Marantz Cinema 70S Review
A highly entertaining listen with a great deal of system versatility
Verdict
The Marantz Cinema 70S is a slimline 7 channel Dolby Atmos and DTS:X capable AV receiver, with a forward-facing feature set. Boasting 8k capable HDMI inputs, HEOS Hi-Res audio streaming, and excellent ease of use, this model will appeal to movie lovers and gamers alike. It’s not a volume monster, but audio performance excels for the price…
Pros
- 8K / 4K 120Hz HDMI support
- HEOS built-in
- Stylish design
- Immersive audio performance
Cons
- Only three HDMIs are 120fps capable
- Best suited for smaller rooms
Key Features
- Immersive 3D audioDecoding for Dolby Atmos and DTS:X with seven channels of amplification onboard
- Built-in amplificationSeven channels of Class A/B amplification with a claimed 50W into 8 ohm
- 8K /4K 120Hz HDMI 2.1 supportThree of this AVR’s HDMI inputs support 8K sources and 4K 120HZ gaming
Introduction
The Cinema 70S represents an entry point for the new Marantz home cinema amplifier range, but it’s certainly not a compromised, budget buy. A successor to the equally slim NR1711, this model is aimed at home theatre enthusiasts seeking a blend of style and performance, at a compelling price.
A seven-channel design, the Cinema 70S can be used in a 5.1.2 loudspeaker configuration, or flatbed 7.1 layout (depending on whether you have Dolby Atmos enabled height speakers available). If you opt for a 7.1 layout, Dolby Atmos sound mixes are automatically folded down.
There’s no compromise when it comes to feature specification. This model caters to both gamers and movie aficionados, with Dolby Atmos and DTS:X compatibility and HDMI inputs that support 8K and 4K/120Hz playback.
Availability
Available now and priced at £850 in the UK, the Marantz Cinema 70S sits comfortably in the mid-range of AV receivers. In the US, the model sells for $1,200, and in Australia it’s AUS$2,000. Positioned above it in the Marantz range is another seven channel amplifier, the Cinema 60, this is a full size model with slightly higher power reserves.
Design
- Available in black or silver-gold finishes
- Dimensions: 442 x 384 x 109mm
- Weight: 8.7kg
Reflecting the new, more contemporary Marantz AV and Hi-Fi design, the Cinema 70S boasts a sharper, industrial aesthetic; still with the distinctive Marantz porthole display, the brand’s signature look, it’s available in either black or silver-gold finishes.
Two rotary dials for volume and source, bookend a line of function buttons. There’s also a front mounted USB port and headphone jack.
Weighing in at 8.7kg, it’s not going to put a dent in your AV furniture, and you should have no problem parking it in a living room.
Features
- HEOS compatible
- Seven channels of amplification for 5.1.2 immersive audio
- Dolby Atmos and DTS:X support
On the rear of the Marantz Cinema 70S are six HDMI inputs, and one output. Three of the inputs are 4K 120Hz / 8K capable, with a bandwidth of 40Gbps. HDR support covers HLG (Hybrid Log Gamma), Dolby Vision, and HDR10+. There’s also gaming features like Variable Refresh Rate (VRR), Auto Low Latency Mode (ALLM) and Quick Frame Transport (QFT) switching.
For those building a bigger AV system, there are three analogue stereo inputs, an MM phono turntable connection, USB, and a pair of digital audio inputs (one coaxial, the other optical). There are also two subwoofer outputs, and a full 7.2 set of pre-outs, useful if you ever need to upgrade your system with external power amps in the future.
Additional niceties include screw-on Wi-Fi/dual-band Wi-Fi Bluetooth aerials, an FM/AM radio, and an Ethernet port for those that prefer to hardwire, rather than go wireless.
The Cinema 70S comes with a busy, backlit remote control, making it a doddle to use in a dark room.
A helpful HD resolution set-up guide eases installation, and covers everything from loudspeaker connections to source components, with neat explanatory graphics. You don’t need to be an AV expert to hook it up.
The Cinema 70S supports Dolby Atmos and DTS:X immersive audio codecs, but not Auro 3D. The inclusion of Hi-Res audio streaming via HEOS built-in adds another layer of usability. Spotify Connect, Deezer, TIDAL, Amazon Music, and TuneIn streaming come as standard.
