Introduction

Looking for an immersive and cinematic sound experience for your home theatre setup? Check out our in-depth review of the Marantz Cinema 60 soundbar. With a powerful 5.1 channel system, support for the latest Dolby Atmos and DTS:X formats, and advanced connectivity options, this soundbar delivers excellent sound quality and convenience. Our review covers all the features and specs of the Marantz Cinema 60, helping you make an informed decision on whether it’s the right choice for your home entertainment needs.

 

 

 

Marantz is widely recognized as a manufacturer of high-quality audio equipment. The AV receiver industry is one in which it has excelled, and it has a stellar reputation in this space. The rapid evolution of audio and video processing technology has a disproportionately large impact on the AV receiver market, and for the company to maintain a dominant position there, it must adapt quickly to the changing technological landscape. To stay relevant in the always-swiftly-evolving AV receiver marketplace, Marantz incorporates cutting-edge surround and video processing technology into its new CINEMA series AV receivers.

 

This review focuses on the CINEMA 60, a high-end AV receiver that retails for Rs. 142,935. The CINEMA 60, the series’ second-cheapest option after the CINEMA 70 (Rs. 118,300), lacks the cutting-edge surround-format processing channels seen in more expensive models. But, if your system consists of merely seven speakers and one or two subwoofers, the CINEMA 60 should be more than capable of handling all the surround processing responsibilities.

 

Design And Build

The CINEMA 60 receiver’s new two-layer faceplate design is similar to that of the recently reviewed Marantz Model 40n integrated amplifier and CD 60 player. Classic Marantz audio equipment is easily recognizable by its symmetrical control structure and central porthole display. The overall appearance of the layered front panel design is modern and minimalistic.

 

 

 

 

Besides the two huge knobs and the majority of the push-control buttons, the slightly raised middle plate also has a setup microphone jack and a USB connector. The power button and the headphone jack may be found in their respective holes on the top left and top right sides of the front panel. Currently, there is only the one color option: a sleek black with a two-tone front panel in dark gray and black.

The CINEMA 60 is the brains of any home theater system thanks to its 7.1 processing channels and rich feature set. Its surround processor supports current multichannel audio codecs including Dolby Atmos with Height Virtualization and DTS:X with Virtual:X technology. This means that, despite having fewer processing channels available, the CINEMA 60 can nevertheless provide an enjoyable surround-sound experience. Included is a seven-channel, class A/B amplifier that can push 100 watts per channel into 8-ohm loads when running on just two of them. Audyssey’s MultEQ XT automatic setup and room calibration system is included in the CINEMA 60.

 

 

By the looks of it, Marantz is taking a “no regrets” approach with the CINEMA 60’s video inputs and outputs. The CINEMA 60 from Marantz is a departure for the company, as it forgoes traditional composite and component video connections in favor of more modern HDMI ones. There is no way to route video from older devices that only have composite or component outputs.

There is a wide selection of digital (coax, optical, USB storage access) and analog (stereo line-in, phono) audio inputs available. External powered subwoofers and amplification can be plugged into the 7.2 line-level pre-outs on the rear panel (s). The HDMI connector of the CINEMA 60 supports up to 8K video at 60 frames per second in HDCP2.3 mode. It can up-res standard def video to Ultra HD and supports HDR10+, Dolby Vision, and eARC (up to 8K).

 

 

Similar to other state-of-the-art AV receivers, the CINEMA 60 supports both wired (ethernet LAN) and wireless (Bluetooth, Wi-Fi) connections. Once connected to a network, users can take command of the AVR’s features with the help of the Marantz AVR Remote software, which is compatible with both iOS and Android devices. Using the HEOS app, you can control the CINEMA 60’s built-in HEOS (Home Entertainment Operating System) functionality and listen to music streams via Airplay.

In addition to supporting popular streaming services like Pandora, Spotify, iHeartRadio, Deezer, and TIDAL, HEOS also gives you access to NAS devices in your own home (NAS). It’s a disappointment that Qobuz, my go-to streaming provider, isn’t compatible with HEOS. Playback through streaming on the CINEMA 60 is capable of decoding PCM signals up to 24 bits/192 kHz and DSD signals up to 5.6 MHz (DSD128). With a smart home automation system like Amazon Alexa, Google Assistant, or Apple Homepod, you can also use the CINEMA 60’s voice control features.

 

 

The CINEMA 60 remote that comes with the system looks great and feels great in your hand. All of the settings are well marked and organized. The remote has a backlight that can be activated by pressing a button on the side of the device, which is helpful when using it in the dark. The Marantz AVR Remote app allows for remote management and monitoring of the system, and it also provides helpful real-time data on the state of the unit (the volume level, the sound mode, the input selected, etc.). The app was the most user-friendly interface for the CINEMA 60 throughout the review period.

 

Features And Specs

In order to improve your home theater experience, Marantz created the Cinema 60, a high-performance receiver. The sleek and compact appearance of this soundbar makes it a great addition to any home theater. The soundbar’s 5.1 channel system and 300W total power output deliver a cinematic listening experience at home. The newest Dolby Atmos and DTS:X sound formats are supported as well, giving you a top-notch audio experience.

