Review
Excellent receiver (May 30, 2011)
| Ease of Use |
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(4/5.0) |
| Value |
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(5/5.0) |
| Performance |
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(5/5.0) |
| Overall Rating |
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(5/5.0) |
Reviewed By: Paul M. Spiegel - Silver Spring, MD
This receiver was just what I was looking for. I've been able to integrate my HDTV, Magnepan speakers, Blu-Ray player, and turntable into one system. The receiver can handle the 4 ohm speakers, and has the right inputs for my legacy Bang & Olufsen turntable. The remote control is logical and easy to use. The receiver looks sleek and modern.
Two minor drawbacks. First, the instructions are not pellucid. It takes a bit of work to figure out how to program the remote. Second, the remote cannot communicate with other remotes. I tried to use as an overall remote first a Comcast remote and then a Universal remote. I could program in the other remotes TV, Blu-Ray, but not the HarmanKardon. I found comments on the internet that others had the same problem. So I'll have to have two remotes on my coffee table in the living room. But, given the quality of the receiver, its price, and what it can do, I'm still glad to have purchased this receiver.
Review
Love it (February 23, 2011)
| Ease of Use |
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(5/5.0) |
| Value |
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(5/5.0) |
| Performance |
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(5/5.0) |
| Overall Rating |
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(5/5.0) |
Reviewed By: Tom B. - St. Croix Falls, WI
Nice crisp sound, very strong tuner, nothing bad. Pushing through Bose 601s and it sounds great!
Review
HK3390, one serious deficiency (January 18, 2011)
| Ease of Use |
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(4/5.0) |
| Value |
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(3/5.0) |
| Performance |
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(3/5.0) |
| Overall Rating |
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(3/5.0) |
Reviewed By: John W. - Mount Laurel, NJ
The HK3390 has a good FM tuner and generally clean sound, especially in the treble range. It does not, however, seem to have a very low damping factor, nor what could be called a high current capability. As a result it is not capable of controlling the bass resonances of the high quality Energy RC-70 or RC-10 loudspeakers that I hoped to use it with. It produces a hollow, boomy bass sound with these speakers that is very unsatisfying and non-musical. I have other amplifiers that can drive these speakers well, including an old HK 880 Vxi reciever that is sonically in a totally different league from this unit.
Review
Marvelous receiver for a great price (January 07, 2011)
| Ease of Use |
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(5/5.0) |
| Value |
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(5/5.0) |
| Performance |
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(4/5.0) |
| Overall Rating |
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(5/5.0) |
Reviewed By: Ann J. - Portland, OR
I was looking for a 2 channel receiver to connect to two Alison Six speakers and an Energy 8 woofer for my TV set up. This receiver was simple to connect to my system and delivers wonderful sound. The remote is very straight forward. The two switched outlets are fantastic - especially for my powered sub. Handsome looking - I couldnt ask for more at this price.
Review
Unbelievable realism (November 22, 2010)
| Ease of Use |
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(5/5.0) |
| Value |
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(5/5.0) |
| Performance |
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(5/5.0) |
| Overall Rating |
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(5/5.0) |
Reviewed By: Robin F. - Rahway, NJ
I cant believe the separation provided by this unit. Now when a cop car drives across the TV screen, I can hear it driving right across my living room. Even incidental noises seem to come from different areas of the room - and this is only 2 channel! I was never able to listen to the radio on my old Pioneer tuneramp because of incredible interference. But now, I can listen to my favorite stations without even the slightest hint of static.
Review
Does What It's Supposed TO (November 20, 2010)
| Ease of Use |
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(5/5.0) |
| Value |
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(5/5.0) |
| Performance |
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(4/5.0) |
| Overall Rating |
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(5/5.0) |
Reviewed By: B. T. - Coopersburg, PA
Enough power at low distortion. Better than most multichannel units. Easy setup. Now I can listen to my alternate TV with as good a sound as the re-modulated signal from the DVR gives me.
Review
Love It (October 03, 2010)
| Ease of Use |
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(5/5.0) |
| Value |
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(5/5.0) |
| Performance |
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(5/5.0) |
| Overall Rating |
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(5/5.0) |
Reviewed By: Chris S. - Oakland, Ca
The HK3390 is a great way to combine both older stereo components and new digital components.
In my case, 20 years ago I spent about $12k on a really nice sound system half on the system half on the speakers - it worked flawlessly until the preamp started having trouble, then the power amp died. I built the system to provide music in a 3000 sq. foot warehouse where I work, so I need power. I found that it really wasnt worth the money to repair the amppreamp, and to comparably replace them even used was going to cost more money than I was willing to pay. With the economy, Im not in the same position today that I was 20 years ago.
For about 18 months now, I havent had any good tunes.. just the old jambox. Its been bugging me, I have a whole rack of perfectly good components, just no amp. I started looking for something much, much cheaper to replace my old amp, but still have enough juice to power 2 sets of big speakers rated at 150w & 200w.
With most stuff today - its all surround sound, etc... I want 2 channel. I also want to hook up my turntable without buying a separate phono amp. Eventually I will have to replace some of the 20 year old components, so Ill also want the modern digital connections. I looked at lots of options - to get the power I really needed Id have to spend too much. After research and lots of review reading, I settled on the HK3390. The price was right.
