An overview of Marantz CINEMA 40 and Sony STR-AZ7000ES will help us understand the many features that the devices are equipped with. According to the results of our review, Marantz CINEMA 40 received 9.1 points out of 10 possible, and Sony STR-AZ7000ES was rated 8.7 points. The release date of CINEMA 40 is 2022, and STR-AZ7000ES is 2023. And as a result of the review, it becomes clear that STR-AZ7000ES is inferior in audio processing features to CINEMA 40.
For the built-in amplifier, the devices received different marks - 8 and 10, respectively, on a 10-point scale.
The number of channels is equal to the number of possible connected speakers. The Marantz CINEMA 40 supports 9.2-channels sound, but Sony STR-AZ7000ES supports a 13.2-channels configuration.
RMS stands for the actual power of the receiver. The higher this value, the louder the sound can be produced. The differences between the models in terms of RMS power are significant - for the STR-AZ7000ES this value is 150/8 W/Ohm, and for the CINEMA 40 it is 125/8 W/Ohm.
CINEMA 40 | STR-AZ7000ES | |
---|---|---|
Channels | 9.2 | 13.2 |
Stereo power (RMS), W/Ohm | 125/8, 165/6 | 150/8 |
Output impedance, Ohm | 8, 6 | 8 |
Frequency response | 5Hz-100KHz | 10Hz-100KHz |
THD in stereo, % | 0.08 | 0.09 |
After reviewing the audio features of each model, we can rate the CINEMA 40 7 out of 10, and the STR-AZ7000ES - 8.
Most receivers now come with a microphone included. It is with the help of this microphone that the auto-calibration system functions, which adjusts the sound of the receiver to the room.
Speaker A/B switching allows you to change between the main and sub speaker set. Marantz CINEMA 40 can work with the main and additional set of speakers - and switch between them.
CINEMA 40 | STR-AZ7000ES | |
---|---|---|
Digital to analog converter (DAC) | 192 KHz/32-bit | 192 KHz/32-bit |
Bi-amping | ✔ | ✔ |
Pure direct (straight) | ✔ | ✔ |
Auto speaker calibration | Audyssey MultEQ XT | DCAC |
Speaker A/B switching | ✔ | ✖ |
Other audio features | Audyssey Dynamic Volume, Audyssey Dynamic EQ, Audyssey Dynamic LFC, Dirac Live Suppot, Compressed Audio Enhancer(MDAX2), Hi-Res audio | Acoustic Center Sync, DSEE Ultimate, DSD Native Playback, Pure Direct, In-Ceiling Speaker Mode, Center Speaker Lift Up |
The connectivity of competitors in our comparison is markedly different, Marantz CINEMA 40 scored 9, and Sony STR-AZ7000ES scored 8 out of 10.
Bluetooth connection is now one of the main communication protocols for the receiver's control or even music broadcasting.
MHL combines the functionality of the HDMI and MicroUSB interfaces and lets you connect any mobile devices to a receiver. The STR-AZ7000ES has MHL support for streaming content from external devices.
CINEMA 40 | STR-AZ7000ES | |
---|---|---|
Wi-Fi | 2.4/5GHz | ✔ |
USB | 1 (USB 2.0) | 1 (USB 2.0) |
Bluetooth | ✔ | ✔ |
Ethernet (RJ45) | 1 | 1 |
DLNA | ✔ | ✔ |
MHL | ✖ | ✔ |
Now music streaming services are gaining more and more popularity. They allow users to listen to millions of songs by subscription.
CINEMA 40 | STR-AZ7000ES | |
---|---|---|
Apple Music (AirPlay) | AirPlay, AirPlay 2 | AirPlay, AirPlay 2 |
Amazon Music | ✔ | ✔ |
Spotify | ✔ | ✔ |
Other streaming services | Deezer, TIDAL, Pandora, SiriusXM, Napster, SoundCloud, Amazon Music, Amazon Music HD, MOOD:Mix | Deezer, TIDAL, Pandora, SiriusXM, Napster, SoundCloud, Amazon Music, Amazon Music HD, MOOD:Mix |
The presence of many connectors makes the receiver more versatile. But there are also narrowly targeted models, the number of connectors which are limited to a certain area of use. And when choosing their own receiver, users need to consider exactly your goals for using the receiver. For extensive connection, Marantz CINEMA 40 got 9 points, but Sony STR-AZ7000ES received 8 points.
Marantz CINEMA 40 is equipped with 7/3 HDMI inputs and outputs, and Sony STR-AZ7000ES has 6/2 HDMI inputs and outputs.
Connecting a vinyl player or phonograph is possible using a Phono input which is represented by mini-jack or RCA connectors. Only the CINEMA 40 has a Phono interface.
