Harman Kardon HK 3490 120 Watt Stereo Receiver

by Harman Kardon

Product Details

• Product Dimensions: 15 x 17.4 x 6.4 inches ; 2 pounds
• Shipping Weight: 30 pounds (View shipping rates and policies)
• Shipping: This item is also available for shipping to select countries outside the U.S.
• Shipping Advisory: This item must be shipped separately from other items in your order. Additional shipping charges will not apply.
• ASIN: B00198F89A
• Item model number: HK 3490
• Average Customer Review: 4.4 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (153 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #506 in Electronics (See Top 100 in Electronics)
  • #9 in Electronics > Home Audio & Theater > Stereo Components > Receivers & Amplifiers > Component Receivers

Product Description

From the Manufacturer

The HK 3490 is a high current stereo receiver that will give you the best possible audio performance. You can use the optional "Bridge II" to control and navigate your Ipod™. The power rating is 120 watts times two at 8 ohms and 150 watts times 2 at 4 ohms. It has 45 amps of current. It is also XM Ready. It has speaker A/B switching.

Product 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.

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

107 of 107 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Perfect solution for the stereo listener looking for digital inputs!, January 26, 2009

By 

W. Revis (Chicago, IL) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Harman Kardon HK 3490 120 Watt Stereo Receiver (Electronics)

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 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Nice two channel solution with digital options, August 30, 2008

By 

M. Galicki (New York, NY) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Harman Kardon HK 3490 120 Watt Stereo Receiver (Electronics)

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. :-)

31 of 31 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars An impressive package for the price, August 8, 2008

By 

Inquiring Mind (Brookline, MA United States) - See all my reviews

Amazon Verified Purchase

This review is from: Harman Kardon HK 3490 120 Watt Stereo Receiver (Electronics)

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.