•   Overview
•   Advantage of Anthem MRX 740 8K
•   Common Strengths and Weaknesses
•   Audio Section
•   Video Section
•   Inputs and Outputs
•   Specifications

Here we are comparing Anthem MRX 740 8K to Anthem MRX 540 8K to reveal their common strengths and weaknesses as well as the differences between them which will help you in making a correct decision before the purchase. The Anthem MRX 740 8K has 7 channel and the Anthem MRX 540 8K has 5 channel amplifiers with Anthem MRX 740 8K's being more powerful.

Anthem MRX 740 8K	Anthem MRX 540 8K
Anthem MRX 740 8K was introduced in 2021. It is equipped with 7 channel amplifier with 140 W (8 Ω, 1 kHz, 2 channel driven) power per channel and is capable of 11.1 maximum channel processing. It supports Dolby Atmos and DTS:X, passes 8K/60Hz and 4K/120Hz video signal.	Anthem MRX 540 8K was introduced in 2021. It is equipped with 5 channel amplifier with 100 W (8 Ω, 1 kHz, 2 channel driven) power per channel and is capable of 7.1 maximum channel processing. It supports Dolby Atmos and DTS:X, passes 8K/60Hz and 4K/120Hz video signal.
We evaluated the a/v receiver and gave 88 overall score out of 100. Our ranking system is based on the amplifier specifications, audio and video features, connectivity, multizone capabilities, radio and many other details.	We evaluated the a/v receiver and gave 85 overall score out of 100. Our ranking system is based on the amplifier specifications, audio and video features, connectivity, multizone capabilities, radio and many other details.
AMPLIFIER 89 VIDEO FEATURES 100 AUDIO FEATURES 89 CONNECTIVITY 88 MULTIZONE 77 MISCELLANEOUS 68 RADIO 73 OVERALL 88	AMPLIFIER 84 VIDEO FEATURES 100 AUDIO FEATURES 87 CONNECTIVITY 87 MULTIZONE 71 MISCELLANEOUS 60 RADIO 73 OVERALL 85

This section shows those features and specifications which are the reason to choose Anthem MRX 740 8K over Anthem MRX 540 8K.

Anthem MRX 740 8K has more channels, more power per channel, more channel processing, more zones and bigger power supply.

	Anthem MRX 740 8K	vs	Anthem MRX 540 8K
More Channels	7.2	vs	5.2
More Channel Processing	11.1	vs	7.1
More HDMI Outputs	3 (2 for MAIN, 1 for ZONE2)	vs	2
More RCA Pre-Outs	11.2	vs	7.2
More Zones	2	vs	1
More Speaker Terminals	7	vs	5
More Large Speaker Terminals	7	vs	5
Bigger Power Supply	485 W	vs	365 W
Higher Power Output (8 Ω, 1 kHz, 2 channel Driven, FTC)	140 W (1% THD) on Channels 1-5, 60 W (1% THD) on Remaining Channels	vs	100 W (1% THD)
Higher Power Output (6 Ω, 1 kHz, 2 channel driven, FTC)	170 W (1% THD) on Channels 1-5, 75 W (1% THD) on Remaining Channels	vs	130 W (1% THD)

Here we list common strengths and weaknesses of both receivers.

Amplifier

Anthem MRX 740 8K	Anthem MRX 540 8K
7 channel Class A/B Amplifier: Anthem MRX 740 8K features 7 channel power amplifier with Class A/B design on Channels 1-5 and Class D design on the rest. It is rated at 140 W (8 Ω, 1 kHz, 2 channel driven) and is able to drive 4 ohm speakers.	5 channel Class A/B Amplifier: Anthem MRX 540 8K features 5 channel power amplifier with Class A/B design on Channels 1-5 and Class D design on the rest. It is rated at 100 W (8 Ω, 1 kHz, 2 channel driven) and is able to drive 4 ohm speakers.

Speaker Configurations

Anthem MRX 740 8K's and Anthem MRX 540 8K's amplifiers can be assigned for different speaker configurations.

