If you’re looking for a change from the typical boxy, rectangular speaker design, the Marantz Horizon and Grand Horizon wireless speakers are statement pieces that are not only ultra-stylish, the circular design has sonic benefits as well.
The Marantz Horizon and its larger sibling Marantz Grand Horizon are circular shaped wireless speakers that are elegant pieces for your listening room or den, either as a centrepiece or side channels. They are single-speaker wireless solutions that can fill an entire room with full-range sound. Each one is designed around a configuration of high-frequency and mid-range drive units that radiate outwards from a single central subwoofer.
I had the opportunity to listen to them in an exclusive demo at Toronto Audiofest last week and the sound is impressive. Sitting in the middle of the room, once the audio in the track we were listening to expanded with additional instruments, vocals, and beats, it was as though there were five speakers surrounding me. It’s an enveloping experience from a single speaker that’s admittedly quite large (especially the Grand Horizon) but serves as much a part of the room’s décor as it does an audio device.
Key to the audio experience, says Marantz, is the proprietary Marantz Rise amplification, based on highly responsive and thermally efficient GaN FET technology. This offers 310W output for the Horizon and 370W for the Grand Horizon. This core powers the Marantz Gravity drive units, each of which has neodymium magnets for “accuracy, responsiveness, and low distortion,” says Marantz. This is finished off by the 6.5-inch subwoofer, a pair of one-inch silk-dome tweeters, and three full-range drive units. For the Grand Horizon, this includes an eight-inch sub, three one-inch tweeters, and four mid-range drive units.
Both are built around Marantz’s HEOS wireless music platform, so you can tap into supported streaming services like Amazon Music, Deezer, Spotify, and Tidal, with more services to follow. Apple AirPlay2 and Bluetooth are also included, along with analog, optical, and even HDMI inputs. You can also access music from locally connected USB-C music drives. Onboard Dolby decoding ensures compatibility with Dolby Atmos supplied via HDMI. Since they are part of the HEOS ecosystem, Horizon and Grand Horizon can join other HEOS-enabled products to create a whole-home multiroom music system. You can also pair Horizons and Grand Horizons together to create a two-speaker system in larger spaces.
Use the on-board Marantz Mirage DSP, accessible via the HEOS app, to customize the listening experience, with selectable options that tailor the clarity, spaciousness, and warmth of the sound to your tastes. There’s even an option to select Sound Master mode to experience the sound of Horizon or Grand Horizon as Yoshinori Ogata, the Marantz Sound Master, intended it to be heard.
Incorporating the brand’s circular porthole motif, the porthole is reimagined as the core element of each speaker’s unique circular form. Approach either product up close and thanks to Marantz AuraControl, which combines 100 concealed LEDs with proximity and ambient light sensors, and the speaker will spring to life. Touch the illuminated ring around the central subwoofer to indicate your preferred volume and AuraControl will 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 model is wrapped in Marantz Radiance 360o Seamless Ecofiber, a bespoke, sustainable fabric made from recycled ocean plastics. The three-colour fabrics have a glowing, luxurious feel thanks to embedded gold lurex elements. They come in Midnight Sky, Moon Ray, or Marantz Champagne finishes with a colour-matched natural marble base on which it sits. Alternatively, there are optional American walnut tripod floor stands or wall brackets for other mounting options.
Marantz focuses on design right down to the packaging with a simple and attractive unboxing experience. This includes an elegant protective case that cocoons each product.
The Marantz Horizon and Marantz Grand Horizon will be available starting January 14, 2025. The Marantz Horizon will sell for US$3,500 and the Marantz Grand Horizon for US$5,500. The Marantz Horizon Tripod is US$700.