Anthem MRX 700 Pro Reviews

As far as the inputs and outputs go, it's a little bit of a mixed and sometimes lacking bag. However, no two users are the same and whilst some would like more HDMI in/outs, there is precisely as many as I would ever need - It's a subjective call, so I'll leave you to draw your own conclusions based on your own requirements. I personally fall into the camp that would happily dump all of the legacy video inputs and everything bar HDMI switching, especially if it releases budget to the audio side of things, so I'm hardly a 'normal' AVR buyer. And lest we forget, an AV Receiver is an audio component. Regardless of the features, if it doesn't sound good then it falls flat on its face at the first hurdle and everything else is inconsequential. In this regard, the Anthem MRX 700 is an unqualified star performer. With enough real world power to shake the room with whatever speakers you choose; it polishes this with a subtle and nuanced performance which is both deft and vice like in its grip. This transfers well to music, with an open and transparent reproduction that propels music along with enthusiasm and insight, eschewing the superficially more impressive, but ultimately less communicative reproduction of its peers. That this ability is further heightened, rather than quashed by the use of the ARC room correction is, I feel, reason enough to push the MRX 700 to the top of your audition list. I've been continually impressed the subwoofer cousin of ARC (PBK) and hearing its effectiveness with all channels at such a low price point has only served to make me wonder why so many others get it so wrong.

With the ARC tuned to perfection, the MRX 700 establishes a new standard of sonic performance at this price point, and leaves the rest of the pack sounding a little lacklustre by comparison.