Axiom Home Page Forums General Discussion Advice from Axiom Owners Denon vs. Harman Kardon with M80, VP150, QS8

I currently am running these speakers on a Denon 1602, which is a very low end receiver. I have decided it is time to upgrade, as I just heard my M80's on a higher end receiver, and there was clearly a difference, especially in the power and sound of the bass.

As is, I am looking at a few used units, either Denon 3805 or HK AVR 435 or 635. Do any of you have experience with these units combined with these speakers?

The Denon has some nicer features in terms of HDCD and Pure Direct mode.

However the HK has a built in auto EQ and I have always been told that HK amps are stronger.

I am also hoping this will have the Ext Inputs for HD DVD and/or Bluray inputs. Are those 7.1 discreet or more channels?

Thanks for any info in helping me choose.

Best wishes in 2007.

The 3805 also has Auto Setup and RoomEQ, however, I do not recommend you use the EQ part. I found it makes my 60's and 80's sound a lot worse, with to much midrangr. My guess is you could get a 2807 (newer generation) for the same price which adds the advanced Audyssey room setup which compensates for room acoustics from 6 locations and also adds better HDMI capability versus the 3806.

My H/K 525 seems to work just fine with M80s, but I haven't tried those specific models (or anything other than the H/K, for that matter). I also don't use the 80s at veyr high volumes, generally.

From what I have been researching, the HK's would be good enough to drive the M80's with out any problems. I have had my eye on used ones on Ebay, 1/2 price for both the exact same models you listed. As far as the Denon goes I own the 1804 and I would recommend you look at the 3806 or 2807 as these are the latest from Denon. The 2807 is a little cheaper and almost identical to the 3806, HDMI 1.1 compatible but has a few watts/channel less. I am struggling right now to not get anything but I am leaning towards the 2807(new) and the HK635(used) about the same price and virtually the same features ie. auto setups etc.

in my quest for a new receiver i considered HK. I dont think I have ever listened to an HK , so was unbiased either way.

what closed it for me was not only the number of complaints I had read about recent quality issues, but the shear number of remanufactured equipment that HK is selling on their own website, let alone what others are selling at huge discounts. I clicked on every authorized Denon remanufactured online reseller, and for the price range I was looking at, not much was available. I guess the appearance of an abundance of reman's for HK and the apparent limited availability of reman Denon, was the nail in the coffin for HK for me. I'm not knocking HK's working products, as I said I have never heard one.

not sure if these are good deals or not but here they are.
on HK's site:
reman avr 435-z $447
reman avr 635-z $598
if I was considering a non authorized HK purchase, I would give the HK reman a consideration.

hth
Randy

I noticed that same thing before I bought my Denon, as you said that was the clincher for me, all those remans out there. But I have heard HK's and they seem to have power to spare... so they are back onmy list..........

Every time I hear Ken comment on the M80's, something snaps inside my head.

Randy,

I do understand where you are coming from, however, Ecost.com does sell a lot of Denon's that are refurb. Also, it is hard to say just how many units are sold by each. More sales = more refurbs.

My main reason for wanting HK over Denon is the higher amperage, as my speakers are lower impedance. You need more current to play a speaker at the same volume when the impedance drops. I do not know how high of a current the higher end Denons will send.

The AutoEQ functions I've heard both positive and negative feedback for both, so I wonder if they are all that good on either unit.

personally I dont like the auto EQ on my denon 2807, but it is still early in the game. The Audessey setting sounds like a tunnel. sometimes the front setting is ok. most of the time i keep it off.

As far as level adjustments, it is very accurate. I dont like how it sets my M22's as large though. I can change it manually but then whenever I 'revert' to the reciever calculated levels, I have to change them back to small and set crossover at 80

a guy i work with went into a high end audio retailer here in town , Ovation, and they sold him an HK, and he loves it.

good luck with whatever you decide.

Randy

Board regular mdrew HATES HK with a purple passion at the moment, but he may have different issues.