New Anthem AVRs

When we discuss audio/video receivers (AVRs) for home theater, we quickly mention Anthem AVRs. While not yet a household name, Anthem has been designing and building quality stereo and home theater products for over twenty years and had developed a large following and a glowing reputation.

Anthem products deliver some of the industry’s highest performance-to-value equations. And one reason why Anthem electronics are the choice of knowledgeable audiophiles, professional musicians, and engineers the world over.

Another reason is their advanced proprietary technologies, like Anthem Room Correction (ARC®), an industry-leading audio optimizer. We love its accuracy, and you’ll love the profound results and simple to use interface. Like Anthem’s non-invasive Advanced Load Monitoring (ALM) circuitry in their amplifiers, continually monitoring temperature, current, and voltage to ensure optimum long-term performance.

Anthem MRX A/V Receivers

Although Anthem has an extensive line of stereo and home theater integrated and component products, this post will focus on their integrated AVRs for home theater. As lockdowns and school closures continue, many families consider this a great time to add or improve their home theater system, and know we provide expertise and products that can astound. After all, if forced to be together 24/7, we should create unique experiences within our own four walls. Anthem AVRs can provide that experience.

When the Anthem flagship model MRX 1120 first debuted in Dallas at the CEDIA EXPO 2015 (October 15th-17th), top reviews were well-earned. CEDIA is a global trade association for companies that design, manufacture, and integrate in-home technology. Everyone in the home technology, music, and manufacturing industries attends, as exhibitors use this event to showcase their latest products.

Anthem was front and center and had an instant hit with their high-end model, the MRX 1120 AVR. At $3,499, the MRX 1120 found respect with audiophiles and home theater experts alike. At that time, it was one of only a few AVRs to support 11 channels of processing and 11 channels of amplification. The Anthem Room Correction application’s inclusion provided tremendous flexibility in the sound setup based on the room environment. The MRX 1120 was game-changing. Here is what a top sight and sound publisher said at the time:

“The Anthem MRX1120 is the best home theater receiver that I have had the pleasure of ever using.” – Secrets of Home Theater and High Fidelity

Nearly six years later, the MRX 1120 and its sibling models continue to amaze. But the team at Anthem has been busy testing and improving, striving to perform while keeping prices reasonable.

So, now you get it! Great sound, cutting edge technology, great value, and now three new AVRs for home theater. Let us introduce you to them.

2021 Anthem MRX A/V Receivers

High-quality sound output is the sole driver of the Anthem mission. Anthem products deliver across their entire product line through the use of Class AB amplification, regardless of the model one chooses. Another distinct advantage is the Anthem Room Correction System.

Essential details such as independent power supply design and oversized, super-efficient heatsink designs reinforce Anthem products’ incredible stability. Anthem engineers carefully select all of their internal components, many of which are engineered exclusively in-house at Anthem, including hand-designed circuit boards and their enormous, precision-wound toroidal transformers.

Through continual refinement, innovation, and efficient use of technology to recall multiple room seating and sound configurations, home theater enthusiasts and music audiophiles have enormous flexibility to tailor the system’s performance to meet their expectations. Such proprietary solutions are the envy of the industry. Stop into the shop, and we can demonstrate these features while giving you a test drive.

Without getting into the weeds of technical specifications, here are the highlights of three exciting new Anthem AVRs.

The Anthem MRX 1140 is the pinnacle model of the 2021 release and the recommended choice for those seeking both premium sound and flexibility in the configuration without the necessity of separate power amps or processors. This 15.2 pre-amplifier drives 11 amplifier channels for a complete surround and action environment, whether using Dolby Vision, Dolby Atmos, DTS:X, DTS:Z pro IMAX.

An outstanding feature is the power of supply is toroidal power transformers. These transformers produce less hum, creating a perfect reproduction of sound. The toroidal power supply and the Digital-Analog Converters (DACs) help make a realistic sound with improved dynamics than their less-expensive models. And with 140-watts per channel, you’ll be able to enjoy incredible detail.

Want to stream? Apple Airplay and Airplay2 are supported. So is Google Chromecast. Spotify and Roon are also on the way, allowing your smart device to play, pause, and stream content. All MRX components support Bluetooth to stream songs stored on devices like phones, tablets, and laptops.

