Harmon Kardon AVR-245 - Canadian TV, Computing and Home Theatre Forums

SOUPNAZZI · 2008-11-07, 02:33 PM

Ok, 1 last try to get some advice.

Eventho the unit is plauge with issues, and the lastest firmware has resolved most of them, Is this unit still good?

Mostly watch BEV, Movies and XBOX 360.

For the price the AVR 245 is going for, is there a better brand at the same price ?

GlennH · 2008-11-07, 02:37 PM

There is a really good deal on the Denon AVR-789 (same as AVR-1909) at FS right now.

You get all the HD codecs plus the latest Audessey features for quite a bit less than the HK. Denon's are rock solid too......

SOUPNAZZI · 2008-11-07, 03:08 PM

What about firmware upgrades with the Denon units ?

GlennH · 2008-11-07, 04:05 PM

Only on the 3808 and above I think.

Maybe someone knows more........

alcottawa · 2008-11-12, 11:01 AM

I posted this about my nightmare with harman kardon,
http://www.digitalhome.ca/forum/show...t=94032&page=3

after much research I found that denon and yamaha both have pretty solid offerings at all price levels, not sure about updates with firmware, contact the manufacturers via email...

also, I would avoid buying from f.s.,, if you can find a local store (a good compromise of local ownership and chain buying power is best) they wont push and extra warranty on you and will actually help you out when something does go wrong with it (and are more likely to offer you a better price since they have more control)... I have trouble with companies that want you to pay extra for product malfunctions ahead of time.

rispoli · 2008-11-13, 04:52 PM

You probably have a typo in the thread title and meant the AVR-254 (I have the 245 but it is a model which was sold 2 years ago: flawless I got to say).

Since your usage is reportedly "mostly watch BEV, Movies and XBOX 360" if I were you I'd take the Denon 789. It handles better movies and tv.

I am pretty much in the opposite side of the fence, I listen music 90% of the time and for that usage the HK crunches the Denon and all the other brands available in large chain stores. I did quite extensive testing. I recommend HK to all music lovers and Denon to the ones more home-theatre oriented. Pioneer is good too. Yamaha for me is just middle of the road in anything, never wins any comparative test (I haven't tried the very high-end models, but went until the RX-1800 which ain't that cheap too....).

SOUPNAZZI · 2008-11-14, 08:27 AM

tHANK YOU all for the advice

Denon AVR-789 it is then

Telecaster · 2008-11-16, 07:51 AM

Hi Guys,
Newbie to this forum, Great spot you have here with the much needed Canadian Content !
Cheers!

I just went through the same choices as you seem to be soupnazzi, so many specs and reviews to be pouring over. Well after a month of researching I bought the Denon 789. The HK 254 has too many bugs

You will really like the Denon 789. It's setup and the manual is a nightmare but after you go over the settings(check around the net..) and finally sit down and fire it up, your gonna really be impressed.
I'm still figuring out the features so I will probably be posting a few questions along the way.
I'm getting the Bell HD upgrade today sometime between 8-12

,one of the features of this receiver I liked was the pass through...good for spouse who is electronic challenged !

Good Luck

Tele

SOUPNAZZI · 2008-11-16, 01:24 PM

Thanks Tele

Windchaser · 2008-11-22, 01:24 PM

H/K is really hit and miss. Guys like me who got a good unit are extremely happy with the audio performance. Unfortunately there are also many who get a unit with issues. Quality control seems to be a serious problem with HK gear. I know too many people who have been let down by it. Although I love mine; I think both Denon and Yamaha are safer choices. Yamaha product is virtually bombproof.

Pioneer Elite is pretty good too.

crazyea · 2008-11-22, 02:56 PM

I just bought an AVR-354. Got a great deal. When I first brought it home, I had nothing but issues, especially with the hdmi switching. I had to try two different usb-com cables until I got one that was able to flash the newest updates.

To make a long story short, the unit now works flawlessly and I love it. The sound is incredible, even for movies and I know it was listed as limited in that regard. I am coming from a few year old onkyo that I loved as well.

