While sister company Denon revealed a pair of new receivers earlier this year, Marantz has taken a bit more time to unveil its first new A/V receivers since 2022. And today’s the day they’re making their debut. The company has just unveiled a new “Series 2” version of three of its AV Receivers: the Cinema 50 Series 2, Cinema 60 Series 2 and Cinema 70s Series 2. A version of the CINEMA 60 called the CINEMA 60 DAB Series 2 will be available in Europe only. We got a peek at these earlier this year in the company’s headquarters in Kawasaki, Japan and they looked pretty impressive.
While all three models are getting an updated and improved version of the HEOS music streaming module as well as new eight-channel 32-Bit DACs, the step-up Cinema 50 Series 2 is getting the biggest upgrades of the three.
What’s new in All CINEMA Series 2 Series Receivers?
On-screen Channel Level Monitoring feature – this can show you, in real time, what signal each speaker channel is receiving, so you can confirm that everything is working properly.
New Web Control 2.0 Interface – the new receivers can be remotely configured and set-up from a phone, tablet or PC with a slick, modern web-based interface
New Improved 32-Bit, 8-Channel DAC (Digital Audio Converter) – New High Resolution DACs offer higher quality digital audio reproduction across all speaker channels. The Cinema 50, Series 2 actually gets two of these 8-channel DACs to handle all 15 channels of processing (11 full range channels and four subwoofer channels).
Low-Latency Bluetooth LE Audio (coming soon via free OTA software update) – Bluetooth LE reduces wireless listening delay with compatible headphones and mobile devices
Upgraded HEOS module and platform – the new HEOS wireless multi-room music platform delivers a more responsive streaming experience while expanding multi-room functionality.
1440p / AMD FreeSync compatibility – Gamers will appreciate support for enhanced big screen gaming. As with the previous generation, all HDMI ports support HDMI 2.1 for the greatest performance and flexibility.
DIRAC Live room correction (optional upgrade) – the Cinema 60 Series 2 and Cinema 70s Series 2 now have the option to be upgraded to use DIRAC Live room correction. The Cinema 50 Series 2 (like its predecessor, the Cinema 50) can also be upgraded to use DIRAC Live, DIRAC Live Bass Control or DIRAC Live ART (Active Room Treatment), also at an additional cost.
What’s New (And Exclusive) in CINEMA 50 Series 2?
The Cinema 50 Series 2 gets all of the updates described above plus:
Dolby Atmos Channel Expander – an enhancement to the Dolby Surround upmixer, the Dolby Atmos Channel Expander makes sure all of your speakers are actively being used on Dolby Atmos channel-based content, creating a more immersive surround soundstage. It also enhances the immersiveness of 2-channel and 5.1-channel content when engaged
Center Channel Bi-Amp Mode – in addition to the existing front L/R bi-amp mode, the Cinema 50 Series 2 can now dedicate two of its internal amplifiers to the center channel for expanded performance and dynamic range
Dual 32-bit Eight-channel high resolution DACs (Digital Audio Converters) – Each of the receiver’s 15 channels (eleven main channels plus four subwoofers) gets its own DAC for improved sound and coherence across multi-channel speaker implementations.
The cosmetic design of the Series 2 receivers hasn’t changed much since the previous iteration, maintaining a sleek elegant look. And the 70s Series 2 keeps its slimline design for use in tighter spaces or where a big grey or black box – even one as elegant as a Marantz receiver – would look unseemly.
Sound Master Approved
As with all Marantz receivers, the new Series 2 receivers have been carefully tuned by the Marantz Sound Master, Yoshinori Ogata. Ogata-san listens to each new component throughout its development, suggesting improvements along the way and, ultimately, certifying that each new design carries forward the legacy of Marantz sound, first established by Saul Marantz himself in the earliest days of the company’s history. We sat in on a few listening sessions with Ogata-san in Japan and found his attention to detail and accurate sound quite impressive.
The new 32-Bit eight-channel DAC featured in the Series 2 receivers is said to offer “greater precision, improved imaging, enhanced dynamic expression and more coherent surround performance throughout the listening environment.” Processing every channel simultaneously reduces timing errors while simplifying the signal path for greater consistency and reliability. The Cinema 60 Series 2 and Cinema 70s Series 2 each include one of these new 8-channel DACs while the Cinema 50 Series 2 includes two.
The new Channel Level Monitoring feature provides real-time visualization of channel activity across all CINEMA Series 2 models, making it easier to verify speaker operation and system performance. And Dolby’s Channel Expander in the CINEMA 50 Series 2 ensures that every speaker in your system contributes toward the immersive sound, even when there are more speakers in the room than there are channels in the original content.
Both the Cinema 60 Series 2 and Cinema 70s Series 2 include seven channels of amplification, so you can choose a 5.1.2 channel immersive surround system or go with a main system that’s 5.1 channels and use the additional amplifiers for music in a second zone.
The flagship CINEMA 50 Series 2 offers nine channels of amplification, but can be expanded to eleven channels by adding a separate power amplifier. The Cinema 50 Series 2 includes four independently controlled subwoofer outputs so you can tweak the performance for optimized bass response in virtually any listening position. This gives you the option for 5.1.4 or 7.1.2 Dolby Atmos or DTS Sound using the built-in amps, or up to 7.1.4 channels when you add a 2-channel power amp. And in all cases you can use anywhere from one to four subwoofers, each independently controlled. The Cinema 50 Series 2 includes a complete set of preamp outputs so you can upgrade any or all of the channels with external power amps.
Pricing & Availability
- Marantz CINEMA 50 Series 2 – $3,000 at Best Buy | $4,000 CND | €2,100 | £1,850
- Available August 12, 2026
- Marantz CINEMA 60 Series 2 – $2,000 at Best Buy | $2,500 CND
- Available August 12, 2026 (North America/APAC)
- Marantz CINEMA 60 DAB Series 2 – €1,450 | £1,250 –
- Available August 12. 2026 (Europe)
- Marantz CINEMA 70s Series 2 – $1,500 at Best Buy | $2,000 CND | €1,100 | £950
- Available September 15, 2026
The Bottom Line
While the Series 2 upgrade may seem more evolutionary than revolutionary, there are some important upgrades here, including an all new multi-channel DAC infrastructure, as well as an upgraded HEOS module that should improve the overall responsiveness and execution of the HEOS whole-home wireless music platform. Also, by including the new HEOS chip, these receivers could potentially be upgraded at some time in the future to offer multi-channel Dolby Atmos music within the HEOS platform, which is already available on the latest Home series speakers from sister company Denon but is not yet available on any AVRs.
As fans of high quality music and movie reproduction at home, we at eCoustics are happy to see that the company is committed to continuing to advance the performance and usability of their A/V receivers. Because sometimes a soundbar – or even a budget AVR – just isn’t good enough.
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