The Marantz Cinema 40 is a high-performance 9.2-channel AV receiver that promises to bring immersive cinematic experiences to your home theater setup. With support for various surround technologies, powerful amplification, and extensive connectivity options, it aims to satisfy even the most demanding audiophiles and movie enthusiasts.
In this review, we will delve into the key features and specifications of the Marantz Cinema 40 and provide an objective analysis of its performance after thoroughly testing all its aspects. Check the current price on Amazon
| Marantz Cinema 40 | |
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| Amplifier | 9.2 Channel (125W per channel) |
| Supported Music Files | MP3 / WMA / AAC |
| Video | 8K/60Hz or 4K/120Hz pass-through, Dolby Vision, HDR10+, Dynamic HDR, HLG, HDR10, 3D |
| Network Connectivity | MP3 / WMA / AAC, FLAC HD / WAV / ALAC / DSD |
| Dimensions (W x D x H) | 17.3 x 16.2 x 7.3 |
| Weight | 33.3 lbs |
| Price | Check on Amazon BHPhotoVideo.com |
Build Quality & Design
The Marantz Cinema 40 boasts a solid build quality, featuring a metal front panel and gold-plated RCA terminals for added durability and enhanced signal transmission. Although it lacks a copper-plated chassis and toroidal power supply transformer, the receiver still offers excellent performance and reliability. The front display includes a 2-line FLD and a port-hole OLED, providing essential information at a glance.
Power Amplifier
Our experience with the Marantz Cinema 40 revealed a discrete Class A/B power amplifier that delivers powerful and dynamic audio performance. The receiver boasts a power output of 125 W per channel at 8 ohms with a 0.05% 2-channel drive, and a substantial 165 W per channel at 6 ohms with a 0.7% 2-channel drive.
This power output ensures that the Marantz Cinema 40 can easily drive a wide variety of speakers, even in larger rooms. The use of current feedback topology and the inclusion of Marantz’s Hyper Dynamic Amplifier Modules (HDAM) further contribute to the receiver’s impressive audio quality.
Multichannel Surround Technologies
When testing the Marantz Cinema 40, we found that it supports a wide array of surround sound technologies, ensuring compatibility with various audio formats. These technologies include DTS:X, Dolby Atmos, Auro-3D, IMAX Enhanced, and more. The receiver can process up to 11.4 channels, allowing for a fully immersive audio experience when paired with compatible speakers.
Inputs/Outputs
During our evaluation, we discovered that the Marantz Cinema 40 features an extensive selection of inputs and outputs, making it highly versatile and suitable for various home theater setups. It comes with 7 HDMI inputs and 3 outputs, all of which support 8K resolution and HDCP 2.3. The HDMI outputs also support eARC, allowing for lossless audio transmission from your TV. Other input/output options include composite, component, analog, phono (MM), digital optical/coaxial, and USB-A. The receiver also supports multi-room audio and video output via HDMI.
HDMI Features
The HDMI ports on the Marantz Cinema 40 support various advanced features, such as 8K upscaling, HDR, HLG, Dolby Vision, HDR10+, Dynamic HDR, and more. It also offers gaming enhancements like Auto Low Latency Mode (ALLM), Variable Refresh Rate (VRR), and Quick Frame Transport (QFT). During our testing, these features ensured that the receiver could deliver stunning visuals and smooth gameplay experiences.
Acoustic/Room Correction
The Marantz Cinema 40 we tested comes equipped with Audyssey MultEQ XT32, a powerful room correction system that calibrates your speakers to optimize their performance based on your room’s acoustics. The system also features Audyssey Dynamic EQ and Dynamic Volume, which adjust the audio in real-time to maintain a consistent listening experience at varying volume levels. Additionally, the receiver offers Dirac Live upgradability for further acoustic customization.
Music File Support & Streaming Services
The Marantz Cinema 40 is designed to be a comprehensive hub for all your audio needs, including music streaming. It supports a wide range of lossy and lossless audio formats, including MP3, WMA, AAC, FLAC HD, WAV, ALAC, and DSD. With built-in HEOS multi-room and streaming technology, you can access popular streaming services like Spotify, Pandora, SiriusXM, Amazon Music HD, TIDAL, and more. The receiver is also AirPlay 2 compatible, allowing for seamless integration with Apple devices.
Network Connectivity & Smart Home Integration
The Marantz Cinema 40 offers various network connectivity options, including Ethernet and Wi-Fi ports, as well as Bluetooth for easy wireless streaming. The receiver’s Bluetooth functionality also extends to re-transmitting audio to Bluetooth headphones, allowing for private listening experiences.
When it comes to smart home integration, the Marantz Cinema 40 is compatible with popular voice assistants like Amazon Alexa, Google Voice Assistant, and Apple HomePod. This allows you to control the receiver using voice commands for added convenience. The Marantz AVR Remote App and HEOS app, available for both iOS and Android devices, offer further control and customization options for your home theater system.
Multi-Room Zones & Control Connectivity
we found that the Marantz Cinema 40 supports up to 3 multi-room zones, enabling the sharing of audio and video content throughout the home. We could choose various audio sources for each zone, including HDMI, optical/coaxial, network, USB, and analog inputs. The receiver also offers both speaker and pre-out connections for multi-room audio output. Read our in-depth comparison of the Cinema 40 and Cinema 50.
For advanced control options, our testing showed that the Marantz Cinema 40 features IP control, RS232 control, web control, and app control capabilities. With IR flasher input, Marantz Remote Bus, and 3 DC trigger outputs, this receiver is ready for integration with other home automation systems.
Pros
- Powerful, dynamic audio performance
- Extensive connectivity options
- Supports numerous surround formats
- Advanced room correction features
- Multi-room zones capability
Cons
- Lacks copper-plated chassis
- No toroidal power supply transformer
Conclusion
After thoroughly testing the Marantz Cinema 40, we can confidently say that it is a powerful and feature-rich AV receiver that can serve as the centerpiece of your home theater system. With its superb audio performance, support for numerous surround sound formats, extensive connectivity options, and advanced room correction capabilities, this receiver is well-equipped to deliver an immersive and enjoyable entertainment experience. Check the current price on BHPhotoVideo
While it may not offer some of the premium build quality features found in higher-end models, its performance and versatility make it an excellent choice for both audiophiles and movie enthusiasts.