 

 

The Marantz Cinema 60 offers state-of-the-art network connectivity via Wi-Fi, Bluetooth, and AirPlay 2. The soundbar can be linked to other electronic gadgets in this way, including mobile phones, tablets, and computers. The soundbar may be used with your television, game console, or streaming device, making it a flexible and useful addition to your home theater setup.

The wireless subwoofer that comes with the soundbar produces powerful low frequencies, significantly increasing the audio quality. The Marantz Cinema 60 also features a specialized remote that allows you to customize the system’s audio to your preferences. The soundbar is compatible with both Amazon Alexa and Google Assistant, allowing you to use your voice to operate the device.

 

 

 

The Marantz Cinema 60 is a remarkable receiver because of its high-quality sound, cutting-edge networking features, and useful extras. It’s a great option for anyone interested in home theater thanks to its robust 5.1 channel system, support for Dolby Atmos and DTS:X, and wireless subwoofer.

Setup

In spite of its advanced capabilities, the CINEMA 60’s setup process is remarkably straightforward. The improved on-screen user interface in high definition is a welcome change. You receive the same set of features as the old UI with a few new upgrades, but the greatest change that stuck out to me was the menus’ increased resolution to 1080p and the enhanced aesthetics.

 

 

You can use the Marantz app instead of the on-screen interface, which may be easier to navigate for certain people. The receiver can be controlled from a mobile device using the accompanying app. It’s a really helpful software with a streamlined design and minimal bells and whistles.

We used a few different sets of speakers with the CINEMA 60 for our listening tests. We employed two radically different speaker systems, the KEF Q750 and the Klipsch 8000F. Although the KEFs use somewhat more juice than the Klipsch, the receiver has no trouble driving either.

 

Sound

For many listeners, the standard seven channels of amplification and processing is more than enough to create a satisfying surround or immersive experience. The 5.2.2 setup is for individuals who desire overhead channels, while the 7.2 option is for those who want a more traditional surround sound experience. In any case, you can use two sets of subwoofers with the Cinema 60.

 

 

With the Cinema 60, Marantz is able to drive each channel at 100W into 8 ohms by decreasing the number of channels available. The amplified signal is not only robust, but also crystal clear and rich in nuances. It sounds wonderful with movies and music because to its well-balanced presentation and the characteristic musicality of Marantz amplifiers.

The Cinema 60 is well-suited for the typical living room, multi-media room, or smaller dedicated home theater, but if you need more processing channels, you’ll need to look elsewhere in the line-up. The pre-outs let you to connect external amplifiers if extra power is required, and the two subwoofer outputs are perfect for bassheads.

Excellent stereo imaging places all the instruments and singers in the front of the mix, and the performance itself is lively and entertaining. Whether you’re listening to a 5.1 or 7.1 mix, the surround presence is superb thanks to precise effect placement and effortless channel hopping. The discussion in the center channel is likewise quite well done.

 

 

Using Audyssey MultEQ XT room correction, you can automatically calibrate the system by setting individual levels and delays for each channel and equalizing the bass to make it more even. It’s not as complicated as some EQ systems, but it gets the job done and helps you reduce the worst acoustic characteristics of your room.

The Cinema 60 excels at replicating multichannel movie mixes, so you won’t be deprived of any of the action-packed sound design. The single or dual subwoofers are flawlessly integrated to deliver deep, tight bass, and the tonal balance is a result of Audyssey’s room correction technology.

 

 

Dialogue, music, sound effects, and bass are all represented with aplomb, creating a seamless soundstage. Immersive audio formats like Dolby Atmos and DTS:X are incredible, with a three-dimensional delivery that moves sounds around and over you and shakes the foundations with some seismic low-end force, but a surround mix will sound great regardless.

Verdict

The Marantz CINEMA 60 is a high-quality audio/video (AV) receiver. Although it does not support older video connections, it has enough of other inputs and outputs to function as the hub of a modern home theater. With cutting-edge surround processing capabilities, the CINEMA 60 provides excellent surround-sound quality.

 

 

The CINEMA 60 excels not only as a surround playing device but also as a robust stereo playback device, making it a highly capable single-box entertainment control hub. The CINEMA 60 looks and sounds like a high-end receiver, and its price tag reflects that. You may confidently spend your money on it because you’ll get what you pay for in terms of features and performance.

 

Pros And Cons

Pros

• Aesthetically pleasing and solidly constructed
• Included with virtualized support for Dolby Atmos and DTS:X surround sound
• Strong online connectivity thanks to the HEOS function
• Capable of producing enough volume with its internal amplifier
• Consistently high quality sound reproduction in both stereo and surround settings

Cons

• Exclusively high cost
• The Audyssey MultEQ Editor app requires extra.
• If you’re using a CINEMA 60, you won’t have access to DIRAC