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If you have a home theater system, you’d have an audio-video receiver in place. An AV receiver serves as the command center of your home theater system. It decodes the audio, drives your speakers, and allows you to easily switch between different components. What’s more, it delivers top-notch sound quality.
One option you have is the Marantz SR6011. This device is often recommended for people who would like to get the best out of their home theater system. It has excellent quality sound and enough inputs and outputs to accommodate even the most avid movie watcher.
What should you know about the Marantz SR6011? And should you buy it?
You'll enjoy incredible 3D immersive surround sound with the Marantz SR6011 AV receiver, which features the latest surround sound technologies, including Dolby Atmos and DTS: X.
Contents
The Marantz SR6011: What You Should Know
The Marantz SR6011 boasts of all the technologies that you will need to have a decent home theater system. It has a classy look and offers a wide range of features at an entry-level price.
Design
This AV receiver measures 17.4 by 6.3 by 16.4 inches () and weighs 28 pounds. As far as AV receivers go, the Marantz SR6011 is imposing and hefty. But if you’re worried about it sticking like a sore thumb, you should know that the elegant styling makes it easier for you to match it with other devices in your home theater system.
This AV receiver makes use of both matte and polished surfaces to give it an eye-catching look. There’s also a porthole display that will show you the current volume level, as well as the active mode.
You will find the minimalistic look appealing, yet the manufacturer doesn’t waste all that space. Hidden away with a thick flap are the front array of sockets and buttons that augments the wide assortment of ports at the back.
Overall, this is one big AV receiver that looks elegantly luxurious. You don’t feel the need to hide it from view.
Features of the Marantz SR6011
More than how it looks, however, what will make you decide to buy this AV receiver is the range of features that it offers.
9.1 Channels
The SR6011 has nine channels that can drive high current outputs, at 100 watts per channel with a frequency range ranging from 20 hertz to 20 kilohertz.
It supports both 5.1- and 7.1-channel setups, as well as non-conventional arrangements such as a 5.1.4 or a rare 7.1.2 configuration. Indeed, this receiver allows you to have left and right speakers, a center speaker, a subwoofer, left and right surround speakers, and several overhead speakers.
But more than that, the Marantz SR6011 features an 11.2 channel processing, which is quite rare for receivers in this price range.
You also have a range of decoders, including high audio resolution formats, such as lossless files using AIFF, WAV, or FLAC. These are samples at 24 bits and 192 kilohertz.
3D Listening Experience
Marantz gives you access to the latest video and audio technologies. For instance, the SR6011 has Dolby Atmos and DTS:X compatibility. These allow the receiver to drive those overhead speakers. Aside from DTS:X, the SR6011 also has a host of other decoders, including Dolby TrueHD lossless.
Fill up Large Rooms with Sound
This AV receiver can fill up large living rooms with sound. If that’s not enough, you can appreciate the Audyssey MultEQ XT32 on board that will be able to enhance and correct audible imperfections caused by the environment. The MultEQ XT32 can automatically correct sound errors due to the room’s acoustics. It comes with a measurement microphone that can analyze the output of each speaker and then create a digital filter that will enhance each channel and give out the right time domain and frequency response.
Video Like No Other
The Marantz SR6011 doesn’t stop at bringing you top-quality audio, but it also has some of the most advanced features when it comes to the video. First off, all eight HDMI inputs are compatible with HDMI 20a and HDCP 2.2 specs.
This AV receiver delivers videos with resolutions of up to 4K ultra HD with a 60-hertz refresh rate for every input. What’s more, you also get 4:4:4 pure color subsampling, 21:9 videos, HDR, and 3D.
If you have 4k UHD Blu0ray players, set-top boxes, and other video sources, then you’d have no problems when hooking them up to the Marantz SR6011. What’s more, this AV receiver is certified by the Imaging Science Foundation, which means that it has a full range of video calibration controls.
