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Anthem AV receivers are built for performance. If you want an AV receiver which provides a high-quality experience for sound and video, then Anthem is a brand to consider.
Unlike many companies in this market, Anthem don’t release a new model every year packed full of all the latest streaming and wireless technologies.
That’s not to say you won’t find these features. But, the main focus is on high-quality engineering and components.
If you are an audiophile who wants an AV receiver that can sound as good as a hi-fi system, then an Anthem AV receiver might be just right for you.
My guide to the best AV receivers in 2021 covers the bigger picture. A comprehensive buying guide across the whole market.
On this page, I will just compare the models in the MRX Series of Anthem AV receivers.
The receivers below are listed by release year and Manufacturers Suggested Retail Price (MSRP). You will often be able to buy a receiver below the MSRP. But, it’s a useful guideline to get an idea of its place in the market.
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ANTHEM MRX SERIES
The latest version of the MRX Series appeared in December 2020. Four years after the previous models, this series of AV receivers introduces new technology and builds on the success of the 2016 series.
The main reason for buying an Anthem AV receiver is the build and sound quality. You can expect the highest standards of engineering – which is something which very rarely goes out-of-date.
If you buy a quality unit like this, then you should have something that will last you for many years to come.
2020
Anthem MRX 1140
MSRP: $3699
Image Credit: Anthem
Image Credit: Anthem
| Channels | 11.2 |
|---|---|
| Dolby Atmos | 5.2.6 / 7.2.4 / 9.2.2 (Support for 9.2.6) |
| HDMI In / Out | 7/3 (eARC) |
| Zones | Zone 2 (HDMI & 2-ch audio – powered or line out) |
| Pre Out / Line Out | 15.2-Ch + Zone 2 (2-Ch) / Stereo 2-Ch |
| Power (W)* | 140 |
| Speaker Impedance (Ohms) | Front 6 – 8 / Others 8 |
| UHD / HDR Support | 4K/60p – 4:4:4 – HDCP2.2 (Future 8K Upgrade Available) / HDR10 – Dolby Vision – HLG |
| Network / Wireless | Ethernet / Wi-Fi / Bluetooth / Airplay 2 / Chromecast / Google Assistant / Spotify Connect (Coming Soon) / Roon (Coming Soon) |
| Auto Room Calibration | ARC Genesis |
| Selected Audio Decoders | Dolby Digital, DD+, Dolby TrueHD, Dolby Atmos, DTS, DTS-ES, DTS 96/24, DTS Express, DTS-HD HR Audio, DTS-HD Master Audio, DTS:X, LPCM 2-ch to 8-ch (Max. 192 kHz/24-bit) |
| Selected Sound Modes: Post Decoding | Dolby Surround, DTS:X Pro, DTS Neural:X, DTS Virtual:X, IMAX Enhanced |
| Dimensions (W x H x D) | 17 x 6.54 x 15 in | 431.8 x 166 x 382.1 mm (w/o antenna) |
| Weight (lbs/Kg) | 33.6/15.2 |
2020
Anthem MRX 740
MSRP: $2699
Image Credit: Anthem
| Channels | 7.2 |
|---|---|
| Dolby Atmos | 5.2.2 (Support for 7.2.4) |
| HDMI In / Out | 7/3 (eARC) |
| Zones | Zone 2 (HDMI & 2-ch audio – powered or line out) |
| Pre Out / Line Out | 11.2-Ch + Zone 2 (2-Ch) / Stereo 2-Ch |
| Power (W)* | 140 |
| Speaker Impedance (Ohms) | Front 6 – 8 / Others 8 |
| UHD / HDR Support | 4K/60p – 4:4:4 – HDCP2.2 (Future 8K Upgrade Available) / HDR10 – Dolby Vision – HLG |
| Network / Wireless | Ethernet / Wi-Fi / Bluetooth / Airplay 2 / Chromecast / Google Assistant / Spotify Connect (Coming Soon) / Roon (Coming Soon) |
| Auto Room Calibration | ARC Genesis |
| Selected Audio Decoders | Dolby Digital, DD+, Dolby TrueHD, Dolby Atmos, DTS, DTS-ES, DTS 96/24, DTS Express, DTS-HD HR Audio, DTS-HD Master Audio, DTS:X, LPCM 2-ch to 8-ch (Max. 192 kHz/24-bit) |
| Selected Sound Modes: Post Decoding | Dolby Surround, DTS Neural:X, DTS Virtual:X, IMAX Enhanced |
| Dimensions (W x H x D) | 17 x 6.54 x 15 in | 431.8 x 166 x 382.1 mm (w/o antenna) |
| Weight (lbs/Kg) | 33.2/15.1 |
2020
Anthem MRX 540
MSRP: $1599
Image Credit: Anthem
| Channels | 5.2 |
|---|---|
| Dolby Atmos | Support for 5.2.2 |
| HDMI In / Out | 7/2 (eARC) |
| Zones | None |
