep going in circles until i turned it off.

The DVD22 worked great at first, but then developed a problem in which the analog audio jacks died. I got it fixed, problem came back, and got it swapped for a new one. Now the DVD player locks up every couple of days and the only way to fix it is to unplug it and plug it back in.

The AVR130 works pretty good for the most part, but it takes about 2 seconds to lock on to the audio format. This is especially annoying in DVD menus because it misses half of the sound effects when going from menu to menu. Also, after a new DVD menu finishes loading, it will an annoying noise that sounds like the last second of the last sound played.

I'm thinking about getting them all replaced by HK, and then sell them on ebay.

The only problem is that I will need to buy all new components (from another brand). Any suggestions with what i should get?

[GMichael]

I'm starting to get irritated by all the problems that my Harman Kardon products have. Let me first state what i have:

Harman Kardon AVR130
HK DVD22
HK FL8385

My FL8385 just crapped out on me for the 4th time and now its going back in for service. I watched in amusement yesterday as the CD tray for no reason, popped out, spun around once, went back in, and just keep going in circles until i turned it off.

The DVD22 worked great at first, but then developed a problem in which the analog audio jacks died. I got it fixed, problem came back, and got it swapped for a new one. Now the DVD player locks up every couple of days and the only way to fix it is to unplug it and plug it back in.

The AVR130 works pretty good for the most part, but it takes about 2 seconds to lock on to the audio format. This is especially annoying in DVD menus because it misses half of the sound effects when going from menu to menu. Also, after a new DVD menu finishes loading, it will an annoying noise that sounds like the last second of the last sound played.

I'm thinking about getting them all replaced by HK, and then sell them on ebay.

The only problem is that I will need to buy all new components (from another brand). Any suggestions with what i should get?

Sorry to hear about your HK blues. Hope it all works out in the end.

[bjornb17]

Sorry to hear about your HK blues. Hope it all works out in the end.

Thanks. The warranties on all three items run out this July. I'd hate to have an expensive pile of plastic and metal sitting on my shelf if these problems persist. Their customer service has been very good to me though. I just emailed them and asked if they would provide warranty service past the warranty period given the reliability issues. I'll let you know what happens

[GMichael]

Thanks. The warranties on all three items run out this July. I'd hate to have an expensive pile of plastic and metal sitting on my shelf if these problems persist. Their customer service has been very good to me though. I just emailed them and asked if they would provide warranty service past the warranty period given the reliability issues. I'll let you know what happens

I was looking at getting an HK receiver last winter before I picked up my Yamaha. I heard rumors of QC issues so I stayed away from them. I don't know how true the rumors were but I opted for a manufacture who was rumored to have the fewest returns.
You just never know what's perception and what's fact. I just play the odds and roll the dice.

[kexodusc]

It's unfortunate you're having such a hard time. My old H/K stereo receiver was built like a tank. I ended up frying it in college once (got it fixed though).
I can't help but wonder if there could possibly be some climate condition in your area, electrical or otherwise that's causing these issues? H/K isn't perfect, but this the worst case of brand let down I've heard of. 3 separate units, all at the same time having multiple issues.

I've owned a lot of makes, and have yet to find the perfect brand in audio electronics. For my money, Yamaha makes very durable stuff. Not always everyone's cup of tea sound/performance wise though. But I've even had problems with a Yamaha unit, so they're not perfect either.

I was a Marantz man until my last unit crapped out. I've never owned a Denon, so maybe they're up next, but it seems every 3 years they go through a rough cycle quality wise.

Everyone has their turn I guess. Not that this is much consolation to you. Look on the bright side, you've got an excuse to go shopping again.

[paul_pci]

Yabba Dabba Dio for Yamaha!

[EdwardGein]

I Have the Harmon Kardon 31 DVD player, 2 of them in fact. I probably should have gotten extended warranties for them based on your post because the first one which worked & sounded great, broke down after around 10 months but Harmon Kardon replaced for free.

I'm beginning to think all DVD players/recorders have limited life as my Lite On 5001 DVD recorder twice broke down- I was covered by my extended warranty & my computer external DVD burner broke down as well & was replaced for free. I keep hearing that lasers wear down. It might not be Harmon Kardon in regards to the DVD player, it might just be the DVD player itself.

