Marantz CINEMA 40

9.4 Channel Home Theater AV Receiver w/ Dolby Atmos & Streaming Built-In

Item #MARANTZ:CINEMA40
Marantz Item # CINEMA40/U1B

Marantz CINEMA 40

9.4 Channel Home Theater AV Receiver w/ Dolby Atmos & Streaming Built-In

$3,500.00
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Overview

Premium 9.4 channel 125-watts-per-channel amplification, Dolby Atmos, DTS:X Auro 3D, and 8K Ultra HD plus HEOS® Built-in streaming. CINEMA 40 is a statement piece and reference level A/V Receiver.

High Notes

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Peerless Performance

Immersive spaciousness, warm and rich tone, extraordinary detail and lifelike dynamics are legendary hallmarks of the Marantz sound.

High Notes Image

Technology Leader

CINEMA 40 comes complete with the latest immersive audio formats, 8K video, room optimization, streaming, and more technology to simplify and elevate your enjoyment.

High Notes Image

Exquisite Slimline Design

A modern expression of timeless design principles, CINEMA 40 features the iconic Marantz porthole, premium materials, and subtle sidelights that illuminate the front panel.

Product & Company History

The CINEMA 40 is near the top of the new Marantz Cinema Series lineup. We will go over all of its features and hopefully help you decide if it is the right audio-video receiver for your home theater system.

The CINEMA 50, which is the model below the CINEMA 40, offers a whole lot of value for the money and we’ll also go over some comparisons between these two models.

Marantz Cinema 40

Design & Build Quality

The CINEMA 40 is a full-scale home theater receiver with 9 amplifier channels built in and a large array of inputs and outputs. It can easily be the heart of a great home theater system.

To try and uphold their tradition of making gear that sounds natural, Marantz has a program in Japan where they train engineers to be what they call a “Marantz Sound Master”. They will learn to identify the type of sound that has made Marantz famous and perform many listening tests as a product is being developed. While it is not clear if this is done for every single Marantz product, we know for a fact the new CINEMA 40 went through the Sound Master listening process to fine-tune its sonic signature for that warm Marantz sound. The CINEMA 40 is even made in the Shirakawa plant in Japan.

Build quality-wise, we have always been impressed with the way Marantz puts their units together. On both the CINEMA 40 and CINEMA 50, you get an aluminum front panel with the cool new look they launched with their Series 30. You can tell Marantz believes these are built to last as they put a full 5-year parts and labor warranty on both units.

Marantz Cinema 40 Back View

Features & Technology

The CINEMA 40 has just about everything a home theater enthusiast would want in a top-end all-in-one receiver. On the video side, you get seven 8K inputs and three video outputs with zone two and three audio. These all support the latest HDMI 2.1 and HDCP 2.3 specs. The CINEMA 50 in comparison has six 8K inputs and zone 2 only.

A video input feature that may be important to those of you with older video sources that do not have HDMI is a single-component video input and 2 composite video inputs. The CINEMA 40 has what is called their A to H circuitry to upgrade those low-res video signals to a higher resolution too. The CINEMA 50 only has HDMI video inputs so you score another with the CINEMA 40.

The CINEMA 40 and 50 both have 5 analog inputs including a MM phono input and 2 each digital and coax inputs. No difference there between the two units.

When it comes to handling surround sound formats, the CINEMA 40 and CINEMA 50 have them all covered. Both have Dolby Atmos, DTS:X, and one that not many AVRs have these days, Auro 3D.

We were very curious if the CINEMA 40 had an upgraded DAC set over the CINEMA 50, but it turns out that both use a very expensive Analog Devices DSP chipset. So in terms of how the unit renders immersive audio effects, they will be the same, and they do an incredible job there. Both units have onboard processing for 11 channels plus 4 independent subwoofer channels. For those of you who know that multiple subwoofers are even greater than the sum of their parts, this is fantastic news! Being able to use the built-in Audyssey Multi EQ XT32 to adjust each sub individually is a huge deal! Also, all of the 11 channels have preamp outs so you can add a power amp to any channel set when you are ready for an upgrade.

