| | |  | Combo Receivers | Home » » » » » Harman Kardon HK 3490 120 Watt Stereo Receiver | | | | | | | Description: | | In the years since Harman Kardon invented the high-fidelity receiver, we have taken to heart the philosophy of bringing the joy of home entertainment to as many people as possible, all the while improving performance and adding features. The HK 3490 offers the best in traditional analog two-channel audio, including a 30-preset AM/FM tuner, an integrated phono preamplifier and a tape monitor loop that lets you listen to your tape recordings as they’re being made, while adding digital audio inputs, an XM Ready tuner and a connection for The Bridge II docking station, which delivers audio playback and control for iPod, iPod touch and iPhone models (not included). If high-performance audio reproduction weren’t enough, we’ve added composite video switching. Use the included audio/video cable to connect your iPod or other portable player to the HK 3490, or just enjoy your favorite television programs in stereo without firing up your main home theater. Whether listening to an LP record pressed in the last century or watching a movie you downloaded to your digital media player last night, your new HK 3490 delivers the powerful, detailed performance you’ve come to expect from Harman Kardon. | | | Features: | |
• Affordable stereo receiver with Remote A/B switching
• Compatible with the Bridge II docking station for iPod playback, control, and charging
• Dolby Headphone and Dolby Virtual Speaker surround modes
• Dual subwoofer output, with trigger for direct connection to powered subwoofers
• XM Tuner Ready
| | | Product Details: | | | Product Length:
| 15.0 inches | | Product Width:
| 17.38 inches | | Product Height:
| 6.43 inches | | Product Weight:
| 2.0 pounds | | Package Length:
| 21.9 inches | | Package Width:
| 18.3 inches | | Package Height:
| 10.4 inches | | Package Weight:
| 29.4 pounds | | Average Customer Rating:
|  based on 170 reviews |
| | | | Customer Reviews: | |
Average Customer Review:
 ( 170 customer reviews )
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Most Helpful Customer Reviews
114 of 114 found the following review helpful:
 Perfect solution for the stereo listener looking for digital inputs!Jan 27, 2009
By W. Revis
I used the HK 3480 (the precursor to this model) for five years and loved it. The 3490 is even better. The sound is more robust and full, not different, but just more refined. It easily powers my Klipsch Synergy speakers and would pair well with any mid-level speakers. With 120w even inefficient speakers will have more than a enough power to move air.
Further, the 3490 has an important new feature: digital inputs. This is a very nice option for those who have made the jump to an all digital music library and use a digital jukeboxes like the Roku Soundbridge or the Squeezebox. Both players have digital outs and pair up nicely with the 3490.
The difference in quality from digital inputs or analog is debatable, but to my ear, going from the 3480 with analog cables, to the 3490 with optical TOSLINK, there was an immediately improvement in clarity. Songs with delicate sound work came alive. Soft details were more apparent. It's been a great upgrade for me.
It's important to note that the 3490 doesn't leave analog fans in the cold either. It has a very nice tape loop and a wonderful gold plated stereo pickup. In short, whether you're library consists of vinyl or mp3s this amp will do it all.
I have always been a fan of Harmon Kardon, and I bought the older 3480 because I'm a strict fan of stereo music listening. The 3490 is a very smart update to the 3480, bringing it into the 21st century with a host of digital options. For those who rely on an iPod for music, there is specific iPod cradle for this amp that allows you to play your iPod's music effortless over the stereo while controlling it with the HK remote. This amp is also XM Radio ready, just plug in your XM receiver and the HK will allow you to control it.
It's very hard to find a subtle, high powered stereo receiver with these features. The market has sadly moved away to the home theater, multi-channel world, but I'm glad Harmon Kardon is still loyal to their stereo listeners.
Build quality is very nice. It's not a flashy amp, it doesn't light up the room with needless LEDs. It's very understated, and handsome. HK even includes two little inserts that hide the front inputs and bass, treble, and balance controls (nice if you don't want people messing with your settings, or you appreciate a clean look.)
Other than the digital options, the tape loop and the phono pickup, the amp does allow video switching and pass through should you want to integrate into your home theater. The other notable detail are the speaker posts. They allow the use of banana clips or allow you to secure naked wire in two different ways to the posts. This is nice if you don't have a lot of clearance behind the amp.
At this price point, there is simply nothing out there that can compete with this amp in terms of quality, performance, or features.
