Marantz CINEMA 50 Review – Impressive in Every Aspect

Marantz Cinema 50
Marantz CINEMA 50 Review

Product Name: Marantz Cinema 50

Overall
92
  • Design - 94
  • FEATURES - 94
  • CONNECTIVITY - 93
  • SOUND QUALITY - 94
  • VALUE - 86

Summary

Slightly expensive but legendry Marantz sound quality improved features and connectivity makes this AV Receiver really irresistible.

Pros

  • 6 HDMI 2.1 inputs and 2 HDMI 2.1 outputs
  • IMAX Enhanced
  • Excellent compatibility with DTS and Dolby formats
  • Cinematic viewing experience
  • Pure sound reproduction with a clear focus on balance
  • 4 independent subwoofer outputs
  • Pre-amplifier mode
  • Flexible subwoofer modes
  • Dirac Live upgradability
  • 3D immersive audio coding standard
  • Proprietary HDAM technology
  • Backlit-remote
  • 360 Reality Audio

Cons

  • The 360 Reality audio playback feature is not available for music streaming services

Marantz CINEMA 50 Review

Marantz CINEMA 50 Review

Marantz is an AV receiver manufacturer of unquestionable goodwill and reputation. So, people are always excited when hearing about the launch of new models. The newly released model, Marantz CINEMA 50, has become a hot topic of discussion today. Does this model have better audio, video, and connectivity features than its predecessors? Does it take your viewing and listening experiences to the next level? Let us explore in this detailed Marantz CINEMA 50 Review the most authentic answers to these questions.

Marantz CINEMA 50 – Build and Design

According to Marantz, the Cinema 50 model is the sophisticated expression of eternal design principles. The symmetric design looks innovative compared to the traditional rectangular design of numerous AV receivers. The symmetrical design of this model comes with the legendary Marantz porthole. The overall pleasing design never fails to make an instant impression.

You can find an attractive OLED display on the front panel. A subtle, stylish touch can be associated with the front panel. It features dimples similar to a golf ball and aluminum plates around the edges. Don’t worry about a jumbled look because the panel controls are smartly hidden from view.

The contemporary design of this model is inspired by Marantz 40N and 30 Hi-Fi models. It is a perfect addition to any interior. There is no need to conceal this product in a conventional AV cabinet. Thanks to the latest facelift.

Marantz focuses on even minute aspects to make this device user-friendly. A perfect example is the remote of this product. It offers soft buttons to ensure smooth navigation. The backlit remote lets you effortlessly control the receiver in a dark theater setting.

The build quality of this home theater receiver is admirable. Top-quality carbon fiber guarantees high longevity. This model also has solid speaker connections and close-fitted HDMI connections. The bottom line is that the build and design of the Marantz CINEMA 50 can be termed superb.

Marantz CINEMA 50 – Features

Does CINEMA 50 fulfill the ever-evolving needs of the most ambitious AV enthusiasts? A detailed analysis of the features is the best method to find a convincing answer to this question.

HDAM design

The custom Marantz HDAM design efficiently retains the essence of the music. You can expect this device to preserve the nuance and detail of your favorite tracks. The modules designed by Marantz come with better response and speed. You can enjoy the best musical sound that keeps you engaged forever.

DIRAC Live upgrade

You can make this model compatible with DIRAC Live by paying a small fee for the upgrade. This feature will be made available in March 2023. Although it comes with Audyssey, the Dirac Live compatibility takes the quality of room correction to the next level. When you opt for this future upgrade, you will receive a more sophisticated microphone than the one included. That is to say, the new MiniDSP feature offers a calibration file for each microphone.

MPEG-H compatibility

This AV receiver supports a 3-D immersive audio coding standard, MPEG-H, to ensure smooth content broadcasting. This next-generation audio technology delivers perfect realism through sound. That is to say, you can enjoy interactive, immersive sound for streaming music, watching films, and playing games.

4 subwoofer outputs

This model has four independent subwoofer outputs. These outputs create a balancing effect on low frequencies and offer improved dispersion. There is no need to worry about undesirable volume dips. Be prepared to get lost in the most precise and evenly distributed bass.

360 Reality audio playback

The 360 Realty audio playback feature offers amazing surround sound throughout the room. It makes you feel as if you are in a recording studio or listening to a live concert. You can connect a Google Chromecast device to this home theater receiver using HDMI.

Sophisticated Audyssey MultEQ XT

Equipped with Audyssey MultEQ XT32, this AV receiver automatically corrects room acoustic to create a customized listening environment. You can enjoy full-range clarity at low, mid, and high listening levels. If you use the MultEQ Editor app, viewing and altering settings for more precise tuning become effortless. It lets you customize sound accurately based on your unique needs.

Superb gaming experience

Various features like ALLM and VRR change the refresh rate in real-time and control latency to ensure a smooth gaming experience.

