Harmon Kardon 3490 vs Onkyo 8050 - Page 5

You mentioned a waste of your time reading through off topic posts. Get ready for some more posts that won't answer your qustion.

My recommendation is not to ask subjective opinions on a website that contains the word science in the name.

I don't mind being directed to any type or brand of receiver as long as it stays within my price range. I know the $300 area is a bit thin but that is what I feel comfortable with. I also have no issues reading anyone's post as long as it gives good direction and focus on the goal of finding the best product for the dollar to be spent. It was all of the back and forth posts that didn't help. I understand what was going on but it was just too much.

As for the subjective term associated with science, that is some funny stuff!

If anyone cares to throw me some help, I would appreciate it. The Onkyo 8050 has the ability to connect via WIFI for Pandora or a number of other products. We do use Pandora as well as Spotify so that may be a big plus for the Onkyo. But for the price, the HK3490 and its amplifier section seems tough to beat.

Once again, thanks...............

I suggest you pull out a Dictionary and look up the definition of subjective, then look up the word science.

You wont be able to hear a difference between the 2 products. Unless you listen to one of the products louder than the other or you enjoy the look of one of the products as compared to the other. Or you perform the test yourself and take a minute between test samples.

So chose the piece of equipment that has the features that best support your habits. Sounds like the Onkyo has the features you're looking for.

i find it funny that after the big discussion about how people came to this thread in particular to look for stereo receivers and now here i am about ready to give advise on a multi-ch avr.
I know you're looking for a stereo receiver but while helping my friend pick out a receiver yesterday i found this beauty for a great price.
Onkyo NR515
MSRP $600 on sale for $300 on amazon.
The reason i'm suggesting this is because you get a lot of extra for the price.
Also, i just recently got my first 2 channel setup and decided on a multi-ch myself because i do plan on upgrading to a full ht and found out
how much audessy or room correction software can help, especially in a non acoustic dampened room even on a two channel set-up.
I still really really really need to dampen my living room but the room correction software helped pull the image in better and toned down the highs

Of the units you mentioned, I favor the Onkyo and Denon because I trust their flavors of Aydyssey more than YPAO or Sony's roll-their-own competitive feature.

Last time I listened to Hereseys I was impressed by how inaccurate and colored they were (old EV tweeters), and I would see the best system tuning facility around as something that would help me enjoy them more.

Frequency response (latest tweeters not EV originals) not bad above 100 Hz, but need a subwoofer or bass eq...

http://www.audioheritage.org/vbulletin/showthread.php?4624-Will-cane-grill-cloth-block-highs/page2



Nonlinear distortion:



Not so pretty and Aydyssey won't help that problem much.

Finally, some straight up help without all the sidebar stuff. While looking around, I happened to find an Onkyo TX-NR414 for under $250. I will also look at the 515. Arny, thanks for giving your thoughts on the brands being considered. After reading some very good as well as very poor reviews on the HK, I will definitely be leaning toward the others. As for the Heresy's, when I first bought them, way back in the 80's, I really wasn't too concerned with accuracy and more about volume, and they do get loud for a small speaker. I used my M&K 125 mkII sub with them and they did well for the intended use. I never could bring myself to sell them so they still are around. Wish I was more technically literate and understood the graphs. Oh well. After all the input of pertinent information, I can really see why going with a multi-channel receiver would benefit over just a 2-channel.

Just looked at the Onkyo TX-NR414 at Newegg listed at $239. Then see they are offering, for a limited time, another $39 discount! I am in CA so have to pay sales tax but with free shipping, OTD would be $215!!! And Newegg is an authorized Onkyo dealer. The 515 is a 7.2 vs the 414 5.1. Considering I was looking at 2 channel before, the 414 would probably be just the ticket for my application.

Why buy the 2-channel when I can get the same power plus more goodies for just $215!

Would you say this is probably a no-brainer decision? I think so.....................


Well, maybe not. Reading through reviews at Newegg and there are a number of people that have had problems with the 414. Discount is through tomorrow so I have time to decide. More reading I suppose.
Edited by glen9010 - 2/9/13 at 6:03pm