Anthem MRX710, MRX510, MRX310 Gen2 AV Receivers Preview

Anthem announced a new generation of receivers at CEDIA in Denver and they look great.  The three new units are the MRX 310, the MRX 510, and the MRX 710.  The MRX 310 is a five channel receiver and the MRX 510 and MRX 710 will both drive up to seven channels. The latter two can optionally be configured to bi-amp the front left and right channels.  Choosing to biamp the mains means that you'll be left with a 5.1 setup with the MRX 510 and MRX 710 unless you use external amplification.

We got to hear the Soundscape soundbar as well as the MRX 710 AV receiver. There's even a DAC on Zone 2 on the new flagship MRX receiver.

The MRX 310 will deliver 80 WPC with 2 channels driven and 60wpc with all 5 channels driven.  The MRX 510 delivers 100 WPC into 2 and 75 WPC into five channels driven.  The flagship model MRX 710 delivers 120 WPC into 2 and 90 WPC into five channels driven.   We don't have specs for the built-in amp performance of the MRX 510 and MRX 710 with all seven channels driven.

The MRX Gen2 receiver models feature both refinements and new features.  Perhaps most notable is a new version of ARC, Anthem's highly regarded room correction solution. Called ARC 1M, it brings the MRX-series performance closer to the level found in the flagship D2v and 50v pre-pros.  ARC 1M can now be connected via ethernet and not simply RS-232, which was the case in the previous models.  ARC 1M also features better signal processing and users can print both before and after room-measurement graphs.

Anthem MRX 710 Rear Panel

Other enhancements to the Gen2 receivers include 7 rear HDMI inputs, dual HDMI outputs, 4K upscaling, HDMI Pass-Through, HDMI audio return channel, and faster HDMI switching.  An easily overlooked feature is the ability to send two-channel music to Zone 2 from not only the analog inputs but also from toslink optical and digital coaxial as well.  Normally, digital audio to secondary Zones isn't available from digital sources without copying the main zone audio to the secondary zone.

Besides more power and two extra channels of amplification, the MRX 710 and MRX 510 sport three additional features: First, you can optionally bi-amp the front left and right channels; secondly, you gain access to an extra HDMI port on the front; and third, you get 7.1 pre-outs so that you can optionally choose to add external amplification to those units—a perfect upgrade path should you need it.  

In case you're wondering, the MRX 310 is strictly a 5.1 unit—including pre-outs—and will always downmix 7.1 content to 5.1.  In other words, you can't add an extra stereo amp to make the MRX 310 in to a 7.1 system.  It only has 5.1 for pre-outs.  If you feel like you'll need a 7.1 setup immediately or down the road, you should restrict yourself to looking at the MRX 510 and MRX 710.

For remote control, the Gen2 receivers will have both Apple/iOS and Android remote control apps.  The apps for the Gen2 receivers will be available soon according to Anthem. System integrators and those who need to integrate the MRX receivers into a larger automation system will appreciate the ability to control the MRX receivers either via either ethernet or RS-232.  This means that the Gen 2 receivers can easily fit into any type of home automation solution.

The new receivers keep all the features of the previous generation including conversion of composite and component to HDMI, Dolby Volume, 3D, second audio zone, high-res audio decoding, and Anthem's proprietary listening modes.

The MRX 710 and MRX 510 are scheduled to ship this fall and the MRX 310 is scheduled to ship sometime in early 2014.  All models will come with a 3 year warranty.

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