Voice assistance is available through Amazon Alexa, Google Assistant or Apple Siri. The AVR is also Apple AirPlay 2 compatible, and Roon Tested. The Cinema 70s upscales 1080p to 4K, and 4K to 8K if required.
Performance
- Audyssey MultEQ
- Highly dynamic delivery
- Musical and engaging stereo
During installation, you’ll be prompted to fine tune the AVR for your listening room. Room EQ and calibration comes via Audyssey MultEQ and is accomplished via the supplied microphone. For this audition, I measured six listening positions, covering off all the seating positions in my media room. A few chirps and you’re all done.
While a quoted power output of 50W (into 8 ohms) might seem modest, at least compared to higher-end AV amps, the Cinema 70S comfortably delivers loud listening levels in an average sized room, without any obvious difficulties. Highly dynamic, the Cinema 70S delivers transients with sometimes surprising authority, it always sounds like it’s in control.
To be clear, I wouldn’t specify the Cinema 70S in a dedicated theatre, where its primary purpose would be to pressure load a space for a daily dose of Christopher Nolan. But for a media room living space, that’s to say one where it’ll be used for movies and TV shows, as well as accommodate consoles, without dominating the space or a requirement to dislodge plaster, it’s ideal.
As I’ve come to expect from Marantz, the sound profile is warm rather than analytical, but detail presentation is high and there’s a tremendous sense of dimensionality with immersive audio mixes. Beneath the hood there’s a quartet of PCM5102 DACs, allied to a Cyrus Logic DSP.
The soundstage is balanced and capacious. The classic opening to Mad Max: Fury Road, which features Tom Hardy stomping and chomping on a lizard, as ethereal whispers reverberate around the rears and heights, is impressively engulfing. When the pursuing War Boys roar in, and over, from the rear, the panning and steerage is coherent and convincing.
Similarly, Dolby Atmos for Music mixes are smooth and rhythmic. The amp places you centre stage or on the dancefloor.
The Cinema 70S also proves to be a solid two-channel performer, with a pronounced sense of spatial width.
The amp’s enthusiasm for deep bass is also admirable. While there are two outputs, I used the amplifier with a single active sub, and it delivered LFE with considerable speed and might. If you like visceral slam with your blockbusters, you’ll not be disappointed.
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Should you buy it?
It’s great with movies and music
For those looking for a home cinema receiver that sounds great with movies and music and able to support both 8K and 4K/120Hz sources, all without hulking out your AV rack space, should find the Marantz Cinema 70S nigh on irresistible. It’s a highly entertaining listen with a great deal of system versatility.
If you’re after something to power a large cinema theatre
If you’re after an AV receiver to power a dedicated home theatre, then it’s probably not the right choice. While highly dynamic, the 50W power plant will struggle to fill a larger cinema space with 3D audio – although with 7.2 pre outs you can always add additional amplification at a later date.
Final Thoughts
Well specified, and stylishly designed, the Marantz Cinema 70S is an AV receiver that doesn’t look like it escaped from a Nineties man cave. The provision of 4K/120HZ HDMI inputs means all your console needs should be covered for the foreseeable, and in a 5.1.2 speaker configuration, it sounds confident and immersive with movies and cinematic TV shows alike.
Adding icing to the cake, the Cinema 70S is also a fine two channel amplifier, capable of excellent stereo imaging and fine detail. It’s highly recommended.
How we test
We test every set of home cinema receiver we review thoroughly over an extended period of time. We use industry standard tests to compare features properly. We’ll always tell you what we find. We never, ever, accept money to review a product.
Find out more about how we test in our ethics policy.
Tested with real world use
Tested for more than a week
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FAQs
The Cinema 70s is compatible with Dolby Vision, HDR10, HLG, and HDR10+ formats.
Full specs
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Professional conduct
We also expect our journalists to follow clear ethical standards in their work. Our staff members must strive for honesty and accuracy in everything they do. We follow the IPSO Editors’ code of practice to underpin these standards.
Editorial independence
Editorial independence means being able to give an unbiased verdict about a product or company, with the avoidance of conflicts of interest. To ensure this is possible, every member of the editorial staff follows a clear code of conduct.
Professional conduct
We also expect our journalists to follow clear ethical standards in their work. Our staff members must strive for honesty and accuracy in everything they do. We follow the IPSO Editors’ code of practice to underpin these standards.
