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HK 3490 - Time To Get The Real Facts

The HK 3490 Really Packs A Punch

I wanted to do a real review for you of the  HK 3490 without all the hype and junk. It really is a incredibly reliable receiver that you can bank on to a quality job. There are lots of people saying that the equipment they are reviewing can do things, BUT they can't actually do it. It makes me think they have to do that to make the products actually sell. I don't know why they just can't be honest and tell it as it is. The only think that annoyed me was the  small buttons on the controls but nothing dramatic.

HK 3490 Is For A Real Audiophile or Someone Like Me

This not your run-of-the-mill overview but a real one on this quality 7.1 receiver. This is a very chunky two channel unit. I am very glad to see that Harman Kardon is responsible for this one because the quality of this model mirrors their company standard. With all the newfangled models out there that keep coming out this one has stood the test of time and has fantastic specs to back it up.

Get The Facts On The HK 3490

From the very first time you look at the HK 3490 it is fresh and sleek and without clutter.It is just a very plain and simple good receiver without all bells and whistles. It has a front great panel that drops down to access the tone controls.The buttons across the front for function select are back lit but could be brighter. Most of the time when these types of quality products come out they are focusing not on how the user uses the product, but more so on the actual quality of sound it produces.

Listed below is a more thorough breakdown of the actual ports. I hope this review of the HK 3490 gives you some good info and answers your questions regarding this unit. This unit has believably had an upgrade to the power supply capacitors and power transistors because they certainly are not the standard type but much better than the other receivers out there, and at the end of the day, that means more grunt out of your unit. This is a mid priced unit with a RRP $499 but I see you can get it Amazon for around the $260 range at the moment which really is great value for such a serious receiver.

Harman Kardon is one of the most respected and renowned manufacturers in the world of audio equipment and you are definitely on a winner here. One of the most surprising things I found is that the HK 3490 as digital inputs and a pair of AKM PCM (pulse code modulation) DAC's (digital to analog converters) on board as well and not known on many other models out there in the marketplace.

 

HK 3490 - Just A Down To Earth Solid System

The HK 3490 Features:

  • Dolby Headphone - this one is nice. It will let you use a pair of headphones but you can get all those nice surround sound effects on the music.
  • Preamp Outputs and Main Power Amp Input couplers - allows you to connect external amplification, or an external processor or equalizer.
  • The HK3490 has a  Bridge II iPod interface - now this is really a good feature that we all will love. This will let you use your iPod device through the remote control and you can do it while it is charging and while you are using it.
  • Dolby Virtual Speaker - This has a DSP mode, Digital Sound Processor that will make listHK 3490 ening in stereo have that really spatial sound like surround sound without the extra speakers, like virtual surround sound.
  • Digital audio inputs - what this will let you do is use DVD player that doesn't have top sound quality due to that it might be a cheaper portable one and the digital to analogue converters in there will make the sound much better because of the quality of the converters.
  • Dual sub-woofer outputs - you can use this feature to connect two powered subwoofers in stereo or one in mono
  • XM Radio ready - interfaces with optional XM tuner to receive highly compressed and nasty sounding XM radio broadcasts for those who care more about convenience than sound quality.
  • Phone input support MM-type cartridges.
  • Preamp Outputs and Main Power Amp Input couplers - allows you to connect external amplification, or an external processor or equalizer.

 

The HK 3490 back panel is basically laid out like most receivers.  It has two pairs of speaker outputs which will allow you to run four speakers at the same time without any degradation of sound.  The HK 3490 provides composite video switching, analog RCA audio connections and two digital inputs (1 coax, 1 toslink or optical link).  It also allows you to have dual sub-woofer output connections but you will not have any control of the bass output, which is typical of two-channel receivers.
The bass and treble controls were a bit tricky to use, but once you got used to it was quite okay. And generally speaking, you do not really adjust those because it can change the sound different from the original recording. If music is produced properly and most of the time it is, you do not need to change that you leave them on the flat or straight up-and-down position.