[L.J.]

Great! I had my brother purchase a HK DVD22 for his system about 6 months ago. I hope he doesn't run into any problems . I had actually considered that unit for myself, but ended going with the 2910.

[GMichael]

Great! I had my brother purchase a HK DVD22 for his system about 6 months ago. I hope he doesn't run into any problems . I had actually considered that unit for myself, but ended going with the 2910.

And I bought a JVC DVR that has very bad reveiws and it works great, (so far, knock on wood and throw salt over my shoulder).

D.m! Now I know it will break.

[bjornb17]

In each instance, though, HK has payed for shipping both ways and had a replacement unit sent to me within a week. I think they're losing money on me though LOL. (not my fault though)

[GMichael]

In each instance, though, HK has payed for shipping both ways and had a replacement unit sent to me within a week. I think they're losing money on me though LOL. (not my fault though)

At least they are taking care of you. That's cool.

When my Sony TV started blinking, I gave them a call. They said that they had never heard of such a problem. But If I were to box it up and ship it to them they would take a look at it. $150 to open the box plus $75.00 per hour labor, plus parts. Uhg! So I called CC where I had bought it 3 years earlier. The guy said that this happens to this model all the time. The guy drove to me, changed a part and only charged me $50 total. All fixed. 2 years later it did it again.
Thank you Sony.

[GMichael]

Sony has gone from being a great company to being a big stinking pile of poop. I had a sony CD changer, which worked okay. But when i found out that I was at the end of the 90 day warranty (90 days???) i boxed it up and sold it on ebay the next day. I was motivated to do this after reading complaints about sony's customer support.

Although HK's disc players seem to be a little flaky, atleat i have something to fall back on

It worked OK? Weren't taking any chances huh?

[bjornb17]

At least they are taking care of you. That's cool.

When my Sony TV started blinking, I gave them a call. They said that they had never heard of such a problem. But If I were to box it up and ship it to them they would take a look at it. $150 to open the box plus $75.00 per hour labor, plus parts. Uhg! So I called CC where I had bought it 3 years earlier. The guy said that this happens to this model all the time. The guy drove to me, changed a part and only charged me $50 total. All fixed. 2 years later it did it again.
Thank you Sony.

Sony has gone from being a great company to being a big stinking pile of poop. I had a sony CD changer, which worked okay. But when i found out that I was at the end of the 90 day warranty (90 days???) i boxed it up and sold it on ebay the next day. I was motivated to do this after reading complaints about sony's customer support.

Although HK's disc players seem to be a little flaky, atleat i have something to fall back on

[bjornb17]

It worked OK? Weren't taking any chances huh?

well there was nothing wrong with it but i didnt want to be stuck with a paperweight It's pretty rare for me to keep products beyond their waranty period (blame upgrade bug for that). Also compared to the FL8385 (when using analog jacks), the sound seemed a bit thin and stuffy.

[bjornb17]

I just got an email back from Harman Kardon. They said that they've been having problems with some batches of these units, and they will continue to provide free warantee work or replacements for it for as long as i own it. That is good customer service

BTW, i'm getting a new (well, remanufactured anyway) AVR230 in the mail from them today. It is for my dad, but if i like it i might get one as well (so i can use the preouts for separate amps in the future).

[GMichael]

I just got an email back from Harman Kardon. They said that they've been having problems with some batches of these units, and they will continue to provide free warantee work or replacements for it for as long as i own it. That is good customer service

BTW, i'm getting a new (well, remanufactured anyway) AVR230 in the mail from them today. It is for my dad, but if i like it i might get one as well (so i can use the preouts for separate amps in the future).

That is very cool. Not that they are having problems, but that they are taking care of them for you.

[Eric Z]

Great news about how HK is handling your situation! I always like to hear positive customer experiences.

I think electronics are a crapshoot these days- I never bought the extended warranty, but think about it more and more now when I buy something new- I still don't buy it, just think about it.

