Everything old is new again! Earlier today, we told you how Yamaha was starting to add DTS:X support to some of its home theater products. Now, two additional companies will be offering updates that will put even more in-your-face audio into the home.
Marantz and Denon are making the Auro 3D format available to a few select home theater components. The models that are eligible for this $199 update include Marantz's SR7010 A/V receiver and AV7702mkII pre-processor, as well as Denon AVR-X4200W and AVR-X6200W receivers.
Auro 3D is a sound perk that's very similar to Dolby Atmos and DTS:X. It's an object-based format that can deliver a more immersive listening experience using a "height layer" above and around the room. Depending on the size of that space, one or two additional layers are mounted above the existing surround later at ear level to deliver the "Voice of God." (For more information on each format, check out "What's Up with 3D Immersive Sound: Dolby Atmos, DTS:X and AURO-3D?")
The Marantz SR7010 9.2-channel receiver features 125 watts per channel (8 ohms, 20-20kHz, THD:0.08%). It can support Dolby Atmos and DTS:X (via a firmware update) configurations up to 5.1.4 or 7.1.2. However, you can add in an external 2-channel amp for an 11-channel system or 7.1.4 or 9.1.2 channel immersive audio configurations. Other features include HDMI 2.0a with a 4k 60Hz 4:4:4 resolution, HDCP 2.2 support, WiFi, Bluetooth, 192kHz/32-bit DACs, eight HDMI inputs, three HDMI outputs, and much more.
Announced last fall, the AV7702mkII A/V Network Preamp/Processor can support 7.1.4 or 9.1.2 Dolby Atmos out of the box, but has firmware options for DTS:X in addition to the Auro 3D format. The 11.2 channel AV7702MKII promises to pump up the audio via Marantz's own current feedback HDAMs preamp, before passing them to the 11.2 XLR or 13.2 RCA outputs and separate power amp (which you'll need to supply). Other features include a dedicated pre-amplifier board with HDAM and a power supply, ELNA capacitors for high-resolution audio, built-in 192kHz/32-bit DACs, HDMI 2.0a compatibility with High Dynamic Range (HDR) support, BT.2020 pass-through, and HDCP 2.2 compatibility on all HDMI inputs and outputs.
Denon's 7.2-channel AVR-X4200W can support up to four Dolby Atmos height speakers out of the box. However, with the addition of a 2-channel amp, you can have 5.1.4 or 7.1.2 configurations. It's also on the list to get a DTS:X upgrade in the future. For now, it can deliver 125 watts per channel and has eight HDMI 2.0a inputs with HDCP 2.2 capabilities, as well as three HDMI outputs, 11 speaker terminals, and 13.2-channel pre-out connections.
The AVR-X6200W is a 9.2-channel receiver that can do Dolby Atmos up to 7.1.4 or 9.1.2 (with additional 2-channel ampr), but comes ready for DTS:X. It also promises 140 watts per channel (8 ohms, 20-20kHz, THD:0.05%) from a monolithic amplifier design with Denon custom-made transistors. This model even has 11.2-channel processing with 13.2-channel pre-outs, as well as eight HDMI 2.0a inputs and three HDMI outputs with HDCP 2.2 support. Other features include four 32-bit DSP processors, WiFi, AirPlay, DLNA, ISF certification, options for three multi-source zones, and high-res audio support.
All four of the above components are currently shipping. The Marantz SR7010 9.2-channel Network A/V Receiver and the AV7702mkII A/V Network Pre-processor are listed at $2,199 each. The AVR-X4200W and AVR-X6200W are also available now, priced at $1,499 and $2,199, respectively.
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