While they come with Audyssey, there is an option coming that will allow you to upgrade either of these to Dirac Live room correction. The timing and pricing of this have been the subject of a lot of speculation but we finally have what we think are some solid dates and prices, but of course, these could all be subject to change. There are also rumors floating around about a new version of Dirac on the horizon. We are not sure if that is why Marantz decided to wait or if that will be an option on these. There will be a bandwidth-limited version of Dirac Live coming in the spring of 2023 which should sell for $259. This will be plenty for most people as where you really want to perform room correction is below 500 Hz, which is the cut-off for this version. The full-band version will be $349. Dirac also offers an option that, to our knowledge, is not included with any AVR or processor called Dirac Live Bass. This takes subwoofer blending to a new level and it looks like this will be priced the same for the Marantz units as other brands which is $349 for a single sub and $499 for multiple subs. However, this upgrade will not be out until sometime in 2024. If you do the Dirac upgrade, we highly recommend you purchase a good microphone like the one from MiniDSP as the old saying “garbage in garbage out” really applies here. In this area, there is no real difference between the two units.

Both units have all the major voice control and streaming through Heos and a great on-screen interface to help walk you through the setup. We do want to mention that if you purchase your Marantz Cinema series from Audio Advice, you are supporting our small business and you will get our great technical team of audio-video experts who are there to help our customers get the most from their home theater or audio systems. Plus we have free shipping and a price guarantee.

Both the CINEMA 40 and CINEMA 50 have 9 powered channels built into them which means all you need to do is add a 2-channel power amp to take either to an 11.4.4 system, which is very impressive.

Speaking of amplifiers, that is really where the big difference is between the CINEMA 40 and the CINEMA 50. The CINEMA 40 is rated at 125 watts per channel with 2 channels driven across the full audio band at .08% THD. The CINEMA 50 has a rating of 110 with the same specs. At first look, you may not think the two are that different, but when you look under the hood, you can clearly see the power amp sections in these units are not the same.

Marantz uses upgraded parts in the signal path of the CINEMA 40. And if you look closely, you can see that each of the 9 amp channels is on its own circuit board. The other obvious difference is the CINEMA 40 is taller than the CINEMA 50 by about 1 ½”. This is to support the much bigger power transformer you find in the CINEMA 40.

Marantz Cinema 40

Performance Testing

Since we had already been really impressed with the sound of the CINEMA 50 in a full-blown home theater, we decided to test them in a stereo comparison to see what kinds of differences we would hear between what are clearly totally different amplifier sections.

We set up the CINEMA 40 and 50 in a system with B&W 703S3 tower speakers and used the Marantz SA-10 Reference CD player as the source. Both receivers were put in Direct mode. After we flipped back and forth, just once, it is clear the CINEMA 40 is warmer, more effortless, and just seems to control the deep bass much better. Don’t get us wrong, both were very pleasant to listen to with the classic Marantz warm sound, but the CINEMA 40 epitomizes the sound those Marantz Sound Masters use as a reference. Did it produce as wide and deep soundstage as some separate components that cost a lot more? No, nor did it have the ultimate inner detail you get with expensive separates. But what it does, is nothing wrong. It is extremely easy to listen to and could probably fool some of your audiophile friends into thinking they were hearing something other than a great home theater receiver.

Overall Recommendation

So, the big question comes down to is the CINEMA 40 worth the extra cost over the already great CINEMA 50? If you need legacy analog video inputs, must have 7 HDMI inputs, or must have 2 other zones, those will be the factors that lean to the CINEMA 40 . We feel like most people will not have those needs and it will purely come down to the audio performance. If you enjoy 2 channel stereo, to our ears, it is worth the extra cost. Or if you have speakers that are on the lower end of the sensitivity spectrum, the extra guts offered by the more robust power amp section will be another reason. However, if you are more about all of the great features, you’ll find them on the CINEMA 50 with its very good amp section, and it may be the better choice and will allow you to take the price difference between the two and put it towards better speakers or a second subwoofer.

We have two wonderful choices in the CINEMA 40 and CINEMA 50 with everything they offer and you really can not go wrong with either one. Of course, the home theater geek in us then needs to take a look at the Marantz 8015. It has dual versions of the same DAC’s, 2 more channels of processing for 13 plus 2 subs, more analog video inputs, and 7.1 analog in for those SACD fans. Plus it has a far beefier power amp section. But you will give up 4 independent subs as it only has two and there is no Dirac Live upgrade option which in our opinion gives the CINEMA 40 an edge.

