Undeniably both Anthem and Marantz are big names in the audio industry. Both are premium-priced brands due to high-quality production.
But what are the differences between Anthem vs Marantz?
The audio quality and bass of Anthem are better than Marantz. You can really fine-tune your sound with Anthem. Additionally, the Anthem app is easier to navigate than the Marantz app. Yet, Marantz is slightly cheaper than its’ Anthem Counterparts. Overall, Anthem has the upper hand on Marantz over a few things.
Let’s delve into the details of Anthem and Marantz with this article.
Pros and Cons of the Two Brands
Here are the quick pros and cons of these two brands-
| Anthem | Marantz | |
| Pros: | Premium audio quality | Decent soundstage and audio features |
| Easier app management | Affordable price | |
| Cons: | Expensive setup cost | Less flexible app support |
Head to Head Comparison of Anthem Vs Marantz
Let’s look at the two most important factors which are sound and processing power about these two brands. Before that, here’s a sneak peek of these brands in a bar chart –
Now, let’s head on to the main discussion.
Sound Quality:
Both Anthem and Marantz receivers and AV amps are upgrading with each new launch. So, the sound quality is only getting better and better!
The first thing you notice when testing out Anthem is that it’s compatible with more technologies. More than what’s found in its predecessor including Dolby Atmos and DTS:X, and DTS:X Pro. And I’d like to add that DTS serves you better than Dolby.
Anthem has the ability to edit the tunes down to the smallest detail. This allows the Anthem receiver to produce top-notch quality music for sound engineers.
Anthem has added newer technologies like Bluetooth connectivity, Wi-Fi streaming, and more. You’ll also find upgrades to its processing power such as 4K upscaling for HDTVs.
Improved audio quality across all channels and better movie sync functionality. So everything plays back smoothly without stuttering or skipping; plus a flicker-free picture setting.
It smoothes out motion blur caused by fast pans or zooms on 120Hz TV sets. Which includes almost all modern TVs.
Anthem also has a new user interface that makes it easier to navigate with features. Like an on-screen keyboard for searching for content and playback controls. It lets you adjust volume, change channels or switch inputs right from your remote.
Winner: Anthem is a level above Marantz in terms of audio quality.
Processing Power:
The Anthem has a 2.5 GHz quad-core processor and it runs on Windows 10 Home. It has a built-in Dolby Atmos 7.1 channel speaker system with four front speakers.
Two center channels and two surround channels for your favorite home theater soundtracks. A USB port lets you connect to all your peripherals like a keyboard or mouse. You can add space on the internal hard drive for storing files from cameras or smartphones.
The Marantz is powered by an Intel Dual Core i5-6400T processor that runs at 2 GHz. But it comes with 8 GB RAM as well as an additional 1 TB hard drive.
It’s double compared to just 500 GB available at launch time when these models were introduced.
The Anthem MRX 1140 has a digital video processor (DVP). It allows you to connect your TV or gaming console via an HDMI cable. And it supports 4K resolution as well as Dolby Vision HDR.
It also has built-in Wi-Fi so you can stream content from services like Netflix and Hulu. It streams directly on your big screen without having to use any extra cables.
Winner: Anthem has better processing power but less flexible audio connectivity.
Category Wise Comparison of Anthem & Marantz
Now, let’s take a look at the comparison of the brands with different categories of audio equipment.
A/V Receiver: Anthem MRX 1120 vs Marantz SR8012
The Anthem MRX 1120 and Marantz SR8012 are very close in price. They do have a few differences. The Anthem is the larger of the two players and has more features than Marantz SR8012.
| Features | Anthem MRX 1120 | Marantz SR8012 |
| Sound Features | Dolby Atmos, IMX, DTS:X | DTS HD Master, DTS:X, DTS:X Pro |
| Amp Channel | 11 | 13 |
| Pre-Amp | 15.2 | 11.2 |
| Power Consumption | 570 W | 780 W |
It also comes with Dolby Atmos decoding while the Marantz does not have it built in.
Are you looking for a high-quality soundbar with an excellent voice control system? Then you should consider getting Anthem MRX 1120 because its sound quality is the best.
Both come from well-known brands. So you know what to expect from them before making any purchase decisions!
AV Receiver: Anthem MRX 1140 vs Marantz SR8015
Do both these models impress you with their features and performance capabilities?
