On the heels of Denon’s 2022/23 AV receiver announcement, Marantz is making some news of their own. Of course, this isn’t surprising since Denon and Marantz are sister companies under the Sound United umbrella (now owned by Masimo).
One of the things that has made Marantz stand out with its AVRs has been its distinctive front panel designs. For 2022-2023, Marantz continues its minimal front panel looking with a porthole style status display, which is definitely an eye-catcher. If you were impressed with the Marantz Model 40n, the new CINEMA series is going to make you remove the doors of your media cabinet.
However, behind that minimal display is an assembly of features that can be overwhelming, about the only thing missing is a built-in popcorn popper.
For this article, we will only touch on the major highlights. If you tap the links on the model numbers, you can check out all of the technical features and specifications for each receiver.
Key Features All The Receivers Share
The Marantz receivers in the following group all have the following core features:
Amplifier Type: All the receivers in this group incorporate Class A/B amplifiers.
Surround Sound Support: Most surround sound formats including Dolby Atmos and DTS:X Audio.
HDR Support: HDR10/10+, Dolby Vision, HLG, and Dynamic HDR pass-through
HDMI 2.1: Includes HDMI-eARC and Gaming Support (4K/120Hz, 8K/60Hz, VRR (Variable Refresh Rate), ALLM (Auto Low Latency Mode), and Quick Frame Transport (QFT).
Hi-Res Audio: Support for 24-bit/192kHz audio playback. Digital audio format support includes MP3, WMA, WAV, MPEG-4/AAC, FLAC, and ALAC.
HEOS: Multi-room wireless streaming
Wireless Music Streaming: Amazon HD, Spotify Connect, Pandora, and more… Roon Tested.
Wireless Connectivity: Bluetooth, AirPlay 2, Wi-Fi (Wired Ethernet is also included if needed).
Voice Control: Alexa Built-in, Google Assistant
Smartphone App Control: iOS, Android
Audyssey Room Correction Built-in (one or more of the following options): MultEQ, MulitEQ XT32, Dynamic EQ, Dynamic Volume
Tip: Only the top two models (Cinema 40 and Cinema 50) will support Dirac Live room correction via a future firmware update (expected to be available in March 2023, a fee may be charged). The inclusion of Dirac Live will allow users to fine-tune speakers connected to a receiver to more accurately match the acoustic environment of the room they are placed in, providing a more well-rounded music listening experience with better accuracy, larger sweet spot, more precise voice intelligibility, as well as deeper, but less boomy bass.
Update 3/18/2023: The Dirac Live Room Correction option is now available for the Marantz Cinema 40 and Cinema 50. In addition to the software update, MiniDSP’s UMIK-1 or UMIK-2 microphone is recommended for use with Dirac Live (The Audyssey Mic will not work).
Tip: Built-in Audyssey Room Correction still remains an option even if Dirac Live is installed. You just can’t use both systems at the same time.
Now, let’s check out some of the options each receiver in this group provides.
Cinema 40
The Cinema 40 houses 9 discrete assignable amplifiers that can output 125 wpc and provides four subwoofer outputs. You can set up a primary and 2nd room system, take advantage of its speaker bi-amp connection flexibility, or set up the optimum Dolby Atmos, DTS:X, or Auro 3D Audio configuration for your need (support for up to a 7.4.2 or 5.4.4 channel setup).
If you want to expand your setup further, the Cinema 40 provides two additional preamp outputs (for 11 channels) that can be connected to external amplifiers.
The Cinema 40 also includes IMAX Enhanced and Sony 360 Reality Audio support. 7 HDMI inputs and 3 HDMI outputs are included.
Where to buy: $3,499 at Crutchfield | Amazon
Cinema 50
This receiver shares most of the same features as the Cinema 40, including a built-in 9.4 channel configuration but with slightly lower per-channel power output (that’s 9 amplified channels that can output 110 watts per channel and preamp outputs for up to four subwoofers). The Cinema 50 also includes 2 additional preamp outputs for system expansion.
This receiver can easily accommodate Dolby Atmos, DTS:X, and Auro 3D audio formats in just about any room at a lower price than the Cinema 40. IMAX Enhanced and Sony 360 Reality Audio are also included. The Cinema 50 has 6 HDMI inputs and 3 HDMI outputs.
Where to buy: $2,499 at Crutchfield | Amazon
Cinema 60
The Cinema 60 drops things down to 7 amplified channels with 2 subwoofer outputs. However, with 100 wpc the Cinema 60 is right at home in most rooms.
The Cinema 60 retains Dolby Atmos and DTS:X, but Auro 3D Audio, IMAX Enhanced, and Sony 360 Reality Audio are not supported.
The Cinema 60 has 6 HDMI inputs and 2 HDMI outputs. Three HDMI inputs support 8K.
Where to buy: $1,699 at Crutchfield | Amazon
Cinema 70s
Here is a receiver that may appeal to many. Instead of the usual large box look, the Cinema 70s is a space-saving slimline design that decreases component clutter, but there is a caveat. Although this receiver does incorporate a 7.2 channel configuration, in order to achieve that slim line design the power output is reduced to 50 watts per channel. However, if you are setting up a modest system, this may be a good solution.
You can opt for a standard 7.2 channel setup, a 5.2.2 Dolby Atmos/DTS:X channel setup, or a 5.1 channel setup combined with a two-channel stereo setup in an additional room.
The Cinema 70s provides 6 HDMI inputs, three of which are 8K compatible. 4K/120Hz pass-through is supported via the 8K-enabled HDMI inputs. There is one HDMI output.
Where to buy: $1,199 at Crutchfield | Amazon
Comparison
| Cinema 40 | Cinema 50 | Cinema 60 | Cinema 70s | |
| MSRP | $3,499 | $2,499 | $1,699 | $1,199 |
| Channels | 9.4 | 9.4 | 7.2 | 7.2 |
| Max Preamp Ch. | 11.4 | 11.4 | 7.2 | 7.2 |
| Watts per channel | 125 | 110 | 100 | 50 |
| HDMI Inputs | 7 | 6 | 6 | 6 |
| HDMI Outputs | 3 | 2 | 2 | 1 |
| Subwoofer Out | 4 | 4 | 2 | 2 |
| Zones | 3 | 2 | 2 | 1 |
| Dolby Atmos | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| DTS:X | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| IMAX Enhanced | Yes | Yes | – | – |
| Auro 3D | Yes | Yes | – | – |
| Sony 360RA | Yes | Yes | – | – |
| Dirac Live Support | Yes | Yes | – | – |
Where to buy: Crutchfield | Amazon
Related Reading
ORT
September 28, 2022 at 8:43 pm
I currently own a Denon AVR-X4300H that has 9 channels of 125 watts for each channel but only two sub outputs. No Dirac. No problemo.
That said, I will still happily consider upgrading to either of the top two Marantz or Denon AVRs. The Marantz are subjectively prettier (cuz they are!), because of and despite that tiny porthole. Denon gives me more for my moolah. Nothing subjective about that.
When the time comes to sidegrade, I’ll know it. So far, I like Denon’s offerings a little more. Marantz really need to make a bigger and better display for their stuff. But then, I am olde and need one. I know…Just look at the TV screen or the fApp on your phone instead.
ORT
Beosker Posey
September 28, 2022 at 11:10 pm
I wonder if we’ll be able to get the silver version in the U.S. In the past, we didn’t have that option, which was a bummer.