The catch
Marantz CINEMA 60
A four-height layout is ruled out by seven-channel processing.
Side by side
Marantz CINEMA 60 vs Marantz CINEMA 50: CINEMA 50 allows four heights and future 7.1.4 with more rack depth
Quick verdict
A finished 5.1.2 system in a shallower rack suits the original CINEMA 60. Four heights, six fast HDMI inputs, independent sub outputs or later 7.1.4 expansion make the original CINEMA 50 the better choice.
Before you buy
Why, and what it costs you
Adding a second height pair takes the entire amplifier upgrade
With its two extra amplifiers, CINEMA 50 takes a five-speaker bed with two heights up to four heights.
Where this comes from
5 + 2 comes to seven channels on CINEMA 60. On CINEMA 50, 5 + 4 comes to nine.
The catch
Marantz CINEMA 50
Two inches more depth.
Marantz CINEMA 60
- Why pick it
- Seven main speakers is as far as the room will go
- The installation benefits from two inches less chassis depth
- The catch
- A four-height layout is ruled out by seven-channel processing.
Marantz CINEMA 50
- Why pick it
- The receiver should power four heights
- You plan on a fourth fast source or independently adjusted subs
- The catch
- Two inches more depth.
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What this page compares
Original Marantz CINEMA 60 vs CINEMA 50 on four heights, fast HDMI sources, independent sub outputs and later 7.1.4 expansion.
A finished 5.1.2 system in a shallower rack suits the original CINEMA 60. Four heights, six fast HDMI inputs, independent sub outputs or later 7.1.4 expansion make the original CINEMA 50 the better choice.
Which one fits
Pick the situations that sound like you
Room complete at 5.1.2, with three fast sources
The layout and source count are met by either.
- Marantz CINEMA 60
- Good
- Marantz CINEMA 50
- Good
Four height speakers, physical ones
CINEMA 50 runs 5.1.4 from internal amps.
- Marantz CINEMA 60
- Not suitable
- Marantz CINEMA 50
- Better fit
A fourth source at 4K120
Three suitable inputs on CINEMA 60, six on CINEMA 50.
- Marantz CINEMA 60
- Caution
- Marantz CINEMA 50
- Better fit
A rack in which two inches of depth count
Against 15.9, CINEMA 60 measures 13.9 inches deep.
- Marantz CINEMA 60
- Better fit
- Marantz CINEMA 50
- Caution
In practice
Differences you will notice
Adding a second height pair takes the entire amplifier upgrade
With its two extra amplifiers, CINEMA 50 takes a five-speaker bed with two heights up to four heights.
How we worked this out
5 + 2 comes to seven channels on CINEMA 60. On CINEMA 50, 5 + 4 comes to nine.
7.1.4 brings an additional purchase
For 7.1.4, CINEMA 50's eleven-channel processing still needs a stereo power amp.
How we worked this out
Its nine internal amplifiers fall two short of eleven main speakers.
The taller-tier receiver does not suit the shorter rack
Each is listed at 6.5 inches tall, though CINEMA 50 needs two more inches of depth.
How we worked this out
CINEMA 60 is published at 13.9 inches deep and CINEMA 50 at 15.9 inches.
Plan your receiver connectionsLay out my system
Check a documented speaker layout against HDMI sources and external-amplifier plans.
Marantz CINEMA 60
Handles your setup
Runs 5.1.2 on its own built-in amplifiers. Takes 3 HDMI devices, 1 of them at 4K/120Hz.
Marantz CINEMA 50
Handles your setup
Runs 5.1.2 on its own built-in amplifiers. Takes 3 HDMI devices, 1 of them at 4K/120Hz.
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, CINEMA 60
CINEMA 60
Audyssey MultEQ XT, two HDMI monitor outputs and seven main-channel pre-outs are all on the original CINEMA 60. It fits a 5.1.2 room that could later move to external amplification.
- Best for
- Two displays and a seven-channel separates setup
Facts we checked
- 7 main processing channels and 7 built-in amplifier channels
- Of 6 HDMI inputs, 3 support 4K120 video
- 2 HDMI outputs
- Room setup by Audyssey MultEQ XT
- Subwoofer outputs aside, 7 full-range main-channel pre-outs
- Before ventilation space, the chassis is 6.5-inch high with antennas horizontal
Option B
Marantz, CINEMA 50
CINEMA 50
All six HDMI inputs support 4K120. With nine amplifiers, eleven-channel processing and four independent sub outputs, it handles a 5.1.4 system and leaves room to expand to 7.1.4.