My Overview

The first time I came across the Harman Kardon it was through a friend of mine like most things. He had  bought in about three weeks before and said for me to go over to his place to have a listen. Dave Weckl was playing who is one of the best jazz drummers in the world on his new amp. When I went over there the only thing that was set up was the HK 3490, a Sony CD player running into the DACs and a set of JBL speakers, WOW what could I say. Based on hearing it that day I went and bought one too and I have become a massive fan of it. I have been to many retail stores and checked out lots of different amplifiers and speaker combinations but none of them came close to what I heard that day and this is what I have hooked up at home now. This is why I did a review of  the HK 3490 for everyone.

My system that I have at home is:

Harman Kardon HK 3490
Bose Acoustimass 10 Series IV
Sony CDP-CE500

I feel that you need to be careful out there from people trying to scam you by saying you have to spend more money than you really need to for a good system. On Amazon at the moment the Harman Kardon HK 3490 is almost half price and represents fantastic value in anyone's eyes, just head over and look at the reviews because most people think it is great and that is why I set up this website because I am such a fan.

I have also seen them being used in audio stores to play their music just like one reviewer said. So the HK 3490 has definitely proven to be good so I hope that you found this review of the HK 3490 beneficial for you.

Have a look below at the breakdown from other buyers.

Average Customer Reviews  of the Harman Kardon HK 3490 on Amazon are 131 Reviews and is

4.4 out 5 starsHK 3490


5 star:   62%  (82)
4 star:   25%  (34)
3 star:   3%  (4)
2 star:   3%  (5)
1 star:   4%  (6)

 

 

 

5.0 out of 5 stars Surprised ! Gets really really deep in the mids using Paradigm 7se mk3,  November 30, 2011

By krossman Amazon Verified Purchase(What's this?)
This review is from: Harman Kardon HK 3490 120 Watt Stereo Receiver (Electronics)

Awesome sound, Powerful, Full sound. I am using a pair of Paradigm 7se mk3 and they go together like peanut butter and jelly man ! I have read some reviews all around the Internet about harsh,grainy sounds? where ? what speakers were these people using? I have a tube set up and this sucker comes as about as close as you can get and I say that with CONFIDENCE ! I am ordering another one for my brother because I know when he hooks this thing up Christmas morning I will get a Vid of him crying with joy

5.0 out of 5 stars Quality and value,July 5, 2011
By Don Bowles  Amazon Verified Purchase  (What's this?)
This review is from: Harman Kardon HK 3490
120 Watt Stereo Receiver (Electronics)
I am sure the HK3490 is probably the best stereo receiver available and Amazon supplied it at a truly outstanding price.

I was in search of a good old-fashioned amp, a replacement for a previous Harman Kardon, so I was a bit biased...but this is an incredibly powered amp, with FM tuner, video inputs, much more, and at a price that causes one to stop dead in your tracks and order it. I did, and I have no idea how they put together such sound quality at such a low price.

Check out the HK 3490 and get yourself a truly reliable and proven history for an incredible price.

The HK 3490 Really Packs A Punch

Hi guys my name is Dave Steele and I wanted to do a real review for you of the  HK 3490 without all the hype and junk. It really is a incredibly reliable receiver that you can bank on to a quality job. There are lots of people saying that the equipment they are reviewing can do things, BUT they can’t actually do it. It makes me think they have to do that to make the products actually sell. I don’t know why they just can’t be honest and tell it as it is. The only think that annoyed me was the  small buttons on the controls but nothing dramatic.

HK 3490 Is For A Real Audiophile or Someone Like Me

This not your run-of-the-mill overview but a real one on this quality 7.1 receiver. This is a very chunky two channel unit. I am very glad to see that Harman Kardon is responsible for this one because the quality of this model mirrors their company standard.HK 3490 With all the newfangled models out there that keep coming out this one has stood the test of time and has fantastic specs to back it up.

Get The Facts On The HK 3490

From the very first time you look at the HK 3490 it is fresh and sleek and without clutter.It is just a very plain and simple good receiver without all bells and whistles. It has a front great panel that drops down to access the tone controls.The buttons across the front for function select are back lit but could be brighter. Most of the time when these types of quality products come out they are focusing not on how the user uses the product, but more so on the actual quality of sound it produces.