Speaking of devices, Anthem offers a web user interface. Using a phone, tablet, or laptop, owners can easily access any function or setting and make changes on the fly. Power the primary or second zone on and off, adjust volume, change audio modes or tweak channel trims for a perfect surround sound experience. This web UI can also calibrate speaker delays and levels and configure network settings/control options. Source devices can be renamed, simplifying set up by enabling the elimination of unused inputs. Installers can import and export files to make remote management convenient and straightforward.

Yet another feature is that the MRX 1140 has two independent outputs. That means when you employ the ARC, each subwoofer can be calibrated individually, as well as adjusting level and phase separately for more separation of light and heavy bass effects. Few AVRs at this price provide this functionality; Anthem’s MRX 740 and MRX 540 also do not.

Lastly, the Anthem MRX 1140 features external control and IP control capabilities for easy customization and compatibility with third-party integration solutions. It offers IP control capability for major third-party control devices, including Control4, Crestron, URC, and other leading smart home systems.

Admittedly not as robust as the MRX 1140, the MRX 740 is more than likely to be the three new models’ market leader. With features like zone audio and video outputs sending both sound and picture to a separate room and superb sound and imaging, the MRX 740 offers impressive performance for the money.

The MRX 740 is built around an 11.2 pre-amplifier, with seven amplifier channels and all level two-channel preamp outputs that produce upgraded dynamics and speaker control than its junior model. Like its big brother, the MRX740 has 140 watts per channel, two paralleled subwoofer outputs, four-speaker profiler memories, and the latest iteration of Anthem’s ARC Genesis calibration program.

The MRX 740 decodes Dolby Atmos, Dolby HD, DTS;X, and DTS-HD Master Audio. It allows streaming with Apple Airplay, Apple Airplay 2, Google Chromecast Audio, Bluetooth, and soon will accommodate both Spotify Connect and Roon.

The Anthem MRX 740 IP offers control capabilities, allowing for easy customization and compatibility with third-party “smart home” solutions. It offers IP control capability for major third-party control devices, including Control4, Crestron, URC, and other leading smart home systems.

Anthem’s web user interface allows for phone, tablet or laptop, access to adjust functions or settings and make changes on the fly. Power the primary or second zone on and off, adjust volume, change audio modes or tweak channel trims for a perfect surround sound experience. The web UI can also calibrate speaker delays and levels and configure network settings/control options. Source devices can be renamed, simplifying set up by enabling the elimination of unused inputs. Installers can import and export files to make remote management convenient and straightforward.

Anthem’s MRX 540 is anything but a base model. Built on the previous models’ feature set, the MRX 540 is a 7.2 pre-amplifier delivering 100 watts to five channels, along with two paralleled subwoofer outputs, four profile memories for speakers, and the latest iteration of Anthem’s ARC Genesis calibration program.

The MRX 740 decodes Dolby Atmos, Dolby HD, DTS;X, and DTS-HD Master Audio. It allows streaming with Apple Airplay, Apple Airplay 2, Google Chromecast Audio, Bluetooth, and soon will accommodate both Spotify Connect and Roon.

Anthem’s web user interface allows for phone, tablet or laptop, access to adjust functions or settings and make changes on the fly. Power the primary or second zone on and off, adjust volume, change audio modes or tweak channel trims for a perfect surround sound experience. The web UI can also calibrate speaker delays and levels and configure network settings/control options. Source devices can be renamed, simplifying set up by enabling the elimination of unused inputs. Installers can import and export files to make remote management convenient and straightforward.

Compared with many competitor’s models, the MRX 540 is quite affordable given the overall performance and quality and is an excellent upgrade for many people.

It bears mentioning that the new Anthem MRX AVRs look smashing! No matter the Anthem model you decide on, be assured that you will receive maximum performance for the money. Their previous models, which were released over five years ago, still perform amazingly well. And you can rely on the team at Audio Video Synergy to help you select the model right for you, as well as select other elements necessary to create your dream home theater experience. Don’t forget to ask us about installation services.