Your browser is out-of-date!

Update your browser to view this website correctly. Update my browser now

×

Marantz Adds New Technologies To 2 AVRs

Mahwah, N.J. – Marantz is
bringing multiple technologies to it’s A/V receiver (AVR) selection for the
first time with the launch of the $849-suggested SR5004 and $1,249-suggested
SR6004.

Both AVRs are the company’s first with Dolby Pro Logic IIz,
Audyssey Dynamic EQ and Audyssey Dynamic Volume. The SR6004 is also the brand’s
first AVR with iPod/iPhone-controlling front-panel USB input.

The two AVRs, which ship by the end of August, also step up the
brand’s Bluetooth commitment. Both connect to the company’s new RX101 Bluetooth
receiver via a proprietary M-XPort (Marantz eXpansion Port) to play back stereo
music streamed from Bluetooth-equipped devices, including cellphones and PCs.
The company’s first Bluetooth device, shipped earlier this year, was a Bluetooth-equipped
handheld cradle that holds an iPod and streams music to a Bluetooth-equipped
connection block that connects to any AV system via RCA outputs. When not in
use, the iPod and its cradle sit in a circular table-top recharging/docking
station.

The two new AVRs join a recently shipped opening-price AV
receiver, the slim-line $599 NR1501,
which brought decoding of all Blu-ray surround formats down from a previous starting
price of $799.

The SR5004 and SR 6004 decode all Blu-ray surround formats and
feature 1080p up-scaling and HDMI up-conversion of connected video sources.
They also feature Dolby Pro Logic IIz, Audyssey Dynamic EQ and Dynamic Volume,
and, like their predecessors, Audyssey MultEQ room-correction technology. Dolby
IIz derives front-height channels from two-, 5.1- and 7.1-channel soundtracks. Pro
Logic IIz height-matrix information encoded in future surround-sound mixes can
also be decoded by the AVRs.

Audyssey Dynamic EQ automatically adjusts frequency response and
surround-volume levels to maintain balanced response and an enveloping
surround-sound stage when consumers turn down a home theater’s volume. Audyssey
Dynamic Volume maintains a consistent volume level when video sources are
switched, TV channels are changed, TV programs switch to commercials, and
programs transition to softer or louder passages. Dynamic Volume also equalizes
audio to maintain a flat frequency response when volume is leveled.

Both models are Marantz’s first with proprietary M-XPort
connection, which connects to and powers the $129-suggested RX101 Bluetooth
receiver. The RX101 is bundled with the step-up SR6004. The Bluetooth receiver
also features an IR sensor, enabling consumers to control the AVRs even if
they’re hidden behind cabinet doors. Marantz is considering other add-on
products that would connect to AVRs via M-XPort.

Of the two models, the SR6004 is Marantz’s first AVR with a
front-panel iPod/iPhone-controlling USB port, making the purchase of an iPod
dock unnecessary. USB-connected iPods and iPhones can be controlled from the
receiver’s remote, and metadata can be displayed on a connected TV. The receiver
is Works With iPhone certified. The SR6004 also adds dual HDMI outputs, which
its predecessor and two other AVRs also offer. The dual outputs let consumers
switch between two connected HD displays.

The NR1501 is about half the size of traditional AVRs at 4.2
inches in height and 13 inches deep, matching the height of the new BD 7004
Blu-ray player. The new AVR features four HDMI 1.3 inputs and one 1.3 output,
whereas its predecessor featured two HDMI inputs that lacked version 1.3 specs.
The predecessor also lacked the full complement of Blu-ray surround decoders.

Other NR 1501 features include transcoding of all analog-video
sources to HDMI, detachable
power cord, onscreen display, preamp-level subwoofer output and 3.5mm mini jack to connect portable music players.

Featured

Close