flashman12071503561286 Posted November 27, 2008 Posted November 27, 2008 I know a lot of people do not rate the What Hi-Fi reviews very highly but in this months mag there is a review of a load of AVR Receivers including Yamaha 663, 863 and HK AVR 255. On the forums here quite a few people go on about how great the sound of the HK 255 is, particularly in 2.1 mode. BUT, the mag marks it the lowest on sound quality and last overall in the entire review. Now i know that your own ears are the only measure you should use but what do the owners of the HK AVR255 have to say about this? Are they wrong? PS the Yamaha 863 won, followed by the 663 and then a Sony...... The 863 was the most expensive though..... (easily)
dantan Posted November 27, 2008 Posted November 27, 2008 I rate What Hi-Fi's reviews extremely highly, and am a huge fan of this magazine. In fact, I don't rate any of the Australian hi-fi magazines. They tend to be glorified brochures. Unfortunately, I have not auditioned any Harman/Kardon products recently, although I did own a Harman/Kardon system once, and for the money, it provided very good sound quality.
yamapro Posted November 27, 2008 Posted November 27, 2008 I have found What HiFi reviews to be a load of rubbish! The tests have no scientific merit nor any explanation wrt the methodology... Yamaha and Denon always rate very highly and the British companies like Arcam, CA etc never have a bad word said about them (although i agree that these products are generally pretty good) For whatever reason (maybe because they are american?) HK products rarely review well in there pages either (an example being the HD 970 player a couple of years ago - won prizes all through Europe and managed only 2stars out of 5 in What HiFi... i compared the HK rig to a CA 640 rig in store thru B&W speakers and preferred the HK, as did a good friend of mine at a later date who bought that exact setup after much auditioning and with no bias from me) They seem to have 'house favourite brands' and that clear bias (i bought every issue for nearly three years)combined with the unscientific approach to magazine reviewing made me stop reading the mag a while back... I now spend the money on music and movies instead and get a lot more enjoyment out of that
rocky500 Posted November 27, 2008 Posted November 27, 2008 (edited) I brought the Onkyo 606 brand new and was so disappointed in the 2 CH sound with Focal & B&W speakers I was deciding between. On feedback on some USA forums went and brought a HK AVR255. It was like night and day. Sound came alive. It was like I brought a AMP with twice the power! With movies there was nothing between the 2. Had my mates arround who verified the difference. Took the Onkyo back and got a refund. Mabey I should have tried a Yamaha? Edited November 27, 2008 by rocky500
com59841503560232 Posted November 27, 2008 Posted November 27, 2008 (edited) I know a lot of people do not rate the What Hi-Fi reviews very highly but in this months mag there is a review of a load of AVR Receivers including Yamaha 663, 863 and HK AVR 255. On the forums here quite a few people go on about how great the sound of the HK 255 is, particularly in 2.1 mode. BUT, the mag marks it the lowest on sound quality and last overall in the entire review.Now i know that your own ears are the only measure you should use but what do the owners of the HK AVR255 have to say about this? Are they wrong? PS the Yamaha 863 won, followed by the 663 and then a Sony...... The 863 was the most expensive though..... (easily) I will read the review but if what they say is true, then the others must be pretty good because I'm listening to the 255 (through a theatron 7) now, playing seal in 2.1 and I had to check to see if the surrounds weren't on it sounds that good. To my ears that is, but I was really surprised when it started, the music just seems to fill the room. Very happy jan Edited November 27, 2008 by com5984
rocky500 Posted November 28, 2008 Posted November 28, 2008 Just read a review on the 663 and it is a shame they don't pass btb properly. http://www.avsforum.com/avs-vb/showthread.php?t=1010178 I had this problem playing Movies from my HTPC but the new firmware fixed it on the HK 255. Is this magazine available locally? Would like to check out the review.
dantan Posted November 28, 2008 Posted November 28, 2008 Just read a review on the 663 and it is a shame they don't pass btb properly.http://www.avsforum.com/avs-vb/showthread.php?t=1010178 I had this problem playing Movies from my HTPC but the new firmware fixed it on the HK 255. Is this magazine available locally? Would like to check out the review. Try Borders in the City or the newsagency at Karrinyup Shopping Centre (next to House).
rocky500 Posted November 28, 2008 Posted November 28, 2008 Thanks Dantan. My local news agency at Dog Swamp says they get it, but Dec issue is not in yet. Might give Karrinyup a go tomorrow.