• Dolby Atmos Configurations: The following speaker configurations are supported for Dolby Atmos:
Anthem MRX 740 8K: 5.2.2 with internal amplifier and 5.2.4, 7.2.2 with addition of external 2 channel amplifier and 7.2.4 with addition of external 4 channel amplifier.
Anthem MRX 540 8K: 3.1.2 with internal amplifier.
• DTS:X Configurations: The following speaker configurations are supported for DTS:X:
Anthem MRX 740 8K: The speaker configurations for DTS:X are the same as for Dolby Atmos - 5.2.2 with internal amplifier and 5.2.4, 7.2.2 with addition of external 2 channel amplifier and 7.2.4 with addition of external 4 channel amplifier.
Anthem MRX 540 8K: The speaker configurations for DTS:X are the same as for Dolby Atmos - 3.1.2 with internal amplifier.
• Configurations without height channels: There are also other speaker configurations available which do not include height channels:
Anthem MRX 740 8K: 5.2, 7.2 with internal amplifier.
Anthem MRX 540 8K: 5.2 with internal amplifier and 7.2 with addition of external 2 channel amplifier.
• 2-ch Bi-Amp: Both models are able to bi-amp up to 2 main channels simultaneously. During bi-amplification two amplifiers are used for one speaker. One amplifier powers the midrange and tweeter section of the speaker and another amplifier powers the low frequency woofers. Each amplifier is less loaded and performs better. In order to use this feature speakers must have 2 pairs of connectors.



Dolby Atmos

Anthem MRX 740 8K and Anthem MRX 540 8K support Dolby Atmos. It is a cinematic audio format in which sounds exist as individual entities, called audio objects. In Dolby Atmos, any sound can exist as an independent audio object, free of channel restrictions. They can be precisely placed and moved anywhere in your room, including overhead, to flow above and around you in three-dimensional space. Through the use of audio objects, overhead sound, and all the richness, clarity, and power of Dolby sound, Dolby Atmos turns your room into an amazing place for entertainment. The format supports up to 128 simultaneous independent audio objects in a mix for rich, realistic, and breathtaking sound. It recreates the director's original concept through descriptive metadata to provide customized playback for home theater and delivers sounds above you through overhead speakers, special upward-firing Dolby Atmos speakers, or a Dolby Atmos enabled sound bar.

• Dolby Surround Upmixer: Both models support Dolby Surround Upmixer. If the content is not mixed in Dolby Atmos then the Dolby surround upmixer will expand the audio to all channels including ceiling speakers. The upmixer has replaced the Dolby Pro Logic II family with improved upmixing algorithms.

DTS:X

Anthem MRX 740 8K and Anthem MRX 540 8K support DTS:X. A technique used in DTS:X is similar to the one used in Dolby Atmos. Instead of a fixed number of channels, DTS:X defines object locations from the listener in polar coordinates. An a/v receiver then dynamically renders sound according to the current speaker configuration. The speaker layout employed by DTS:X is the sum of Dolby Atmos and Auro-3D. It has standard 7.1 channel base layer, a 5 channel height layer above the base layer on the front and side walls, and 3 rows of speakers on the ceiling.

• DTS Neural:X: Both models feature DTS Neural:X which is an advanced upmixer that can take non DTS:X content and upmix it to the DTS:X speaker layout. It has replaced the DTS Neo family with improved flexibility.
• DTS Virtual:X: Both models feature DTS Virtual:X which bridges the gap between DTS:X codec and the reality of so many consumers' homes, allowing you to enjoy multi-dimensional sound regardless of room size, layout, or speaker configuration. If you have a limited speaker setup you will miss a full immersive potential of your entertainment system. DTS Virtual:X adds height and surround audio effect to your system without adding height speakers. It works with multiple configurations and delivers immersive sound experience out of 5.1 or even 2.1 speaker layouts.
• DTS Dialog Control: Both models have DTS Dialog Control. This function adjusts the dialog levels during playback of the DTS:X stream. It allows you to separately increase the dialog levels in contrast with the background sound and hear dialog easily even under noisy circumstances.

Enhanced Audio Return Channel (eARC)

Anthem MRX 740 8K and Anthem MRX 540 8K support Audio Return Channel (ARC) feature allows the compatible TV to send audio signal to the a/v receiver through the same HDMI cable which is used to send audio and video signals to the TV. So one HDMI cable is used to transfer audio signal in both directions. New Enhanced ARC will support uncompressed audio formats such as Dolby Atmos, DTS:X, Dolby TrueHD and DTS HD Master Audio whereas the previous ARC could support only Dolby Digital, Dolby Digital Plus, DTS, DTS HD, and PCM.






Sound Processing

Room Calibration

Anthem MRX 740 8K and Anthem MRX 540 8K come with Anthem Room Correction (ARC Genesis) room correction system.

HDMI 2.1

Anthem MRX 740 8K comes with 7 HDMI 2.1 inputs with 8K support. It has 3 outputs - 2 for MAIN and 1 for ZONE2.

Anthem MRX 540 8K comes with 7 HDMI 2.1 inputs with 8K support. It has 2 outputs which work parallelly and output the same signal.

