The catch
Marantz CINEMA 70s
One HDMI output for a display.
Side by side
Marantz CINEMA 70s vs Marantz CINEMA 60: 70s fits low cabinets, 60 serves two displays, both top out at seven channels
Quick verdict
If a low cabinet is the hard constraint, the original CINEMA 70s is the right choice. The original CINEMA 60 is the better pick for two displays, Audyssey MultEQ XT or a larger published two-channel power budget. Seven-channel processing is the ceiling on both.
Before you buy
Why, and what it costs you
Slim is not the same as shallow
CINEMA 70s frees up 2.2 inches of height and uses 1.2 inches more depth.
Where this comes from
CINEMA 70s is quoted at 4.3 high and 15.1 deep, while CINEMA 60 is 6.5 high and 13.9 deep.
The catch
Marantz CINEMA 60
The chassis stands 2.2 inches higher.
Marantz CINEMA 70s
- Why pick it
- The chassis height needs to be about 4.3 inches
- Demanding front speakers will get their own separate amp
- The catch
- One HDMI output for a display.
Marantz CINEMA 60
- Why pick it
- A TV and a projector each need an HDMI output
- You want the system to use Audyssey MultEQ XT
- The catch
- The chassis stands 2.2 inches higher.
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What this page compares
Original Marantz CINEMA 70s against CINEMA 60, covering cabinet fit, two displays, room correction, power ratings and external amplifier options.
If a low cabinet is the hard constraint, the original CINEMA 70s is the right choice. The original CINEMA 60 is the better pick for two displays, Audyssey MultEQ XT or a larger published two-channel power budget. Seven-channel processing is the ceiling on both.
Which one fits
Pick the situations that sound like you
A low cabinet that leaves enough ventilation above 4.3 inches
The CINEMA 60 chassis stands 6.5 inches tall.
- Marantz CINEMA 70s
- Better fit
- Marantz CINEMA 60
- Caution
A TV and projector both stay plugged in
Two HDMI outputs on CINEMA 60.
- Marantz CINEMA 70s
- Caution
- Marantz CINEMA 60
- Better fit
A rack of little depth that can hold a 6.5-inch chassis
CINEMA 60 has 1.2 inches less depth.
- Marantz CINEMA 70s
- Caution
- Marantz CINEMA 60
- Better fit
You have a full seven-channel external amplifier available
Seven main pre-outs and seven-channel processing come with both.
- Marantz CINEMA 70s
- Good
- Marantz CINEMA 60
- Good
In practice
Differences you will notice
Slim is not the same as shallow
CINEMA 70s frees up 2.2 inches of height and uses 1.2 inches more depth.
How we worked this out
CINEMA 70s is quoted at 4.3 high and 15.1 deep, while CINEMA 60 is 6.5 high and 13.9 deep.
Doubling the rated power gives about 3dB and does not double the loudness
CINEMA 60's 100W rating, set against 50W, gives about 3dB of theoretical electrical headroom when conditions match.
How we worked this out
10 × log10(100 ÷ 50) is approximately 3.01dB. This calculation says nothing definite about room loudness or multichannel behavior.
Outside power can keep a low-profile receiver in the running
Seven main-channel pre-outs come with each, so amplification can live outside either chassis.
How we worked this out
Both models have 7.2 pre-outs and seven main processing channels. That adds no further speaker processing.
Plan your receiver connectionsLay out my system
Check a documented speaker layout against HDMI sources and external-amplifier plans.
Marantz CINEMA 70s
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 60
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 70s
CINEMA 70s
Seven amplifiers and full 7.2 pre-outs fit into the 4.3-inch-tall chassis of the original slim CINEMA 70s. Use it as the anchor of a low-profile 5.1.2 room, or let it feed a separate power amp.