Connectivity
When it comes to connectivity, you won’t miss much with the Marantz SR6011. It has Wi-Fi and Bluetooth connectivity, so you can go fully wireless. It can play music if you have AirPlay or use online music services such as Spotify, Sirius XM, or Pandora.
There is also a USB port where you can attach a flash stick containing your favorite tunes. Or perhaps even play songs stored anywhere on your network.
Other Features
The Marantz SR6011 comes with an Eco mode that helps you save power while not sacrificing audio and video quality. Plus, it has the Audyssey Dynamic Volume that will smoothen out the sudden volume increases, such as when commercials suddenly come on while you’re watching a TV show.
This AV receiver also has the Audyssey Low-Frequency Containment, which gives you a wide range of tonal balance. With this feature, you can adjust the containment according to your tastes.
This AV receiver can support two subwoofers, so you can play with the best setup for your home theater system. You can have independent delays and trims for each subwoofer.
Alternatives to the Marantz SR6011
While reading all those accolades, we’re sure you’d want to head out and buy yourself a Marantz SR6011. However, you have to remember that this AV receiver was introduced around five years ago, and the manufacturer has since discontinued this model.
Even if you wanted to buy a Marantz SR6011, you’d be hard-pressed to find it at online retailers and stores. So what are your alternatives?
1. Marantz SR6015
With the Marantz SR6015, you can expect enough improvements to prefer it to the older SR6011. In fact, if you currently own the Marantz SR6011, you might want to upgrade to the SR6016. Some of the highlights that this AV receiver has included:
- Support for DTS: X, IMAX, DTS Virtual: X, Dolby Atmos, Dolby Atmos Height Virtualization Technology,
- Nine amplified channels
- Two subwoofer outputs that are independent of each other
- Can be used for custom setups, or as an 11.2-channel
- HDMI 2.1 and eARC for uncompressed audio
- 4K or 8K video upscaling
- Audyssey MultEQ XT32 room correction
If you like the Marantz SR6011, chances are you’d love the latest iteration: the SR6015. Like the SR6011 when it first came out, the SR6015 has the latest technologies. For one, it includes the DTS:X decoder out of the box, and you now have access to DTS Virtual:X. The newer version may have one fewer HDMI input but has an extra HDMI monitor output compared with the SR6011.
It also has discrete subwoofer outputs, an Ethernet port, and allows for USB connections. It is compatible with HDR10+ HLG, and Dolby Vision technologies, which the SR6011 isn’t.
However, the more significant difference is that the SR6015 works with Amazon Alexa and Google Assistant, allowing users to use simple voice commands to operate this AV receiver.
Bottom Line
The SR6015 delivers superior sound quality and a solid build. Setup is intuitive and you can use this as a preamp as well. The Audyssey MultEQ XT32 feature is a beautiful addition and it has video support for up 8K resolutions.
2. Denon AVR-X3700H
The Denon AVR-X3700H gets the basics right and adds in more. It comes from a long line of great AV receivers, yet the AVR-X3700H still delivers excellent sound quality and solid build quality to match. This home cinema amplifier is 8K-ready and it has all the latest technologies and decoders with it.
Like most 2020 AV receivers that are on the high-end side, the Denon AVR-X3700H is compatible with AirPlay 2, as well as Amazon Alexa and Google Assistant. Compared to the Marantz SR6011, the Denon AVR-X3700H has support for more DTX technologies, including DTS:X out of the box and DTS Virtual:X.
It has three HDMI monitor outputs and a discrete subwoofer output, as well as an Ethernet port, variable refresh rate, auto low latency mode for more responsive gaming, support for both HDR10 and HDR10+, as well asl HLG and Dolby vision.
3. NAD T 758 V3i
The NAD T 758 V3i delivers superb sound quality and includes an array of signal correction systems that can help tweak the sound no matter how big the room you’re in is.
It has a minimum impedance of eight ohms for the surround, center, left, and right speakers, which is half the power extracted by the SR6011, which has a minimum impedance of four ohms.
Moreover, the NAD T 758 V3i is compatible with Airplay 2, Amazon Alexa, and Google Assistant. It also features automatic calibration for your speakers.
