Marantz Cinema 60 7.2-Ch Receiver: In-Depth Review

The Marantz Cinema 60 7.2-Ch Receiver is a sophisticated and high-performance piece of home theater equipment that combines the latest in audio and video technology to create a premium home entertainment experience. Whether you’re an avid movie lover or a gaming enthusiast, the Cinema 60 delivers stunning sound and visuals. In this review, we will take an in-depth look at the Marantz Cinema 60 7.2-Ch Receiver, discussing its key features, performance, ease of use, and more.

Key Features Overview

Before diving into the performance aspects of the Marantz Cinema 60, let’s first take a look at its core features that set it apart from other AV receivers in the market.

1. Audio Technology

The Marantz Cinema 60 is built around the legendary HDAM (Hyper-Dynamic Amplifier Module) amplification circuitry, which is known for delivering musical, warm, and detailed sound. This proprietary technology ensures that your home theater sound is as immersive and realistic as possible. The receiver supports 7.2 channels (100W x 7), making it capable of driving even the most demanding loudspeakers, delivering an impactful sound experience.

• Dolby Atmos & DTS:X: These two technologies enable 3D surround sound by creating a sense of height, resulting in an immersive listening experience. Whether you’re watching a movie or playing a video game, the Marantz Cinema 60 offers rich soundscapes that envelop you.
• Dolby Height Virtualization & DTS Virtual:X: If you don’t have ceiling speakers, these technologies simulate overhead sounds, offering a virtual surround sound experience with a 5.1 or 7.1 setup.

2. Video Technology

For video, the Cinema 60 offers 8K/60Hz and 4K/120Hz pass-through, making it future-proof and compatible with the latest video formats. It supports HDR10+, Dolby Vision, HLG (Hybrid Log Gamma), and HDR10, ensuring that your visuals are as vibrant and detailed as possible.

• Dynamic HDR & QMS (Quick Media Switching): These features enhance the quality of your videos by reducing flicker and improving contrast and color. Whether you’re watching a blockbuster movie or gaming, the visuals are seamless and lag-free.

3. Connectivity & Multi-Room Audio

The Cinema 60 provides an abundance of connectivity options, with 8 HDMI ports (6 In/2 Out), including 3 HDMI inputs with 8K pass-through. This ensures that you can connect all your devices, including Blu-ray players, gaming consoles, and streaming devices, without worrying about port limitations.

• HEOS Multi-Room Audio: With built-in HEOS, you can stream music wirelessly to any compatible speakers around your home. The receiver also supports Wi-Fi, Bluetooth, AirPlay 2, and Spotify, giving you numerous options for streaming music and other audio content.
• Voice Control: The Cinema 60 supports voice control with major smart home assistants, including Alexa and Siri, allowing you to adjust the volume, change tracks, or switch inputs hands-free.

4. Gaming Features

For gaming enthusiasts, the Cinema 60 supports VRR (Variable Refresh Rate), ALLM (Auto Low Latency Mode), and QFT (Quick Frame Transport), ensuring smooth, lag-free gaming sessions. Whether you’re playing the latest AAA title or indulging in a competitive multiplayer game, the Cinema 60 is designed to reduce latency and provide a smoother gameplay experience.

Performance and Sound Quality

1. Audio Performance

The Marantz Cinema 60 excels in delivering a high-quality audio experience. Thanks to the HDAM technology and current feedback amplification, the sound produced is incredibly detailed, warm, and natural. The soundstage is expansive, with precise imaging and clear dialogue, even in complex scenes with lots of action. The 7.2-channel setup ensures that you get deep bass from the subwoofers while the satellite speakers handle the midrange and treble with exceptional clarity.

• Dolby Atmos and DTS:X offer a significant upgrade over traditional surround sound setups. With the ability to place sound around and above you, the receiver creates an incredibly immersive sound environment. In addition, the Dolby Height Virtualization and DTS Virtual:X technologies make it possible to simulate a 3D soundscape, even without the need for height speakers.
• For music lovers, the HEOS streaming technology allows you to enjoy your favorite playlists and radio stations with exceptional sound quality throughout your home.

2. Video Performance

On the video side, the Cinema 60 doesn’t disappoint. It supports a wide range of video formats, including 8K/60Hz and 4K/120Hz, making it an excellent choice for users with next-gen gaming consoles or 8K televisions. The Dolby Vision and HDR10+ support ensure that the visuals are not only bright and colorful but also have enhanced contrast and detail in dark scenes.

• The 8K pass-through means that the Cinema 60 is ready for future-proofing, providing clear, high-quality video for years to come.
• Features like QMS and VRR help eliminate flicker and tearing, making the Cinema 60 perfect for gamers who demand smooth, lag-free visuals.

3. Ease of Setup

The Marantz Cinema 60 is designed with ease of use in mind. Setting up the receiver is hassle-free, thanks to the Audyssey MultEQ XT32 automatic room correction, which calibrates the sound system based on the acoustics of your room. The HD on-screen graphical user interface makes navigating menus and selecting sources intuitive and straightforward.

The receiver comes with a remote control, but it’s also compatible with Alexa, Siri, and other smart home systems for hands-free operation. Whether you’re adjusting volume levels, changing inputs, or fine-tuning the sound, the Cinema 60 makes controlling your home theater system simple.

4. Design and Build Quality

The design of the Marantz Cinema 60 is understated yet elegant. The receiver’s sleek black finish ensures it blends seamlessly into any living room setup. Whether you choose to feature it or hide it out of sight, the Cinema 60 will complement your décor without drawing too much attention to itself.

The build quality is solid, with a robust chassis that ensures long-lasting durability. The receiver also runs quietly, with minimal heat output during operation, making it ideal for extended viewing or gaming sessions.

Pros and Cons

Pros

• Exceptional sound quality: The HDAM amplification and support for Dolby Atmos, DTS:X, and virtual height sound create an immersive listening experience.
• Excellent video performance: With 8K/60Hz and 4K/120Hz pass-through, plus HDR support, the Cinema 60 delivers crisp, vibrant visuals.
• Versatile connectivity: Eight HDMI ports, HEOS streaming, Wi-Fi, Bluetooth, and voice control integration offer flexibility in device connectivity and multi-room audio.
• Future-proof: The support for 8K and the latest gaming technologies like VRR, ALLM, and QFT ensures the receiver remains relevant for years to come.
• Ease of use: The automatic room correction system and user-friendly interface make setup and operation effortless.

Cons

• Price: While the Cinema 60 offers high-end features, it comes with a premium price tag, making it more suitable for enthusiasts or those building a high-quality home theater system.
• Power consumption: Like many AV receivers, the Cinema 60 can consume a significant amount of power, so it’s important to ensure adequate ventilation in your entertainment space.
• Remote control limitations: While the receiver works well with voice control, some users have reported that the included remote control could be more intuitive.

Conclusion

The Marantz Cinema 60 7.2-Ch Receiver is a top-tier AV receiver that combines superior audio and video performance, making it an excellent choice for anyone looking to enhance their home theater system. Whether you’re watching movies, gaming, or listening to music, the Cinema 60 delivers exceptional sound and visuals, with plenty of features to satisfy both casual viewers and home theater enthusiasts.

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