John Darko
Horizon and Grand Horizon — two new ‘flat spherical’ streaming active loudspeaker models from Marantz. Yes, Marantz. The Japanese company has gone full Future-Fi.
From the press release: “Each model is designed around a unique configuration of high-frequency and midrange drive units that radiate outwardly from a single central subwoofer, ensuring a spacious listening experience.” Marantz is calling this the Gravity™ driver array.
Inside the Horizon, a 6.5″ subwoofer is complemented by two 1″ silk-dome tweeters and three 2″ full-range drive units. The Grand Horizon then pumps up that jam to an 8″ subwoofer, three 1″ silk-dome tweeters and four 3″ midrange drivers.
The amplification housed in each loudspeaker sums to 310 Watts in the Horizon and 370 Watts in the Grand Horizon. We’re not told how those singular figures break down to the driver level but we are told that they have been rated according to the FTC’s new rules. Hifi nerds will also want to know that the amplification module is built around GaNFET-based Class D. Marantz calls this Rise™.
Don’t be confused by all the tech talk: Horizon and Grand Horizon are luxury products whose target market stretches well beyond the traditional hi-fi world. Think Ka De We, El Corte Inglés or Harrods. Audiophile Forum grumps insisting on separates need not apply.
To wit: proximity sensors bring each speaker’s LED array to life: “Just touch the illuminated ring around the central subwoofer to indicate your preferred volume and AuraControl will instantly bring the speaker up to the point you have chosen, clearly indicating the volume level with markings that reference the classic Marantz Star logo.”
Each speaker model’s streaming smarts are built around a HEOS module* [see footnote #1] that offers Bluetooth, Spotify Connect and Apple AirPlay 2 with Amazon Music, Tidal and Deezer folded into the HEOS app. Hard-wired inputs on the back include TOSLINK, HDMI eARC with Dolby Decoding, USB-C for storage devices and analogue RCA, which is digitised upon entry to accommodate Marantz’s new Mirage™ DSP functionality.
Back to the press release: “The Mirage digital signal processing allows for a customisable listening experience, with selectable options that can tailor the clarity, spaciousness and warmth of the sound to each user’s tastes. There’s even the option to select Sound Master mode, allowing listeners the chance to experience the sound of Horizon or Grand Horizon exactly as Yoshinori Ogata, the Marantz Sound Master, intended it to be heard.”
Horizon and Grand Horizon will go on sale in mid-January 2025. The Horizon will be stickered at US$3500, £3250 or €3800 per piece; the Grand Horizon at US$5500, £5250 or €6000 per piece. Buy two for a stereo pair.
Your choice of three colourways: Midnight Sky, Moon Ray and Marantz Champagne. Each unit is wrapped in an acoustically transparent ‘360° Seamless Ecofibre’ fabric and ships with a colour-coded marble base. A custom walnut tripod stand for the Horizon (but not Grand Horizon) will be available for US$700, £650 or €750 per piece and wall-mount brackets will follow in due course.
Further information: Marantz
Footnote #1: Tidal Connect and Roon Ready get zero mention in the press release.