Compared to the Marantz SR6011, the NAD T 758 V3i falls short in several areas:
- It only has seven channels, as opposed to the SR6011’s nine tracks.
- It doesn’t offer digital audio inputs for playback, multi-room HDMI output, DTS Virtual:X, and Dolby Atmos Height Virtualization technologies.
- It only has three audio-video inputs, while SR6011 has eight.
- It doesn’t have component video input and outputs
- It only has three HDMI inputs, not eight
- It has one less HDMI monitor output and subwoofer output
- It doesn’t offer 4K/120-hertz capable inputs.
- No video upscaling
What’s more, some users might need to have this AV receiver tweak the Dirac Live Room Acoustic Correction feature a lot or have a professional do it for them.
Side by side comparison of Marantz SR6011 and Its Alternatives
Let us make it simpler to compare and contrast these four AV receivers. Here is a comparison table for all four devices:
| Denon AVR-X3700H | Marantz SR6015 | NAD T 758 V3i | Marantz SR6011 | |
| Dimensions (WHD, inches) | 17.2 by 6.6 by 15.9 | 17.4 by 6.3 by 16.4 | 17.2 by 6.8 by 16.6 | 17.4 by 6.3 by 16.4 |
| Weight (pounds) | 27.6 | 28.2 | 33.9 | 28 |
| Amplification | ||||
| Number Of Channels | 9 | 9 | 7 | 9 |
| Stereo RMS Power (watts) | 105 | 110 | 110 | 110 |
| Total Harmonic Distortion at 0.08% | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| Frequency Bandwidth (hertz) | 20 to 20,000 | 20 to 20,000 | 20 to 20,000 | 20 to 20,000 |
| Minimum Impedance (ohms) | 4 | 4 | 4 | 4 |
| General Features | ||||
| Bluetooth | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| Apple AirPlay | AirPlay 2 | AirPlay 2 | AirPlay 2 | AirPlay |
| Amazon Alexa-compatible | Yes | Yes | Yes | No |
| Google Assistant-compatible | Yes | Yes | Yes | No |
| App Remote Control | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| On-Screen display via HDMI | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| Audyssey MultEQ XT32 | Yes | Yes | No | Yes |
| Multi-room Audio/Video | ||||
| Powered Multi-room Audio Output | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| Preamp Multi-room Audio Output | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| Multi-room HDMI Output | Yes | Yes | No | Yes |
| Total Number of Zones | 2 | 2 | 2 | 2 |
| Playback from Digital Audio Inputs | Yes | Yes | No | Yes |
| Playback from Streaming Sources | Yes | Yes | No | Yes |
| Surround Processing | ||||
| Dolby Atmos | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| Dolby Atmos Height Virtualization | Yes | Yes | No | No |
| Dolby Digital, TrueHD, DD+, EX | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| DTS, HD, HDMA, ES, 96/24 | Yes | Yes | No 96/24 | Yes |
| DTS Virtual:X | Yes | Yes | No | — |
| DTS:X | Yes | Yes | Yes | Needs update |
| Inputs & Outputs | ||||
| Audio-only Inputs | 2 | 2 | 6 | 2 |
| Audio-Video Inputs | 7 | 8 | 3 | 8 |
| Coaxial Digital Inputs | 2 | 2 | 2 | 2 |
| Component Video Inputs | 2 | 2 | 0 | 2 |
| Component Video Monitor Outputs | 1 | 1 | 0 | 1 |
| Discrete Subwoofer Outputs | Yes | Yes | Yes | No |
| Ethernet Port | Yes | Yes | Yes | No |
| HDMI Monitor Outputs | 3 | 3 | 1 | 2 |
| Multi-Channel Analog Input | No | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| Multi-channel Preamp Output | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| Number of HDMI Inputs | 7 | 7 | 3 | 8 |
| Optical Digital Inputs | 2 | 2 | 3 | 2 |
| Phono Input | 1 | 1 | 0 | 1 |
| Posts Main Speaker Output Pairs | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| Posts Main Speaker Terminals | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| Removable Power Cord | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| Subwoofer Outputs | 2 | 2 | 1 | 2 |
| USB Connections | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| HDMI-Related Features | ||||