However, some extended warranties are pretty good these days. For example, I purchased a dig cam over Christmas and BB offered an extended warranty for $20 which covered everything for 3 years- even if I drop the darn thing- they said they would replace it if it can't be fixed. I still didn't get it- I better not drop it now

I've been fortunate with a lot of my electronics- I have a 7 year old Sony DVD player that works better than any of my other ones- unfortunately, it doesn't play other formats of CDs/DVDs. I think EG hit it on the head, DVD players just aren't made that well these days- something goofy happens inside after a year or so (as you can see, I'm not to technical with the guts of a DVD player ).

[bjornb17]

LOL you are totally right.

My dad has a Sony receiver that he bought right when got back from Vietnam... around 1969 or 1970, and it works perfectly. It can also play ear-bleedingly loud, even though its rated for only 10 WPC i think. It sounds much better than his Sony receiver that is only a couple years old (and is being replaced with the AVR230 today )

Also, he has a Sony CD changer that he bought in the mid 90s right as CDs began to become mainstream, and it has had 0 issues. Same can be said for his tape deck which is about 25 years old. I've noticed that his older electronics tend to weigh a lot more too, i guess they were just built more ruggedly.

[kexodusc]

Some companies still build incredibly durable electronics, others choose to give up a bit of durability for features and performance. Everything costs money. I don't think any brand excels so much in one are over another compared to its competitors that it becomes the definitive brand for people looking for characterstic X.

Sooner or later everyone builds a lemon....the real test is in how they deal with their customers after. Looks like H/K is treating you right, and standing behind their product. Kudos to them.
You now have a lifetime warranty. Not bad.

[bjornb17]

Some companies still build incredibly durable electronics, others choose to give up a bit of durability for features and performance. Everything costs money. I don't think any brand excels so much in one are over another compared to its competitors that it becomes the definitive brand for people looking for characterstic X.

Sooner or later everyone builds a lemon....the real test is in how they deal with their customers after. Looks like H/K is treating you right, and standing behind their product. Kudos to them.
You now have a lifetime warranty. Not bad.

Not bad at all I am really impressed that they're not trying to wiggle their way out like most other companies i've delt with. Its support like this that will make me go back and strongly consider them for my next audio upgrade.

i was thinking of getting an AVR230 with two monoblocks, but after looking on their website, a remanufactured AVR335 with the EZset automatic room EQ for $400 seems like a cost effective alternative. Do any of you know how well EZset works?

[kexodusc]

Used EZset once when setting up a friend's HT. Seemed to work as well with delays and level setting as anything else. I dont' believe this unit has a built in Parametric EQ, or if that even matters to you.

[bjornb17]

Used EZset once when setting up a friend's HT. Seemed to work as well with delays and level setting as anything else. I dont' believe this unit has a built in Parametric EQ, or if that even matters to you.

do you just push a button and let it calibrate itself? Does it also change bass and trebble, or just the overall volumes?

[SlumpBuster]

When my mother in law wanted a HT in her new construction house in 1994, I ordered for her all HK components with Sonance inwalls and Yamaha sub (She liked the look of those tall slim Yamahas). Those HKs are still going strong despite 12 years and one move. However, when I went to get a new receiver last summer, I got totally turned off by HKs because of that chinzy blue volume knob. "What the F?" I thought. It looks good, but it feels weak.

[bjornb17]

When my mother in law wanted a HT in her new construction house in 1994, I ordered for her all HK components with Sonance inwalls and Yamaha sub (She liked the look of those tall slim Yamahas). Those HKs are still going strong despite 12 years and one move. However, when I went to get a new receiver last summer, I got totally turned off by HKs because of that chinzy blue volume knob. "What the F?" I thought. It looks good, but it feels weak.

I've realized that in heavily-used HK units (such as store demo models), the volume knob seems to be loose and worn down. I think i only used my volume knob once, because i use the remote all the time. There's really no need to touch anything on the receiver once it is all setup. Plus i wouldnt want to get fingerprints on the nice reflective facade.

[Eric Z]

I have no experience with HK, but just think the receivers are trying to looks a little too futuristic- like it's from Mercury with the blue light around the volume knob. However, looks really don't matter too much to me since all of my equipment is behind glass doors and it's easy not to notice them too much. I've heard HK are overpriced- is that true?