Marantz CINEMA 60 vs Pioneer VSX-934

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Let's compare Marantz CINEMA 60 versus Pioneer VSX-934 for an overview of all their pros and cons. According to the results of our review, Marantz CINEMA 60 received 8.3 points out of 10 possible, and Pioneer VSX-934 was rated 7.4 points. The release date of CINEMA 60 is 2022, and VSX-934 is 2019. And as a result of the comparison, CINEMA 60 seems to be a better option for the role of a home theater center than VSX-934.

Main advantages Marantz CINEMA 60 over Pioneer VSX-934

Main advantages Pioneer VSX-934 over Marantz CINEMA 60

Amplifiers

For the built-in amplifier, the models have rated 7 points out of 10.

The number of channels is equal to the number of possible connected speakers. Both receivers can handle the 7.2-channels configuration.

RMS stands for the actual power of the receiver. The higher this value, the louder the sound can be produced. The differences between the models in terms of RMS power are significant - for the CINEMA 60 this value is 100/8 W/Ohm, and for the VSX-934 it is 80/8 W/Ohm.

Audio features

After reviewing the audio features of each model, we can rate the CINEMA 60 7 out of 10, and the VSX-934 - 9.

Most receivers now come with a microphone included. It is with the help of this microphone that the auto-calibration system functions, which adjusts the sound of the receiver to the room.

Speaker A/B switching allows you to change between the main and sub speaker set. Marantz CINEMA 60 can work with the main and additional set of speakers - and switch between them.

Connectivity

The connectivity of competitors in our comparison is markedly different, Marantz CINEMA 60 scored 9, and Pioneer VSX-934 scored 8 out of 10.

Bluetooth connection is now one of the main communication protocols for the receiver's control or even music broadcasting.

DLNA is the perfect way to use your local cloud storage to stream movies and music directly to a TV. You can use the DLNA protocol only with Marantz CINEMA 60.

Streaming services

Now music streaming services are gaining more and more popularity. They allow users to listen to millions of songs by subscription.

Extensive connections

The presence of many connectors makes the receiver more versatile. But there are also narrowly targeted models, the number of connectors which are limited to a certain area of use. And when choosing their own receiver, users need to consider exactly your goals for using the receiver. For extensive connection, Marantz CINEMA 60 got 8 points, but Pioneer VSX-934 received 7 points.

Marantz CINEMA 60 is equipped with 6/3 HDMI inputs and outputs, and Pioneer VSX-934 has 6/2 HDMI inputs and outputs.

HDMI eARC is the next step in the development of audio return channel technology, which works in conjunction with HDMI 2.1. Using eARC provides the highest sound quality for home audio systems. HDMI eARC is available only on Marantz CINEMA 60.

The HDCP encryption protocol is now mandatory for most media devices. This security technology encrypts digital signals from one product to another. HDCP content-encryption protocol is present on Marantz CINEMA 60 in the HDCP 2.3 version, and Pioneer VSX-934 has the HDCP 2.2 version.

Video features

The AV receiver is the heart of the home theater. And in this case, support for all current video formats ensures the best user experience, so it is very important to consider this when choosing a device. Video features of the CINEMA 60 were rated 8 out of 10 against the 10 for the VSX-934.

With the 4K pass-through feature, the AV receiver sends "native" 4K signals to a 4K TV from a video source without any processing. The CINEMA 60 works with the 4K/120Hz video, and the VSX-934 has the 4K/60Hz.

The AV receiver passes "native" 8K signals from a video source to 8K TV without any encoding, with the 8k pass-through features. The 8K path-through is available only on Marantz CINEMA 60.

Additional features

In terms of evaluating additional features, the CINEMA 60 got 10 points, but the VSX-934 has 6.

Voice control allows you to control the basic functions of the receiver through a smartphone, smart speaker or using the microphone that comes with the kit. The CINEMA 60 can be controlled by voice via Amazon Alexa, Google Assistant, Siri, Josh.AI. Only the Marantz CINEMA 60 has the ECO mode.

Multi-room

As the center of a home media system, each multichannel receiver has an additional set of terminals for connecting the second set of speakers to create additional audio space in Zone 2 or even Zone 3 where audio can have the separate source.

Multichannel surround

Marantz CINEMA 60 got 8 points for the multichannel surround sound and Pioneer VSX-934 got 7.