We hope this review of the new Marantz CINEMA 40 home theater receiver has given you some good insight into the features you gain when you step up from the CINEMA 50 . If you are reading this and want to learn more about home theater in general, check out Home Theater Central. Here we have lots of articles on how to design your dream home theater. We even have a free 3D design tool so you can visualize how the screen and speakers should be placed for optimum performance in your room.

If you are lucky enough to live near our world-class showrooms, we highly recommend you contact one of our local theater designers to help with your project. We can help you build the theater of your dreams from start to finish including installation.

Details & Specs

Key Features

Peerless Performance

Immersive spaciousness, warm and rich tone, and lifelike dynamics are legendary hallmarks of Marantz sound.

Exquisite Design

A modern expression of timeless design principles, CINEMA 40 features the iconic Marantz porthole, symmetrical design, and front panel controls elegantly hidden from view.

Technology Leader

CINEMA 40 abounds with the latest immersive audio formats, 8K video, room optimization, streaming, and more technology to simplify and elevate your enjoyment.

Ease of Use

An all-new HD graphical user interface makes setup from your sofa intuitive. The included remote and compatibility with industry standard control technologies make daily use simple.

Performance

The Marantz Sound Master meticulously tuned CINEMA 40 for amazing performance with our proprietary HDAM amplification circuitry to create the Most Musical Sound in your home. Making sound the Marantz way is a seamless fusion of art and science, practiced by artisanal creators who balance and select components individually for their sonic qualities— they are the Sound Masters. Up to nine loudspeakers powered by 125 watts per channel can be paired with CINEMA 40 in various configurations for extraordinary sound and the perfect arrangement for your room. Custom Marantz HDAM (Hyper Dynamic Amplifier Module) amplification renders each sound with ease, warmth and spaciousness.

Style

Excellence is heard and seen. CINEMA 40 features architectural design that can be featured or remain discreet in any luxurious environment. Marantz design is timelessly elegant— an expression of the musical soundscapes the products create. Our philosophy of balance and symmetry shows in our sound and our design. Premium materials are expertly crafted and combined for each new piece. CINEMA 50’s symmetrical front panel layout features a beautiful and functional porthole display with input selection and volume knobs on either side— both designed to have a distinctive analog feel. Access to a wealth of functions is hidden cleverly by a front panel door making access simple while retaining a clean appearance.

Customizability

Thoughtfully selected connectivity options, flexible speaker arrangements, and fine-tuning ability allow you to make CINEMA 40 your own. Your cinema is an integral part of your home. Therefore, Marantz has provided a rich assortment of connections and configuration options to make CINEMA 50 your ideal piece. Customize your loudspeaker layout to fit your space and tune it to perfection with included Audyssey MultEQ XT32.

Effortless

Included remote, accessible front-panel controls, and an intuitive on-screen setup process make you feel like an expert user right away. While CINEMA 40 may be complex within, everyday use and setup is not complicated. An included quick-start guide and on-screen setup procedure make setup easy. An included remote provides access to most often used features. Advanced HDMI connectivity permits use of a TV remote for power and volume. Support for all major home automation protocols is included. Finally, CINEMA 40 works with voice assistants like Google, Alexa, and Siri.

Compatibility

Six HDMI inputs, plus digital, analog, and phono inputs plus loudspeaker and preamp outputs ensure connectivity to virtually any other components you may have. CINEMA 40 sits at the center of your home entertainment universe. All six HDMI inputs are 8K compatible, and legacy HD and 4K content can be upscaled to 8K. A perfect mix of traditional analog and digital inputs, plus turntable compatibility make CINEMA 50 a perfect partner for however you choose to listen.

Upgradeability

Extensive input and output options plus a powerful software ecosystem make CINEMA 40 easy to upgrade as your home theater grows. Home cinema is an investment in your own enjoyment and well-being. With its extensive connectivity and highly capable technological underpinning, you can add new components to expand your system for many years to come. 11.4 channel processing capability and preamp outputs let you expand your loudspeaker layout or add more power with outboard amplification.

