Home theater receivers are the heart of any home theater system, so choosing the right one is an important decision. Two popular options are the Marantz SR5015 and the Cinema 60.
But what are the key differences, pros and cons of each model? This comprehensive guide compares the SR5015 and Cinema 60 across various factors to help you determine which is better suited for your needs and budget.
A Brief Comparison Table
| Features | Marantz SR5015 | Cinema 60 |
| Power Output | 110W (8 ohms) | 160W (8 ohms) |
| Channels | 7.1 | 7.1 |
| Surround Sound Processing | Dolby Atmos, DTS:X | Dolby Atmos, DTS:X |
| Video Support | 4K/60Hz passthrough, HDMI 2.0 | 4K/60Hz passthrough, HDMI 2.3 |
| Audio Formats | Dolby TrueHD, DTS-HD MA | Dolby TrueHD, DTS-HD MA |
| Networking | Wi-Fi, Bluetooth, AirPlay 2 | Wi-Fi, Bluetooth |
| Multi-Zone Support | 2 zones | 3 zones |
| Voice Control | Amazon Alexa, Google Assistant | N/A |
| Calibration | Audyssey MultEQ XT32 | AccuEQ |
| Price | $799 | $899 |
Overview of the Marantz SR5015
The Marantz SR5015 is a 7.1 channel AV receiver packed with features. Here are some of its key capabilities:
- 110W per channel power output for immersive surround sound
- Supports Dolby Atmos, DTS:X, and DTS Virtual:X
- 4K video passthrough with HDMI 2.0 and HDCP 2.2
- HDMI inputs x 6, outputs x 2
- Wi-Fi, Bluetooth and AirPlay 2 wireless connectivity
- Voice control integration with Amazon Alexa and Google Assistant
- Audyssey MultEQ XT32 room correction for optimized sound
- Dynamic Audio Amplification for instant power boost
- Low jitter HDAM amplifiers for clean audio performance
- Phono input for connecting a turntable
- Multi-room audio streaming to 2 zones
With a sleek aluminum front panel design and intuitive setup menus, the SR5015 packs in advanced features into a flexible and easy-to-use package. It’s a great choice for cinema-quality surround sound.
Overview of the Cinema 60
The Cinema 60 is Yamaha’s flagship 7.1 channel AV receiver designed for custom installation. Key features include:
- 160W per channel allows the Cinema 60 to effortlessly drive speakers
- Latest Dolby Atmos and DTS:X decoders with 7.1.4 channel processing
- 8 HDMI inputs, 3 HDMI outputs with 4K/60p, HDR and HDCP 2.2
- YPAO R.S.C. room correction calibrate sound to any space
- Multi-zone functionality – play different sources in 3 zones
- Wi-Fi, Bluetooth, AirPlay 2 and Spotify Connect
- Modern industrial design with advanced graphical user interface
- RS232C and IP control capabilities for automation systems
- ISF video calibration and high quality video processing
With robust amplification, immersive 3D audio, and extensive connectivity, the Cinema 60 delivers an exceptional home theater experience. The added zones and custom installation features make it flexible for whole-home integration.
Also Read: Is Epson 3200 Better Than 3800?
Key Differences Between the SR5015 and Cinema 60
While both deliver great performance, there are some notable differences between the SR5015 and Cinema 60:
1. Power Output:
The power output of an audio receiver, measured in watts (W), tells us how much energy it can deliver to the speakers. Higher power often translates to better sound quality, especially in larger rooms.
The Cinema 60 has a power output of 160W per channel. This means it can send up to 160 watts to each speaker, making it capable of driving more power-hungry speakers that need a lot of energy to produce sound.
On the other hand, the SR5015 provides 110W per channel. While this is still a lot of power, it might not be as suitable for very large rooms or high-end speakers as the Cinema 60.
2. Multi-Zone Support:
Multi-zone support is a feature that lets you play audio in different rooms or “zones” in your house. This is handy if you want music in the living room, but a podcast in the kitchen.
The Cinema 60 supports up to three zones, meaning you can have three different audio sources playing in three different areas of your home. The SR5015, however, supports two zones, so you can only play different audio in two areas at the same time.
3. Room Correction:
Room correction is a technology that adjusts the sound of your audio system to suit the acoustics of your room. Different rooms affect sound differently, so this feature helps in getting the best sound quality.
The SR5015 uses a technology called Audyssey MultEQ XT32. This is a well-known system that is generally considered to be very good at balancing sound in a room. The Cinema 60, on the other hand, uses AccuEQ, which, while effective, isn’t usually rated as highly as Audyssey.
