What A/V brands do you avoid?

[Xerios]

vizio and westinghouse...

[Linksys2.4]

Originally Posted by mjbethancourt

Two DVD players, an A/V receiver, a TV, and back in the days, a VHS player, a "boom box", and a stereo, all crapped out quickly.

I have a 1983 Emerson 21" television that still hums along almost like new, and that seems to be a hated brand in this thread... go figure, huh?

Strange about the Panasonic stuff...

I hate the sound of their speakers: too bright, "tinny", forced treble. The range just sounds all wrong to me, just not very dynamic. They sound worse to me than a lot of cheaper brands. I think their cerametallic woofer concept is innately flawed. I don't know, maybe they'd sound OK in an ideally engineered sound environment, driven well below their rated output.

Yeah, I've heard about the Klipsch's "bright sound;" the company's legacy seems to lie in theater installations and some believe their application of horn-loaded drivers seems to be "dominant" even in their home theater product manufacturing...it was a brand I was considering upgrading to from my Polks, but I'm not too sure now.

I've never owned a Samsung product, but I intend to heed all the warnings, all the horror stories I've heard over the last couple of years. Seems to me that the majority assessment is that their TV's look great in the stores and on spec sheets, but once you get one home the nightmare begins. I'm glad now that I've approached them with skepticism from the beginning. To all who took one for the team on that one, thanks for the heads up.

I've heard similar ramblings regarding Samsungs looking good in the stores but their Blu-ray players simply failing in general.

[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...

[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 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...

[jdub178]

Yeah, I've heard about the Klipsch's "bright sound;" the company's legacy seems to lie in theater installations and some believe their application of horn-loaded drivers seems to be "dominant" even in their home theater product manufacturing...it was a brand I was considering upgrading to from my Polks, but I'm not too sure now.


Take a look into Definitive Technology. Good step from Polk. The main designer is the former designer from Polk.

[Linksys2.4]

Originally Posted by jdub178

Yeah, I've heard about the Klipsch's "bright sound;" the company's legacy seems to lie in theater installations and some believe their application of horn-loaded drivers seems to be "dominant" even in their home theater product manufacturing...it was a brand I was considering upgrading to from my Polks, but I'm not too sure now.


Take a look into Definitive Technology. Good step from Polk. The main designer is the former designer from Polk.

I will definitely do that, thanks for the tip, jdub! Should I look into Def Tech's towers with their self-powered subs, or no? I think these are part of their "Mythos" line?

[BLURAYSONYES]

SONY ES? really? All Sony/ES products ive owned for over 15 yrs and never had any problem with them. Im also surprised to see Onkyo here as well.

[THE_FORCE]

Originally Posted by BLURAYSONYES

SONY ES? really? All Sony/ES products ive owned for over 15 yrs and never had any problem with them. Im also surprised to see Onkyo here as well.

Personally I couldn't fault ANY Sony ES product. Components, design, and reliability all add up to an enticing package.

I think the Onk's looks are like Marmite - you either love it or you hate it !

It is only the aesthetics that put me off, as they're great sounding, fully featured receivers.

[bhampton]

Monster
Coby

[ReggaetonSalsero]

I'm not surprised, not ONE bit Onkyo being on the list. They truly SUCK. I speak from experience. I've had the 600 series models twice, the 702, the 802 and the 902 i believe it was. THey allllllllllllllllll overheated, had SOME kind of other problem, were way to delicate and the sound wasn't all that at all. The yamaha 663 blew them ALL away, i said ALLLLLLLLLLLLL away. This pioneer elite 03 blows alllllllllllllll the above away including the 663. I wouldn't take an onkyo if it was free, BELIEVE IT. THe sony recievers also sucked BIGTIME. ONly the yamaha 663's, i've had 3 of those, and the pioneer elite have both given me great sound quality. I'm about to upgrade to a denon 4308 from the elite 03 soon. Hopefully that won't disapoint.

[mjbethancourt]

Originally Posted by ReggaetonSalsero

I'm not surprised, not ONE bit Onkyo being on the list. They truly SUCK. I speak from experience. I've had the 600 series models twice, the 702, the 802 and the 902 i believe it was. THey allllllllllllllllll overheated, had SOME kind of other problem, were way to delicate and the sound wasn't all that at all. The yamaha 663 blew them ALL away, i said ALLLLLLLLLLLLL away. This pioneer elite 03 blows alllllllllllllll the above away including the 663. I wouldn't take an onkyo if it was free, BELIEVE IT. THe sony recievers also sucked BIGTIME. ONly the yamaha 663's, i've had 3 of those, and the pioneer elite have both given me great sound quality. I'm about to upgrade to a denon 4308 from the elite 03 soon. Hopefully that won't disapoint.

I gotta agree... Onkyo's don't sound good, they don't come even close to their rated output, and yet they run hotter than a radiator.

