Axiom Home Page Forums General Discussion Home Theater Upgrade a 7.1 base level Axiom Set to 11.2

Hi Troy,

Just had a look at the Anthem MRX720. Interesting. It seems to be an 11.2, but only 7 channels amplified? I'd need to add a 4 channel amp for the ceiling speakers?

I'd need to read up on it some more. What makes you like the Anthem system compared to the Denon?

Anthems room correction is second only to Dirac and apparently much better than Audyssey from what i have read if RC is something thats important to you. There are 2 camps and many opinions about RC and its benefits . I dont think anyone will argue that treating the room and proper location of your subs and speakers should be handled before introducing room correction.

Also if your from the USA you dollar can take you much further when buying our quality canadian gear. Just a 4 channel Emotiva Bassx amp you dont need much power to run the overhead surrounds.

You can pick up a second hand 4 ch amp and as socketman says, you do not need much power for Atmos.
I will be using my Anthem MCA5 for Atmos, but that is over kill really but it is already what I have.

I had Denon for years last one was a 4806. I tried a couple others and found a MRX500. ARC is a awesome strong program. Even better with the new x20 series.
I find clarity, detail so much clearer. Great bottom end also, without subs. Reality is not sure if it is the M22's or the Pre/Pro but I really don't believe I need a centre speaker, imaging , sound stage presence is the best. ARC also gives you alot more flexibility. You can even set parameters, if I am not mistaken. This if Nickboul comes on can explain way more in detail, he has a 1120 and speaks really highly of it. I'm looking at upgrading to the MRX720 or go all out on the AVM60.

Seriously, if you can find a retailer for Anthem, I would take a look before I spent a dollar on something else.
Also, on the EP350 note. yeh you have a big room, def dual 350s. I am currently upgrading to a 500 from my 350. Find need just a bit more and I want a bit tighter.
DUal 350's most likely would of did it for me, but, listening to music more and it is a bit too, I don't ( fat sounding ) just a bit much BOOompht lol
Looks like I will end up trading in this 350 on a second 500 though.
Too bad, I have the 350 now and recently put a EP500 on layaway from the deals site $961. Once that is paid I will get a second one same way. Probably use the 350 and M22 upstairs in living room after.I am upgrading to the M5HP also

Actually, if I can remember correctly Randy ( SirQuack ) recently did some upgrades and he too went from Denon to Anthem MRX
He might give you a better review than I can on Anthem.


Found it .... https://www.axiomaudio.com/boards/ubbthreads.php/topics/421941/My_Atmos_thread#Post421941

Me again just re read your first post thats a big room, I would def, get the EP500
also, I would without a double get a Anthem MRX720 and still have enough to get a 4 channel amp at the same cost of the Denon.

Actually I would hold onto the Sub money and keep an eye on the Deals and you can nab a EP500 for the same price if not maybe a couple hundred more. I got mine for $965

No, stay away from the deals section....its all mine!

all your bass are belong to us

If it wasn't Valentine's Day, I would make a more detailed post, but oh my gosh yes! Anthem's ARC is light years better than Audyssey (and I liked Audyssey). Some people say that it is right on par with Dirac, some say that ARC is marginally better, and other say that Dirac has a tiny advantage. It is THAT good.

All room correction is vastly improved with acoustical treatments in the room. Fix that major problems with acoustical treatments so that the system never has to "fake it" or "compromise" something to fix a spike or dip in frequencies in the room.

Thanks guys, my speakers are ordered at this point. I'll post pictures once I get them mounted in several weeks.

I'm still trying to sort through the receiver choice now:

Denon EVRX6300H 11.2 can be had from Amazon for $2,199 US dollars.


The Anthem MRX720 can be ordered from Crutchfield for $2,499. So they're somewhat comparable price though I'd need to also order a 4-channel amp.

If I read the reviews on the Denon on Amazon, I find a couple reviews complaining about this: (quoting the review)




Honestly that review has had me a bit spooked on the Denon, maybe I'll be fine, but there's no proof I see that the issue has been resolved. That same issue was reported in several reviews of this Denon model suggesting it might be a systematic problem in a number of units. You'd expect higher build quality in this unit, but Denon is made in China now as of 2009, not Japan like the last time I bought a Denon receiver. I'm more than a little worried about long term build quality of the unit.

My issue with the Anthem MRX720 is it's still a bit of an unknown to me. There's not a lot out there in terms of customer reviews on the internet. It's going to end up $300 more plus the price of a 4-channel amp.

On the plus side Anthem is made in Canada, and I'd sure trust the build quality out of Canada far more than China.

My whole audio system might as well come from Canada, aye?

Would anyone have a recommendation for a 4-channel amp for Atmos M3 speakers?

Thanks again

I have the AVR60 so I ended up getting 11 channels worth of amps. (well actually 13 as I have LFRs.

Hands down I would recommend the MRX720 over ANY Denon regardless of price.

If you are looking for reviews, you can take a look at any of the Anthem product reviews as Anthem doesn't really make a bad unit. The sound you get from the MRX720 will be about the same as from the MRX1120 as the logic boards inside them are identical. With the 1120 you are getting a bigger toroidal power supply and more amplified channels. But the processor board is the exact same.

As for an amplifier for the remaining for channels. Go used! bought two Amp1a for $120 for both. The Atmos channels you'd be hard pressed to pull 10watts of power from those speakers. Likely it would be closer to the 2-3watts. Any amp can handle them.