- Best for
- Marantz rooms with four heights and a path to upgrade
Facts we checked
- 11 main processing channels and 9 built-in amplifier channels
- Of 6 HDMI inputs, 6 support 4K120 video
- 3 HDMI outputs
- Room setup by Audyssey MultEQ XT32
- Subwoofer outputs aside, 11 full-range main-channel pre-outs
- Before ventilation space, the chassis is 6.5-inch high with antennas horizontal
- 4 subwoofer outputs, each independent
Spec by spec
Where they really differ
| Spec | Marantz CINEMA 60 | Marantz CINEMA 50 | In practice |
|---|---|---|---|
| Amplifiers and processing | 7 amplified, 7 processed | 9 amplified, 11 processed | CINEMA 50 gets 5.1.4 from its own amplifiers and 7.1.4 with an external stereo amp. |
| 4K120-capable HDMI inputs | 3 | 6 | CINEMA 50 has double the number of fast inputs. |
| Full-range main-channel pre-outs | 7 | 11 | The additional channels of the larger processor are available for external amplification. |
| Subwoofer outputs | 2 | 4 independent | More sub outputs can be adjusted independently on CINEMA 50. |
| Included room correction | Audyssey MultEQ XT | Audyssey MultEQ XT32 | A different Audyssey tier comes included, and CINEMA 50 has optional Dirac. |
| Chassis depth | 13.9 inches | 15.9 inches | Before cable clearance, CINEMA 60 saves two inches. |
Trade-offs
What each pick costs you
With Marantz CINEMA 60
- Just three fast HDMI inputs, and fewer sub outputs that are independently controlled.
With Marantz CINEMA 50
- 7.1.4 and the optional Dirac upgrades each come as separate purchases.
Change of plan
When the answer changes
Seven main speakers is as far as the room will go
Go with Marantz CINEMA 60. The finished system is covered by its seven-channel processing, in a shallower chassis.
The receiver should power four heights
Go with Marantz CINEMA 50. The documented 5.1.4 layout runs on its nine internal amplifier channels.
7.1.4 has to run on built-in amplifiers and nothing else
Neither model fits. Neither the documented processing layouts nor the internal-amplifier ones cover this requirement. Pick a receiver that has the physical configuration you need.
Decision guide
How to decide
Pick the original CINEMA 60 for a finished 5.1.2 system in a shallower rack. Pick the original CINEMA 50 if you want four heights, six fast HDMI inputs, independent sub outputs or room for 7.1.4 later.
Go for the larger processor when it unlocks a layout
Even with all seven channels feeding external amplifiers, CINEMA 60 stays a seven-channel processor. CINEMA 50 processes eleven channels and powers nine of them, which suits a 5.1.4 installation today and a later 7.1.4 expansion as long as the additional amplifier is included. External amplification changes the power available. Processing is what defines the speaker layouts that are possible.
Compare fast inputs and individual sub controls
Each receiver has six HDMI inputs, but all six on the CINEMA 50 handle high-frame-rate video, compared with three on the CINEMA 60. The four independent sub outputs also change what you can align at the receiver. Those are concrete reasons to step up even if the room stays at seven main speakers. Base them on equipment you plan to own and leave hypothetical expansion out of it.
Allow room and budget for the whole setup
Chassis depth grows by two inches on the CINEMA 50, and the stated height stays the same. That difference can matter behind a cabinet door or near a wall. This model includes Audyssey MultEQ XT32 and offers separately licensed Dirac upgrades, whereas the original CINEMA 60 includes MultEQ XT with no Dirac support. Verify carefully that you are getting the original model, because Series 2 products have separate specifications.
What this page can’t tell you
- Only the original CINEMA models are covered here. Series 2 is excluded. The comparison does not imply any measured ranking of sound quality.
By the numbers
What the data shows
What we found across the AV receivers we compare, plus the checked facts behind each finding.
How many fit
Only 9 of the 34 models checked meet every need here: “Use four height speakers”, “Set up a 7.1.4 room”, and “Tune several subwoofers individually”.
9 models fit, out of 34 checkedShow the facts and the math
How we countedThe count uses each product's current fit ratings for “Use four height speakers”, “Set up a 7.1.4 room”, and “Tune several subwoofers individually”. A need with no documented match is not counted.
| Product | Needs it meets | Facts we checked | Sources |
|---|---|---|---|
| Marantz CINEMA 60 | None of these needs is a documented match |
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| Marantz CINEMA 50 |
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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 60
Seven main speakers is as far as the room will go
See price & reviews on AmazonMarantz CINEMA 50
The receiver should power four heights
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