The 254, is almost the same, and even though it had a few probs in the beginning it is almost perfect now. My other choice was the Denon 889 that I was looking for, which is also know to have a few hdmi issues. I chose this over the denon because it does have the ability to be updated.

pharsyde · 2008-11-23, 08:02 PM

surely am partial to this purchase. whatever the decision - just a few words on my initial experience with the 254.

no problems. straight forward machine really and user friendly. in my opinion, stands alone with its unique design when compared to generic looking redundant design of many other avr's. updatinig the firmware prior to set-up was easy. updating devices is normal and just a part of making them perfrom better, doing so is a good thing and should be checked regularly for any devices software.

i love the onscreen interface, welcoming and looks cool. additionally, i was pleasantly surprised with the 254's user manual. its like a magazine .!! high gloss, full color illustration, logical and .. a pleasure to read and learn from really. **was expecting to be laboring through plain text manuals, what a drag that is.

the display on the 254 is large & very easy to see. something that jumped out when comparing to other avr's i looked at. this was a plus given the size of my room and sittiing position (distance)

im a newbie with this. perhaps i could message back when i get more into the audio settings and setup. hmm..given sound is a personal thing really i have to say the machine sounds great out of the box. warm comforting sound.

by the way, the 254 upscales video very well. the increased quality from the bravia was immediate. quality video processing is one of the things i wanted from an avr. **given this is the whole point of enhancing the audio- video home experience. the 254 does a very good job of this for me. cool machine.

2008-11-07, 02:33 PM	#1
SOUPNAZZI Join Date: Feb 2007 Location: MISSISSAUGA Posts: 57	Harmon Kardon AVR-245 Ok, 1 last try to get some advice. Eventho the unit is plauge with issues, and the lastest firmware has resolved most of them, Is this unit still good? Mostly watch BEV, Movies and XBOX 360. For the price the AVR 245 is going for, is there a better brand at the same price ?

2008-11-07, 02:37 PM	#2
GlennH Join Date: Mar 2007 Posts: 205	There is a really good deal on the Denon AVR-789 (same as AVR-1909) at FS right now. You get all the HD codecs plus the latest Audessey features for quite a bit less than the HK. Denon's are rock solid too...... __________________ Samsung LNS4692D, Oppo 981HD, PS3, Denon AVR-2309, Tannoy mX series, Mirage S10 Sub

2008-11-07, 04:05 PM	#4
GlennH Join Date: Mar 2007 Posts: 205	Only on the 3808 and above I think. Maybe someone knows more........ __________________ Samsung LNS4692D, Oppo 981HD, PS3, Denon AVR-2309, Tannoy mX series, Mirage S10 Sub

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2008-11-07, 03:08 PM	#3
SOUPNAZZI Join Date: Feb 2007 Location: MISSISSAUGA Posts: 57	What about firmware upgrades with the Denon units ?

2008-11-12, 11:01 AM	#5
alcottawa Rookie Join Date: Nov 2008 Posts: 2	I posted this about my nightmare with harman kardon, http://www.digitalhome.ca/forum/show...t=94032&page=3 after much research I found that denon and yamaha both have pretty solid offerings at all price levels, not sure about updates with firmware, contact the manufacturers via email... also, I would avoid buying from f.s.,, if you can find a local store (a good compromise of local ownership and chain buying power is best) they wont push and extra warranty on you and will actually help you out when something does go wrong with it (and are more likely to offer you a better price since they have more control)... I have trouble with companies that want you to pay extra for product malfunctions ahead of time.

2008-11-13, 04:52 PM	#6
rispoli Join Date: Mar 2008 Location: Montréal - QC Posts: 62	You probably have a typo in the thread title and meant the AVR-254 (I have the 245 but it is a model which was sold 2 years ago: flawless I got to say). Since your usage is reportedly "mostly watch BEV, Movies and XBOX 360" if I were you I'd take the Denon 789. It handles better movies and tv. I am pretty much in the opposite side of the fence, I listen music 90% of the time and for that usage the HK crunches the Denon and all the other brands available in large chain stores. I did quite extensive testing. I recommend HK to all music lovers and Denon to the ones more home-theatre oriented. Pioneer is good too. Yamaha for me is just middle of the road in anything, never wins any comparative test (I haven't tried the very high-end models, but went until the RX-1800 which ain't that cheap too....).

