Anthem Releases New 7 CH, 11 CH, & 15 CH AVM A/V Processors and MRX Receivers

Audiophiles with impeccable tastes know the quality of Anthem products to be first rate. All their products are hand crafted in Canada to some of the highest quality measures in the audio industry. Audioholic's President Gene DellaSala did a full review of Anthem's STR Preamp and Power Amplifier and said that, "the STR preamp is perhaps one of the most flexible and diverse two-channel preamplifiers I've ever seen.  It offers state-of-the-art performance in every mode of operation handling analog and digital sources with equal ease". 

Anthem recently released information on an upgrade of their A/V receivers and  processors. We first saw the MRX series of receivers and AVM series of processors at the 2015 CEDIA show where Anthem first made their debut into the immersive audio and streaming game. The MRX 540, 740 and 1140 A/V Receivers; and AVM 70 and 90 A/V Processors will replace Anthems previous models.  All five new products feature industry-leading room correction, expert management of the latest audio formats and robust integration. The new releases are a culmination of the research and learning from the past five years.

Our fans and dealers have been anxiously awaiting these next generations and we are pleased to be unveiling products with such rich feature sets. We’ve had the opportunity to design and create new products that really set the benchmark of delivering tremendous performance for a great value. Being able to continue that legacy is something we’re very excited about.

--John Bagby, Managing Director, Paradigm Electronics Inc.

New Anthem AVM Processors & MRX AV Receivers YouTube Discussion

New programs and training for Anthem’s specialized dealers will also accompany these product releases. “We have fantastic training materials and programs for our dealers, who are truly the cornerstone of our brand’s success,” said David Baker (Director of Sales), Paradigm Electronics Inc. “We are excited to work closely with them to launch these new, high performance solutions.”

AVM 70 & 90 A/V Processors

The new series of A/V processors from Anthem will include the AVM 70 and AVM 90 models. The AVM 90 is Anthem’s new flagship A/V Processor with upgraded audio circuitry, four independent subwoofer outputs and 32-bit AKM AK4499EQ DAC with 768kHz sampling capability and DTS:X Pro decoding.  The AVM70 Processor can now manage configurations up to 15.2 channels and the AVM90 up tp 15.4  channels (up from 11.2) and all come with ARC Genesis Room Correction.

Anthem ARC has been a pretty solid room correction system from our past experiences. We love the fact the EQ could be bandwidth limited so you can just apply correction at and below the room transition frequency or whatever your preference may be.

Anthem’s new AVM 70 and flagship AVM 90 A/V Processors bring all of today’s technologies into a single component.

New features include:

• Dolby Atmos, DTS:X Pro and IMAX Enhanced
• Latest version of ARC Genesis Room correction.
• Anthem Web User Interface.
• All-New Electronics Platform, up to 15.4 channels, HDMI 2.0b, HDCP 2.2, hardware upgradeable to HDMI 2.1 (8K).
• New Networking Platform with web-based setup and over-the-air updates.
• Next-Generation Multi-core DSP Platform.
• Modernized Design with high resolution front panel display.
• Object-oriented audio codecs with support for up to 15.4 channels. Including four independent subwoofer outputs with phase and distance delay.
• Platform Agnostic Streaming with AirPlay2, Google Chromecast (Audio), Bluetooth v4.2, and Spotify Connect (coming soon!) and Roon (coming soon!).
• Video support including 7 HDMI 2.0b inputs with 2 outputs and independent Zone 2 HDMI.
• eARC for seamless integration with smart TVs.
• Pass-through of Ultra HD signals with Dolby Vision, HDR or Hybrid Log Gamma.
• Redesigned and higher precision calibration microphone.
• MM Phono Stage.

The AVM 90 also comes with upgraded audio circuitry, four independent subwoofer outputs and a 32-bit AKM AK4499EQ DAC with 768kHz sampling capability.

MRX 540, 740, and 1140 A/V Receivers

The new lineup of MRX Receivers will include the 540, 740, and 1140 models.Anthem says that the MRX A/V Receivers are "about maximizing performance for the money". MRX Series Receiver channels can be assigned in many ways. Unused amplifier channels can be re-assigned to Bi-Amplify demanding front speakers, power surrounds, presence speakers, or a second zone (Available on MRX 1140 and MRX 740). Configure amplifier channels for your system's needs, then perfect the presentation with ARC Genesis. Stepping up to the MRX 1140 gets you DTS:X Pro for even better sound quality on DTS:X source material.

• Dolby Atmos, DTS:X Pro (MXR 1140 only) and IMAX Enhanced
  
• Latest version of ARC Genesis Room correction.
• Anthem Web User Interface.
• All-New Electronics Platform, up to 15.2 channels, HDMI 2.0b, HDCP 2.2, hardware upgradeable to HDMI 2.1 (8K).
• New Networking Platform with web-based setup and over-the-air updates.
• Next-Generation Multi-core DSP Platform.
• Modernized Design with high resolution front panel display.
• Platform Agnostic Streaming with AirPlay2, Google Chromecast (Audio), Bluetooth v4.2, and Spotify Connect (coming soon!) and Roon (coming soon!).
• Video support including 7 HDMI 2.0b inputs with 2 outputs and independent Zone 2 HDMI (except MRX 540).
• eARC for seamless integration with smart TVs.
• Pass-through of Ultra HD signals with Dolby Vision, HDR or Hybrid Log Gamma.
• Redesigned and higher precision calibration microphone.
• Amplifier re-assignment with up to 10 channels on MRX1140, 6 on MRX 740, and 4 on MRX 540.

New User Interfaces on ALL AVM Processors and MRX Receivers

Gone is the OSD overlay many consumers have become accustomed to in other AV receivers and processors. Anthem Web User Interface is now built in to all MRX Receivers and AVM Processors. By using a phone, tablet or laptop, you can easily access any function or setting and make changes on the fly. In addition, you can power the main or second zone on and off, adjust volume, change audio modes or tweak channel trims. Web UI can also be used to calibrate speaker delays and levels and configure network settings/control options. We love the fact that these new products can be located in a different room from the display and speakers, yet they can be fully controlled and calibrated from anywhere you have network access via a tablet or laptop. 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 simple and convenient. Amp matrixing supports the reassignment of unused amplifier channels to Zone 2, surrounds, heights or to bi-amp even the most demanding speakers.

All new Anthem products will be available in December through authorized Anthem dealers. Anthem will be sending us an MRX 740 for evaluation and integration into the master bedroom of the new Audioholics Smarthome. We look forward to learning more about future upgrade paths to HDMI 2.1 and how well Anthem ARC Genesis works with the independent multi-sub features in the higher end models. Tell us what you think about these new Anthem products and what future upgrades you'd like to see on them in the near future.

Unless otherwise indicated, this is a preview article for the featured product. A formal review may or may not follow in the future.