• 8K/60Hz and 4K/120Hz Passthrough: On both receivers all inputs pass up to 8K 50/60Hz and 4K 100/120Hz 4:4:4 video signal.
• BT.2020 Color Space: BT.2020 or Rec. 2020 is a color standard which delivers a wider color gamut compared to Rec. 709. It covers approximately 75% of the total visual spectrum while the Rec. 709 covers only 35% (available on both models).
• HDCP 2.3 Copy Protection: Both receivers are HDCP 2.3 compliant which is a requirement for 4K/HDR copy-protected content transmission.
• 3D Ready: Both receivers are able to pass 3D video through HDMI.

HDR (High Dynamic Range)

Both receivers support HDR10, HDR10+, Dolby Vision and Hybrid Log-Gamma.

High dynamic range video has greater dynamic range than standard dynamic range (SDR) video with brighter whites and deeper blacks. The result is greater contrast and more details in dark and bright areas, better color and depth.

• HDR10: HDR10 uses the wide-gamut Rec. 2020 color space. It sends static metadata via video stream to the TV which calibrates its screen brightness and color according to that. HDR10 supports 10-bit color which corresponds to 1024 shades of the primary RGB colors. It is technically limited to a maximum of 10,000 nits peak brightness, however common HDR10 contents are mastered with peak brightness from 1,000 to 4,000 nits.
• HDR10+: HDR10+ is an HDR video technology that adds dynamic metadata to HDR10 source files. The dynamic metadata are used to adjust brightness levels on a scene-by-scene or even frame-by-frame basis. HDR10+ supports maximum of 10,000 nits peak brightness and 10-bit or more (up to 16-bit) color bit depth. It uses Samsung's dynamic metadata defined in SMPTE ST 2094-40.
• Dolby Vision: Dolby Vision is a set of technologies developed by Dolby Laboratories for high dynamic range (HDR) video. It covers content creation, distribution, and playback. Like HDR10+, it includes dynamic metadata that are used to adjust and optimize each frame of the HDR video to the consumer display's capabilities in a way specified by the content creator. Dolby Vision allows for a maximum resolution of 8K up to 12-bit color depth, maximum peak brightness of 10,000 nits and a color gamut up to Rec. 2020. It uses Dolby's proprietary dynamic metadata defined in SMPTE ST 2094-10.
• Hybrid Log-Gamma (HLG): The Hybrid Log-Gamma (HLG) is a transfer function developed mainly for HDR live video feed and over-the-air broadcasts. It is an HDR format that uses BT.2020 color primaries and a bitdepth of 10-bit. It is backward compatible with the transfer function of SDR and is designed to be better-suited for television broadcasting, where the metadata required for other HDR formats is not backward compatible with non-HDR displays. HLG defines a non-linear optical-electro transfer function, in which the lower half of the signal values use a gamma curve and the upper half of the signal values use a logarithmic curve.

IMAX Enhanced

Anthem MRX 740 8K and Anthem MRX 540 8K are IMAX Enhanced certified. To qualify for IMAX Enhanced certification, 4K HDR televisions, projectors, sound bars, a/v receivers, loudspeakers, powered subwoofers and other premium home entertainment devices must meet carefully prescribed performance requirements established by IMAX, DTS and Hollywood's leading experts.

• What makes an IMAX Enhanced A/V receiver different from an A/V receiver with DTS:X technology? DTS:X technology is commonly found in most multi-channel A/V receivers on the market today. All IMAX Enhanced A/V receivers include DTS:X technology and deliver additional features, such as auto-sensing of IMAX Enhanced content, via IMAX Mode. IMAX Mode indicates that your A/V receiver supports fully immersive IMAX signature sound.
• IMAX Enhanced Content: IMAX Enhanced studio partners have announced IMAX Enhanced versions of movies that exclusively feature IMAX's signature picture, sound and scale.
• Picture: Stunning, ultra-vivid 4K HDR picture that utilizes the newest, proprietary Digital Media Remastering technology (DMR) developed by IMAX. DMR accurately reduces noise and grain under the filmmaker’s guidance to best optimize the content for a much higher-quality, higher-brightness display. Without this technology, high-dynamic range content can actually look worse than what was originally seen and intended by the filmmaker.
• Sound: IMAX and DTS have partnered with award-winning Hollywood sound mixers leveraging DTS:X codec technology integrated in home audio equipment and select televisions to deliver an IMAX signature sound experience with deeper bass and more dynamic range.
• Scale: Select IMAX Enhanced titles that were shot with IMAX-certified cameras or specially formatted for IMAX theatres feature its exclusive expanded aspect ratio, enabling viewers to see the full scale and scope of the picture on 4K HDR TVs.
• Streaming Services: IMAX Enhanced is now available on the world’s biggest streaming services, including Disney+, BRAVIA CORE, Tencent, iQiyi and more.

