Marantz Enters Wireless Speaker Market with Horizon Series
So, Marantz just announced their first wireless speakers—the Horizon and Grand Horizon—and honestly, they're looking pretty slick. For those who don't know, Marantz is big in the hi-fi world, and they're finally jumping into wireless speakers. About time, right?
First off, these aren't your typical Bluetooth speakers. They've got this GaN-FET amplification tech, which basically means you're getting super clean sound with minimal distortion. The Horizon model kicks out 310W, while the Grand Horizon cranks it up to 370W. That's some serious power for a wireless setup.
They come with this Marantz Mirage DSP thing, letting you tweak the sound profile to your liking. So whether you're all about that deep bass or you prefer crisp highs, you can adjust it. Plus, there's a "Sound Master" mode tuned by Marantz's own audio guru, Yoshinori Ogata, for that pure listening experience.
On the connectivity side, they've got HEOS streaming built-in, so you can stream directly from Spotify, TIDAL, Amazon Music, etc. They also support Apple AirPlay 2 and Bluetooth. And if you're old school, they've got HDMI eARC, optical inputs, RCA jacks, and USB-C. So yeah, pretty much every option covered.
Design-wise, they look like something out of a sci-fi movie. They've got this circular shape wrapped in fancy fabric, and there's a glowing ring (they call it AuraControl) that lights up when you get close. Available in Midnight Sky and Bright Moon Ray finishes—fancy names for black and white, I guess.
Now, the Grand Horizon has a bigger subwoofer (200mm) compared to the Horizon's 165mm, so if you're a bass head, that's something to note.
But here's the kicker: the Horizon is priced at $3,500, and the Grand Horizon at $5,500. Yeah, let that sink in. These aren't budget-friendly by any means. They're aiming for the luxury market, so unless you're ready to drop serious cash, they might be a hard pass.
They're set to release in early 2025, so we've got some time to mull it over—or start saving. Personally, I'm curious how they'll stack up against other high-end wireless speakers like the KEF LS50 Wireless II or the Devialet Phantom.
What do you all think? Is Marantz bringing something new to the table, or is this just overpriced hype? Worth the investment for the audiophiles out there, or nah?