Listed below is a more thorough breakdown of the actual ports. I hope this review of the HK 3490 gives you some good info and answers your questions regarding this unit. This unit has believably had an upgrade to the power supply capacitors and power transistors because they certainly are not the standard type but much better than the other receivers out there, and at the end of the day, that means more grunt out of your unit. This is a mid priced unit with a RRP $499 but I see you can get it Amazon for around the $260 range at the moment which really is great value for such a serious receiver.

Harman Kardon is one of the most respected and renowned manufacturers in the world of audio equipment and you are definitely on a winner here. One of the most surprising things I found is that the HK 3490 as digital inputs and a pair of AKM PCM (pulse code modulation) DAC’s (digital to analog converters) on board as well and not known on many other models out there in the marketplace.

 

HK 3490 – Just A Down To Earth Solid System

The HK 3490 Features:

  • Dolby Headphone – this one is nice. It will let you use a pair of headphones but you can get all those nice surround sound effects on the music.
  • Preamp Outputs and Main Power Amp Input couplers – allows you to connect external amplification, or an external processor or equalizer.
  • The HK3490 has a  Bridge II iPod interface – now this is really a good feature that we all will love. This will let you use your iPod device through the remote control and you can do it while it is charging and while you are using it.
  • Dolby Virtual Speaker – This has a DSP mode, Digital Sound Processor that will make listening in stereo have that really spatial sound like surround sound without the extra speakers, like virtual surround sound.
  • Digital audio inputs – what this will let you do is use DVD player that doesn’t have top sound quality due to that it might be a cheaper portable one and the digital to analogue converters in there will make the sound much better because of the quality of the converters.
  • Dual sub-woofer outputs – you can use this feature to connect two powered subwoofers in stereo or one in mono
  • XM Radio ready – interfaces with optional XM tuner to receive highly compressed and nasty sounding XM radio broadcasts for those who care more about convenience than sound quality.
  • Phone input support MM-type cartridges.
  • Preamp Outputs and Main Power Amp Input couplers – allows you to connect external amplification, or an external processor or equalizer.

HK 3490

The HK 3490 back panel is basically laid out like most receivers.  It has two pairs of speaker outputs which will allow you to run four speakers at the same time without any degradation of sound.  The HK 3490 provides composite video switching, analog RCA audio connections and two digital inputs (1 coax, 1 toslink or optical link).  It also allows you to have dual sub-woofer output connections but you will not have any control of the bass output, which is typical of two-channel receivers.
The bass and treble controls were a bit tricky to use, but once you got used to it was quite okay. And generally speaking, you do not really adjust those because it can change the sound different from the original recording. If music is produced properly and most of the time it is, you do not need to change that you leave them on the flat or straight up-and-down position.

My Overview

The first time I came across the Harman Kardon it was through a friend of mine like most things. He had  bought in about three weeks before and said for me to go over to his place to have a listen. Dave Weckl was playing who is one of the best jazz drummers in the world on his new amp. When I went over there the only thing that was set up was the HK 3490, a Sony CD player running into the DACs and a set of JBL speakers, WOW what could I say. Based on hearing it that day I went and bought one too and I have become a massive fan of it. I have been to many retail stores and checked out lots of different amplifiers and speaker combinations but none of them came close to what I heard that day and this is what I have hooked up at home now. This is why I did a review of  the HK 3490 for everyone.

My system that I have at home is:

Harman Kardon HK 3490
Bose Acoustimass 10 Series IV
Sony CDP-CE500

I feel that you need to be careful out there from people trying to scam you by saying you have to spend more money than you really need to for a good system. On Amazon at the moment the Harman Kardon HK 3490 is almost half price and represents fantastic value in anyone’s eyes, just head over and look at the reviews because most people think it is great and that is why I set up this website because I am such a fan.

I have also seen them being used in audio stores to play their music just like one reviewer said. So the HK 3490 has definitely proven to be good so I hope that you found this review of the HK 3490 beneficial for you.

Have a look below at the breakdown from other buyers.