Onboard Technologies

Dolby Atmos® and Dolby Atmos Height Virtualization Technology

You can feel every dimension in Dolby Atmos®. Enjoy up to a 5.1.4 or even 7.1.4 (with additional amplification) speaker configuration for the ultimate home theater experience— including the Dolby Surround upmixer for legacy content. For those without inceiling speakers, Dolby Atmos Height Virtualization Technology leverages Dolby’s deep understanding of human audio perception to create the sensation of overhead sound from listener-level speakers. You can also enjoy Dolby Atmos music tracks available from Apple Music, Amazon Music HD and TIDAL through a compatible streaming device.

DTS:X® and DTS Virtual:X™

Immersive DTS:X audio content places sound where it would naturally occur in space, creating lifelike, multidimensional audio. The DTS Neural:X upmixer offers improved immersion and heightened realism for legacy content. DTS Virtual:X provides immersive audio without height channels, creating virtual height effects in a 7.1, 5.1 or 2.1 speaker setup

Auro-3D® Experience

Putting you in a cocoon of life-like sound, Auro-3D® elevates the home theater experience to amazing new levels by delivering the excitement of three dimensional sound for music, games, broadcast, and films. The Auromatic upmixing engine will enhance your existing audio-visual collection.

IMAX® Enhanced

Get the most premium at-home entertainment experience with IMAX® Enhanced— the latest technology from DTS that sets a new standard for home theater imaging, sound, scale, and clarity. Watch clearer pictures and brighter images. Feel immersive, heart pounding audio and experience premium content digitally remastered by IMAX.

High-Resolution Audio Support

Discover the incredible fidelity of Hi-Res Audio tracks with the ability to decode up to 24- bit/192-kHz ALAC, FLAC and WAV lossless files as well as DSD 2.8MHz and 5.6MHz tracks via the front panel USB port and network sources. You can also listen to other popular file types such as MP3.

HEOS® Built-in Multi-Room Streaming

HEOS® Built-in technology lets you enjoy your favorite music in any room of your home for a wireless, whole-home audio experience. Play the same song in every room or select a different song for each connected room—the choice is yours. Enjoy music from Spotify, Amazon Music HD, TuneIn, SoundCloud, TIDAL, Napster, Deezer or your local music file libraries. With additional HEOS components, like HEOS-capable speakers, play all your music in one room or many.

Amazon Alexa Voice Control

Enjoy hands-free control with Amazon Alexa and your voice. Adjust the volume, skip to the next track, switch inputs for your different media players and more— “Just Ask.” Download the HEOS Home Entertainment Skill to enable Amazon Alexa voice commands for HEOS devices and other select Marantz products.

Google Assistant Voice Control

Ask your Google Nest, Google Home app or other devices with Google Assistant built-in to control content across your listening environment. Start music in the HEOS app, then ask your Google Assistant to control volume, play, pause, skip tracks and more. The “Works with the Google Assistant” feature is continually evolving.

Josh.ai Support

An elevated voice agent for the high-end smart home, Josh.ai offers flexible voice control for nearly any aspect of your day-to-day experience and entertainment environment. Use voice commands to control the thermostat, lights, home appliances, speakers, AV receiver, and more. Josh.ai is installed by custom integrators and accessed through an app on your phone or tablet. Works with iOS and Android devices.

Roon Tested

Get more out of your digital music library with searchable, surfable information about your favorite artists and songs. Find lyrics, concert dates, photos, bios, reviews, and more

Masterful 8K HDMI Connectivity

The new Marantz CINEMA 40 includes six HDMI inputs and three outputs for all your favorite sources. All inputs support 8K/60Hz or 4K/120Hz pass-through capability, 4:4:4 Pure Color sub-sampling, Dolby Vision, HLG, HDR10, and BT.2020 pass-through, and HDCP 2.3, the latest in copy protection standards, are supported on all HDMI inputs. Showcasing the latest HDMI technology and specifications, the new Cinema 40 lets you take your home entertainment up a notch with HDR10+, Dynamic HDR, ALLM, VRR, and QFT support. The video processor is also capable of upscaling your native video source up to 8K quality.

