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Marantz Cinema 50 Series 2, Cinema 60 DAB Series 2 & Cinema 70s Series 2
Marantz has introduced the second generation of its Cinema Series AV receivers. The new family consists of the Cinema 50 Series 2, Cinema 60 DAB Series 2 and slimline Cinema 70s Series 2. The company has not opted for a major visual overhaul, as the distinctive styling of the current range has proved to be one of its strongest features. Instead, the most important changes have been made inside the receivers and within their software. Marantz promises improved sound quality, wider access to Dirac Live room correction, new installation tools, expanded streaming capabilities and additional features designed for modern gaming PCs and consoles.
One of the key upgrades shared by all three receivers is a new 32-bit, eight-channel digital-to-analog converter. It can process eight channels simultaneously rather than handling them sequentially or dividing the work among a smaller number of conversion paths. According to Marantz, this should result in more precise imaging, greater dynamic expression and more coherent surround performance throughout the listening area. Simultaneous processing also reduces timing errors while simplifying the signal path. Each model has then been tuned by the Marantz Sound Master to retain the character associated with the brand's components, combining spacious presentation, musicality and a warm tonal balance.
Access to Dirac Live room correction has also been expanded significantly. In the previous generation, the technology was associated primarily with the higher-ranking Cinema 50, but owners of the Cinema 60 DAB Series 2 and Cinema 70s Series 2 will now also be able to purchase a Dirac Live license. The system can help adapt the performance of the speakers to the acoustics of a particular room by improving bass response, timing accuracy and tonal consistency, while also enlarging the listening area in which the system maintains its intended balance. The Cinema 50 Series 2 remains the most advanced model in this respect, supporting the complete Dirac ecosystem, including Room Correction, Bass Control and Active Room Treatment. These remain paid upgrades, with availability depending on the selected license and system configuration.
Marantz has also upgraded the receivers' network and wireless capabilities. The revised HEOS platform is intended to offer a more responsive streaming experience while expanding multiroom functionality. A future firmware update will add low-latency Bluetooth LE Audio, which should be particularly useful with compatible wireless headphones when watching movies or playing games, as the reduced delay is designed to improve synchronization between sound and picture. Not every announced feature will therefore be available at launch, but the receivers have been designed to gain additional functionality through later software updates.
Considerable attention has also been paid to configuration, which should benefit both professional installers and users setting up more elaborate home theater systems themselves. The new Web Control 2.0 platform enables complete configuration and system control through a web browser on a smartphone, tablet or computer, removing the need to rely on the television's on-screen menus during installation. Custom installers also gain HDMI Diagnostics 2.0 in CI Mode, which provides automated HDMI verification and more advanced troubleshooting tools. Another new feature is Channel Level Monitoring, offering a real-time view of channel activity across the entire system. This makes it easier to confirm that each speaker is receiving a signal and that the receiver is operating in accordance with the selected configuration.
The Cinema 50 Series 2 receives the widest selection of additional features. Exclusive to this model, Dolby Atmos Channel Expander is designed to use all available speakers when playing channel-based Dolby Atmos content. This allows a more elaborate installation to be used more fully even when the soundtrack does not directly address every available channel. Another new feature is Center Bi-Amp Mode, which assigns two amplifier channels to a compatible center speaker. It complements the existing bi-amp option for the front left and right speakers and is intended primarily to improve dialogue clarity.
The Cinema Series 2 receivers have also been better prepared for gaming systems. The new models support 1440p video pass-through and AMD FreeSync, which synchronizes the display's refresh rate with the frame rate generated by a compatible PC or console. The aim is to reduce screen tearing and latency while improving the smoothness of motion. These additions complement the receivers' existing HDMI 2.1 capabilities, allowing them to accommodate not only conventional home theater sources but also current gaming platforms.
Visually, the new receivers retain the design language of the original Cinema Series, including the circular display positioned between two large control knobs and the clean, relatively restrained front panel. All three models will be offered in black and silver-gold finishes. Inside, Marantz continues to use copper hardware, carefully selected components and an upgraded construction. The packaging has also been redesigned to reduce the use of plastic, replacing it with recyclable paper protection while preserving the premium presentation expected from the brand.
The individual models differ mainly in the scale of their multichannel sections and the format of their enclosures. The Cinema 50 Series 2 combines nine channels of amplification with 11.4-channel processing, making it suitable for larger systems in which external power amplifiers can be used to create an extensive Dolby Atmos configuration. It is also the model that receives the complete range of Dirac options, Dolby Atmos Channel Expander and Center Bi-Amp Mode.
The Cinema 60 DAB Series 2 is intended as a more accessible option while retaining the most important elements of the updated platform. It gains the new DAC architecture, expanded connectivity and the option to add Dirac Live. The Cinema 70s Series 2 is aimed at users who want to build a modern multichannel system but do not have room for a full-size AV receiver. Its slimline enclosure remains its defining external feature, while its digital platform, streaming capabilities and next-generation connectivity have been upgraded in line with the larger models. All three receivers continue to provide full-channel preamp outputs, allowing them to be integrated with external power amplifiers. The Marantz Cinema 50 Series 2 will reach authorized retailers in mid-September and is priced at €2,099. The Cinema 60 DAB Series 2 will follow in early October at €1,449, while the slimline Cinema 70s Series 2 is scheduled for mid-October and will cost €1,099. Info and pictures by Marantz.
