Marantz Cinema 40 AV Receiver Review: Immersive Audio and Futureproofing at a Premium Price

Introduction

The Marantz Cinema 40 AV Receiver is a high-end audio and video receiver that promises an immersive home theater experience. With its premium build quality, extensive features, and futureproofing capabilities, it aims to cater to the needs of discerning audio enthusiasts. In this review, we will evaluate the performance, features, and value of the Marantz Cinema 40 AV Receiver to help you make an informed purchasing decision.

Design and Build Quality

The Marantz Cinema 40 AV Receiver boasts a premium build quality with its use of high-quality materials and stylish design. The sleek and slimline form factor allows for easy integration into any home theater setup. The receiver's contours and white lights add a touch of sophistication to its overall aesthetic. Additionally, the user-friendly interface and backlit remote control enhance the convenience of operating the Marantz Cinema 40 AV Receiver.

Features and Specifications

The Marantz Cinema 40 AV Receiver is a 9.4-channel receiver that comes with 9 channels of onboard amplification. This allows for a powerful and immersive audio experience. With support for Dolby Atmos and DTS:X, the receiver creates a three-dimensional soundstage, enveloping you in sound from all directions. One notable feature of the Marantz Cinema 40 AV Receiver is its bass management capabilities. With 4 discrete subwoofer low-level outputs, it offers comprehensive control over the bass frequencies, allowing you to fine-tune the audio to your liking. This is particularly beneficial for users with multiple subwoofers, as it ensures optimal integration and distribution of bass throughout the listening space. In terms of video connectivity, the Marantz Cinema 40 AV Receiver provides extensive options. With 7 HDMI inputs that support HDCP2.3 and up to 8K 60 Hz, the receiver is futureproofed and ready for the latest video formats and resolutions. This makes it ideal for gaming enthusiasts who want to take advantage of HDMI 2.1 technology. The Marantz Cinema 40 AV Receiver also offers comprehensive network connectivity options, including both wired and wireless connections. This allows for easy integration into your existing home network, enabling seamless streaming of music and other content. With streaming options such as Bluetooth, AirPlay, and HEOS compatibility, you can enjoy your favorite music from various sources, including popular streaming services like Pandora, Spotify, iHeart Radio, Deezer, and TIDAL. Furthermore, the receiver is DLNA-certified, allowing you to stream music from your local NAS server.

Performance

When it comes to performance, the Marantz Cinema 40 AV Receiver delivers a truly immersive audio experience. With its powerful amplifier and support for advanced audio codecs, it reproduces sound with exceptional clarity and detail. Whether you're watching a movie or listening to music, the receiver excels in both surround-sound and stereo applications. One standout feature of the Marantz Cinema 40 AV Receiver is its room correction capabilities. Equipped with Audyssey MultEQ XT32, the receiver automatically calibrates and optimizes the audio output based on the unique characteristics of your listening room. This ensures that you get the best possible sound quality, regardless of the room's acoustics. However, it's worth noting that while Audyssey room correction can provide improvements in sound quality, some users have reported that it may not always deliver significant enhancements. Marantz has announced optional Dirac Live support as an alternative room correction option, although this upgrade requires an additional payment. It's important to mention that while the Marantz Cinema 40 AV Receiver excels in most audio applications, there have been reports of potential limitations in bass performance with certain music tracks. Some users have noted that heavy computer-generated bass in specific tracks may impact the overall bass reproduction. However, it's worth considering that this issue may not be prevalent in all scenarios and may vary depending on individual preferences and the content being played. In terms of video performance, the Marantz Cinema 40 AV Receiver offers comprehensive video switching and upscaling capabilities. With its HDMI 2.1 support, it ensures compatibility with the latest video formats and resolutions. This futureproofs the receiver and makes it an excellent choice for those who want to stay ahead of the curve in terms of video technology.

User Experience

The user experience with the Marantz Cinema 40 AV Receiver is generally positive. The setup process is straightforward and user-friendly, allowing you to get up and running quickly. Additionally, the receiver offers multiple control options, including the included backlit remote control and app control feature. The Marantz app provides an intuitive interface for easy setup and control, adding to the overall user convenience. Integration with voice assistants is another notable feature of the Marantz Cinema 40 AV Receiver. It is compatible with popular voice control platforms such as Amazon Alexa, Google Assistant, and Apple HomePod. This allows for seamless integration into your smart home ecosystem, enabling voice control of the receiver's functions. The Marantz app also provides seamless integration with popular streaming services, allowing you to access your favorite music easily. With support for streaming services like Pandora, Spotify, iHeart Radio, Deezer, and TIDAL, you can enjoy a wide range of music options directly from the receiver.

Value and Comparison

When it comes to value, the Marantz Cinema 40 AV Receiver is undeniably a high-end product with a premium price tag. At an MSRP of $3,500, it may not be within the budget of every consumer. However, for those who prioritize exceptional audio performance, extensive features, and futureproofing capabilities, the Marantz Cinema 40 AV Receiver offers a compelling option. It's worth noting that the Marantz Cinema 40 AV Receiver's closest competitor is the Marantz Cinema 50. While the Cinema 40 offers an immersive audio experience and extensive features, the Cinema 50 provides similar audio performance with a few additional benefits. Therefore, if you are considering the Cinema 40, it's worth comparing the two models to determine which one best suits your needs. An important consideration is the optional Dirac Live upgrade. While the Marantz Cinema 40 AV Receiver comes with Audyssey MultEQ XT32 for room correction, the optional Dirac Live upgrade offers an alternative room correction solution. However, it's important to keep in mind that the Dirac Live upgrade requires an additional payment.

Customer Reviews and Availability

One aspect to consider is the limited availability of the Marantz Cinema 40 AV Receiver. With only 9 units available, it may be challenging to find this model in stock. Additionally, customer reviews for the Marantz Cinema 40 AV Receiver are relatively scarce, making it difficult to gauge the overall user satisfaction with the product. It's important to take this into account when making your purchasing decision.

Conclusion

The Marantz Cinema 40 AV Receiver offers a premium audio and video experience with its impressive features and futureproofing capabilities. With its powerful amplifier, immersive audio performance, and extensive connectivity options, it caters to the needs of audio enthusiasts. However, the premium price tag, potential limitations in bass performance, and limited availability may be factors to consider. If you are in the market for a high-end AV receiver and are willing to invest in exceptional audio quality and futureproofing, the Marantz Cinema 40 AV Receiver is definitely worth considering.