To help with your dilemma, we created a table, comparing them side-by-side.
| Features | Anthem MRX 1140 | Marantz SR8015 |
| Surround | Dolby Atmos, IMX, DTS:X | DTS HD Master, DTS:X, DTS:X Pro |
| Amp Channel | 11 | 13 |
| Pre-Amp | 15.2 | 11.2 |
| Power Consumption | 570 W | 780 W |
The Anthem MRX 1140 is a great choice for high-quality music listening. Anyone who wants to hear their favorite music in high quality will be satisfied with Anthem MRX 1120.
It has a powerful 15.2 amplifier and speakers. And that will give you the sound you’ve been looking for. And it also consumed less power!
In the aspect of power consumption, SR8015 is higher than Anthem MRX 1140. Anthem has more output channels than Marantz.
The Marantz SR8015 AV Receiver is also a great option. But this one comes with some extra features that are sure to please your ears. However, the Marantz remote often causes problems and is hard to control.
Looking for something that has more power than what the Anthem MRX 1140 offers?
Then Marantz Sr8015 may be something worth considering.
Pre-Amp: Anthem AVM 70 vs Marantz 8805A
The Anthem AVM 70 is a 7.2-channel AV receiver with built-in Wi-Fi and Bluetooth. It boasts industry-standard room correction and a hefty integration system.
The Marantz Pre-Amp 8805A is an eight-channel AVR. It uses a high-quality 192 kHz/24-bit Burr-Brown DAC for superior audio reproduction over HDMI inputs. And built-in Wi-Fi, Bluetooth, and AirPlay support.
This table will compare their respective feature-
| Features | Anthem AVM 70 | Marantz AV8805a |
| Output | 10.7 | 13.2 |
| HDMI Input | 7 | 8 |
| Power Consumption | 60W | 90W |
| Weight | 32.4 lbs | 30.4 lbs. |
| Remote Control App | AVM Remote | HEOS |
Which One to Choose Between Anthem Vs Marantz?
We’ve now compared the two brands according to a few categories. This is to help you make an informed decision.
For Music:
Anthem is a better choice for music because it has all the features and performance. It has all you need to get the most out of your audio system. It offers Dolby Atmos support, so you can enjoy immersive sound effects.
Immersive, high-quality sound with fine-tuning audio files allows sound engineers to explore their creativity. It also has Bluetooth speakers built-in so that you can stream music from any device.
If music is your priority, then Anthem might be the better option. It has more power output than Marantz (140 watts vs 120 watts). This means that you’ll get clearer sound from your speakers at higher volume levels.
And also when there are multiple sources playing at once. Marantz also boasts its audio being engineered in Shirakawa. Since 2002, experienced audio engineers and audiophiles have been dedicating their mastered craft to Marantz.
This model also has an internal amplifier for connecting front speakers. As well as a wireless subwoofer connection option. So that you won’t need to run long speaker wires from your receiver.
Allowing you to have a wireless connection in your home theater.
Now you can get rid of wires cluttering up your home theater setup!
For Movies:
Do movies matter the most when choosing an AV receiver for you?
Then Marantz might be a better option.
Marantz receivers provide premium high-resolution video formats like 4K or HDR10 content (for Dolby Vision). AV88015a supports HDMI 2.1 connections which have higher bandwidths than older versions.
This allows devices such as laptops/tablets with USB 3 ports to output uncompressed audio streams. Audio will stream at higher bit rates without having lag issues. This feature is inherent within the Marantz legacy hardware standards established decades ago.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
Is Anthem Audio a Good Brand?
Canadian audio company Anthem is well-established in the audio industry for excellent sound quality. With Anthem software, you can calibrate your audio to the smallest detail. The app is also beginner friendly in terms of usability. They deliver top-notch sound quality within a reasonable price range.
Why Is Marantz So Good?
Since Saul Marantz founded the business in 1953, Marantz has had a good reputation. For creativity, reliable production, and high-quality products, Marantz relies on the audio engineers of Shirakawa, Japan. Any manufacturer would always charge more for that kind of quality Marantz delivers.
Is Marantz Audiophile Quality?
Marantz’s audio equipment is of audiophile quality. Marantz boasts about their manufacturing plant in Shirakawa, Japan. Their audio engineers and audiophiles contribute their knowledge and skills to build industry-leading receivers. Which in turn justifies their premium price point.
Conclusion
That was an in-depth analysis of Anthem vs Marantz. I broke down the important aspects of both brands, where you should look in specs. Now the choice is ultimately up to you.
So, which brand is better for you and why? Share with me!
Good luck!