- Best for
- Low cabinets that also need two height speakers
Facts we checked
- 7 main processing channels and 7 built-in amplifier channels
- Of 6 HDMI inputs, 3 support 4K120 video
- 1 HDMI output
- Room setup by Audyssey MultEQ
- Subwoofer outputs aside, 7 full-range main-channel pre-outs
- Before ventilation space, the chassis is 4.3-inch high with antennas horizontal
Option B
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
Spec by spec
Where they really differ
| Spec | Marantz CINEMA 70s | Marantz CINEMA 60 | In practice |
|---|---|---|---|
| Chassis height | 4.3 inches | 6.5 inches | Before ventilation is counted, CINEMA 70s saves 2.2 inches of chassis height. |
| HDMI display outputs | 1 | 2 | A TV and projector both stay connected to CINEMA 60. |
| Included room correction | Audyssey MultEQ | Audyssey MultEQ XT | The calibration tier is different. |
| Published two-channel power | 50W into 8 ohms | 100W into 8 ohms | Each rating is based on 20Hz to 20kHz and 0.08% distortion with two channels driven. |
| Chassis depth | 15.1 inches | 13.9 inches | Although shorter, CINEMA 70s is 1.2 inches deeper. |
Trade-offs
What each pick costs you
With Marantz CINEMA 70s
- A lower two-channel power rating, and a deeper chassis.
With Marantz CINEMA 60
- A larger power rating adds no processing channels.
Change of plan
When the answer changes
The chassis height needs to be about 4.3 inches
Go with Marantz CINEMA 70s. The 4.3-inch chassis is the one with the lower profile. It still needs ventilation space.
A TV and a projector each need an HDMI output
Go with Marantz CINEMA 60. Both displays stay connected through its two main-room HDMI outputs.
The receiver must support a 5.1.4 speaker layout
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
The original CINEMA 70s fits when a low cabinet is the hard limit. The original CINEMA 60 fits when you want two displays, Audyssey MultEQ XT or a larger published two-channel power budget. Both are still seven-channel processors.
Measure along two axes
At 2.2 inches shorter, the CINEMA 70s is the natural starting point for a low cabinet. It is also 1.2 inches deeper than the CINEMA 60, though, so a narrow gap at the rear can overturn a choice made on height alone. Take the horizontal-antenna dimensions as the chassis reference, then add the manufacturer's ventilation allowance and real room for cable bends.
Work out if the second display matters to you
Two HDMI monitor outputs come on the CINEMA 60, against one on the CINEMA 70s. A room with a TV and a projector, which would otherwise need output switching, benefits from that. Six HDMI inputs and three high-frame-rate inputs are the same on both, so your source inventory will not separate them until a second display joins the installation.
Keep the amplifier ratings in perspective
The published two-channel power on the CINEMA 60 is double, which works out to about 3dB under matching electrical conditions. Treat that as context. It does not promise all-channel volume. Seven main-channel pre-outs are exposed on both receivers, so a separate power amp is possible if the system calls for one. Neither can become a nine-channel processor, which means four-height plans need another receiver.
What this page can’t tell you
- A calculated power gap says nothing about safe listening levels or how the receiver performs with every speaker impedance.
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
None of the 34 models checked meets all of “Fit into a low AV cabinet”, “Run a TV and a projector”, and “Use a separate power amplifier again”, so the pick goes to the closest practical compromise.
0 models fit, out of 34 checkedShow the facts and the math
How we countedThe count uses each product's current fit ratings for “Fit into a low AV cabinet”, “Run a TV and a projector”, and “Use a separate power amplifier again”. A need with no documented match is not counted.
| Product | Needs it meets | Facts we checked | Sources |
|---|---|---|---|
| Marantz CINEMA 70s |
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| Marantz CINEMA 60 |
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Ready to buy
See today’s price and what owners say
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Marantz CINEMA 70s
The chassis height needs to be about 4.3 inches
See price & reviews on AmazonMarantz CINEMA 60
A TV and a projector each need an HDMI output
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