Itll directly hook up my turntable and at 120wch I figured it would at least get some sound out of my speakers. I got a great Deal at Vanns, the box arrived nice and quick, and in perfect condition.
Set-up was a breeze... just plugged it all in and turned it on, the manual was simple. Although this system does have analog video capability I dont use it. The sound was great - I tried the HK3390 with headphones first. It sounded REALLY nice - rich full sound. Well balanced without tweaking needed. I actually felt that it sounded better than my old amp.
I was a bit underwhelmed with the power. At 120wch I thought it would have no problem driving my 150w Boston Acoustics mid-size speakers - I had to turn it up to about 60 to get what I used to get at 30 volume-wise. Oddly, it powers my huge 200w speakers much better. The power problem is my fault, I just need more juice - the HK3390 does what it should, and does it well. Ill probably just add a separate amp down the line, it would be dumb to replace my speakers to adjust for the lack of power.
However, even though I needed to crank it up almost to max before things got kinda loud, the sound was stunning. A quick adjustment to the tonebass controls made it sound great regardless of the speaker pair. I didnt hear any distortion at high levels, I have a good ear. The Virtual Surround probably rocks for stereo video - I usually dont use that stuff, but It did make my 150w speakers sound a bit fuller. Even after a few hours at high volume running big speakers, it didnt get too hot - a plus for cabinet systems.
Im really impressed by the tuner. Ive always had bad reception indoors and had to hook up a roof antenna. The HK3390 perfectly tuned all my usual stations without the external antenna - nice!
AND... I LOVE having my turntable back.
The HK3390 looks stylish, its big, but not huge. It has a minimum of protruding buttons and controls less stuff to get dusty The volume knob is cool - I like it, it is bright, my wife turns on the dimmer. Nice to have that option.
To sum it up - I successfully replaced a 20 year old amppreamp that cost 10x the price of the HK3390. Nothing additional was needed to hook up my turntable. The 3390 has equal if not better sound quality than my old system, and Im very happy with it. Again, I wish it had more power, but thats my problem, it performs to spec. Although a bit underpowered, the sound is wonderful on my speakers. The HK3390 is fully recommended.
Review
A Quality Stereo Receiver (September 11, 2010)
| Ease of Use |
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(5/5.0) |
| Value |
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(5/5.0) |
| Performance |
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(5/5.0) |
| Overall Rating |
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(5/5.0) |
Reviewed By: Terry R Wood - Lubbock, TX
I have the HK 3390 in the bedroom for mainly late nignt listening. Stereo separation is excellent as FM stations come in strong and clear. Cd playback is excellent.
This unit has some nice features including a
sleep timer ,headphone jack and dimmer switch.. However when you dim the unit, the onoff
power light stays bright...a little annoying if you are trying to fall asleep.
Review
it's not all black (April 08, 2010)
| Ease of Use |
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(5/5.0) |
| Value |
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(5/5.0) |
| Performance |
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(5/5.0) |
| Overall Rating |
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(4/5.0) |
Reviewed By: Michael M. - Fairfield, IA
My 17 year old Sherwood 65 watt receiver started developing static in one channel. Ive had problems with my Sherwood tape deck and CD too, so I decided to go for something a little more upscale. If at all possible I didnt want another black component. Whats the deal anyway? Is there a conspiracy to manufacture only black components at reasonable prices, so you have to spend 500 on a receiver? HK was the cheapest that wasnt completely black. Also I have heard good things about the HK sound and high current design. Im not a super critical listener, but it sounds good to me. Detailed, sweet, easy to listen to.
So here are some points you wont find in the advertising literature. Yes, the gray is brushed metal. Cant tell if its SS or AL. It is about a 1 mm veneer over a plastic substrate. The corners are nicely rounded. There are press-in covers for the lower right control wells that are also brushed metal and make it look super sleek--almost, like a high end power amp. The metal is darker that brush aluminum which is what I really wanted, but you have to pay 2X for that on say a Cambridge mini. I generally like lots of buttons, but the buttonless look is different, and I also like different. Im getting used to the look--its a lot like my refrigerator, actually.
Wish the button labels were illuminated but they arent. The power light and volume knob lights are very bright. You can turn off the volume knob light with the dim function. You can completely dim the display, but it comes on temporarily when you press any button. For every input it says analog after it in the display--THEY ARE ALL ANALOG ON THIS MODEL. Must use the same convention as more expensive models that have digital. It is assembled in China, but the quality seems just fine.
The remote is assembled in Korea, but it seems to communicate fine with the Chinese receiver. It is a full 10 long and will control other HK components only. Looks like it should illuminate but doesnt. Wish this receiver had a loudness button. As it is, I have to keep the tone controls uncovered, and that spoils the look. Had to look in the manual of my 33 year old Sanyo receiver to find out how many DBs boost constituted a loudness function 8 bass, 4 treble. By the way the Sanyo is a great 13w receiver and still works perfectly--go figure. Oh yes, the volume is the fly-by-wire kind and is displayed in negative Decibels. Zero is the maximum recommended volume. -80 is silent. 10 is scary.
All in all its a fun toy that puts our excellent sound. Oh, I like that it has sub outputs. My bargain basement Yamaha woofer arrives tomorrow. Right now, I just have a pair of Pioneer 6.5 bookshelf speakers, which is part of why I cant speak authoritatively about the sound. Other reviews cover that abundantly.
