Axiom Home Page Forums General Discussion Technical Questions Learning to use my Denon AVR-890

Also with the Harmonies if something doesn't work for example, or something doesn't turn on, you can press the "help" button which you can then select what to turn back on... Or you can press the "devices" button which individualizes each component, and you can power on, or access a specific menu or something that way as well. Any other features of any of your remotes for any component that you also wish to use for a specific activity, you can also program into the Harmony so they are on any button on the entire remote, or they can be "screen buttoned" also if you do not have a practical place on the remote to program it in. So, for example, you can have the "menu" button for three components at once on the remote.

Keep in mind all the Harmonies (as far as I know) are programmed pretty much the same, they all use the same software, so if you want to get your feet wet you can buy a cheaper 510/520 on Ebay for $40 or so to see if you get along with them. The only thing I don't like about my 520 is it does not have a page down/page up button, but you can add them onto the "screen buttons" which I have done. The 880 is a mid level one with a color screen but it's not too expensive either. I think most of the newer ones use a cell phone battery as well, so you only have to charge them about once a week.

I visited them yesterday and spoke with some chap named Marcus (I think). So for clarification .. you paid $1295 all-in cash?

I've seen the 880 at Costco for ~$150, the 890 as low as $199 but currently $229 at FShop. The RF adapter is ~$170 if you buy separately, but it comes with the 890.

If IIRC the One has a touch screen for 3 activities/functions while the 880/890 has 8 activities/functions using hard buttons next to the screen. I had to buy a new battery for it after 3 years of use. I got one for 15.00 online from a reputable site.

Also consider that the 890 has IR and RF, so even if you don't need RF now, if you ever set up another room or Zone (outside?) you could do this later and if you ever want to put you equipment in a closet or behind something solid, you will have this capability. This is the feature that my wife likes the most. All the equipment is in the basement for the TV on the main floor.

One last point AVR 890 ------- Harmony 890

You see something the same

The One has more than 3 activities(it is based on the 880/890 less RF and they just removed the hard buttons) and the touch screen is a really cool feature. The One fits into the recharging cradle better than the 880/890 series does so it won't get knocked out and not recharge. So far as RF vs. IR you can run IR repeaters so it is somewhat of a non-issue. I agonized over the RF vs. IR after I bought the One but soon realized IR repeaters positioned correctly work just as well, as the Harmony remotes have a very wide and strong IR dispersion pattern. As I mentioned earlier, I would look at the 700 if you want to stay in the more reasonable price realm, it has a recharging(USB cable) so you don't have to swap batteries, just plug the remote in every once so often. I also like the button feel of this newer style of remote, they have a more OEM remote feel to them, more solid.

Thanks all for the input on the remotes. It looks like I can't go wrong no matter which one I pick so when I'll see a good deal, I'll get one.



The M80s can handle 400W. I know that if you power them with a more powerful amplifier, they will sound clearer, with less distortion a higher volume. Will they actually play louder as well or is this determined by the level of the pre-processor. In other terms, is it correct to say that the volume level of the M80s driven by my AVR-890 will be the same as driven by an external more powerful amplifier but more distorted at higher volume?

FYI, the Harmony One can usually be had for about $220. That's about the best price I've seen for them. Here's a link to one sale for them.

Bruno, there's no audible difference(including distortion)when an amplifier with a higher maximum output capacity is used unless that higher max is actually used; unused headroom is simply that: unused.

For a comfortably loud average level in the mid 80s of dB level, only about 1 watt is needed. A 1000 watt amplifier won't be different from a 10 watt amplifier there. Brief split-second peaks will use much more, of course, but not likely anything that typical receivers(such as your 890)rated anywhere in the 100 watt area can't handle with audible transparency. You, not the amplifier, are in control of the loudness level.

So why do people use external more powerful amplifiers? What are they gaining?

Sent you a PM.

This is another area of audio where advertising hype sometimes overcomes the reality of basic principles of audio technology. Again, typical receivers have ample capacity for the needs of home audio and paying for still more capacity, which'll be unused, isn't cost-effective.