Average Customer Reviews  of the Harman Kardon HK 3490 on Amazon are 131 Reviews and is

4.4 out 5 stars


5 star:   62%  (82)
4 star:   25%  (34)
3 star:   3%  (4)
2 star:   3%  (5)
1 star:   4%  (6)

 

 

 

5.0 out of 5 stars Surprised ! Gets really really deep in the mids using Paradigm 7se mk3,  November 30, 2011

By krossman Amazon Verified Purchase(What’s this?)
This review is from: Harman Kardon HK 3490 120 Watt Stereo Receiver (Electronics)

Awesome sound, Powerful, Full sound. I am using a pair of Paradigm 7se mk3 and they go together like peanut butter and jelly man ! I have read some reviews all around the Internet about harsh,grainy sounds? where ? what speakers were these people using? I have a tube set up and this sucker comes as about as close as you can get and I say that with CONFIDENCE ! I am ordering another one for my brother because I know when he hooks this thing up Christmas morning I will get a Vid of him crying with joy

5.0 out of 5 stars Quality and value,July 5, 2011
By Don Bowles  Amazon Verified Purchase  (What’s this?)
This review is from: Harman Kardon HK 3490
120 Watt Stereo Receiver (Electronics)
I am sure the HK3490 is probably the best stereo receiver available and Amazon supplied it at a truly outstanding price.

I was in search of a good old-fashioned amp, a replacement for a previous Harman Kardon, so I was a bit biased…but this is an incredibly powered amp, with FM tuner, video inputs, much more, and at a price that causes one to stop dead in your tracks and order it. I did, and I have no idea how they put together such sound quality at such a low price.

Check out the HK 3490 and get yourself a truly reliable and proven history for an incredible price.

Harman Kardon HK 3490 Price is a Hot Topic

The Harman Kardon HK 3490 price will be difficult to match for competitors especially through Amazon. Harmon Kardon, with it’s continuous brilliance in reproducing sound, has once more created a flexible stereo receiver for music lovers. The dual-room potential and outstanding functionality that is offered for . It offers the clearest signal in the field with its high current, extra wide bandwidth technology as well as discrete amplifier circuitry design.

Harman Kardon HK 3490 Price is Value But Still Has All the Benefits

The high-efficiency design of the HK 3490 2 x 120W receiver from Harman Kardon allows it to deliver magnificent stereo sound Harman Kardon HK 3490 pricequality with clarity in all audio detail.  Features include: audio inputs (7 sets); video inputs (4); dual subwoofer outputs; audio digital inputs; A/B speaker switching; FM/AM tuner; frequency response (20Hz to 20KHz); XM satellite radio ready; main amplifier inputs; front panel tone controls and Bridge Ready port with iPod connectivity. Currently at the $276.80 price point on Amazon, you can get it shipped express or just normal but either way you know you have peace of mind with them doing it. The price fluctuates a little but you know you will always get the best value from them.

HCC – High Current Capability Design

Harman Kardon HK 3490 Price Is Making People Talk

The Harman Kardon HK 3490 price makes lots of people very happy and it still comes with a high-end, high current capability approach in design that combines everything such as transformer design, discrete output circuitry, nominal use of negative feedback and storage capacitor size. With this, the receiver is able to blend tighter bass, enhanced presence and excellent transient response at any particular volume level.

Amplifier Technology – Ultra-wide Bandwidth

This device comes with particularly wide bandwidth amplifier which can reproduce audio superbly and with less noise, greater headroom, adequate frequency and top quality phase linearity.

XM Satellite Radio Equipped

You can begin to receive continuous radio programming by simply plugging XM passport system (optional) into the XM port unit and activating the service.

Bridge II Equipped

The Bridge (optional), a docking station, facilitates connectivity from iPod to the DMP connector input of the unit making the iPod another Harman mode flowing from the receiver.

Wonderful sounds stirs up the emotion and passion which attach us to our most favourite programs or movies, the musical artists we love the best and even our most favourite video games. Harman Kardon has been delivering excellent sound for over fifty years.

To produce all the realism and detail from what you listen to, the HK 3490 utilizes an optimum-current power supply. The current is basically the energy which the amplifier creates and which controls as well as moves the drivers of the loudspeakers. Harman Kardon HK 3490 price is reasonable as it utilizes a large power changer to provide more current, therefore you will always have the amount and level of power that you need even if the listening level is high. Your favourite sounds – the beat of the songs you love the most; explosions from your favourite movie – are smoothly played and done with unbelievable clarity.

