Horizon & Grand Horizon: Marantz challenges Cabasse and Devialet with its new connected speakers

Marantz is probably one of the most famous hi-fi electronics manufacturers in the world. A brand of American origin that has always had the custom of manufacturing its products in Japan, it is still recognized today for its amplifiers with an exceptional price/performance ratio.

Since its creation in 1950, Marantz has obviously been able to modernize its devices by giving them cutting-edge network functionalities, without compromising its requirements in terms of acoustic engineering. A bit like Devialet did with its Phantomthe firm is now using its know-how to develop the Horizon and Grand Horizon, its very first connected speakers.

A premium wireless speaker available in two sizes

The least we can say is that Marantz sees things big. For its first attempt on this market, the manufacturer does not hesitate to aim for the top of the basket with speakers whose prices rise to €3,800 and €6,000. The two models immediately stand out due to their different dimensions and powers. The user will therefore favor one or the other depending on the space to be filled with sound.

Marantz has chosen to give the Horizon a circular and relatively flat shape, similar to that of a large pebble. In a nod to its own visual signature, the speakers feature in their center the emblematic porthole on the front of its most modern amplifiers. Put to the service of acoustics, this unique design has allowed the brand to develop a new set of speakers, all equipped with powerful neodymium magnets.

Marantz Horizon: a unique and in-house acoustic design

The Horizon, the most compact model in the range, houses two 25mm tweeters, three 50mm midrange drivers and a 165mm center-mounted woofer. More imposing, the Grand Horizon includes no less than three tweeters of the same diameter, four 76 mm midrange units and a 200 mm woofer. On the two speakers, these speakers arranged to offer “a spacious listening experience” are respectively powered by Marantz Rise amplifiers developing powers of 310 W and 370 W.

Thanks to a new in-house DSP, the tone of the Horizon speakers is fully customizable from the Heos app. In addition to an equalizer, we benefit in particular from the Sound Master audio mode, supposed to offer them a sound faithful to the vision of the acoustic engineers at Marantz.

Stereo pairing and comprehensive music streaming capabilities

Designed for listeners keen on digital music, the speakers give pride of place to connected solutions. In addition to a classic Bluetooth receiver, we can count on a wifi module allowing uncompressed music streaming via AirPlay 2 or Spotify Connect. The Horizons can obviously be controlled from the Heos application, which centralizes the audio files and streaming services to which the user is subscribed. The app also allows you to integrate the speakers into a multiroom network made up of compatible Denon/Marantz devices. Furthermore, the Heos ecosystem allows the coupling of two Horizon speakers in order to implement a real stereo system.

Thanks to comprehensive connectivity, owners of wired sources are not left out. The Horizons provide an RCA input, an optical input and an HDMI eARC port in order to associate a CD player, a pre-amplified vinyl turntable or a TV if necessary. The speakers even include a USB-C port allowing the connection of a Mac or PC computer in the best conditions.

A refined design, worked around the emblematic Marantz porthole

In terms of design, the Horizon box set is distinguished by the choice of an acoustic fabric of the most beautiful effect embellished with golden lurex threads. Marantz has also gone all out on the user experience by equipping them with a backlit touch volume control placed around the famous porthole. Furthermore, the speakers use a proximity sensor whose function is to trigger light shows when you approach them.

Additionally, the Horizon and Grand Horizon feature a matching marble base, also playing a role in effectively decoupling the speaker when placed on a piece of furniture or a desk. However, the placement possibilities are numerous, whether thanks to the included wall mount or an optional tripod (€750).

The Horizon and Grand Horizon speakers are already available in Midnight Sky, Moon Ray and Champagne finishes. Their price positioning can be frightening at first glance, but these speakers are real jewels of technology and design. However, we hope that the sound performance will be above what the French Cabasse and Devialet can offer in this segment, whose solutions remain less expensive.