Harman Kardon HK 3390 High Performance 2 x 80W Stereo Receiver Review
My 17 year old Sherwood 65 watt receiver started developing static in one channel. I've 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 didn't want another black component. What's the deal anyway? Is there a conspiracy to manufacture only black components at reasonable prices, so you have to spend 0+ on a receiver? HK was the cheapest that wasn't completely black. Also I have heard good things about the HK sound and high current design. I'm not a super critical listener, but it sounds good to me. Detailed, sweet, easy to listen to.
So here are some points you won't find in the advertising literature. Yes, the gray is brushed metal. Can't tell if it's 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. I'm getting used to the look--it's a lot like my refrigerator, actually.
Wish the button labels were illuminated but they aren't. 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 doesn't. 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 it's 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 can't speak authoritatively about the sound. Other reviews cover that abundantly.
Harman Kardon HK 3390 High Performance 2 x 80W Stereo Receiver Feature
- Convenient front-panel audio/video input for use with video games or portable players
- 80 Watts x 2 into 8 ohms
- Dual subwoofer output, with trigger for direct connection to powered subwoofers
- Harman Kardon system remote for control of compatible Harman Kardon CD and DVD players
- Remote A/B switching
Harman Kardon HK 3390 High Performance 2 x 80W Stereo Receiver Overview
The HK 3390 is a high current stereo receiver that will give you outstanding audio playback. It has 80 watts times two at 8 ohms and 100 watts times two at 4 Ohms. It has A/B switching and comes with a remote control.
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*** Product Information and Prices Stored: Sep 01, 2010 01:00:04
