The Anthem MRX 540 8K is a highly comprehensive home theater amplifier that stands out for its top-tier sound performance, compatibility with the latest video and audio formats, and extensive tuning options. Designed without compromise, it’s aimed at the most demanding home cinema enthusiasts.
Powerful, precise amplification
The Anthem MRX 540 8K features a high-quality amplification section, delivering 100 W per channel across 5 channels into 8 ohms, with a THD+N of just 0.1%. The Class AB amplifier modules provide superior sound quality and faithful reproduction of audio dynamics.
The amp offers 7 channels of preamplification, allowing you to expand the system up to 7.2 channels with external amplifiers. The pre-out signals are governed by a high-precision 32-bit / 768 kHz DAC, ensuring optimal conversion from digital to analog.
Advanced audio processing
The Anthem MRX 540 8K supports immersive audio formats Dolby Atmos, DTS:X, and IMAX Enhanced, creating a precise 3D sound field. Audio processing is handled by a next-generation DSP managing up to 15.2 channels, applying advanced filters and treatments such as ARC Genesis room correction, speaker synchronization, and bass management to optimize sound quality.
Full HDMI 2.1 connectivity
The video section of the Anthem MRX 540 8K is equipped with advanced HDMI 2.1 connectivity with 7 inputs and 3 outputs, all supporting 8K at 60 Hz, 4K at 120 Hz, HDR10+, Dolby Vision, ALLM, and VRR. The main HDMI output features eARC to receive high-resolution audio streams from a compatible TV, while the other outputs allow connection to a second TV or a projector.
ARC Genesis room correction
The Anthem MRX 540 8K integrates the ARC (Anthem Room Correction) Genesis system. Using a precision calibration microphone and dedicated software, it analyzes room acoustics and applies corrective filters to each channel to compensate for acoustic issues such as resonance modes or unwanted reflections. ARC Genesis offers numerous advanced settings, including precise bass management, target curve adjustment, and the ability to save different listening profiles, ensuring optimal frequency response at the listening position.
Audio streaming and multiroom
In addition to its HDMI and analog inputs, the Anthem MRX 540 8K offers extensive audio streaming features, compatible with AirPlay 2, Chromecast, and Bluetooth for easy music playback from a smartphone, tablet, or computer.
The amp supports high-resolution streaming, is Roon compatible, and can be integrated into a multiroom system via Wi‑Fi or Ethernet to distribute different audio sources across multiple rooms.
Design and build
The Anthem MRX 540 8K sports a clean, elegant design with a brushed aluminum front panel and a large color display. Controls are minimal, with a large volume knob and a few direct-select buttons.
The amp uses high-quality audiophile components such as high-capacity filtering capacitors and an oversized toroidal transformer. Wiring uses high-purity copper traces to preserve signal integrity.
Comprehensive connectivity
Beyond its HDMI inputs and outputs, the Anthem MRX 540 8K provides full analog and digital connectivity: 5 RCA audio inputs, 1 MM phono input for a turntable, 3 optical digital audio inputs, 2 coaxial, 1 7.2-channel pre-out, and a front-panel headphone output. The amp is also equipped with 12V trigger outputs to control external devices, an IR input, and an RS-232 port for home automation integration.
Specific functions and advanced settings
The Anthem MRX 540 8K offers numerous features to optimize listening:
- Surround modes: Dolby Surround, DTS Neural:X, Anthem Logic, all-channel stereo, mono
- Advanced bass management: subwoofer level and crossover frequency adjustment, time alignment, phase inversion
- Speaker settings: distance, level, size, bi-amping
- 5-band parametric EQ
- Audio-video sync up to 500 ms
- Software updates via USB or network
The graphical interface, accessible from a web browser, makes it easy to configure these parameters. The Anthem AV mobile app also provides full control from a smartphone or tablet.
Key strengths
- Precise amplification of 5 x 100 W
- Compatible with Dolby Atmos, DTS:X, and IMAX Enhanced
- Full HDMI 2.1 supporting 8K/60 and 4K/120
- ARC Genesis automatic calibration
- Extensive audio streaming features
- Robust construction and elegant design
- Advanced settings to optimize performance
User reviews
Benjamin
The sound is very, very good, and that's the main thing. Once properly configured with ARC and adjusted (because ARC makes a lot of approximations/errors).
Surprised by the significant improvement compared to my MRX710, it's really much better; I use it exclusively for Home Cinema.