Gaming Features

Both receivers support Auto Low Latency Mode (ALLM), Variable Refresh Rate (VRR) and Quick Frame Transport (QFT) for lag-free and smooth gaming.

• Auto Low Latency Mode (ALLM): Auto Low Latency Mode enables the ideal latency setting to automatically be set allowing for smooth, lag-free and uninterrupted viewing and interactivity. When the receiver detects a gaming signal it will enter ALLM. The signal will also be sent to the TV causing it to automatically switch to a low-latency, low-lag mode for gaming. Some functions will not be available on the receiver and TV during ALLM.
• Variable Refresh Rate (VRR): VRR enables a gaming source such as a console or computer to deliver video frames as fast as it can, which in many cases is slower than the normal static refresh rate. It allows the TV to adapt to certain frame rate which reduces or eliminates lag, judder and frame tearing for more fluid and better detailed gameplay.
• Quick Frame Transport (QFT): QFT reduces latency for smoother no-lag gaming, and real-time interactive virtual reality. It transports each frame at a higher rate to decrease display latency, which is the amount of time between a frame being ready for transport in the GPU and that frame being completely displayed.

Audio

• Analog Pre-Outs: Anthem MRX 740 8K has 11.2 and Anthem MRX 540 8K has 7.2 preamplifier outputs which allow you to connect the receivers to the external power amplifiers. You may want to use a high quality external amplifier for certain channels, usually for front L/R and center, and use the receiver to power the rest. Also, Anthem MRX 740 8K has 11 channel processing but has only 7 channel amplifier and Anthem MRX 540 8K has 7 channel processing but has only 7 channel amplifier, so they need external amplifiers connected to their analog pre-outs in order to reach their maximum speaker configurations.
• XLR Inputs: There is one pair of XLR inputs on both receivers. If your CD player, Blu-Ray player or other source have XLR outputs you can connect them to the receiver's XLR Inputs for higher quality balanced connection.
• Analog Line Inputs and Outputs: There are 4 pair of line inputs on both receivers for connecting sources with analog outputs. There are also 1 pair of line outputs on the receivers.
• Digital Inputs and Outputs: 1 optical input, 3 optical outputs and 2 coaxial inputs are available for digital audio connections on both receivers.
• Headphone Output: There is a 6.3 mm (1/4") headphone output jack on the front panel of each receiver.

Video

• HDMI:
Anthem MRX 740 8K
Inputs: 7   Outputs: 3 (2 for MAIN, 1 for ZONE2)
8K Inputs: 7.
Anthem MRX 540 8K
Inputs: 7   Outputs: 2
8K Inputs: 7.

And in the end let us list all the available specifications of the receivers side-by-side.

BASICS	Anthem MRX 740 8K	Anthem MRX 540 8K
Brand	Anthem	Anthem
Model	MRX 740 8K	MRX 540 8K
Type	A/V Receiver	A/V Receiver
Country	North America	North America
Release Year	2021	2021

AMPLIFIER	Anthem MRX 740 8K	Anthem MRX 540 8K
Channels	7.2	5.2
Front Wide Channel Support
Amplifier	Class A/B on Channels 1-5 and Class D on the rest	Class A/B on Channels 1-5 and Class D on the rest
THX™ Certification
Continuous 6 Ω Rated
Certified 4 Ω Performance
Bi-amp Capability

AUDIO	Anthem MRX 740 8K	Anthem MRX 540 8K
Digital Signal Processing (DSP) Engine	Next-Generation DSP Platform	Next-Generation DSP Platform
DAC Specs	768 kHz/32 Bit	768 kHz/32 Bit
Maximum Channel Processing	11.1	7.1
Dolby Atmos
Dolby Atmos Height Virtualization
Dolby Atmos Music
Dolby TrueHD
Dolby Digital Plus
Dolby Surround Upmixer
Dolby Pro Logic
DTS:X
DTS Neural:X
DTS Virtual:X
DTS Neo
DTS-HD Master Audio
DTS-HD High Resolution Audio
DTS 96/24
IMAX Enhanced
Auro 3D with Auro-Matic Upmixer
PCM	2-ch/Multi-ch Input	2-ch/Multi-ch Input
DSD via HDMI
DSD via USB
DSD to PCM Converter
USB DAC
DTS Dialog Control
Audyssey Dynamic EQ
Audyssey Dynamic Volume
Audyssey LFC
Audyssey Sub EQ HT
Audyssey DSX
Independent Subwoofer Outputs