4. Voice Control:
Voice control allows you to use voice commands to control the receiver. This is convenient for hands-free operation, like when you’re cooking.
The SR5015 offers voice control with Amazon Alexa and Google Assistant, so you can ask it to change the volume, switch inputs, or even play a specific song.
The Cinema 60, unfortunately, doesn’t have built-in voice control, meaning you’ll need to use the remote or an app for those functions.
5. Video Processing:
Video processing is about how the receiver handles video signals. This is important for the picture quality of movies and TV shows.
The Cinema 60 has ISF video calibration, a technology that adjusts the picture for better quality, and generally has better video processing abilities than the SR5015. This means movies and TV shows could look better when played through the Cinema 60.
6. Connectivity:
Connectivity refers to how many devices you can connect to the receiver. The Cinema 60 has 8 HDMI inputs and 3 outputs, allowing you to connect more devices like game consoles, Blu-ray players, or streaming sticks.
The SR5015 has fewer connections, with 6 HDMI inputs and 2 outputs. More connections mean the Cinema 60 is more “future-proofed,” as you can add more devices over time.
7. Network Features:
Network features include things like Wi-Fi, Bluetooth, and streaming services. Both the Cinema 60 and the SR5015 have Wi-Fi and Bluetooth, allowing you to connect to the internet and to other devices wirelessly.
However, the SR5015 has an additional feature called AirPlay 2. This is a technology developed by Apple that lets you stream audio and video from Apple devices like iPhones and iPads directly to the receiver.
8. Price:
Price is always an important consideration. The SR5015 is $100 cheaper than the Cinema 60. This means you can save some money, which is always nice.
However, you should consider what features are most important to you. If you need more power, better video processing, or more connectivity, the extra cost of the Cinema 60 might be worth it.
But, if you’re looking for good value for money and features like voice control and AirPlay 2 are more important to you, the SR5015 might be the better choice.
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Pros and Cons of the Marantz SR5015
Pros:
- Excellent sound quality with 110W per channel
- Latest Dolby Atmos and DTS:X support
- Easy to setup and intuitive interface
- Audyssey MultEQ XT32 room correction
- Voice control integration is convenient
- Good wireless connectivity options
- Solid build quality with premium design
- Good value for money
Cons:
- Limited to 7.1 channel processing
- Only 2 zone outputs
- No ISF video calibration
- Setup requires app and can be tricky
- Some connectivity and lag issues reported
- Lacks basic RGB HDMI output
Pros and Cons of the Cinema 60
Pros:
- Powerful 160W per channel amplification
- 9.2 channel processing expandability
- Excellent immersive audio performance
- Multi-zone capabilities with 3 zones
- Better video processing and ISF calibration
- Robust build quality and premium design
- Custom installation ready features
Cons:
- Expensive for a 7.1 channel receiver
- AccuEQ room correction is inferior
- Complex menus and settings
- No built-in voice control
- Limited wireless connectivity features
- Audyssey setup microphone sold separately
Also Read: Choose Between XGIMI Horizon And Halo Plus.
Frequently Asked Questions
For its price, the Marantz SR5015 is an excellent home theater receiver. It delivers stellar surround sound performance backed by 110W per channel amplification. The inclusion of Dolby Atmos, DTS:X, Audyssey room correction, voice control and streaming features make it a great choice for immersive audio.
The SR6015 is an upgrade over the SR5015 with more power at 140W per channel. It adds Auro 3D format support, has an extra HDMI output, front USB port, and new HEOS built-in multi-room streaming. But besides these upgrades, the core features are similar between the two models.
The Marantz Cinema 60 retails for $899 but can be commonly found for $799 online. This positions it at the higher end among 7.1 channel receivers. But its robust amplification, premium design and custom installation features help justify the price.
The Marantz SR5015 was first released in August 2018. It replaces the older SR5014 model in Marantz’s lineup of AV receivers. Despite being a 2018 model, it remains a compelling choice packing the latest audio formats.
Final Thoughts
The Marantz SR5015 and Cinema 60 are both excellent mid-range home theater receivers. The SR5015 punches above its price with immersive Dolby Atmos and DTS:X support, Audyssey calibration and voice control features.
But the Cinema 60 offers more power, an extra zone and superior video processing. Ultimately, the Marantz SR5015 represents better value given its lower cost and competitive feature set.
The Cinema 60 appeals for its custom integration capabilities but may be overkill for basic home theater needs. Carefully weigh their pros and cons against your needs and budget to pick the best 7.1 channel receiver.