However, everything else is catastrophic, lots of silly bugs; the power button light that stays on constantly (unlike the 710), the screen even at 0% dim that lights up occasionally during a movie. The two HDMI mirror outputs are a nightmare, very complicated to get them to work consistently with the PC, the surround modes that are not saved, a horrible general interface, and so on, not to mention the infamous tiny, very, very, very, very low-quality fans that sound like airplanes very often during a screening, all to save 2 euros on such an expensive product, it's downright shameful... it's not a firmware issue or anything else, it was the same with the 710, even though they almost never turned on (easily fixable by replacing them or putting normal PC fans on top, but it's really petty on Anthem's part).
Once again, the sound is top-notch, and that's the most important thing, but I hope it doesn't break down after 8 years like my 710 and that the after-sales service isn't as catastrophic as you read on all the forums.
Apart from that, Homecine Solutions was exceptionally efficient and responsive, bravo.
Comment from March 13, 2025 — Experience from March 02, 2025
Automatically translated — Show original (French)
le son est très très bon, et c'est bien le principal. une fois bien configuré avec le ARC et retouché (car le ARC fait énormément d'approximations/erreurs)
Etonné du gros gain par rapport à mon MRX710, c'est vraiment beaucoup mieux, je l'utilise exclusivement en Home Cinema.
Par contre, tout le reste est catastrophique, bcp de bugs idiots; la lumiere du bouton power qui reste allumée constamment (contrairement au 710) l'ecran meme en dim 0% qui s'allume de temps en temps en plein film. les 2 sorties HDMI mirror qui sont un enfer, tres compliqué de le faire fonctionner à tous les coups avec le pc, les modes surround qui ne sont pas sauvegardés, une interfaces générale horrible, j'en passe et des meilleurs, et ces fameux ventilateurs trop petits et tres tres tres tres tres bas de gamme qui font un bruit d'avions tres tres souvent pendant une projection, tout ca pour gratter 2 euros sur un produit aussi cher, c'est carrément honteux... ce n'est pas une histoire de firmware ni rien d'autre, c'était les memes avec le 710, meme s'ils se mettaient presque jamais en marche (facilement solutionnable en les changeant ou en mettant des hps de pc normaux sur le dessus, mais c'est vraiment mesquin de le part d 'anthem)
Encore une fois, le son est top et c'est le plus important, mais j'espere qu'il ne va pas tomber en panne au bout de 8 ans comme mon 710 et que le SAV n'est pas aussi catastrophique qu'on le lit sur tous les forums.
A part ca, homecine solutions a été exceptionnel d'efficacité et réactivité, bravo.
Patrice
Important: The issue of the audible fan humming is resolved by connecting the amplifier to its box via an ETHERNET cable. The amplifier receives a firmware update, and the fan becomes silent. You just need to be patient as the update takes about 3 minutes.
The performance and sound quality are excellent with a 5.1 speaker configuration, particularly enjoyable for listening to classical concerts and musical shows, as well as action, fantasy, and science fiction movies.
The adjustment options based on your context and preferences are extensive.
A large number of different types of audio inputs, although for my personal taste, I have a small regret: No USB audio input.
Comment from February 07, 2025 — Experience from September 12, 2024
Automatically translated — Show original (French)
Important : Le problème du ronronnement audible du ventilateur se résout en raccordant l'ampli à sa box via un câble ETHERNET. L'ampli reçoit une Mise à niveau du firmware et le ventilateur devient silencieux. Il suffit d'être patient car la mise à jour prend environ 3 minutes.
Le rendement et la qualité sonore sont au rendez-vous avec une configuration enceintes en 5.1 particulièrement appréciable avec l'écoute de concerts classiques et spectacles musicaux ainsi qu'avec des films d'action, fantastique et science fiction.
Les possibilités de réglage en fonction de son contexte et de ses goûts sont étendues.
Un grand nombre d' entrées Audio de type différent même si pour mon goût personnel j'ai un petit regret : Pas d'entrée USB audio.
Marc
Excellent 5.1 amplifier, incredible sound, top-notch calibration system.
One star less due to the fan noise that can be heard at low volume.
Comment from July 26, 2024 — Experience from July 11, 2024
Automatically translated — Show original (French)
Excellent ampli 5.1, son incroyable système de calibration au top.
Une étoile de moins à cause du bruit du ventilateur que l'on entend à faible volume.
