Marantz SR8012From real comments

Verdict distilled from 32 mentions across 11 aspects in comments under product review videos.

Positive sentiment77%
PROS 77%
CONS 23%

Rank based on 32 mentions across 11 aspects

View the verdict as

Buy this if...

  • You want flagship-level music and movie sound quality in one integrated unit
  • You run 8-ohm speakers and want strong power across up to 11 channels without external amps
  • You value Audyssey room correction for blending mismatched or multiple speaker types

What users love

Skip this if...

  • You run 4-ohm speakers and can't get Marantz support to walk you through the hidden setup code
  • You need HDMI 2.1 or the latest connectivity features
  • You want the absolute best price-to-power-supply ratio, since some say Onkyo/Integra/Yamaha rivals offer more for less

What users complain about

Compare in seconds

Based on user comments

Best choice
1
Panasonic SA-BX500
Modern decoding formatsConvenient front-panel S/video accessFlexible speaker configurationMarketing/title inaccuracyPerceived brand decline in receivers
Panasonic SA-BX500
Modern decoding formats
Convenient front-panel S/video access
Flexible speaker configuration
Marketing/title inaccuracy
Perceived brand decline in receivers
Best value
2Mid
Onkyo TX-RZ70
Dirac Live room correctionStrong value for priceExcellent Atmos and multichannel sound qualityHistory of HDMI board failures in Onkyo units4-ohm impedance switch pitfallSteep international price disparities
Onkyo TX-RZ70
Dirac Live room correction
Strong value for price
Excellent Atmos and multichannel sound quality
History of HDMI board failures in Onkyo units
4-ohm impedance switch pitfall
Steep international price disparities
You are here
3Premium
Marantz SR8012
Excellent music and movie sound qualityStrong power delivers 11 independent channelsEffective Audyssey room correction for mixed speakersSubwoofer integration with Audyssey is inconsistent4-ohm speaker load can cause unit failureCriticized power supply and component quality for the price
Marantz SR8012
Excellent music and movie sound quality
Strong power delivers 11 independent channels
Effective Audyssey room correction for mixed speakers
Subwoofer integration with Audyssey is inconsistent
4-ohm speaker load can cause unit failure
Criticized power supply and component quality for the price
4Premium
Marantz AV10
Excellent long-term sound quality
Marantz AV10
Excellent long-term sound quality
5Mid
Yamaha RX-V573
Future-Proof HDMI SupportGood DSP Sound ProgramsGood Price-to-Performance ValueMenu System Criticized by Some
Yamaha RX-V573
Future-Proof HDMI Support
Good DSP Sound Programs
Good Price-to-Performance Value
Menu System Criticized by Some
6Premium
Yamaha RX-A3080
High-end DACs and XLR outputsLong-term reliabilityBest-in-class control appComplex menu and setupInconsistent subwoofer bass handlingHDMI and setup issues for some users
Yamaha RX-A3080
High-end DACs and XLR outputs
Long-term reliability
Best-in-class control app
Complex menu and setup
Inconsistent subwoofer bass handling
HDMI and setup issues for some users
7Mid
Onkyo TX-NR7100
Dirac Live room correctionClear, detailed sound qualityStrong value for the priceBrand reliability concernsHDMI switching and dropout issuesBluetooth headphone switching is manual
Onkyo TX-NR7100
Dirac Live room correction
Clear, detailed sound quality
Strong value for the price
Brand reliability concerns
HDMI switching and dropout issues
Bluetooth headphone switching is manual
8Mid
Marantz NR1711
Slim, space-saving form factorBenefits greatly from external power amp via pre-outsWarm, musical Marantz sound signatureLimited power may require an external amp for demanding setupsRuns warmOnly one HDMI port with full 4K/120 HDR support
Marantz NR1711
Slim, space-saving form factor
Benefits greatly from external power amp via pre-outs
Warm, musical Marantz sound signature
Limited power may require an external amp for demanding setups
Runs warm
Only one HDMI port with full 4K/120 HDR support
9Premium
Sony STR-AZ7000ES
Immersive 360 Spatial Sound MappingClear, Detailed Sound QualityStrong Multichannel PowerDated, Uninspired Chassis DesignDim, Hard-to-Read DisplayNo Phono Input
Sony STR-AZ7000ES
Immersive 360 Spatial Sound Mapping
Clear, Detailed Sound Quality
Strong Multichannel Power
Dated, Uninspired Chassis Design
Dim, Hard-to-Read Display
No Phono Input
10Mid
Denon AVR-X1700H
Overall positive owner satisfaction8K future-proofingEasy initial setupConfusing speaker/subwoofer setupHarsh highs out of the boxPerceived sound quality decline vs older models
Denon AVR-X1700H
Overall positive owner satisfaction
8K future-proofing
Easy initial setup
Confusing speaker/subwoofer setup
Harsh highs out of the box
Perceived sound quality decline vs older models

Who wins on what

Ranked by what users actually praise

Overall Impression

Sound quality across movies and music draws consistent praise. Multiple owners describe the SR8012 as delivering superb dynamic range and controlled musicality thanks to Marantz's HDAM circuitry, calling it better for stereo playback than Denon while matching or exceeding it for movies. Owners running Klipsch, Martin Logan, and Axiom speakers at reference levels report no distortion issues and describe hearing details in movies and games they'd never noticed before, calling channel separation and soundstage excellent.

4-ohm speaker loads have caused real receiver failures for some owners. At least two separate owners running 4-ohm Axiom speakers report their SR8012 unit failing or emitting a burning smell shortly after setup, despite Marantz support confirming 4-ohm compatibility beforehand. Both later learned a special undocumented setup code accessible only via phone support to tech support was required, and neither was told this proactively, leading one to switch brands entirely after the failure.

Audyssey room correction impresses most, but subwoofer calibration is a weak spot. Owners praise Audyssey MultEQ XT32 for seamlessly blending mismatched speaker types and correcting room acoustics, with detailed community tricks shared for optimal mic placement and calibration. However, several users specifically flag subwoofer EQ and level-setting as inconsistent or frustrating, with one owner resorting to a separate miniDSP unit and another needing to manually raise sub levels after the automated calibration left them too quiet.

Outdated / Not-accurate data?