On every field we record these are the same receiver: 125W under an identical strict context, identical 9.4/4-sub/XT32 platform, identical HDMI complement. Buy on price, looks, and ecosystem — the Marantz CINEMA 40's only recorded extras are its three stated triggers and Roon Tested badge, and we say so instead of inventing a bigger story.
As tracked by Home Theater Builder: the Marantz CINEMA 40 tracks at $3,800; the Denon AVR-X4800H at $2,799.How we verify this data →
Same parent company, same platform generation, and — uniquely in our catalog — the same curated power rating to the watt under the same context. This page is honest about what that leaves to decide.
Specifications · side by side · per-field provenance
● SOURCE-TRACKED
Spec
Marantz CINEMA 40
Denon AVR-X4800H
Price
$3,800
$2,799
Brand
Marantz
Denon
Channel configuration
9.4
9.4
Main channels
9
9
Processing channels
11
11
Subwoofer pre-outs
4
4
Zone 2 capable
Yes
not stated
Zone 3 capable
Yes
not stated
Watts per channel (8 Ω)
125
125
THD (%)
0.05
0.05
Channels driven (power rating)
two channels driven
two channels driven
Impedance range
4 – 16 Ω/ohms
4 – 16 Ω/ohms
Speaker impedance, min (Ω)
4
4
Speaker impedance, max (Ω)
16
16
Dolby Atmos
Yes
Yes
DTS:X
Yes
Yes
Auro-3D
Yes
Yes
IMAX Enhanced
Yes
Yes
Room correction system
Audyssey MultEQ XT32
Audyssey MultEQ XT32
Measurement mic included
Yes
Yes
HDMI inputs
7
7
HDMI outputs
3
3
HDMI max bandwidth (Gbps)
40
40
HDMI eARC ports
1
1
Max passthrough resolution
8K 60
not stated
HDR support
HDR10, HLG, Dolby Vision, HDR10+, Dynamic HDR
HDR10, Dolby Vision, HLG, HDR10+, Dynamic HDR
ALLM passthrough
Yes
Yes
Phono input
Yes
Yes
Wi-Fi
Yes
not stated
Bluetooth
Yes
not stated
AirPlay 2
Yes
not stated
HEOS
Yes
Yes
IP control
Yes
not stated
Streaming services
Spotify Connect, TuneIn, Pandora, Amazon Music HD, Deezer
not stated
12 V trigger outputs
3
not stated
Form factor
full size
not stated
Width (in)
17.3
17.1
Height (in)
6.5
6.6
Depth (in)
15.8
14.9
Weight (lbs)
32.4
29.1
Power consumption (W)
710
710
VRR passthrough
not stated
Yes
Shaded rows differ · green dot = lab-measured · amber = manufacturer-verified · blue = retailer/community-reported · grey = estimated · “not stated” means exactly that
Reading the numbers honestly
Both are rated 125W at 8Ω, two channels driven, 0.05% THD — identical value, identical context, a 0.0 dB difference. Both are 9.4 designs with eleven-channel processing, four independent subwoofer pre-outs, Audyssey MultEQ XT32, seven HDMI inputs, three outputs, a stated 4–16Ω rating, and stated Auro-3D and IMAX Enhanced. The one stated asymmetry we record: the Marantz states three trigger outputs and Roon Tested certification; the Denon's trigger count is unstated in our data. Marantz's HDAM circuit topology and industrial design are real, but they live outside our recorded fields.
Compatibility · computed, not written
Checked against a bookshelf that dips to a stated 3.5Ω like the KEF LS50 Meta: KEF LS50 Meta
Can the Marantz CINEMA 40 drive the KEF LS50 Meta?
Marantz CINEMA 40 states a 4Ω-minimum rating; the KEF LS50 Meta dips to a stated 3.5Ω minimum, a little below that floor. Most receivers handle a marginal dip at normal volumes — it's worth watching only at very high output on an entry-level unit.
Can the Denon AVR-X4800H drive the KEF LS50 Meta?
Denon AVR-X4800H states a 4Ω-minimum rating; the KEF LS50 Meta dips to a stated 3.5Ω minimum, a little below that floor. Most receivers handle a marginal dip at normal volumes — it's worth watching only at very high output on an entry-level unit.
Computed from the catalog's normalized fields — the same fields the builder's compatibility engine reads. A missing field reads as "can't check", never as a pass.
On every field we record these are the same receiver: 125W under an identical strict context, identical 9.4/4-sub/XT32 platform, identical HDMI complement. Buy on price, looks, and ecosystem — the Marantz CINEMA 40's only recorded extras are its three stated triggers and Roon Tested badge, and we say so instead of inventing a bigger story.
A unique 0.0 dB comparison: both carry a curated 125W rating at the IDENTICAL 8Ω / two-channel / 0.05% THD context — the only same-watt, same-context pair at this tier in our catalog.
Field-by-field platform parity: 9.4, 11-channel processing, 4 independent sub outs, XT32, 7-in/3-out HDMI, 4–16Ω rating, Auro-3D, IMAX Enhanced — all stated on both.
The recorded asymmetry is small and honest: Marantz states 3 trigger outputs and Roon Tested; the Denon's trigger count is unstated in our data.
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