So to get this top unit that lots and lots of audio gurus, audiophiles and people all over the world are talking about, go here and get yourself one of the truly best performing components out there and you know that the Harman Kardon HK 3490 price is going to be the best.

HK 3490 Price History: Moving To the Future

For everyone, there comes a period in life when there is the need to reflect and return to the basics. This is seen all the time in areas such as the movie industry with effective remakes like Batman Begins and the vehicle industry by refreshing the classic feel of models which seem to have lost their way in the wave of the generation of new successors like Camaro and Mustang. Returning to the basics is generally a good idea and often yearned for in the excessively complex world of home theatre packed with HDMI errors and MP3 density.

HK 3490 Price HistoryHK 3490 Price History Does Perform Well

This is something that Harman Kardon is well aware of as, compared to several of their competitors, the products they create have customarily been specifically developed for music lovers. As a result, the HK 3490 A/V Stereo Receiver was introduced. When looking at the specifics and HK 3490 price history on paper, it seems to offer excellent features and performance that would satisfy techno-geek as well as the person who greatly loves music. Actually purchasing the HK 3490 will dazzle you with its performance and features that none of its peers have ever possessed.

HK 3490 Price History Gets Better

HK 3490 price history shows that the cost has been in the range of $299 – $500 since it came out in the marketplace.

The average costs for the Harman Kardon HK 3490 stereo receiver are as follows and you can get a review of it here

$319.99 – TigerDirect.com; $297.20 – Amazon; $259.00 – Vanns.com; $299.99 – Crutchfield; $268.53 – Amazon Marketplace; $299.00 – JR.com.

The power supply of the HK 3490 size is like a general middle to high priced receiver (7.1) but it only boasts two amplification channels. The rating of the capacitors of the power supply is difficult to read but appear to be very hefty and thick. The power transistors are not the usual everyday ones that are coming with the majority of A/V receivers. The transistors had enough size on them to remind me of how the high-end 2-channel receivers were created when the company focused more on audio quality than holding back on quality to gain more profit.

With the HK 3490 price history it is great to see the value and that it was definitely surprising to become aware that the two-channel stereo receiver had a two AKM PCM DACs. The HK 3490 is available with digital inputs as well as D/A internal converters, a vitally practical feature not found on any other receivers that have two channels like this one. Also available are four (two pairs) speaker outputs using a binding post connection that has five directions. This is organized in a way that will prevent the degradation of sound that would occur if two pairs of speakers were simultaneously run.

The modern redefined HK 3490 stereo two-channel receiver has certainly set a benchmark for other manufacturers to follow. If you want to be able to get the best price on the HK3490 be sure to head on over to Amazon and get the best deal that I can find out there by going here and have it shipped direct to your door and not waste all that time driving there. The HK 3490 price history really does start high but end low which ends up benefiting the customer which is great.

 

Time for Another Real Harman Kardon HK 3490 Review

If you are a passionate music lover and you do not yet own the reliable Harman Kardon Receiver, the best ever digital receiver you will own, you need to upgrade immediately.

This Harman Kardon HK 3490 Review gets straight to the point.

The HK 3490 is an upgrade from the HK3480 receiver. It has digital inputs which are much-needed modern features. This should be your first selection if you find that you need to replace your outdated amplifier.harman kardon hk 3490 review

Harman Kardon HK 3490 Review for People Who Want Facts

The upgrade from the digital to analog inputs makes you able to use modern devices such as your iPhone or iPod with the customary amplification technology.

Everyone will love the sounds of the Harman Kardon HK 3490 Receiver which utilizes a high-current power supply to make users hear all of the realism and detail that this device has to offer. The energy current, produced by the amplifier, controls and moves the speaker drivers. The more current or energy the amplifier produce, the more sound the system will have handy. The HK 3490 utilizes a very huge power transformer to get the additional current for listeners. You will have the required power at all times even at a very high volume. Your favorite sounds, like the explosions and bangs from movies as well as songs on your iPod, are effortlessly played and with astounding genuine sound. This Harman Kardon HK 3490 review should cover all the important features and benefit for you to know if it will suit your needs.

