Marantz SR5012 vs SR5011 Review

The SR5012 and SR5011 have 7 channels of amplification. The two receivers are rated at 100 watts per channel (2 channel driven into 8 ohms, 20 Hz - 20 kHz, 0.08% THD). Although they have 7.2 channel pre-outs, the SR5012 and SR5011 are capable of 7.1 channel processing. This is explained with the fact that the same signal is output by the two subwoofer terminals. The SR5012 and SR5011 have the built-in amplification to drive up to 5.1.2 Dolby Atmos speaker setup. You won't be able to further expand the Dolby Atmos setup by using an external amplifier due to lack of any extra processing capability on the SR5012 and SR5011 besides the already mentioned 7.1 pre-amp channels. In addition to Dolby Atmos, the SR5012 and SR5011 support another object-based audio codec: DTS:X. That being said, in order to enable DTS:X decoding on the SR5011, you'll need to install a firmware update. The SR5012, on the other hand, is able to decode DTS:X out of the box. Auro-3D in not supported by any one of them.

The Audyssey MultEQ XT is present on both the SR5012 and SR5011. Before you can use it, though, the Audyssey Setup has to be performed. It involves taking measurements from up to 8 different listening positions in the room with the supplied sound calibration microphone. Once you've completed the Audyssey Setup, you can choose from three types of compensation curves that account for both time and frequency characteristics of your listening area. For example, a slight roll off can be observed at high frequencies in the Reference setting. This is done in order to make it more suitable for movies. The compensation curves can be edited using the Audyssey MultEQ Editor App, which is available for purchase for iOS and Android devices. Another Audyssey features that can be found on both the SR5012 and SR5011 are Dynamic EQ, which uses psychoacoustic algorithms in order to maintain sound quality at lower volume levels, and Dynamic Volume, which prevents large variations in volume level during TV commercials. Although the SR5012 and SR5011 have two subwoofer outputs, they lack the Audyssey Sub EQ HT and the ability to separately adjust the level and distance of each subwoofer so the same signal is output from the two subwoofer terminals.

The SR5012 features HEOS integration whereas the SR5011 omits it. HEOS is a wireless multi-room audio system. Up to 32 HEOS devices can be added to a HEOS system, and up to 16 HEOS devices can be grouped to function as a single unit, with a synchronized audio playback. In other words, you can have the same music playing in different rooms, provided there are HEOS speakers or another HEOS receiver(s) in these rooms. The HEOS system is controlled via the HEOS app, which also provides you with a number of online music streaming services to choose from (subscription may be required).

The SR5012 supports HDR10 and Dolby Vision pass-through out of the box. When it comes to HLG (Hybrid Log Gamma), though, you'll have to update the firmware on your receiver in order to be able to watch HDR broadcasts in this format. On the other hand, the SR5011 only has the built-in support for HDR10 pass-through but once you've updated the firmware, Dolby Vision and HLG pass-through is possible as well. Since all the HDMI inputs (7 back and 1 front) on the SR5012 and SR5011 are HDCP 2.2 compliant, you can connect your UHD Blu-ray player on any HDMI input you'd like. There are 2 HMDI outputs on the SR5012 and SR5011.

In terms of high-resolution audio playback, the SR5012 and SR5011 are nearly identical except for the fact that the ALAC decoding on the SR5011 is limited up to 96kHz/24bit tracks whereas the SR5012 can decode up to 192kHz/24bit ALAC files. There is no difference between the SR5012 and SR5011 when it comes to FLAC and WAV since both receivers are able to decode these two formats at up to 192kHz/24bit. Furthermore, playback of DSD files up to 5.6 MHz is supported on both the SR5012 and SR5011.

Check availability and pricing on Amazon.com for the SR5012 and SR5011 (affiliate links; As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases.)