CINEMA 40 | STR-AZ7000ES | |
---|---|---|
HDMI input/output | 7/3 | 6/2 |
HDMI ARC (Audio Return Channel) | ✔ | ✔ |
HDMI eARC (Enhanced Audio Return Channel) | ✔ | ✔ |
HDMI CEC | ✔ | ✔ |
Digital content protection (HDCP) | HDCP 2.3 | HDCP 2.3 |
Subwoofer output (LFE) | 4 | 2 |
Headphone output | 1 x 6.3 | 1 x 6.3 |
Optical digital input | 2 | 2 |
Coaxial digital input | 2 | 1 |
Composite input | 2 | 2 |
Component input/output | 1/0 | 0/0 |
Phono (MM) input | ✔ | ✖ |
Front panel connectors | USB, phones, setup mic | USB, phones, setup mic |
Multi channel preamp output | ✔ | ✔ |
The AV receiver is the heart of the home theater. And in this case, support for all current video formats ensures the best user experience, so it is very important to consider this when choosing a device. Video features of rivals in our comparison were rated 9 out of 10.
CINEMA 40 | STR-AZ7000ES | |
---|---|---|
HDR (High Dynamic Range) | HDR10+ | HDR10 |
4K signal pass-through | 4K/120Hz | 4K/120Hz |
8K signal pass-through | 8K/60Hz | 8K/60Hz |
HDMI signal pass-through | ✔ | ✔ |
3D signal pass-through | ✖ | ✔ |
HDMI pass-through in standby mode | ✔ | ✔ |
Video conversion | analog to HDMI | analog to HDMI |
Analog to HDMI scaling | ✔ | ✔ |
HDMI to HDMI scaling | ✔ | ✔ |
Dolby Vision | ✔ | ✔ |
Other video features | HLG, BT.2020, Dynamic HDR | Variable Refresh Rate, Auto Low Latency Mode |
In terms of evaluating additional features, both receivers received a score of 10 out of 10.
CINEMA 40 | STR-AZ7000ES | |
---|---|---|
Voice control | Amazon Alexa, Google Assistant, Siri, Josh.AI | Amazon Alexa, Google Assistant, Siri, Josh.AI |
App control | iPhone, iPad, iPod, Android | iPhone, iPad, iPod, Android |
Display | port hole OLED | colour OSD |
Tuner | AM, FM | AM, FM |
Sleep timer | ✔ | ✔ |
Auto power off | ✔ | ✔ |
ECO mode | ✔ | ✔ |
Graphical user interface (GUI) | ✔ | ✔ |
Setup assistant | ✔ | ✔ |
Firmware update | network, USB | network, USB |
Other additional features | IP Control, Web Control, App Control, RS232 Control | IP Control, Web Control, App Control |
As the center of a home media system, each multichannel receiver has an additional set of terminals for connecting the second set of speakers to create additional audio space in Zone 2 or even Zone 3 where audio can have the separate source.
CINEMA 40 | STR-AZ7000ES | |
---|---|---|
Multi-room zones | 3 | 3 |
Zone audio output | speaker, preout | speaker, preout |
Zone HDMI output | ✔ | ✔ |
Multi-room control | Marantz 2016 AVR Remote, HEOS App | has not |
RS-232 | 1 | 1 |
Remote control input/output (IR) | 1/0 | 1/2 |
DC trigger output (12V) | 3 | 3 |
Marantz CINEMA 40 got 10 points for the multichannel surround sound and Sony STR-AZ7000ES got 8.
Auro 3D gives a bit more versatility than Dolby Atmos or DTS:X and provides a hemispherical sound and enables a receiver to produce 3D sound stages. Only the Marantz CINEMA 40 has Auro-3D on its feature list.
Rivals in this competition licensed by IMAX.
CINEMA 40 | STR-AZ7000ES | |
---|---|---|
Dolby Atmos | ✔ | ✔ |
Dolby TrueHD | ✔ | ✔ |
Dolby Surround | ✔ | ✔ |
Dolby (other) | Dolby Digital Plus, Dolby Atmos Height Virtualization | DSD, LPCM |
DTS:X | ✔ | ✔ |
DTS HD Master | ✔ | ✔ |
DTS Virtual:X | ✔ | ✖ |
DTS Neural:X | ✔ | ✖ |
DTS (other) | DTS-ES, DTS 96/24, DTS-HD, DTS-EXPRESS | DTS-ES, DTS 96/24, DTS-HD, DTS-EXPRESS |
Auro-3D | ✔ | ✖ |
IMAX Enhanced | ✔ | ✔ |
Multichannel stereo | ✔ | ✔ |