Seamless multi-room streaming

Featuring HEOS built-in technology, this Roon-tested AV receiver offers an enjoyable, wireless music streaming experience. You can play the same song or different songs in each room depending on your tastes, preferences, and needs. It lets you stream music from a variety of sources, including local music file libraries, Deezer, Spotify, TIDAL, Napster, TuneIn, Amazon Music HD, and SoundCloud.

Hands-free operation using voice control personal assistants

This home theater receiver can be operated without using hands. It supports voice control personal assistants like Josh.ai, Google Assistant, and Amazon Alexa. You can ask these assistants to control the volume, play music, pause or skip tracks, and many more.

Marantz CINEMA 50 – Connectivity

Marantz CINEMA 50

This home theater receiver features 6 HDMI 2.1 inputs. You can also come across 3 HDMI outputs on this product. All receiver inputs and outputs are compatible with 4K/60Hz video. Further, 2 outputs and 6 inputs support 8K/60Hz and 4K/120Hz video.

You can connect this device to Ultra HD sources and televisions. Thanks to the HDCP 2.3 technology. It has five Stereo RCA inputs and 2 digital coaxial inputs. Other inputs include two Optical TOSLINK and one moving magnet phono input.

Marantz CINEMA 50 boasts four RCA Subwoofer and one 11-Channel RCA Pre-Out. This model also features one Stereo RCA Zone 2 Pre-Out. You can come across built-in Bluetooth and Wi-Fi adapters on this AV receiver.

The wireless audio protocols of Cinema 50 include HEOS, Spotify Connect, AirPlay2, and Roon-Ready. Overall, the connectivity features of this home theater receiver are the best in the industry at this price range.

Marantz CINEMA 50 – Sound Quality and Performance

Equipped with a 9-channel amplifier, this home theater receiver drives 110 W per channel at 8 Ohms. It is also capable of generating 150 watts at 6 Ohms per channel. This model comes with 11 speaker outputs. So, CINEMA 50 supports 11.4-channel processing with the help of external amplifiers. You can configure a 5.2.4 or 7.2.2 DTS:X or Dolby Atmos system with the help of nine channels.

The proprietary HDAM amplification circuitry designed by accomplished sound masters and engineers delivers the most enjoyable sound output to keep you immersed for many hours. The unbeatable sonic qualities create a perfect musical sound in your home. The proprietary Marantz HDAM amplification technology renders each sound with a harmonious blend of spaciousness, warmth, and ease.

You can enjoy full-range clarity at low, mid, and high listening levels. The unmatched purity of the sound makes this home theater receiver special. With incredible depth and detail, this device transforms your listening experience into something unimaginable. You can experience the ultimate realism through sound. Thanks to the MPEG-H compatibility and 360 Reality Audio.

If you are looking for an enveloping cinematic experience, this AV receiver is one of the best options available. It offers excellent depth for rumbling bass-heavy music and movie soundtracks. You can enjoy a balanced bass when using this Marantz product. Don’t worry about any audible dips or peaks. Marantz Cinema 50 generates room-filling bass with immaculate control to ensure 100% immersion.

Marantz CINEMA 50 – Competition

Let us compare CINEMA 50 to Denon AVR-X3800H. There is nothing much to choose between the connectivity features of these two models. However, the former stands taller in terms of amplifier power and audio processing capabilities to offer a better overall experience.

How does Marantz CINEMA 50 perform compared to Yamaha RX-A4A? The number of channels available on CINEMA50 (9.4) is higher than the Yamaha version (7.2). You can also find better connectivity, audio, and video features on the former.

Compared to the Marantz SR-6015 model, the Cinema 50 home theater receiver features two extra subwoofer outputs. With DTS:X and Dolby Atmos tracks, the latter powers up to 4 separate subwoofers in a 9.4-channel configuration. This model also supports the Auro-3D format to produce an enjoyable enveloping sound. You cannot find this feature on the SR-6015 version.

Marantz CINEMA 50 – Verdict

Pros

  • 6 HDMI 2.1 inputs and 2 HDMI 2.1 outputs
  • IMAX Enhanced
  • Excellent compatibility with DTS and Dolby formats
  • Cinematic viewing experience
  • Pure sound reproduction with a clear focus on balance
  • 4 independent subwoofer outputs
  • Pre-amplifier mode
  • Flexible subwoofer modes
  • Dirac Live upgradability
  • 3D immersive audio coding standard
  • Proprietary HDAM technology
  • Backlit-remote
  • 360 Reality Audio

Cons

  • The 360 Reality audio playback feature is not available for music streaming services

Final Words

Does Marantz CINEMA 50 have better features and functional benefits than other AV receivers in this price range? The answer is yes. This home theater receiver comes with many innovative features, including 360 Reality audio playback, HDAM design, MPEG-H compatibility, and additional subwoofer output to deliver the best user experience. Overall, this model offers a harmonious combination of a pleasing design, excellent features, and outstanding performance to provide the best user experience.

Vivek Sehgal

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