| Pre Out / Line Out | 7.2-Ch / Stereo 2-Ch |
| Power (W)* | 100 |
| Speaker Impedance (Ohms) | Front 6 – 8 / Others 8 |
| UHD / HDR Support | 4K/60p – 4:4:4 – HDCP2.2 (Future 8K Upgrade Available) / HDR10 – Dolby Vision – HLG |
| Network / Wireless | Ethernet / Wi-Fi / Bluetooth / Airplay 2 / Chromecast / Google Assistant / Spotify Connect (Coming Soon) / Roon (Coming Soon) |
| Auto Room Calibration | ARC Genesis |
| Selected Audio Decoders | Dolby Digital, DD+, Dolby TrueHD, Dolby Atmos, DTS, DTS-ES, DTS 96/24, DTS Express, DTS-HD HR Audio, DTS-HD Master Audio, DTS:X, LPCM 2-ch to 8-ch (Max. 192 kHz/24-bit) |
| Selected Sound Modes: Post Decoding | Dolby Surround, DTS Neural:X, DTS Virtual:X, IMAX Enhanced |
| Dimensions (W x H x D) | 17 x 6.54 x 15 in | 431.8 x 166 x 382.1 mm (w/o antenna) |
| Weight (lbs/Kg) | 28.2/12.8 |
2016
Anthem MRX 1120
Features in the best high-end AV receiversMSRP: $3999
Image Credit: Anthem
Image Credit: Anthem
| Channels | 11.2 |
|---|---|
| Dolby Atmos | 5.2.4 / 7.2.4 |
| HDMI In / Out | 7+1/2 (ARC) |
| Zones | Zone 2 (HDMI & 2-ch audio line-out/pre-out) |
| Pre Out / Line Out | 11.2-Ch / Zone 2 (2-Ch) – Line Out & Pre-Out |
| Power (W)* | 140 |
| Speaker Impedance (Ohms) | 4 and higher |
| UHD / HDR Support | 4K/60p, 4:4:4, HDCP2.2 / HDR10, Dolby Vision, HLG |
| Network / Wireless | Ethernet / Wi-Fi / Spotify Connect / DTS Play-Fi |
| Auto Room Calibration | Anthem Room Correction (ARC) |
| Selected Audio Decoders | Dolby Digital, DD+, Dolby TrueHD, Dolby Atmos, DTS, DTS-ES, DTS 96/24, DTS Express, DTS-HD HR Audio, DTS-HD Master Audio, DTS:X |
| Selected Sound Modes: Post Decoding | Dolby Surround, DTS Neural:X, DTS Neo:6, AnthemLogic |
| Dimensions (W x H x D) | 17-1/4 x 6-1/2 x 14-3/4 in (439 x 165 x 375 mm) |
| Weight (lbs) | 32 |
2016
Anthem MRX 720
MSRP: $2499
Image Credit: Anthem
Image Credit: Anthem
| Channels | 7.2 |
|---|---|
| Dolby Atmos | 5.2.2 (Processing for 7.2.4) |
| HDMI In / Out | 7+1/2 (ARC) |
| Zones | Zone 2 (HDMI & 2-ch audio line-out/pre-out) |
| Pre Out / Line Out | 11.2-Ch / Zone 2 (2-Ch) – Line Out & Pre-Out |
| Power (W)* | 140 |
| Speaker Impedance (Ohms) | 4 and higher |
| UHD / HDR Support | 4K/60p, 4:4:4, HDCP2.2 / HDR10, Dolby Vision, HLG |
| Network / Wireless | Ethernet / Wi-Fi / Spotify Connect / DTS Play-Fi |
| Auto Room Calibration | Anthem Room Correction (ARC) |
| Selected Audio Decoders | Dolby Digital, DD+, Dolby TrueHD, Dolby Atmos, DTS, DTS-ES, DTS 96/24, DTS Express, DTS-HD HR Audio, DTS-HD Master Audio, DTS:X |
| Selected Sound Modes: Post Decoding | Dolby Surround, DTS Neural:X, DTS Neo:6, AnthemLogic |
| Dimensions (W x H x D) | 17-1/4 x 6-1/2 x 14-3/4 in (439 x 165 x 375 mm) |
| Weight (lbs) | 31 |
2016
Anthem MRX 520
MSRP: $2499
Image Credit: Anthem
Image Credit: Anthem
| Channels | 5.2 |
|---|---|
| Dolby Atmos | None |
| HDMI In / Out | 7/2 (ARC) |
| Zones | Zone 2 (HDMI & 2-ch audio line-out/pre-out) |
| Pre Out / Line Out | 5.2-Ch / Zone 2 (2-Ch) – Line Out & Pre-Out |
| Power (W)* | 100 |
| Speaker Impedance (Ohms) | 4 and higher |
| UHD / HDR Support | 4K/60p, 4:4:4, HDCP2.2 / HDR10, Dolby Vision, HLG |
| Network / Wireless | Ethernet |
| Auto Room Calibration | Anthem Room Correction (ARC) |
| Selected Audio Decoders | Dolby Digital, DD+, Dolby TrueHD, DTS, DTS-ES, DTS 96/24, DTS Express, DTS-HD HR Audio, DTS-HD Master Audio |
| Selected Sound Modes: Post Decoding | Dolby Pro Logic II & DTS Neo:6 |
| Dimensions (W x H x D) | 17-1/4 x 6-1/2 x 14-3/4 in (439 x 165 x 375 mm) |
| Weight (lbs) | 28.2 |
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About Home Cinema Guide
Paul started the Home Cinema Guide to help less-experienced users get the most out of today's audio-visual technology. He has worked as a sound, lighting and audio-visual engineer for around 20 years. At home, he has spent more time than is probably healthy installing, configuring, testing, de-rigging, fixing, tweaking, re-installing again (and sometimes using) various pieces of hi-fi and home cinema equipment.
