The catch
Marantz CINEMA 40
For 7.1.4 you need an additional stereo power amp. Dirac is an optional upgrade that costs extra.
Side by side
Marantz CINEMA 40 vs Onkyo TX-RZ70: Marantz gets four sub settings, Onkyo runs 7.1.4 by itself
Quick verdict
One-box 7.1.4 and included full-bandwidth Dirac make RZ70 the choice. RZ70 powers 7.1.4 without a separate stereo amp. CINEMA 40 is the choice when three or four powered subs need individual receiver settings or seven rear high-refresh inputs matter. Its nine amps need an external stereo amp for 7.1.4. Onkyo has two independent sub outputs and a lower-bandwidth front input.
Before you buy
Why, and what it costs you
The receiver with the cheaper offer may not add up to the cheaper complete 7.1.4 system
For seven ear-level speakers and four heights, CINEMA 40 needs two externally powered channels, while RZ70 powers all eleven internally. If you don’t own a suitable amp, weigh Marantz plus an amp, cables and appropriate installation space against the Onkyo receiver. When the amp is already in place, that gap can shrink considerably. Published channel counts alone don’t tell you what is left to buy, and this page doesn’t assume which currently wins on price.
Where this comes from
Eleven required main channels minus nine internal amps on Marantz equals two external channels. What you already own and the actual offers decide the effect on cost.
The catch
Onkyo TX-RZ70
Having two independent sub outputs doesn’t give you four individual receiver settings. The front HDMI port is slower.
Marantz CINEMA 40
- Why pick it
- Each of three or four powered subs needs its own receiver settings.
- Rear connections are needed for seven permanent high-refresh sources, and extra amplification is on hand.
- The catch
- For 7.1.4 you need an additional stereo power amp. Dirac is an optional upgrade that costs extra.
Onkyo TX-RZ70
- Why pick it
- One receiver should run eleven main speakers along with one or two subs.
- You would put included Dirac and supported front HDMI access to good use.
- The catch
- Having two independent sub outputs doesn’t give you four individual receiver settings. The front HDMI port is slower.
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What this page compares
Marantz CINEMA 40 vs Onkyo RZ70 for 7.1.4, multiple powered subs and a busy family media room, comparing complete-system costs and front HDMI limits.
Each processes eleven main speakers and suits a substantial home theater. Which hardware matters depends on whether you are building a four-sub installation or an eleven-speaker one-box installation.
Which one fits
Pick the situations that sound like you
Getting 7.1.4 without an additional main-room amplifier
Eleven internal amps are inside RZ70.
- Marantz CINEMA 40
- Caution
- Onkyo TX-RZ70
- Better fit
Three or four subs, each adjusted independently
Four independent outputs come with CINEMA 40.
- Marantz CINEMA 40
- Better fit
- Onkyo TX-RZ70
- Caution
A seventh high-refresh source left connected
On Marantz, the seventh input is a high-refresh connection at the rear.
- Marantz CINEMA 40
- Better fit
- Onkyo TX-RZ70
- Caution
Supported guest source, easy front access
Onkyo’s front AUX is easy to reach but comes with format restrictions.
- Marantz CINEMA 40
- Caution
- Onkyo TX-RZ70
- Better fit
In practice
Differences you will notice
The receiver with the cheaper offer may not add up to the cheaper complete 7.1.4 system
For seven ear-level speakers and four heights, CINEMA 40 needs two externally powered channels, while RZ70 powers all eleven internally. If you don’t own a suitable amp, weigh Marantz plus an amp, cables and appropriate installation space against the Onkyo receiver. When the amp is already in place, that gap can shrink considerably. Published channel counts alone don’t tell you what is left to buy, and this page doesn’t assume which currently wins on price.
How we worked this out
Eleven required main channels minus nine internal amps on Marantz equals two external channels. What you already own and the actual offers decide the effect on cost.
A third sub changes what you need to control
Both receivers give each powered sub its own output when you have one or two. Plan on a third or fourth sub and CINEMA 40 gets a clear advantage on the receiver side, since all four can have separate settings. The two independent outputs on RZ70 would call for another verified distribution or processing arrangement. A splitter can duplicate a feed, but it can’t produce a third independent receiver adjustment. What differs is control. The difference does not mean better bass at every seat.
How we worked this out
The intended number of subs, matched against the independently adjustable outputs. No acoustic result or need for extra subs is assumed.