2008-11-14, 08:27 AM	#7
SOUPNAZZI Join Date: Feb 2007 Location: MISSISSAUGA Posts: 57	tHANK YOU all for the advice Denon AVR-789 it is then

2008-11-16, 07:51 AM	#8
Telecaster Join Date: Nov 2008 Location: Hanging out in My Home Theater !! Posts: 59	Hi Guys, Newbie to this forum, Great spot you have here with the much needed Canadian Content ! Cheers! I just went through the same choices as you seem to be soupnazzi, so many specs and reviews to be pouring over. Well after a month of researching I bought the Denon 789. The HK 254 has too many bugs You will really like the Denon 789. It's setup and the manual is a nightmare but after you go over the settings(check around the net..) and finally sit down and fire it up, your gonna really be impressed. I'm still figuring out the features so I will probably be posting a few questions along the way. I'm getting the Bell HD upgrade today sometime between 8-12 ,one of the features of this receiver I liked was the pass through...good for spouse who is electronic challenged ! Good Luck Tele

2008-11-16, 01:24 PM	#9
SOUPNAZZI Join Date: Feb 2007 Location: MISSISSAUGA Posts: 57	Thanks Tele

2008-11-22, 01:24 PM	#10
Windchaser Join Date: Dec 2007 Posts: 67	H/K is really hit and miss. Guys like me who got a good unit are extremely happy with the audio performance. Unfortunately there are also many who get a unit with issues. Quality control seems to be a serious problem with HK gear. I know too many people who have been let down by it. Although I love mine; I think both Denon and Yamaha are safer choices. Yamaha product is virtually bombproof. Pioneer Elite is pretty good too.

2008-11-22, 02:56 PM	#11
crazyea Join Date: Oct 2008 Location: Surrey, BC Posts: 71	I just bought an AVR-354. Got a great deal. When I first brought it home, I had nothing but issues, especially with the hdmi switching. I had to try two different usb-com cables until I got one that was able to flash the newest updates. To make a long story short, the unit now works flawlessly and I love it. The sound is incredible, even for movies and I know it was listed as limited in that regard. I am coming from a few year old onkyo that I loved as well. The 254, is almost the same, and even though it had a few probs in the beginning it is almost perfect now. My other choice was the Denon 889 that I was looking for, which is also know to have a few hdmi issues. I chose this over the denon because it does have the ability to be updated.

2008-11-23, 08:02 PM	#12
pharsyde DHC Supporter Join Date: Nov 2008 Location: St John's Posts: 604	surely am partial to this purchase. whatever the decision - just a few words on my initial experience with the 254. no problems. straight forward machine really and user friendly. in my opinion, stands alone with its unique design when compared to generic looking redundant design of many other avr's. updatinig the firmware prior to set-up was easy. updating devices is normal and just a part of making them perfrom better, doing so is a good thing and should be checked regularly for any devices software. i love the onscreen interface, welcoming and looks cool. additionally, i was pleasantly surprised with the 254's user manual. its like a magazine .!! high gloss, full color illustration, logical and .. a pleasure to read and learn from really. was expecting to be laboring through plain text manuals, what a drag that is. the display on the 254 is large & very easy to see. something that jumped out when comparing to other avr's i looked at. this was a plus given the size of my room and sittiing position (distance) im a newbie with this. perhaps i could message back when i get more into the audio settings and setup. hmm..given sound is a personal thing really i have to say the machine sounds great out of the box. warm comforting sound. by the way, the 254 upscales video very well. the increased quality from the bravia was immediate. quality video processing is one of the things i wanted from an avr. given this is the whole point of enhancing the audio- video home experience. the 254 does a very good job of this for me. cool machine.