Bluetooth, Wi-Fi and AirPlay 2 Capability

A dual antenna system lets you stream the most popular music services via Bluetooth, Wi-Fi, and AirPlay 2. Listen to your playlists on Spotify, Pandora, TuneIn, Deezer and more. Use AirPlay 2 to enjoy Apple music with ease.

Multi-Source, Multi-Room

Watch a movie in one room while another family member plays a song from Spotify in a different zone without interruption. Enjoy up to a 9.4 channel surround sound in the main room and a separate source or music stream in a second zone. Hook up a separate stereo amp and speakers to the second zone pre-out.

All Zone TV Audio

Share the main zone TV audio to another zone without losing fully discrete multi-channel playback in the main zone. Select “Source” for the second zone from the AVR remote app so that main zone audio will not switch to stereo PCM.

Smart TV Connectivity

Marantz CINEMA Series can be controlled with your Smart TV remote via the HDMI CEC functionality associated with your TV.

Marantz AVR Remote App

The Marantz AVR Remote app for iOS and Android provides complete control over the latest Marantz network AV receivers and pre-amps. Use it to power on/off; adjust volume, input, and settings; or switch instantly to the HEOS® Built-in app.

Convenient Smart Select Functions

The included remote has four Smart Select function buttons so you can store preferred or frequently used settings and call them up easily on the fly— including input source, volume level, sound mode, and Audyssey configuration. With the push of a button, CINEMA 40 instantly configures the receiver to your desired setting at any time.

Easy Setup Experience

The included Quick Start Guide provides simple and direct instructions to get started. Once you connect your TV to CINEMA 40 via HDMI, the Marantz Setup Assistant appears on your TV screen and guides you through setup. The Setup Assistant helps you adjust crucial settings for the best possible sound quality, whatever your configuration.

Advanced Audyssey MultEQ XT

Equipped with the full Audyssey suite of advanced DSP algorithms, the CINEMA 40 features Audyssey MultEQ XT32 automatic room acoustic correction. With the supplied measurement microphone, MultEQ XT32 analyzes each speaker’s output (including the subwoofers) at up to eight measurement locations and generates precision digital filters that optimize each channel for the correct frequency and time domain response. Audyssey Dynamic Volume smooths out disruptive jumps in volume (such as TV commercials), letting you listen at lower levels while still enjoying clear dialogue, music and sound. Audyssey Dynamic EQ provides full-range clarity at any listening level, and Audyssey Low Frequency Containment uses advanced psychoacoustic algorithms to deliver a full-range balance, including deep bass, without disturbing neighbors or people in other rooms of your home. Audyssey Sub EQ HT provides individual DSP tailoring of each subwoofer in a dual subwoofer setup for deeper bass with improved definition. Plus, the Audyssey MultEQ Editor app lets you view and adjust settings for detailed tuning and customize the sound more precisely to your room and tastes.

External Control Capabilities

Features external RS232 and IP control capabilities for easy customization and compatibility with third-party integration solutions. The Marantz CINEMA Series offers IP control capability for major third-party control devices, as well as Control4 SDPP (Simple Device Detection Protocol) certification for seamless integration with Control4 home automation equipment. IR (infrared) remote control input and output are included on the rear panel for remote control compatibility with other components in your home theater system.

More Support for Custom Integration

All new Marantz CINEMA series offer extended support for easy custom install integration. Features OvrC and Domotz Pro, two major remote monitoring and management technologies, along with a dedicated web user interface to set up the AV receiver from a computer on the same network. Your installer can easily monitor the status of connected products and troubleshoot remotely from a separate location or on-the-go.

Hyper Dynamic Amplifier Module

To preserve the detail, nuance, and essence of the music you love, Marantz developed HDAM (Hyper Dynamic Amplifier Modules) which are superior in their speed and response to off-the shelf modules found in other products. HDAM design is unique and different to each Marantz product carefully designed by Marantz engineers and sound masters. CINEMA 40 leverages this unique Marantz innovation to ensure whatever you’re listening to is always the most musical.

Back-lit Remote

The receiver comes with a backlit remote to help you control the receiver in a dark theater setting so that the entire experience will not be stopped or disturbed by just controlling the receiver.