A guest’s laptop and a seventh gaming device each call for a different socket
On CINEMA 40, seven high-refresh sources connect at the rear. RZ70 puts its seventh socket at the front for easy temporary access, but that input is 9 Gbps and limits 4K60 to 8-bit YCbCr 4:2:0. A guest laptop that sends 4K60 RGB needs a different supported setting or a rear route. For a family with six permanent sources and the occasional compatible visitor, front access can be the feature that helps. A seventh high-refresh source points to Marantz instead.
How we worked this out
Where the seventh input is and how much bandwidth it has, matched against permanent devices and visiting ones.
Plan your receiver connectionsLay out my system
Check a documented speaker layout against HDMI sources and external-amplifier plans.
Marantz CINEMA 40
Handles your setup
Runs 5.1.2 on its own built-in amplifiers. Takes 3 HDMI devices, 1 of them at 4K/120Hz.
Onkyo TX-RZ70
Handles your setup
Runs 5.1.2 on its own built-in amplifiers. Takes 3 HDMI devices, 1 of them at 4K/120Hz. Use the six rear inputs for 4K/120Hz. The front input has lower limits.
A powered subwoofer does not count toward the speaker channels. This checks one main room. Check Zone 2, bi-amping and unusual speaker assignments yourself. Leave room for ventilation, and confirm HDMI settings, cables and speaker impedance before you install.
Option A
Marantz, US black standalone receiver
CINEMA 40
Separate receiver settings are needed for three or four powered subs.
- Best for
- Each of three or four powered subs needs its own receiver settings.
Facts we checked
- 7.1.4 from internal amps: No, add a stereo amp
- Independent sub outputs: Four
- Seventh HDMI source: Rear high-refresh input
- Room correction supplied: Audyssey XT32, optional paid Dirac
Option B
Onkyo, US black standalone receiver
TX-RZ70
One receiver should run eleven main speakers along with one or two subs.
- Best for
- One receiver should run eleven main speakers along with one or two subs.
Facts we checked
- 7.1.4 from internal amps: Yes
- Independent sub outputs: Two
- Seventh HDMI source: Front 9 Gbps AUX
- Room correction supplied: Dirac Live Full Bandwidth
Spec by spec
Where they really differ
| Spec | Marantz CINEMA 40 | Onkyo TX-RZ70 | In practice |
|---|---|---|---|
| 7.1.4 from internal amps | No, add a stereo amp | Yes | For this layout, Onkyo needs no additional main-room amplifier. |
| Independent sub outputs | Four | Two | Plans with three or four subs favor Marantz and its receiver-side control. |
| Seventh HDMI source | Rear high-refresh input | Front 9 Gbps AUX | Marantz fits permanent fast sources, while Onkyo fits supported visitors who need easy access. |
| Room correction supplied | Audyssey XT32, optional paid Dirac | Dirac Live Full Bandwidth | Compare the workflow you want and the license bundle. |
Trade-offs
What each pick costs you
With Marantz CINEMA 40
- Because Audyssey XT32 is included, you only need a Dirac license if you specifically want that workflow.
With Onkyo TX-RZ70
- Powered Zone 2 takes the surround backs out of 7.1.4. If all the main speakers must stay active, plan a supported external zone route.
Change of plan
When the answer changes
The installation includes four independent sub settings
Go with Marantz CINEMA 40. They come directly from Marantz.
The priority is 7.1.4 in one box with Dirac included
Go with Onkyo TX-RZ70. Eleven amps and the specified Dirac license are both included with Onkyo.
Decision guide
Before you buy
A complete theater with fewer boxes is the aim, yet adjusting several subs separately may matter more than tucking two extra amplifiers inside the receiver.
What this page can’t tell you
- We claim no measured superiority in sound or room correction. Bass Control and other advanced licenses are separate from the included room correction.
By the numbers
What the data shows
What we found across the AV receivers we compare, plus the checked facts behind each finding.
Show the facts and the math
| Product | Needs it meets | Facts we checked | Sources |
|---|---|---|---|
| Marantz CINEMA 40 |
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| Onkyo TX-RZ70 |
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Ready to buy
See today’s price and what owners say
Open either model on Amazon for the current price, customer reviews and delivery options.
Marantz CINEMA 40
Each of three or four powered subs needs its own receiver settings.
Rear connections are needed for seven permanent high-refresh sources, and extra amplification is on hand.
See price & reviews on AmazonOnkyo TX-RZ70
One receiver should run eleven main speakers along with one or two subs.
You would put included Dirac and supported front HDMI access to good use.
See price & reviews on AmazonEach link opens in a new tab.
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