Dec 4, 2016

Anthem MRX 1120 vs MRX 720 Review

The MRX 720 has 7 amplifier channels. The MRX 1120, on the other hand, has 11 amplifier channels. The former thus allows you to run a 7.1.4 speaker setup without an external amplifier while the MRX 720 requires an external power amp that supports at least 4 channels (or you can use two separate 2-channel amps) in order to run a 7.1.4 setup. This is possible thanks to the fact that the MRX 720, just as the MRX 1120, has 11.2 pre-amplifier (processing) channels. Both models have two parallel subwoofer outputs. Although the maximum continuous power output (at 1% THD) is the same between the MRX 1120 and MRX 720, it should be said that not all channels have the same amplifier topology. The five main channels (front, center and surround) are rated at 140W (two channel driven into 8 ohms), while the remaining channels are rated at 60W (two channel driven into 8 ohms). This applies to both models. A toroidal transformer is used in the MRX 1120, but not in the MRX 720. Toroidal transformers can somewhat improve the signal-to-noise ratio by preventing electro-magnetic interference with electrical circuits. The minimized stray magnetic field means the transformer can provide low-noise power, without emitting noise/hum to other components.

Other than that, both models have identical features. For example, they feature Anthem Room Correction (ARC). You'll need a computer running Windows 7 or later version in order to install the ARC software, which is on a CD that is supplied as part of the ARC kit. The computer also has to be connected to a local network. If your computer or laptop doesn't have a disc drive, you can find the software on the Anthem website. Also included is a microphone, which is used for measuring each speaker's response relative to the listening area - however, you have to manually specify the distances between the speakers and your listening position prior to calibration. Then, you'll have to place the microphone in at least five (and at most ten) different locations in your room that are at least 2 feet apart in order to get optimal measurement results of the speaker response. The ARC not only is able to equalize the speaker's response, thus correcting phase effects of different objects in your room, but it can also detect how much low frequencies are reinforced by the room boundaries. That being said, the room gain is not removed by default in order to prevent the bass from sounding too thin.

The MRX 720 and MRX 1120 support Dolby Atmos, which is an object-based (as opposed to being channel based) format for creating a 3-dimensional listening space. The MRX 1120 has both the built-in amplification and processing capability to support up to 4 height speakers, whereas the MRX 720 can only process the 4 height channels but cannot power them, meaning an external power amp is required for a 7.1.4 Dolby Atmos setup with MRX 720. Both models employ Dolby Surround for upmixing stereo, 5.1 channel and 7.1 channel content in order for all speakers in your Dolby Atmos setup to be utilized. The DTS:X is another object-based audio format but neither one of the two models support it out-of-the-box. Instead, they are DTS:X ready, meaning a firmware update will bring support for this format at a later date.

Each of the two models has 7 HDMI inputs and 2 HDMI parallel outputs on the back. There is a single HDMI input on the front panel (behind a cover) of both the MRX 1120 and MRX 720. MHL is supported on the front HDMI jack, as well as on the HDMI IN 7 on the back. The HDCP 2.2 is supported on all inputs, so you can connect your 4K Ultra HD Blu-ray player to any one of them. Both of them support pass-thorugh of a 4K signal @ 60Hz with up to 4:4:4 chroma subsampling. Thanks to the HDMI version 2.0a inputs, both models can handle HDR (High Dynamic Range) metadata. It should be said, though, that the legacy video connections (composite, component) are omitted. Further, neither of them performs video upscaling of lower resolution source content that is received, so this task is left for your TV to do. Although there are 2 USB ports (1 front and 1 back), they can only be used for firmware updates, and not for music playback.

No comments:

Post a Comment