What A/V brands do you avoid?

[THE_FORCE]

Saisho and Matsui.

I wish Onkyo products were a little bit prettier to look at and I might be more interested in them. Shallow, but true.

[rpatt]

In my many years of auditioning speakers I have found that I don't care for the sound of most Japanese speakers, just a personal preference thing. The exceptions are some very old speakers such as the Pioneer HPM-100 & CS-911 and Yamaha NS-690 & 1000. I owned a set of Yamaha NS-690s for a short time but didn't have an amp that could do them justice, not their fault.

[ZIPPO]

Originally Posted by THE_FORCE

Saisho and Matsui.

I wish Onkyo products were a little bit prettier to look at and I might be more interested in them. Shallow, but true.

A redesign has been long overdue.

[THE_FORCE]

Originally Posted by ZIPPO

A redesign has been long overdue.

I agree ! The internals are more than capable, and they do have a distinctive look, but I feel they may appeal to a wider audience if they were brought kicking and screaming into the 21st century.

[ZIPPO]

I think a receiver/speakers should be heard & not seen. But if it has to be out in plain sight, then make it look good. One of the best looking speakers I've seen on this site belongs to "rded". They were Dynaudio Confidence C2s( http://www.dynaudio.com/eng/systems/...dence_c_2.php# ), a very sharp looking speaker. I think I remember them because the speaker driver arrangement made the speaker look like it was dressed in a tuxedo.

The concave face plate on the Onkyo has been around for awhile( at least 3 or 4 model # changes ). All the other mass market electronic companies( SONY/ES, Marantz, Denon, Pioneer/Elite, Harmon Kardon, Yamaha ) & some lesser known electronic companies( Arcam, Cambridge Audio, NAD, Rotel ) change receiver appearance more frequently. Hell, even Integra receivers look better. I guess that's one unique feature of an Onkyo receiver, its identifiable silhouette( don't have to see the nameplate to know it's an Onkyo ).

[SilentNight]

wow, I am surprised to hear Onkyo in this thread. I have owned Onkyo products for about 9 years now and love them. My Onkyo PreAmp is amazing. That being said, I bought a Memorex Blu-Ray player and immediately returned it. One of the worst A/V components I have ever had the misfortune of using.

[sheedoe]

I do like Onkyo products, but imo they fall short in the customer service/after sales support area.

[Linksys2.4]

Originally Posted by sheedoe

I do like Onkyo products, but imo they fall short in the customer service/after sales support area.

This is what I've heard...

The response from their help team via e-mail is a painful process...

[Linksys2.4]

Originally Posted by SilentNight

wow, I am surprised to hear Onkyo in this thread. I have owned Onkyo products for about 9 years now and love them. My Onkyo PreAmp is amazing. That being said, I bought a Memorex Blu-Ray player and immediately returned it. One of the worst A/V components I have ever had the misfortune of using.

I too was surprised to see Onkyo anywhere even near this thread; I think it's far from a "brand to avoid" unless someone had a track record of bad products constantly from the brand...I agree with your feelings regarding "loving" Onkyo products; I too am a fan.

I personally never would have bought a Memorex Blu-ray player -- what exactly was so bad about it though that made you feel it was one of the worst components you've ever used?

[Linksys2.4]

Originally Posted by THE_FORCE

Saisho and Matsui.

I wish Onkyo products were a little bit prettier to look at and I might be more interested in them. Shallow, but true.

This isn't the first comment I have read about folks unhappy with Onkyo's asthetics -- most feel (even journalists) that the products are way too "boxlike" with boring accents and simple design chararacteristics...it's true, but that's why I have always liked Onkyo's design style -- the business-like, purposeful look of their receivers make them seem high end, IMO, with the beautiful aluminum faceplates. They just seem "right" sitting in a rack...

[repete66211]

Originally Posted by Linksys2.4

This isn't the first comment I have read about folks unhappy with Onkyo's asthetics -- most feel (even journalists) that the products are way too "boxlike" with boring accents and simple design chararacteristics...it's true, but that's why I have always liked Onkyo's design style -- the business-like, purposeful look of their receivers make them seem high end, IMO, with the beautiful aluminum faceplates. They just seem "right" sitting in a rack...

I prefer the clean, utilitarian look. In my opinion, over-designed components (i.e. Harmon/Kardon) draw too much attention. They're clowny, like a gangsta car with 20" wheels.

[Linksys2.4]

Originally Posted by repete66211

I prefer the clean, utilitarian look. In my opinion, over-designed components (i.e. Harmon/Kardon) draw too much attention. They're clowny, like a gangsta car with 20" wheels.

I agree. Their receivers are indeed "plain black boxes," but they are business-like in their approach, sitting in a rack meaning business.