| 4K/120Hz-Capable Inputs | 1 | 1 | 0 | 0 |
| Audio Return Channel | eARC | eARC | Yes | Yes |
| Auto Low Latency Mode | Yes | Yes | No | No |
| HDMI Version | 2.1 | 2.1 | 2.0b | 2.0a |
| Variable Refresh Rate | Yes | Yes | No | No |
| Video Upscaling to 4K | Yes | Yes | No | Yes |
| Video Upscaling to 8K | Yes | Yes | No | No |
| HDR Support | ||||
| Dolby Vision | Yes | Yes | Yes | No |
| HDR10 | Yes | Yes | Yes | No |
| HDR10+ | Yes | Yes | No | No |
| HLG | Yes | Yes | No | No |
| Others | ||||
| FM Sensitivity (dBf) | 12.8 | 12.8 | — | 12.8 |
| Parts and Labor Warranty (Years) | 3 | 3 | 2 | 3 |
Frequently Asked Questions
In this section, we answer the questions that our readers posed to us.
Answer: An audio-video receiver is used in many home theater systems to do exactly what its name says: to receive both video and audio signals and then process them.
It can make the signals more powerful, route the signals to the correct display such as computer monitors, video projectors, or a television. It can get incoming signals from media players, satellite receivers, your cable box, radios, video game consoles, and others.
Answer: When looking for an AV receiver, there are some features that you should take note of, and these are:
• Channels: How many channels are there? Most AV receivers have more than two channels, with the typical ones having five channels. They are called 5.1 receivers and have amplification for left and right speakers, the center speakers, and left and right surround sound speakers, plus the subwoofer.
• Decoders: How does your AV receiver handle audio sources with at least two channels of audio signals? Your AV receiver may have Dolby Pro Logic technology, Dolby Digital, Dolby Digital EX, or DTS ES, Dolby Pro Logic II, Dolby Pro Logic IIx, Dolby TrueHD, DTS-HD Master Audio, Dolby Atmos, and DTS:X.
• DSP effects: Digital signal processors help you to have better sound by using preset equalizers and effects.
• AV inputs/outputs: How many connections can you have with the AV receiver?
Answer: Standard connectors that you can see on an AV receiver include:
• Analog audio, which includes the RCA connector or the XLR connector
• Digital audio, which may be RCA terminated coaxial cable, S/PDIF, or TOSLINK
• Composite video
• S-Video
• SCART video
• Component video
• HDMI
• USB
Should You Buy the Marantz SR6011?
You'll enjoy incredible 3D immersive surround sound with the Marantz SR6011 AV receiver, which features the latest surround sound technologies, including Dolby Atmos and DTS: X.
As it is, the Marantz SR6011 is an excellent audio-video receiver that has excellent sound quality and all the inputs and outputs you can possibly need to use with your home theater system. It has a solid build quality, and you can control it in a variety of ways: through your smartphone, via the included remote control, or on the display.
However, it is a five-year-old device and several receivers have been introduced since then. The Marantz SR6011 doesn’t support voice commands that would allow it to work with Amazon Alexa or Google Assistant, a feature that is now a standard on high-end AV receivers. What’s more, the manufacturer has discontinued this device, so it will be challenging to find one in the market.
If you like an AV receiver that won’t demand a lot of power, there’s the NAD T 758 V3i. If you want a decent AV receiver with all the latest technologies and decoders, you can go for the Denon AVR-X3700H.
Better still, stay within the brand and get a Marantz SR6015. The latest iteration will give you many of the same features and technologies that the SR6011 has, plus more technologies that make it one of the best AV receivers that you can buy now.
Howard Hinnant
Tuesday 15th of February 2022
The SR6011 has an ethernet port on the rear panel. I use it to receive updates and it works fine.