Overview
The Anthem MRX 1140 8K is a flagship 11.2-channel home theater receiver that delivers stunning audio and video performance. It supports the latest surround sound formats, including Dolby Atmos, DTS:X Pro, and IMAX Enhanced, and features Anthem’s acclaimed ARC Genesis room correction system that optimizes the sound for any listening environment. The receiver also has a web-based interface that allows easy setup and control, as well as streaming capabilities via AirPlay 2, Google Chromecast, Bluetooth, and Spotify Connect.
The receiver has a sleek and modern design, with a high-resolution front panel display that shows the input source, volume level, and sound mode. The back panel has a generous array of connections, including 8 HDMI inputs and 3 outputs, all of which are HDMI 2.0b and HDCP 2.2 compliant, and can be upgraded to HDMI 2.1 for 8K support. The receiver also has 15.2-channel preamp outputs, 2 independent subwoofer outputs, and a Zone 2 HDMI output for multi-room audio and video.
The receiver has a powerful amplifier section, with 140 watts per channel for the main 5 channels, and 60 watts per channel for the remaining 6 channels. The main channels use Class AB amplification, while the others use Class D amplification, resulting in a balanced and dynamic sound. The receiver can power up to 11 speakers, or up to 15 with external amplification, and can handle various speaker configurations, such as 7.2.4, 9.2.2, or 5.2.6.
The receiver supports all the major surround sound formats, including Dolby Atmos, DTS:X Pro, and IMAX Enhanced, and can decode up to 15.2 channels of immersive audio. The receiver also has a DSP platform that allows for amp matrixing and channel reassignment, giving the user more flexibility and customization options. The receiver also has a Dolby Surround and DTS Neural:X upmixer that can create a 3D sound field from any source.
The receiver features Anthem’s ARC Genesis room correction system, which is one of the best in the industry. The system uses a calibrated microphone and a software application to measure the acoustic characteristics of the room and the speakers, and then applies filters and adjustments to optimize the sound for the specific listening environment. The system can also correct multiple subwoofers individually, and has a bass management feature that can blend the low frequencies from the speakers and the subs.
The receiver has a web-based interface that allows the user to access and control the receiver from any device with a web browser. The interface is intuitive and user-friendly, and allows the user to adjust various settings, such as input names, speaker levels, crossover frequencies, sound modes, and more. The interface also shows the status of the receiver, such as the input signal, the output resolution, the sound format, and the ARC results. The receiver also has an over-the-air update feature that can download and install the latest firmware automatically.
The receiver has a streaming platform that supports AirPlay 2, Google Chromecast, Bluetooth, and Spotify Connect, allowing the user to stream music from various devices and services. There are plans for Roon support, which is a music management and playback software that can integrate the user’s local and online music libraries and provide rich metadata and information about the music. The receiver, however, does not have any built-in streaming services, such as Tidal, Amazon Music, or Deezer, which may be a drawback for some users.
The Anthem MRX 1140 8K is a superb choice for a full-fledged Dolby Atmos home theater with 11 or more main speakers, both in terms of sound quality and flexibility. It has a solid and powerful sound, a comprehensive and user-friendly interface, and a high-quality room correction system. It also has a future-proof design, with the option to upgrade to HDMI 2.1 for 8K support. The only downsides are the lack of built-in streaming services, and the absence of USB-B and phono inputs. Overall, the Anthem MRX 1140 8K is a highly recommended receiver for anyone looking for a premium home theater experience.
Sound Quality
The MRX 1140 delivers a stunning sound quality that immerses the listener in a realistic and engaging sound field. The receiver has a powerful and balanced sound, with clear highs, detailed mids, and deep lows. The receiver also supports all the major surround sound formats, including Dolby Atmos, DTS:X Pro, and IMAX Enhanced, and can decode up to 15.2 channels of immersive audio. The receiver also has a DSP platform that allows for amp matrixing and channel reassignment, giving the user more flexibility and customization options. The receiver also has a Dolby Surround and DTS Neural:X upmixer that can create a 3D sound field from any source.
The Anthem MRX 1140 8K has a 32-bit AKM AK4458VN DAC with 768kHz sampling capacity. This DAC is a high-performance audio device that supports various digital input formats, such as PCM, DSD, and MQA3. The DAC also has a low-distortion sound filter and a digital de-emphasis filter that can improve the sound quality of compressed audio sources. The DAC can handle up to 15.2 channels of audio, and can output high-resolution audio signals to the preamplifier or amplifier sections of the receiver. The DAC is one of the components that contributes to the exceptional audio performance of the Anthem MRX 1140 8K.
Video Quality
The Anthem MRX 1140 8K also has a high-performance video section that supports the latest video standards and resolutions. The receiver has 8 HDMI inputs and 3 outputs, all of which are HDMI 2.0b and HDCP 2.2 compliant, HDMI 2.1 for 4K/120hz or 8K/60hz support. The receiver also supports HDR10, Dolby Vision, and HLG, and can pass-through 4K/60Hz, 4:4:4, and BT.2020 signals. The receiver also has a video processor that can upscale lower-resolution sources to 4K or 8K, and can also apply noise reduction and edge enhancement. The receiver also has a Zone 2 HDMI output for multi-room audio and video.