When building a home theater system, the receiver acts as the command center - processing audio, switching video sources, and powering your speakers. Today, we're comparing two very different options: the entry-level Denon AVR-S570BT ($319) and the premium Marantz CINEMA 30 ($4,500).
The home theater receiver market has evolved significantly in recent years, with even budget models now supporting 8K video and advanced gaming features. Whether you're building your first surround sound system or upgrading a dedicated theater room, understanding the key differences between entry-level and high-end receivers is crucial.
Both these receivers are relatively new - the AVR-S570BT launched in 2022, while the CINEMA 30 just released in February 2024. The tech improvements are notable: both support HDMI 2.1 features like Variable Refresh Rate (which prevents screen tearing during gaming) and 8K video passthrough (future-proofing for next-generation content).
The most obvious distinction is in speaker support. The Denon handles 5.2 channels - meaning five main speakers and two subwoofers. This covers basic surround sound with front left/right, center, and two surround speakers. For many living rooms, this is plenty.
The Marantz, however, supports a massive 11.4 setup - allowing for height speakers, multiple surrounds, and four independent subwoofers. This enables true 3D sound with formats like Dolby Atmos, where sounds can appear to come from above.
Power output is equally different:
This power difference matters more in larger rooms or when using less efficient speakers that need more juice to perform their best.
Here's where the price gap starts to make sense. The AVR-S570BT includes basic automatic speaker setup but lacks advanced room correction. The CINEMA 30 features Audyssey MultEQ XT32 (which measures your room's acoustics and adjusts for problems) and supports Dirac Live (an even more sophisticated room correction system).
Think of room correction like an automatic equalizer that fixes acoustic problems in your space. The Marantz's advanced systems can make a dramatic difference in sound quality, especially in challenging rooms.
Both receivers handle modern video standards impressively:
However, the CINEMA 30 includes superior video processing chips and upscaling. This means non-4K content will look better when displayed on a 4K TV.
Having tested both units (albeit in different settings), the performance differences are noticeable but context-dependent.
The Denon excels at its price point. In a medium-sized living room with a 5.1 speaker setup, it delivers clear dialogue, impactful movie effects, and satisfying music playback. Gaming features like Auto Low Latency Mode work flawlessly.
The Marantz is simply in another league - as it should be for the price. The extra power isn't just about volume; it's about effortless dynamics and control. When an explosion rocks the soundtrack, there's zero strain. Music reveals subtle details you might miss on lesser systems. The advanced room correction makes every seat in the theater sound great.
The AVR-S570BT represents exceptional value for:
It delivers 80% of what most users need at a fraction of high-end prices.
The CINEMA 30 makes sense for:
Consider these questions:
For most users, the Denon AVR-S570BT provides everything needed for an excellent home theater experience. Its limitations only become apparent in direct comparison with much more expensive units.
The Marantz CINEMA 30 is for enthusiasts who demand the best and have the budget to match. Its advantages are real and significant, but they come at a premium that must be justified by your specific needs and usage.
Remember: your receiver is part of a system. Sometimes it's better to spend less on the receiver and more on speakers, which often make a bigger difference to overall sound quality.
Both receivers are well-positioned for future tech:
The Marantz offers more expansion potential and processing power for future updates, but the Denon should handle mainstream features for years to come.
The Denon AVR-S570BT and Marantz CINEMA 30 represent opposite ends of the home theater receiver spectrum. The Denon proves you don't need to spend thousands for good performance, while the Marantz shows just how far you can take home theater when budget isn't a constraint.
Choose based on your specific needs rather than specs alone. Most users will be thrilled with the Denon's performance, while dedicated enthusiasts will appreciate the Marantz's superior capabilities.
Remember: the best receiver is the one that fits your space, budget, and listening habits. Don't feel pressured to overspend - but if you're building a serious home theater, the premium features of higher-end units can be worth the investment.
| Denon AVR-S570BT ($319) | Marantz CINEMA 30 ($4,500) |
|---|---|
| Channel Support - Determines how many speakers you can use and whether you can have height effects | |
| 5.2 channels (basic surround setup) | 11.4 channels (full immersive audio setup) |
| Power per Channel - Affects how loud and clean speakers can play, especially in larger rooms | |
| 70W (sufficient for small/medium rooms) | 140W (ideal for larger spaces/demanding speakers) |
| Room Correction - Critical for getting the best sound in real-world rooms | |
| Basic auto setup | Advanced Audyssey MultEQ XT32 + Dirac Live (worth it for serious setups) |
| Video Processing - Important for making content look its best on your TV | |
| Basic 8K/4K passthrough | Advanced upscaling + 8K/4K processing |
| Audio Format Support - Determines what kinds of movie soundtracks you can play | |
| Standard surround formats only | Full support for Atmos, DTS:X Pro, Auro 3D |
| Subwoofer Outputs - Affects bass performance and flexibility | |
| 2 sub outputs (shared signal) | 4 independent sub outputs (better bass control) |
| DAC Quality - Impacts overall sound clarity and detail | |
| Standard DAC | Premium ESS Sabre DAC with jitter reduction |
| Build Quality - Affects longevity and performance stability | |
| Standard components | Premium components, toroidal transformer |
| Multi-room Capability - Important if you want whole-house audio | |
| Basic Bluetooth only | HEOS multi-room audio + advanced zone control |
The Denon AVR-S570BT ($319) is an entry-level 5.2 channel receiver, while the Marantz CINEMA 30 ($4,500) is a premium 11.4 channel receiver. The main differences are power output, number of supported speakers, and audio processing capabilities.
The Denon AVR-S570BT is ideal for basic home theater setups, offering excellent value for standard 5.1 surround sound systems in small to medium rooms.
For dedicated home theater enthusiasts with larger rooms or complex speaker setups, the Marantz CINEMA 30 justifies its premium price through superior audio quality, advanced room correction, and support for immersive audio formats.
Yes, both the AVR-S570BT and CINEMA 30 support 4K/120Hz gaming and include features like Variable Refresh Rate (VRR) and Auto Low Latency Mode (ALLM).
The Marantz CINEMA 30 offers superior music performance with better DACs and power output, but the Denon AVR-S570BT still provides good stereo playback for casual listening.
The Marantz CINEMA 30 features superior room correction with Audyssey MultEQ XT32 and Dirac Live, while the Denon offers basic auto setup capabilities.
The CINEMA 30 offers comprehensive multi-room capabilities through HEOS, while the AVR-S570BT only supports basic Bluetooth streaming.
Both support 8K video and HDMI 2.1, but the Marantz CINEMA 30 offers more expandability and processing power for future updates.
The Denon AVR-S570BT is ideal for living room setups, offering good performance at a reasonable price point without requiring complex installation.
While the Denon works well in any room, the Marantz CINEMA 30 benefits from a dedicated theater room to maximize its advanced features and capabilities.
We've done our best to create useful and informative comparisons to help you decide what product to buy. Our research uses advanced automated methods to create this comparison and perfection is not possible - please contact us for corrections or questions. These are the sites we've researched in the creation of this article: bestbuy.com - parts-express.com - bestbuy.com - audiosciencereview.com - crutchfield.com - audiolab.com - bestbuy.com - denon.com - audioadvisor.com - avsforum.com - en.community.sonos.com - hometheaterhifi.com - valueelectronics.com - youtube.com - everydayaudiophile.com - safeandsoundhq.com - marantz.com - marantz.com - marantz.com - projectorscreen.com - audioholics.com - stereonet.com - stereonet.com