rocky500 Posted November 29, 2008 Posted November 29, 2008 (edited) Here is a review which in conclusion says the Yamaha 663 is not as good as it competition. http://ultimateavmag.com/avreceivers/608yam663/index.html It says the Onkyo 606 is a better amp. Now I tried the Onkyo and the HK is alot better. (I would pay an extra $400+ for the HK over the Onkyo from what I heard in my tests between the 2) I have not got hold of the mag to see why they recommend the Yamaha. Edited November 29, 2008 by rocky500
POV Posted November 29, 2008 Posted November 29, 2008 Here is a review which in conclusion says the Yamaha 663 is not as good as it competition.http://ultimateavmag.com/avreceivers/608yam663/index.html It says the Onkyo 606 is a better amp. Now I tried the Onkyo and the HK is alot better. (I would pay an extra $400+ for the HK over the Onkyo from what I heard) I have not got hold of the mag to see why they recommend the Yamaha. At the end of the day reviews are simply someones opinion, allbeit they often have a wider listening experience than many of us......but just an opinion none the less. You prefer the HK, no doubt theres others that prefer the onkyo and still others that prefer the yamaha. At the end of the day all that matters is that you are happy with what you buy for your requirements, nothing else and nobodys opinion matters after that.
rocky500 Posted November 29, 2008 Posted November 29, 2008 (edited) You are right "roxy29". My brother is thinking of getting a new HT amp and I was going to say mabey he get the Yamaha as it had a better review in latest what Hifi mag than my HK. He was going to buy a HK because he likes mine but his past AMPs have been Yamaha. I have a few mates who also are thinking of upgrading. (After hearing my system) I definately am not brand loyal and would buy any brand based on what is best value for money at the time. I would hate to recommend a HK amp if reviews start coming out that say the Yamaha is over twice as good and costs less. I have only tried a Onkyo and HK so don't really know how the others go. Edited November 29, 2008 by rocky500
MrBurns84 Posted February 28, 2009 Posted February 28, 2009 Hahaha... I tend to stay away from mag's that do 1/4 in articles and review and the rest on advertising. What Hifi have been really biased about thier reviews and when i used to read thier mags (havent touched one since 2000), they reviewed a piece of kit and spun it like it was the duck's nuts and on the next page or two after the end of the review page, low and behold..an ad for whatever HT gadget that they were reviewing.. Best review sites for info are forums, where people dont hesitate to state issues or thumbs up on a piece of gear... Yes, the old school HK was awesome, but with these days when the consumer expects top value for thier dollar, compromises are made and sometimes its a hit or a miss. I do have the AVR255, and i disagree with some points on the review, but as a pre-pro with an external poweramp, its awesome in sheer dynamics without that lean, shrilly high end freq's that most amps do...
mquin1503560492 Posted February 28, 2009 Posted February 28, 2009 Best review sites for info are forums, where people dont hesitate to state issues or thumbs up on a piece of gear... I agree in principal, however, I have found with forums (including this one) that many people are brand loyal to whatever product they have already bought (especially speakers)
MrBurns84 Posted March 1, 2009 Posted March 1, 2009 I agree in principal, however, I have found with forums (including this one) that many people are brand loyal to whatever product they have already bought (especially speakers) Very true. There will always be fanboys but a discerning individual will try to oversee that and make informed decisions based on performance/price/overall value.
Zarthaz1503560824 Posted March 2, 2009 Posted March 2, 2009 Have a HK 255 with a 1075 Rotel hanging of it, no worries about the 5.1 and 7.1 stuff i play through it. Love the power and drive, but 2.1 doesn't do much for me at all. It's just sound coming from the front of the room and that's about it for me. Am busy trying to get a pre-amp to improve that aspect of it, but not run into a decent priced one yet. Got bids in on one atm on fleabay and see how that pans out. Times are bit too shaky right now to lash out on a brand new expensive one, so exploring the second hand market for something suitable for not too many dollars.
bsaac Posted March 2, 2009 Posted March 2, 2009 Have a HK 255 with a 1075 Rotel hanging of it, no worries about the 5.1 and 7.1 stuff i play through it. Love the power and drive, but 2.1 doesn't do much for me at all. It's just sound coming from the front of the room and that's about it for me. Am busy trying to get a pre-amp to improve that aspect of it, but not run into a decent priced one yet. Got bids in on one atm on fleabay and see how that pans out. Times are bit too shaky right now to lash out on a brand new expensive one, so exploring the second hand market for something suitable for not too many dollars. I also have a HK 255 with the 1075 and for movies it is great no complaints what so ever, I don't use if for music however so I don't know how it performs in this regard. What Hifi is more of a tabloid magazine rather then a real hifi mag, I take what they say with a grain of salt.
