You may be of an age to remember ‘Horizon’, the BBC go-to documentary series exploring all things scientific, futuristic and otherwise mysterious. Apparently, it’s still on BBC2… perhaps we’ll see its namesake – Marantz Horizon - featured soon; it certainly fits the bill.
Horizon is the head-turning new release from Japanese audio masters Marantz. A wireless, streaming speaker like no other. Luxurious, imposing and oozing quality, Marantz have taken speaker design to a galaxy far, far away.
There’s an air of solar eclipse about Horizon. A circular form, the brand’s iconic porthole motif is beautifully incorporated as a proximity-sensing, halo lighting ring, function and volume control. Ambient lighting radiates from the rear and shimmering gold lurex is embedded in its acoustically transparent, RadianceTM 360o Seamless Ecofiber wrap - a sustainable material made from 100% recycled ocean plastic. Horizon most definitely looks the part.
There are two models:
Horizon, £3,250
c.36cm high, 310W of power, 6 drivers: 2 x 1” tweeters, 3 x 2” mid and 6.5” bass
Grand Horizon, £5,250
c. 50cm high, 370W, 8 drivers: 3 x 1” tweeters, 4 x 3” mid and 8” bass
And there’s probably two things jumping out at you – power and price.
Huge Sound
300W+ of power from a single speaker is huge, but possible thanks to Marantz RiseTM amplification and the precise arrangement of drivers around a single bass unit, all employing powerful neodymium magnets for superb accuracy, responsiveness and low distortion. This design radiates frankly ridiculously powerful, spacious audio, easily filling every one of our demo rooms here at Peter Tyson and in all likelihood your listening rooms too. Especially the larger Grand Horizon, with its 8”bass driver, extra tweeter and midrange driver.
As premium single speakers go, only Linn, Devialet and some Bang & Olufsen sit around this price point. But Horizon isn’t just a speaker, it’s a complete high-res audio system; and a very good one at that. This is luxury in every sense - aesthetics, build quality, materials and most importantly for us, audio quality. Performance-wise, it’s in a different universe from most wireless speakers.
The Specs
Horizon runs on Marantz’s HEOS® wireless music platform, supporting all the major streaming providers - Amazon Music, Deezer, Spotify, TIDAL et al – as well as Bluetooth, AirPlay2 and Dolby Atmos.
External sources (TV, CD, games console, etc.) can be connected too, via HDMI eARC, stereo RCA, digital optical and USB-C inputs.
Like Meridian’s Ellipse, Horizon can be tuned to your own listening preferences via Marantz MirageTM DSP adjustments in the HEOS app, which is super easy to use. There’s even a Sound Master mode, replicating the settings of Marantz legend Yoshinori Ogata, who fine tunes all Marantz products. His Master’s Voice you might say!
Both models are available in three striking finishes – Midnight Sky, Moon Ray and Marantz Champagne; each has a colour matched, natural marble base which provides an excellent, solid foundation, or there’s an optional American walnut tripod stand if you prefer.
If you want premium sound, don’t fancy a traditional, ‘two-speakers-and-electronics’ hifi and can afford the premium price, Horizon might just be the system for you. It is most certainly worth having a look and listen at our stores:
Peter Tyson Carlise – 01224 546756
Peter Tyson Newcastle – 0191 285 7179