CALIBRATION	Anthem MRX 740 8K	Anthem MRX 540 8K
Auto Speaker Calibration System with Mic.	Anthem Room Correction (ARC Genesis)	Anthem Room Correction (ARC Genesis)

VIDEO	Anthem MRX 740 8K	Anthem MRX 540 8K
HDMI Version	2.1	2.1
Enhanced ARC
HDCP Version	2.3	2.3
HDR10
HDR10+
Dynamic HDR
Dolby Vision
HLG (Hybrid Log Gamma)
BT.2020 color space
ALLM (Auto Low Latency Mode)
VRR (Variable Refresh Rate)
QFT (Quick Frame transport)
3-D Ready
Video Signal Passthrough	up to 8K 50/60Hz and 4K 100/120Hz 4:4:4	up to 8K 50/60Hz and 4K 100/120Hz 4:4:4

CONNECTIVITY	Anthem MRX 740 8K	Anthem MRX 540 8K
Chromecast Built-In
DTS Play-Fi
Works with Amazon Alexa
Google assistant
Apple Siri
Works with SONOS
AirPlay	AirPlay 2	AirPlay 2
Apple Product Connection	iPod, iPhone and iPad	iPod, iPhone and iPad
Remote App	Anthem Remote App	Anthem Remote App
Ethernet
Ethernet Switch
Wi-Fi
Bluetooth
HDMI Inputs	7	7
HDMI Outputs	3 (2 for MAIN, 1 for ZONE2)	2
8K Inputs	7	7
USB Input	for factory service	for factory service
USB DC Out Port
RCA Line Input	4	4
RCA Line Output	1	1
XLR Line Inputs
Phono Input
Optical Inputs	3	3
Optical Outputs	1	1
Coaxial Inputs	2	2
Composite Video Input
Composite Video Output
S-Video Input
S-Video Output
Component Video Input
Component Video Output
PC In
Multi-Channel Input
RCA Pre-Outs	11.2	7.2
XLR Pre-outs
Front A/V Inputs
Headphone Out	6.3 mm (1/4")	6.3 mm (1/4")

ZONES	Anthem MRX 740 8K	Anthem MRX 540 8K
Zones	2	1
Powered Zones
Zone 2 Outs	HDMI, Pre Out
RS-232C Interface
+12V Trigger Output	3	3
Remote (IR) Input/Output	1 / 0	1 / 0

MISC	Anthem MRX 740 8K	Anthem MRX 540 8K
IP Control for CI
Display
Detachable Power Cord

RADIO	Anthem MRX 740 8K	Anthem MRX 540 8K
Analog Tuner
Digital Radio
Pandora
Spotify
Tidal
Deezer
Napster
SiriusXM Internet Radio

CONSTRUCTION	Anthem MRX 740 8K	Anthem MRX 540 8K
Speaker Terminals	7	5
Large Speaker Terminals	7	5

POWER	Anthem MRX 740 8K	Anthem MRX 540 8K
Power Supply	AC 120 V, 60 Hz	AC 120 V, 60 Hz
Toroidal Transformer
Power Consumption	485 W	365 W
Standby Power	0.3 W	0.3 W

GENERAL	Anthem MRX 740 8K	Anthem MRX 540 8K
Dimensions (W x H x D)	431.8 mm x 152.4 mm x 364 mm 17" x 6" x 14-1/2" x	431.8 mm x 152.4 mm x 364 mm 17" x 6" x 14-1/2" x
Weight	15.1 kg (33.2 lbs)	12.8 kg (28.2 lbs)

SPECS	Anthem MRX 740 8K	Anthem MRX 540 8K
Power Output (8 Ω, 1 kHz, 2	140 W (1% THD) on Channels 1-5, 60 W (1% THD) on Remaining Channels	100 W (1% THD)
Power Output (6 Ω, 1 kHz, 2	170 W (1% THD) on Channels 1-5, 75 W (1% THD) on Remaining Channels	130 W (1% THD)
Maximum Preout Level and Impedance	5.2 VRMS, 7.1 VRMS	5.2 VRMS, 7.1 VRMS
Rated Headphone Jack Output Level and Impedance	32 Ω - 600 Ω	32 Ω - 600 Ω
S/N Ratio (Line, IHF-A)	110 dB	110 dB
Frequency Response (Analog In)	20 Hz - 30 kHz +/-0.2 dB	20 Hz - 30 kHz +/-0.2 dB

* - 480i/576i and 480p/576p only
** - 480i/576i only
*** - no 1080p/24 upconversion
**** - 1080p signal is not converted