Full Feature Set

The Harman Kardon HK 3490 Receiver include: 2-channel amplification (ideal for iPhone, iPod, iPad or Satellite Radio such as XM); 120 watts of power for each channel; 20Hz bandwidth for more sound; Dolby virtual speaker (transforms the content of the two-channel stereo and five one-channel into implicit surround sound experience); several audio inputs (total of 7); easy access front input; a front video input; 2 subwoofer outputs to provide more bass; FM/AM radio.

If you really and truly love music, a music freak perhaps, take careful note of this information. The Harman Kardon HK 3490 permits you to have the same integrity listening experience on your iPod or on vinyl record.

This stereo receiver is now available for a very affordable price through Amazon. The sale price is very remarkable.

Benefits

This Harman Kardon HK 3490 review will show you the unbelievable clarity and power of this unit very well. It also utilizes the reputable technology that Harman Kardon is commonly known for. Its flexible nature makes it suitable for all your music requirements. If want reliability and peace of mind that you have a quality product that will work like a horse and be proud of then this is the one for you.

Price has to always be considered and this time you can’t go wrong and with a quality warranty and company like Harman Kardon you don’t have to worry.

Downside

The HK 3490 is heavy but it is worth it anyway as it can be placed on a shelf in the living room; it has all the other things you will need.

Also, it is more costly than the other receivers, retailing for approximately $260 and you can get it from here safely, quickly and reliably. I hope you have found this Harman Kardon HK 3490 Review helpful for you.

Harman Kardon HK 3490 Best Price is Here

Lots of people are wondering where the Harman Kardon 3490 Best Price can be found and there is most likely one place that will have it and that is reliable. The astonishingly great Harman Kardon HK 3490 has a combination Harman Kardon HK 3490 Best Priceof all that a ‘music freak’ requires. This include: phono preamp of high performance; main-in/pre-out jacks; amplification of high current; a collection of multichannel additions like audio-digital inputs, dual subwoofer output, video switching as well as technology used for Dolby Virtual Speaker. When the Bridge II Docking Station is added, the HK 3490 will elegantly attach to your fresh and new iPod just like it does to your traditional turntable.

Harman Kardon HK 3490 Best Price Is Really Sought After

This device offers XM satellite radio from the comfortable place of your couch. It is as easy as attaching a XM-ready antenna unit (optional) and activating the service for it and browsing XM content with the provided remote control.

Harman Kardon HK 3490 Best Price Is a Hot Topic

The HK 3490 can easily connect to the traditional turntable and just the same, it is able to make you connected to the movies and music that is kept on your iPod.  The Bridge II, a universal port which connects with one cable, allows you to move your videos and music by using the remote provided with the HK 3490.

Only an audio system from Harman Kardon can deliver the room-filling and rich detail that the HK 3490 receiver produces and that is why everyone is wanting to know where to get it and to make sure that the source is a reliable one and to avoid scam sellers. Well the good news is that is why I did this site and this page so I can offer reliability for you all.

The Bridge II maintains the full charge in your iPod fully even during the time that the receiver is turned off. The Harman Kardon 3490 plus The Bridge II provides the best way to get optimum performance from your iPod at your home.

Multichannel Additions from a 2-Channel Amplifier

It should by no means come as a surprise that the Harman Kardon HK 3490 best price will shock extreme music lovers as the device is enchanting with its exceptional, high-performance phono pre-amp and its high current amplifier. What should be amazing is locating a stereo receiver that has as much multichannel extras like the HK 3490. It is the most ideal building block for a second system or for occasions where only two speakers are working.

It has audio digital inputs for the most wonderful sounding attachment possible to DVD and CD players as well as satellite dishes. The HK 3490 instantaneously carries top-quality sound from Harman Kardon with its compound video switching as well as A/V cable (included) for transportable media players. The high quality sounds is brought to music, movies as well as television programs.

Although the HK 3490 is only a stereo receiver, when you desire to surround yourself with pleasurable sound, you will be satisfied. Connect the Dolby Virtual Speaker system and you will astonished by the realistic feel of sound surrounding you and all this from just two speakers.

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