AV Receiver Reviews

Marantz SR7005 A/V Receiver

Mark Fleischmann  |  Dec 27, 2010


Performance
Features
Ergonomics
Value
Price: $1,600 At A Glance: Top-line model with porthole front panel • Step-up Audyssey MultEQ XT auto setup • DLNA, Bluetooth, Pandora, vTuner, Rhapsody, Napster

Porthole Chic

It’s not unusual for a Marantz A/V receiver to have a curved front panel, inspired by the company’s high-end two-channel gear. But this one has an unusual twist found in no other AVR models (so far). Between the usual volume and source-select knobs is a porthole display. It’s not large enough to support much information—but if you flip down the large door below it, another display appears.

I wonder about the porthole. The user can gaze upon it and see the selected source and volume. But what if the porthole is actually a two-way window? Does the Marantz gaze back at the user? Frankly, I wouldn’t put it past this AVR. It already uses a microphone to hear acoustic conditions in the room and make appropriate corrections. If it can hear us, seeing us wouldn’t be much of a stretch. After all, it has a porthole.

If I’m right about this, what would the AVR see? Perhaps it would see you looking visibly relieved by Audyssey MultEQ XT, which automates most setup chores. Then again, it might see you scratching your head over whether to use the Dolby Pro Logic IIz height enhancement, its Audyssey DSX equivalent, the alternative of Audyssey width enhancement, or any of a number of other options. The AVR might even see you in raptures of Pandora and HD Radio listening. I had a distinct feeling it was watching me. At least it didn’t follow me into the bathroom.

Ring in the 05
The SR7005 is one of three new 05 series Marantz A/V receivers, also including the SR6005 ($1,000) and SR5005 ($800). All of the new 05 AVRs have HDMI 1.4a with Audio Return Channel, Audyssey auto setup and low-volume listening modes, Dolby Pro Logic IIz height enhancement, iPodfriendly USB, and Bluetooth capability via an optional RX101 adapter ($100). The SR7005 earns its $1,600 price tag with unique aesthetics, more power, more HDMI inputs, iPhone as well as iPod compatibility, Audyssey height/width enhancement, expanded network audio features, and compatibility with external control interfaces such as Crestron, AMX, and Control4.

This AVR boasts 125 watts per channel rated with two channels driven. As usual, you can learn more by inspecting our measurements. The amps are built from discrete components, with modular construction and current (as opposed to voltage) feedback design.

The secondary front-panel display, below the porthole, is a pretty big one because Marantz wants to give you the option of tweaking a wide array of things without turning on your video display. Also beneath the panel are menu navigation, listening mode, zone, and other controls. Front-panel inputs include iPod/iPhone-friendly USB and HDMI.

On the back panel, the AVR’s seven channels are served by 11 sets of binding posts. This allows you to connect front height, front width, and back surround speakers, switching among them according to your desire of the moment. One set can also be dedicated to biamping the front left and right speakers. The connectivity suite includes a total of six HDMI inputs and two outputs. As is increasingly common, component and composite video are present for legacy source components, but S-video is not. Multichannel analog connectivity includes 7.1-channel inputs and 7.2channel outs. This is also one of the rare A/V receivers with a phono input.

The SR7005 sports an attractive and colorful new graphic user interface that bears some resemblance to that used by stablemate Denon. The remote is a basic collection of small buttons. Marantz has a separate line of remotes, including two PCprogrammable ones—unfortunately, you’ll have to buy them separately for $200 (RC2001) to $350 (RC3001, with RF extender).

As I mentioned above, this AVR supports Dolby Pro Logic IIz for front height enhancement and Audyssey DSX for both height and width. Recommended placement for the width speakers is 60 degrees off center (versus 30 degrees for the main left and right speakers). Height speakers should generally be elevated by 45 degrees, and 45 degrees off center.