MPEG-H

MPEG-H is a 3D immersive audio coding standard developed by the ISO/IEC Moving Picture Experts Group (MPEG) and Fraunhofer IIS for broadcasting content, currently available in Korea, China and Brazil. MPEG-H decoding is supported globally for select Marantz AV receivers and AV preamplifiers.

360 Reality Audio

Immerse yourself in sound all around you. As real as if you are there at a live concert or with the artist recording in a studio. With 360 Reality Audio, music has never been so immersive and so real. Select Marantz AV receivers and AV preamplifiers are capable of 360 Reality Audio playback by connecting one of the Google Chromecast devices to the AV receiver via HDMI. Currently casting of 360 Reality Audio content from music streaming services are not yet available. Stay tuned for further updates

Dirac Live Optional Upgradability

The interaction between your sound system and the physical layout of your room has a huge impact on sound quality. Dirac Live® Room Correction applies state-of-the art, patented algorithms to analyze and digitally reduce room impact and enhance speaker performance. Dirac Live delivers a larger sweet spot, accurate staging, clarity, voice intelligibility, and a deeper, tighter bass not otherwise possible. Fully tunable to your preference. Select Marantz AV receivers and AV preamplifiers support Dirac Live Upgradability. You can purchase a Dirac Live license key to unlock the functionality. Visit direc.com/marantz/ for more information about Dirac Live. The upgradability will be supported via future firmware update.

11 channel processing, 9 channel amplification

9 channel amplification does not mean you need to stop at max 9 channel speaker configuration. With external 2 channel amplification that can be assigned to either Front Left and Front Right, or a pair of height channels, you can setup 11 channel speaker configuration such as 7.1.4 or 5.1.6, allowing you even more flexibility and elevated immersive audio experience.

4 Independent Subwoofer Outputs

Immerse yourself in evenly distributed, accurate bass. Featuring up to four subwoofer outputs to smooth out low frequencies and provide better dispersion. No audible peaks or dips - just powerful, room-filling bass.

Two Subwoofer Modes (Standard vs. Directional)

Giving you even more freedom to tweak your subwoofer settings to your preference when you are connecting more than 2 subwoofers. Select "Standard" if you want evenly distributed bass performance equally throughout the room. Audyssey sub EQ HT will be engaged to provide a global filter to all subwoofers and will give you broader sweat spot in the room. Select "Directional" if you want more directional bass performance seamlessly integrated into each speaker channel closest to each subwoofer. Bass feels different depending on where you sit in the room.

Pre-Amplifier Mode

With Pre-Amplifier Mode, your receiver works as a perfect 11.4 channel AV preamplifier with the latest HDMI connectivity. Pre- Amplifier Mode provides a cleaner signal path and more tolerance in clipping level by disconnecting internal amplifiers. The receiver features 11.4 channel preouts. You can also disconnect only selected speaker channels so that you can use receiver's built-in amplification to drive non-critical channels, yet getting cleaner signal path for the channels driven by external amplification such as Front L+R. Enjoy the best of the both world.

  • Channels: 9
  • Watts Per Channel: 125w (8 ohm 20-20kHz, 0.08%)
  • Processing Channel with Pre-Outs: 11.4 channel
  • Amplifier Topology: Class A/B
  • HDMI In/Out/8k: 7/3 HDMI input/output, 7/2 supporting 8K
  • # of Zones: 2
  • Room Correction: Audyssey MultEQ XT32, Dirac Live Support, Optimized Bass Redirection
  • Independent Subwoofer Pre-Out: 4 (independent)
  • Headphone Amp: Yes
  • Phono Input: Yes
  • USB Input: Yes
  • Bluetooth Transmission: Yes
  • Radio Tuner: FM/AM
  • Airplay 2: Yes
  • Dolby: Dolby TrueHD, Dolby Atmos, Dolby Atmos Height Virtualization, Dolby Atmos Music, Dolby Surround
  • DTS: DTS HD Master, DTS:X, DTS Neural:X, DTS Virtual:X
  • Music Services: Spotify Connect / Pandora / SiriusXM / HEOS Multi-room and Streaming
  • Voice Assistants: Works with Alexa, Google, HomePod
More Information
UPC 747192138608
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97% 4.9 / 5 - 2 reviews
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