The flow of new products continues this summer and that’s rather unusual for the industry and a telling sign that manufacturers are hoping to build some momentum heading into Q4 2023. Sales are strong for some brands but other companies are reporting that things are “soft.” One of the largest parent companies (story forthcoming) just published a dismal earnings report and it is clear that consumers are looking for deals; that is especially true in the home theater category.
Emotiva loves to deliver a lot of value for the money and the new BasX MR1L cinema receiver might be one of their best options yet for those looking for a true workhorse AVR that won’t crap out when the movie or music requires some grunt to drive your surround sound loudspeaker system.
The BasX MR1L cinema receiver combines a high performance 13.2 channel immersive surround sound processor, and an audiophile quality 9 channel amplifier in a single chassis.
Tip: The MR1L (9.2-channel) is the less expensive version of the MR1 (11.2-channel) for those that don’t plan to use that many speakers.
The $1,599 USD asking price makes it rather competitive with the latest AVRs from Marantz and Denon that offer comparable features and power output. The Emotiva BasX MR1L does not offer support for Dirac Live which is becoming a standard feature on some AVRs in the price range, however.
The processor section of the MR1L supports 4K UHD video, including HDR and Dolby Vision, enhanced ARC (eARC), and the latest Dolby Atmos and DTS:X immersive surround sound formats.
The MR1L features six HDMI 2.0b video inputs, all of which support 4K UHD HDR video, and includes support for enhanced ARC (eARC). Included with the MR1L is a measurement microphone and the latest version of EmoQ, our well-regarded automatic room correction system. The MR1L also offers multiple analog and digital audio inputs, and an integrated Bluetooth receiver with aptX.
The amplifier section of the BasX MR1L features 9 channels of audiophile-grade Class A/B amplification, powered by a massive 660 VA toroidal transformer, to deliver superb sound quality and cool reliable operation.
The MR1L exhibits complete control over difficult loads and low impedance speakers, leaving less capable receivers gasping for air. The MR1L also includes a full set of line level 13.2 channel preamp outputs, and of course, the amplifier section can be totally disabled if you wish to use the MR1L as a dedicated surround sound processor.
The BasX MR1L is a true audiophile component, designed and built by professionals to deliver the outstanding performance that both audiophiles and casual listeners can appreciate.
The MR1L also features precision high- speed video switches that route video directly from the selected input to the output without any extraneous processing, ensuring that you’ll continue to get the absolute best possible picture quality from your HD and 4k UHD video sources along with support for both ARC and Enhanced eARC.
eARC Support
The MR1L provides full support for standard ARC (Audio Return Channel) for devices that don’t have eARC support. For devices that support the new eARC (Enhanced ARC) standard the MR1L will detect this and enable eARC support.
Note: Only HDMI Output #1 on the MR1L supports ARC and eARC.
Note: On most TV sets only one HDMI Input supports eARC, so be sure and connect the MR1L to that input. In addition to this, on many TV sets, eARC must specifically be enabled, so be sure that eARC is enabled in your TV’s configuration menu.
Active HDMI Output Switching
As defined in the HDMI standard, if you have two devices with different video capabilities connected to the two outputs on the MR1L, and both are on, your video source will negotiate a video format supported by both, and the MR1L will send that same video signal to both devices. So, for example, if you have a 4K TV, and a 1080p TV, and only the 4K TV is turned on, it will receive a 4K signal; however, if both TVs are turned on, then both will receive a 1080p video signal (because that is the highest resolution format that both TVs support). The same requirement is also true for some other features – like HDR. Unfortunately, many modern TVs and projectors do not report their status correctly to the processor and source device. As a result of this, for example, you may find that you don’t get 4K video on your 4K TV set unless the 1080p TV set is physically disconnected (unplugged).
The MR1L has a special feature that enables you to avoid this sort of problem. On the MR1L you have the option to temporarily disable each HDMI Output individually. So, in the example above, by disabling the HDMI Output connected to the 1080p TV set when that set isn’t in use, you can prevent it from limiting the 4K video signal being sent to your 4K set.
Video Performance
The MR1L features 6 HDMI 2.0b video inputs, all of which support 4K UHD HDR video formats including eARC.
Powerful Analog Devices SHARC DSP supports the latest Dolby Atmos, Dolby Surround, DTS, DTS:X, DTS Neural X, and other popular modes.
Automatic Room Correction
The MR1L includes the latest and most advanced version of our EMO-Q Automatic Room Correction System. EMO-Q® now displays a visual interface which includes graphs of both the measured and corrected room response. Channels can now also be tested, and the results adjusted, individually.
Audiophile Amplifiers
The MR1L includes both audiophile quality Class A/B amplifiers, which feature advanced power supply topology for optimum efficiency, and line level analog preamp outputs. This enables the MR1L to be used with a combination of passive loudspeakers and external amplifiers
The BasX MR1L Is a true audiophile component, designed and built by professionals to deliver the outstanding performance that both audiophiles and casual listeners can appreciate.
Where to buy: $1,599 at Emotiva.com
Related Reading: Step up to the Emotiva BasX MR1 at $1,999 to get two more channels of power.
Comparison
| BasX MR1 | BasX MR1L | |
| MSRP | $1,999 | $1,599 |
| Pre-outs | 13.2 | 13.2 |
| Channels | 11.2 | 9.2 |
| Power Supply | 1,000 VA | 660 VA |
| RMS (1 channel) | 160 watts | 150 watts |
| RMS (2 channels) | 160 watts | 140 watts |
| RMS (5 channels) | 135 watts | 110 watts |
| RMS (all channels) | 100 watts | 85 watts |
| THD+Noise | < 0.005% | < 0.02% |
| SNR (8 ohms) | 115 dB | 105 dB |
| Damping Factor | 500 | 400 |
| Weight | 50 lbs | 33 lbs |
| Dimensions (WxHxD) | 17” x 7-3/4” x 15-1/2” | 17” x 5-1/2” x 14” |
Kirito
July 26, 2023 at 7:53 am
That receiver is a overpriced piece of crap if it doesn’t have any hdmi 2.1 ports on it. Anything without hdmi 2.1 is a piece of crap nowadays. Most tvs nowadays have 1-4 hdmi 2.1 ports on them. So a receiver with no hdmi 2.1 ports is garbage now.
Mark Silgalis
July 29, 2023 at 1:14 pm
Kirito,
I don’t have a dog in this hunt but you may want to ask your doctor if THC is right for you.
It’s HDMI not human rights.
Sincerely,
Mark
Edward Brumbaugh
July 31, 2023 at 1:51 pm
The HDMI 2.0b, while disappointing in this day and age of HDMI 2.1, it’s easy enough to connect, say your PS5, directly to your TVs HDMI 2.1 and eARC the Dolby Digital, etc. to your receiver as I do with my current Denon 4700H which only has one (1) HDMI 2.1. Given the price point, the Emotiva is pretty nice. The one thing I couldn’t find on their website was whether or not the two (2) subwoofer outputs are independent outputs or not. I’d think they’d point that out if they were.
Personally, I’m going to spend another $900.00 and get the Denon 4800H and take advantage of the 4 independent subwoofer outputs.
JZ
June 15, 2024 at 12:47 pm
On that note I can’t understand why such a good sounding receiver has no independent sub outs. The MRX 540 has only one.