32 of 32 found the following review helpful:
Nice two channel solution with digital optionsAug 30, 2008
By M. Galicki
I formally owned a Rotel RX-1050 and decided to give the 3490 a try. I really prefer a nice 2 channel amp to drive my B&H 603's and the HK does the job well. What I liked that you won't find in other 2 channel amps is two digital in's, xm ready, ipod integration and 2x sub out. For the price you really can't beat it. The size is about 33% larger than my Rotel. The power about 25% more.
The controls of course are very limited, source+balance+tone. No EQ.
The phono amp provided hum free sound from my Tech. 1200.
I will mention that the Bridge I device has some problems with this new amp. HK told me that the manual has a typo when they said the Bridge I would work with this device and I have to wait until the Bridge II is released in September.
My only other small complaint is the device has composite out for video. Why bother? This would have been a home run with component/DVI or HDMI out. Doesn't seem like it would have added that much to the price to add a HD capable switch to the device.
I'm sure a 3495 will come out in a year and fix this. :-)
32 of 32 found the following review helpful:
 An impressive package for the priceAug 08, 2008
By Inquiring Mind
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.
29 of 29 found the following review helpful:
 Stunning! But Unexpectedly Short Life Span :(Apr 25, 2009
By Nick
I've owned my previous HK receiver for over 15 years, and it still works wonderfully. I wanted to upgrade to more power and features, so my old receiver will be relocating to my basement. First off, the HK 3490 is absolutely stunning. I've always been a fan of HK's commitment to minimalism but this receiver takes it to a new and beautiful level. The one horizontal row of slim buttons is not visible at all when standing a few feet away, creating the appearance of a completely buttonless perfect space, but when you're standing at the receiver, each button is clearly visible for easy operation. When turned on, the white glow of the power light and volume knob is very cool; the reading is clear, but along with the volume knob light, it can be dimmed or shut off. When turned off, the power light glows red. The sound is amazing. I'm noticing strong bass but more impressively strong mids and highs, so much so that, maybe it's just my imagination, but I think I'm hearing things in my music I never heard or noticed before. Stereo separation is good, and the receiver creates a very wide soundstage with a lot of presence. I do have two issues with the receiver, though they're very minor. The Volume takes some getting used to--I can be listening through the speakers at a perfectly comfortable volume, but when I switch to headphones, it's deafening. I have to remember to lower the volume by at least 15db before putting the headphones on. The other issue has to do with the power button on the remote control. Some have reported that the remote is rather big, and, well, it is, but that's not a problem for me because I use a Sony Universal Remote instead. What bothers me is that there are two separate buttons on the remote control for On and Off, which is somewhat awkward when switching both of those commands to the universal remote. Again, these are minor MINOR issues. Overall, this is a great receiver and a great price!
UPDATE: 28 Months Later (and 4 months out of warranty)! My HK3490 is dead. I moved last week, and despite packing it carefully back into its original box and taking it in my car rather than trusting it with the movers, my HK3490 is no more. It worked for a day after I moved. Then mysteriously, the next time I turned it on, it automatically shut itself off and displayed the error code "Voltage Protect Check Inputs." Even after unplugging all of the inputs, the error code still displayed, which the HK tech explained meant that there was an internal problem--a short or something come loose. It's not worth the trouble to ship it somewhere to get it repaired, and be without music for weeks or longer, so, already committed to the HK aesthetic with my other components, I just ordered a new one. I guess they don't make 'em in China like they used to in Japan or the US. By the way, my older HK receiver, now 17, is still going strong. It survived the move without a hitch.
17 of 17 found the following review helpful:
Exactly what I was looking forSep 14, 2008
By pfed
"pfed"
I've had this receiver for a little over a week now, and I am incredibly impressed. I'm a college student working on creating my first high-end stereo system, and this receiver fit the bill precisely. I'm powering a set of Cambridge Soundworks T205 speakers, and they sound unbelievable with this receiver. The towers are bi-wireable, so I wired the high end to the A speaker-set and the low end to the B speaker-set, which allows for terrific separation of the of the high's and low's.
bottom line: for the money, this receiver is a no-brainer. incredible sound (not noticing any color or distortion), its varying inputs are a plus (few stereo receivers in this price-range have digital input, which are great for hooking up computers), and it can really crank up the volume when needed (no distortion at high or low volume).
There are higher-end stereo receivers with more features and the like out there, but this is a no-compromise solution if it has all the features you want.
See all 170 customer reviews on Amazon.com
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