flashman12071503561286 Posted April 8, 2009 Author Posted April 8, 2009 Just went to Borders bookshop and in 'Home Cinema' mag (UK) they had a very good review of the AVR255. Gave it 4 out of 5 stars on some things and 5 out of 5 on others. Quite the opposite of "What Hi-Fi' mag.... Also, they rated it at 90 watts per channel, bu we all knew it was around that didn't we?
Gutty Posted April 8, 2009 Posted April 8, 2009 IMO most What HiFi reviews are a complete joke. Anyone that bases their system off these mindless reviews is kidding themselves.
uforia Posted April 9, 2009 Posted April 9, 2009 I find the reviews with What HIFI pretty good except all the speaker/power cable reviews and advertisement but found Aussie reviews to be really bad - i mean you can look in most of the aussie based ones and there is not one bad review and don't seem to go into much detail about the performance just gives u specs and sounds abit like a brochure/advertisement....
Juicester Posted April 9, 2009 Posted April 9, 2009 Anyone that bases their system off these mindless reviews is kidding themselves. big call mate. if I was going to buy a system based on only their 5 star rated items - I'd end up with a nice setup. For instance, from one of the very numerous number of combinations I could choose from.....: Speaker Monitor Audio Platinum PL300 & Source Cyrus VS2/PSX-R/8 power & Amplification Cyrus CDxtse/DAC X (I'm very partial to the Cryus gear I guess!) Are you telling me that this setup wouldn't sing?! I think the thing that needs to be said, is that What Hifi ISN'T an audio bible - it's only one set of opinions -and you should ALWAYS test their findings for yourself, and listen to gear in person.
Guest clay_tone Posted April 9, 2009 Posted April 9, 2009 big call mate. if I was going to buy a system based on only their 5 star rated items - I'd end up with a nice setup. For instance, from one of the very numerous number of combinations I could choose from.....: Speaker Monitor Audio Platinum PL300 & Source Cyrus VS2/PSX-R/8 power & Amplification Cyrus CDxtse/DAC X (I'm very partial to the Cryus gear I guess!) Are you telling me that this setup wouldn't sing?! Just out of curiousity, what would this setup set you back (in AUD)?
Gutty Posted April 9, 2009 Posted April 9, 2009 (edited) big call mate. if I was going to buy a system based on only their 5 star rated items - I'd end up with a nice setup. Maybe you would, but maybe you wouldn't. IMO it's not a big call at all, they give 5 stars to quite a few items i don't rate at all. Speaker Monitor Audio Platinum PL300 &Source Cyrus VS2/PSX-R/8 power & Amplification Cyrus CDxtse/DAC X (I'm very partial to the Cryus gear I guess!) Are you telling me that this setup wouldn't sing?! Not at all... but for the $$ that system would set you back it would want to sound fantastic. That does not mean anything they rate 5 stars is going to sound fantastic. But by all means Chris, you feel free to buy your system based on What HiFi reviews... you should end up with a great system that some guy on the other side of the world really loves, or gets paid to say he loves... Just as example, the CA340C gets 5 stars, but the CA840C only 4... are you going to tell me the 340 is a better player ? Sorry, it may be good value, but that doesn't make it a 5 star spinner. Edited April 9, 2009 by Gutty
Gutty Posted April 9, 2009 Posted April 9, 2009 Just out of curiousity, what would this setup set you back (in AUD)? Off the top of my head without even looking into it, i'd guess around $20K
50mxe20 Posted April 9, 2009 Posted April 9, 2009 big call mate. if I was going to buy a system based on only their 5 star rated items - I'd end up with a nice setup. Yes but do they say anything bad about ANYTHING?
SDL Posted April 9, 2009 Posted April 9, 2009 (edited) I used to by some mags but now never bother (just read some at the newsagent ). When I did however buy them I just used them to get ideas on some products and what their specs were etc. Never trusted any reviews, I prefer to go listen for myself. So what i guess I am suggesting is that you can use the mags as a good starting point to perhaps create a shortlist, but take their scores with a pinch of salt and trust yourself more than them. Edit: no obvious error in this paragraph - don't look at Gutty's post he is just making it up Edited April 9, 2009 by SDL
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