Marantz and McIntosh are two renowned and well-respected brands in the audio industry and produce high-quality speakers, soundbars, headphones, and subwoofers.
In this article, we will cover a general overview of both brands, looking specifically at the sound quality, durability, price, and so on.
Of course, each brand has different devices at different price points. However, we will compare them as closely as we can.
Quick History
Marantz Quick History
Saul Marantz started Marantz in 1953 and since then Marantz receivers have evolved from the ‘Consolette” pre-amp of 1953 to the modern receivers produced under Sound United.
In 2000, Marantz Japan Inc. brought together all the subsidiaries and assembled the SR Series Home Theater Receiver with improved sound quality, Hyper Dynamic Amplifier Module, and AirPlay connectivity. Today, Marantz is well known for its Av receivers, Av separates, amplifiers and hi-fi components.
McIntosh Quick History
McIntosh group is an audio equipment manufacturing company that was founded in America by Frank McIntosh in 1949.
Since the company’s inception over 76 years ago, it has recorded tremendous success in the production of audio equipment such as amplifiers, home theatres, speakers, car stereos, and other audio equipment.
Sound Quality
Marantz Sound Quality
Many listeners generally describe Marantz as having a “warm” sound. Yet, they are “soft”, softer than Denon, for example. In general, the sound is high quality and accurate. One highlight is the balanced bass, but you may find less dynamism than some other brands.
In fact, Marantz has a unique audiophile-quality sound that passionate music lovers appreciate.
In addition, the Marantz receivers built back in the 70s characterize the apex of the solid-state hi-fi era. Marantz 2245, for instance, hits a real sweet spot, as many users say, both in terms of power and price. The Marantz 2270 and Marantz 2245 are good examples as well.
McIntosh Sound Quality
In a fair judgment of Mcintosh audio output, they are best described as having a warm sound and soft bass delivery.
Most McIntosh amplifiers, such as the MC312 stereo power amplifier, are known for their delivery of low distortion sound. However, the audio products have a slightly above-average sound quality and linearity of response.
Features
Marantz Features
Marantz products are built for the future. Let’s look at some of the features of the Marantz 4K UHD AV Receiver SR5014 – 7.2 Channel as an example:
- Advanced object-based audio formats
- Versatile HDMI eARC connectivity
- High-performance, high-resolution audio playback
- HDAM circuit boards for detailed and dynamic sound
- HEOS built-in technology allows multi-room audio, digital music streaming, voice control, and comfortable HEOS App operation
McIntosh Features
For a McIntosh device such as the MX123 AV Processor, its primary feature includes an impressive list of audio formats support, including Dolby Atmos, MPEG-H audio, Auro-3D, 360 Reality Audio, and a host of other formats. Other interesting features that come with this kind of device include:
- Improved gaming experience with the Quick Frame Transport feature.
- Enhanced HDMI for improved video quality.
- Multiple digital audio inputs.
- Support for streaming platforms such as Airplay, Spotify, and mobile device streaming over Bluetooth.
Build Quality
Marantz Build Quality
Marantz receivers are stylish and offer luxurious feels with illuminated displays. Therefore, to say that the build of Marantz receivers is perfect is not an overstatement.
For instance, you can find 11 speaker terminals on Marantz SR7015 with gold-plated RCA terminals that make it look quite appealing.
The design is high-end, with stunning finishes and top-of-the-line components embedded throughout the body construction. Marantz’s designs will surely win you over at first impression.
McIntosh Build Quality
Mcintosh audio products are designed with stamped aluminium for a solid build that is made to last.
This includes fibreglass in some McIntosh loudspeakers for the ability to deliver great acoustic sound and the ability to retain its quality over a long period.
However, most McIntosh devices do not boast of sleek designs and appear mostly too boxy or with a vintage look.
Ease Of Use
Marantz Ease Of Use
Most people describe Marantz receivers as user-friendly products that are very easy to set up. Besides, their sound is excellent, and every user will quickly set them up in their home or office without requiring any skills.
McIntosh Ease Of Use
Some Mcintosh devices, such as the MCD12000 CD player have a lot of functional buttons that make them pretty easy to operate without a remote control.
For another example, the McIntosh Speaker RS150 is a portable speaker with an excellent digital display and comes with support for most of the streaming platforms that allow you to set up a playlist and enjoy your music anytime through a wireless connection.
Cost
Marantz Cost
Speakers: $50 – $2000
Tweeters: $20 – $100
Amplifiers: $200 – $3000
McIntosh Cost
McIntosh products range from $1,200 to $130,000. However, by category of the products, here are some of the price ranges.
- Power amp: from $4,000 (MC830) to around $43,000 (MC2KW)
- AV Processor: from $5,000 (MX100) to around $15,500 (MX170)
- Integrated systems: from $1,200 (RS150) to around $6,500 (MXA80)
- Loudspeakers: from $2,000 (XR50) to around $130,000 (XRT2.1)
Space Requirements
Marantz Space Requirements
Most of the receivers from Marantz are compact and require very little space. Whether you want to place them closer to your TV or together with your home theater, they will always find a space to fit in without looking cumbersome.
McIntosh Space Requirements
The large, boxy design of most Mcintosh designs makes them considerably space-demanding. Using a McIntosh device such as the Reference Home theater system would require a large room setting to accommodate the large boxy system and 7 speaker arrangement.
Remote Controls
Marantz Remote Controls
Marantz receivers come with factory remote controls that make navigation easier. Also, new Marantz receivers now come with a Marantz AVR remote app that you can use with iPhone and Android devices. This allows you to control the device with your smartphone seamlessly.
McIntosh Remote Controls
McIntosh remotes are mostly universal for McIntosh devices, i.e., they can be used with a large array of devices. The HR085 remote control comes with most McIntosh devices, and interestingly, it can also command from 3 other non-McIntosh components.
Connectivity Options
Marantz Connectivity Options
- Built-in Wi-Fi
- HDMI
- RCA
- Optical
- Bluetooth
- Speaker level inputs
Power Range
Marantz Power Range
Speakers: Up to 150 watts
Receivers: Up to 300 watts per channel
Amps: 150 watts per channel into 8 ohms and 180 watts per channel into 6 ohms
McIntosh Power Range
Typically, a Mcintosh single-channel solid-state amplifier, such as the MC611 has a power range of 400 watts to 600 watts. However, a floor-standing loudspeaker with a Tri-amp such as XRT1.1K can have a power range of up to 1200 watts.
Whereas, a McIntosh bookshelf speaker such as the XR50 has a power range of 75 watts to 300 watts.
Frequency Response
Marantz Frequency Response
Major products range from 10 Hz to 20 kHz. For instance, the audio section of the SR6014 is 10 Hz – 100 kHz. The Tuner, however, has a smaller reception frequency range of 87.5 MHz – 108.0 MHz.
McIntosh Frequency Response
The Mcintosh XR100 floor standing speaker has a frequency range of 30Hz to 45kHz which is common to most Mcintosh speakers. In most Mcintosh AV receivers, the frequency range is 20 Hz to 20 kHz.
Conclusion
Marantz produces averagely priced audiophile-quality sound systems and is well known for its AV receivers. Also, their build quality is good, and the devices are futuristic and easy to use. McIntosh products are quite expensive but deliver a satisfying warm sound and soft bass. They might not be easy to use because most of their devices lack remote control. However, they possess amazing features, justifying the cost of their devices.
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