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COMPANY INFO
Marantz
(201) 762-6500
marantz.com
ARTICLE CONTENTS

COMMENTS
Christina Marlowe's picture
Submitted by Christina Marlowe on December 29, 2010 - 4:42pm

I recently purchased the Marantz SR 7002 A/V Receiver. Excellent in most every way but one huge, glaring and irritating oversight by both myself and Marantz. I use a Mac computer and my new Marantz Remote controllers are NOT compatible; therefore, much to my dismay, I cannot use many of the features of the receiver. I found it appalling that Marantz does not include a Mac-compatible program, thus rendering my remotes utterly and completely useless. I contacted Marantz and told them that manyalso of their would-be customers would, by virtue, use a Mac computer, but to no avail. If I had done my homework thoroughly, I never would have purchased this incompatible receiver. GREAT sound, though...

soldier38's picture
Submitted by soldier38 on December 30, 2010 - 3:30pm

I recently purchased this receiver as a replacement for an somewhat worn Onkyo sr803.I upgraded from this receiver (which was not bad when it was new) because I wanted dual sub outputs, more hdmi inputs, Pandora radio and of course good sound quality. After extensive research and comparing different brands and pricing, I thought the sr7005 and Denon 4311 would give me what I was looking for in quality and also set me up for future upgrades. I decided on the sr7005 because of the history of the company and the fact that I found it for a great price. I have to say I got more than I bargained for. Sound quality is the best i've heard and it offers all the features I wanted and more. I was hoping you guys would do this review. It gives me a professional opinion and lets me know that I made the right choice. Thanks HT mag.

swimND's picture
Submitted by swimND on January 24, 2011 - 9:49am

Mark: Having reviewed both the Marantz SR7005 and the Yamaha rx-a2000, was there one you found to SOUND better? I assume that most of your setup was the same when you listened to both. Can you offer some thoughts on the differences between the two?

Jose D gamez's picture
Submitted by Jose D gamez on January 25, 2011 - 10:01pm

I have bought this new receiver as an upgrade to my old SR8200. I auditioned this receiver vs the Arcam600 side by side, and let me tell you: there is little difference if any as sound quality goes, this new receiver stands up to the best. Not being THX certified and less weight was a concern,but... according to Marantz, they did not do THX certification because it costs money, they wanted to keep it affordable.I am planning to use an additional three channel amp with this receiver. Really high end.

mike1's picture
Submitted by mike1 on September 28, 2011 - 1:45pm

my friend has this avr and last saturday when i went to his house we watch movie n i had a headache for 2 days.i wish i can buy this avr, sound from that is big WOW.

suterp34's picture
Submitted by suterp34 on October 19, 2011 - 10:59am

Is this reciever .2 ready? I would like to be running two subs without having to spit 'Y' the LFE cable.

PACoug's picture
Submitted by PACoug on May 30, 2012 - 5:44pm

Bought mine for $800 from a guy who lost his job before he was able to equip his HT. It was new unopened in the box, but I don't get the warranty. For half price I'll take the risk.

This is my fifth Marantz HT receiver and the best yet. Has great midrange and the high end is smooth.

But what sets this thing apart is its advanced bass management. This receiver replaced a 7001 that finally went into shutdown after years of good service. That 7001 had stunning bass. I have twin RBH passive subs driven by matching RBH amplification; that's 4 high-quality aluminum woofers moving a mountain of air. When Russell Crowe shouts "Let fly!" in Master and Commander and the cannons commence, the old 7001 produced bass control that was inspiring, and a depth I couldn't find anywhere else in a standalone component for less than $2k.

Well, its replacement has gone one better. Perceived depth in soundtracks I've listened to many times over the years is far better with the 7005. Precise control of the woofers even puts the 7001 to shame. When you're operating this much woofer, you tend to get paranoid about boominess and johnny-one-note woofer performance. I put an old Holly Crowe CD in my Marantz CD player coming through my Number Cruncher, because the string bass on that recording can truly separate the refined men from the boomy boys in the subwoofer department. Never have I heard those bass lines that clean except on a pair of well-driven Sennheiser 650s. Wish I still owned those.

All the rest of it, the extra HDMI inputs, 3d support, ARC, robo-modes for every mood, all of it is just gingerbread. The sound quality here makes the movie and music experience so engrossing that I'll never regret this purchase.

LIFE_IS2's picture
Submitted by LIFE_IS2 on March 21, 2013 - 6:51am

I recently bought the SR7005 receiver and could not be happier. Thanks for the recommendations. I have always been a H.K. fan but didn't have good luck with my AVR2600. I went to try out their newer models but felt the were so light in weight comared to my older HK receivers. Do ya'll feel that HK has lost some quality and how does the newer models by HK perform to the newer models of Marantz in the same category as far as price goes? Thanks and GREAT ARTICLES

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