[jdub178]

Originally Posted by ReggaetonSalsero

I'm not surprised, not ONE bit Onkyo being on the list. They truly SUCK. I speak from experience. I've had the 600 series models twice, the 702, the 802 and the 902 i believe it was. THey allllllllllllllllll overheated, had SOME kind of other problem, were way to delicate and the sound wasn't all that at all. The yamaha 663 blew them ALL away, i said ALLLLLLLLLLLLL away. This pioneer elite 03 blows alllllllllllllll the above away including the 663. I wouldn't take an onkyo if it was free, BELIEVE IT. THe sony recievers also sucked BIGTIME. ONly the yamaha 663's, i've had 3 of those, and the pioneer elite have both given me great sound quality. I'm about to upgrade to a denon 4308 from the elite 03 soon. Hopefully that won't disapoint.

I am also not a fan of Onkyo either. I have always stuck to Pioneer(Elite only), Yamaha(which has its own set of turds), Denon(the CI series), and Sony(ES line only). I just have to ask. . . why do you keep buying the Onkyo's and 663's if they keep breaking? I'm not trying to be an jerk, seriously asking.

[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.

[jdub178]

Originally Posted by Linksys2.4

I will definitely do that, thanks for the tip, jdub! Should I look into Def Tech's towers with their self-powered subs, or no? I think these are part of their "Mythos" line?

If you want towers, their mythos line is nice. Personally, for theater I really like their BP line if you have the right room. They make BP towers with built in subs as well. If you get those though make sure you set the subs in them right. Its very easy to overpower your room with bass. Make sure that it just produces lows that blend together with the natural ability of the tower. Either way, make sure you get the chance to audition them at a local dealer. I may have some other speaker recommendations for you depending on where you live and your local electronics dealers.

[azncarbos]

hahaha Love this thread....LoL

[Linksys2.4]

Originally Posted by BLURAYSONYES

SONY ES? really? All Sony/ES products ive owned for over 15 yrs and never had any problem with them. Im also surprised to see Onkyo here as well.

Who said their ES line was to be faulted? I, for one, pointed out that I wouldn't touch their NON-ES stuff with a stolen d!@$@^, but that their ES line was probably another story...

[Linksys2.4]

Originally Posted by ReggaetonSalsero

I'm not surprised, not ONE bit Onkyo being on the list. They truly SUCK. I speak from experience. I've had the 600 series models twice, the 702, the 802 and the 902 i believe it was. THey allllllllllllllllll overheated, had SOME kind of other problem, were way to delicate and the sound wasn't all that at all. The yamaha 663 blew them ALL away, i said ALLLLLLLLLLLLL away. This pioneer elite 03 blows alllllllllllllll the above away including the 663. I wouldn't take an onkyo if it was free, BELIEVE IT. THe sony recievers also sucked BIGTIME. ONly the yamaha 663's, i've had 3 of those, and the pioneer elite have both given me great sound quality. I'm about to upgrade to a denon 4308 from the elite 03 soon. Hopefully that won't disapoint.

Wow. Truly amazing and unique. One of the most uneducated, riddled-with-mythology posts I have yet to witness on here.

Anyone who lobs around the phrase "...and their receivers SUCKED..." accompanied with "BIG TIME" or "wouldn't take it if it were free..." simply shouldn't be participating in any thread such as this.

[J6P]

Originally Posted by THE_FORCE

Personally I couldn't fault ANY Sony ES product. Components, design, and reliability all add up to an enticing package.

I think the Onk's looks are like Marmite - you either love it or you hate it !

It is only the aesthetics that put me off, as they're great sounding, fully featured receivers.

Yeah, but what the hell do you know about aesthetics?

...oh yeah...nevermind.

[Linksys2.4]

Originally Posted by mjbethancourt

I gotta agree... Onkyo's don't sound good, they don't come even close to their rated output, and yet they run hotter than a radiator.

This is also an uneducated response, riddled with nonsense and myth; Onkyos do in fact "sound good" and the argument of whether or not they reach their "rated output" is something that can be discussed of any mass market brand -- beyond that, though, Sound & Vision recently reviewed the new 607 and Brent Butterworth found the receiver to put out more than 90 watts with one channel driven, but the unit did well on all channel driven tests too. In fact, he said not once was he longing for his twice-as-expensive Denon in the time he was reviewing the Onkyo.

"Reaching rated power output specs" is a bunch of marketing jargon anyway, to those who really understand sound -- the crucial judgement in chosing a receiver or amp is how it can drive the speakers in YOUR ROOM for your tastes; my calibration levels coupled with Onkyo's unique "IntelliVolume" amp sensitivity and balancing features, combine to make a great-sounding home theater experience with my 605, regardless of how much power is "flowing to the speakers"...

Get caught up in power ratings hype and you'll never be happy; furthermore, even though this is going against what I said in a previous post to reggae, in defiance to people claiming they wouldn't take an Onkyo "if it were free," I would say the same about most Sonys (non-ES), Pioneers (non-ES) or lower-end Yamahas.