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  3. Anthem MRX SLM vs MartinLogan USR51
Anthem MRX SLM vs MartinLogan USR51
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Anthem MRX SLM

Home Theater Receiver | 50 watts RMS into 8-ohms (2 channels driven)

Anthem MRX SLM
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MartinLogan USR51

Home Theater Receiver | 50 watts RMS into 8-ohms (2 channels driven)

MartinLogan USR51
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Anthem MRX SLM Anthem MRX SLM
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MartinLogan USR51 MartinLogan USR51
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Anthem MRX SLM
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MartinLogan USR51
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Anthem MRX SLM vs MartinLogan USR51 Home Theater Receiver Comparison

In this review, we will be comparing MRX SLM and USR51, two Home Theater Receivers from Anthem and MartinLogan. Let's have a brief look at the main features of Anthem MRX SLM and MartinLogan USR51 first before getting into our more detailed comparison.

Key SpecsAnthem MRX SLMMartinLogan USR51
BrandAnthem
Canada · founded 1995
MartinLogan
Power—50 watts per channel into 8 ohms or 92 watts per channel into 4 ohms, up to 5 channels (maker figures; Anthem rates the same amplifier with two channels driven)
Amplifier classD—
Built-in DAC—Yes
Phono inputNoNo
Headphone output—No
Bluetooth—Yes
App control—Yes
Weight2.99kg / 6.6lbs—
Dimensions (H x W x D)1.5" x 11.06" x 12.94"
38.1 x 280.9 x 328.7mm
—

The rest of this page covers where each one wins, how they compare in size, their inputs and outputs, the full specifications and a verdict.


Reasons to choose Anthem MRX SLM over MartinLogan USR51

Reasons to choose MartinLogan USR51 over Anthem MRX SLM
Full-color Display Yes vs No Displays Album and device Info
Handheld Remote Yes vs No Control the amplifier by the included RC
App-Based Control Yes vs None Control the amplifier via an app
Buil-in DAC Yes vs No Connect digital sources without an external DAC
Height 0mm vs 38mm Easier to fit in smaller spaces

Inputs and Outputs

The input and output selections that are offered is an important factor when comparing two amplifiers. Here you can find how the I/O selections of the Anthem MRX SLM and MartinLogan USR51 differs from each other.

Anthem MRX SLM Inputs
  • Total Number of Analog Inputs: 1
  • 1 Optical Digital Input
MartinLogan USR51 Inputs
  • Total Number of Analog Inputs: 1
  • 1 Optical Digital Input
  • Ethernet Port
Outputs
Outputs
  • Subwoofer Output

What's in the Box of MartinLogan USR51?

Here are the items that come with the USR51:
  • Receiver
  • Mounting bracket
  • IR remote
  • IR repeater
  • Phoenix speaker connector
  • Wi-Fi antennas
  • Power cable

Anthem MRX SLM vs MartinLogan USR51 full specifications

Every spec we hold for both, side by side
SpecificationAnthem MRX SLMMartinLogan USR51
Overview
BrandAnthemMartinLogan
TypeHome Theater ReceiverHome Theater Receiver
Channels55
Amplifier classD–
Output devicesSolid StateSolid State
Released–October 2026
Made in–China
List price$1,300$1,300
Power and performance
Power into 8 ohms50 W RMS50 W RMS
Power into 4 ohms92 W RMS92 W RMS
Power, as rated–50 watts per channel into 8 ohms or 92 watts per channel into 4 ohms, up to 5 channels (maker figures; Anthem rates the same amplifier with two channels driven)
Minimum impedance4 ohms4 ohms
Power consumption–325 W maximum
Digital and DAC
Built-in DAC–Yes
Network and streaming
Wi-Fi–Yes
Ethernet–Yes
Bluetooth–Yes
Chromecast–Yes
Streaming services–Spotify
Inputs
Analogue inputs11
RCA inputs–No
Phono inputNoNo
Optical digital11
Coaxial digitalNoNo
USB inputNoNo
HDMI input11
HDMI ARC / eARC–eARC
3.5mm input11
Outputs
Preamp outputsNoNo
Subwoofer output–Yes
HDMI output11
Headphone output–No
Speaker terminals–Phoenix terminal block, toolless
Features and control
Display–No
Room correction systemARC GenesisARC Genesis
CD player–No
Radio tunerNoNo
Handheld remote–Yes
App control–Yes
App–Anthem Remote
Physical
Dimensions (H x W x D)38.1 x 280.9 x 328.7mm–
Weight2.99 kg (6.60 lbs)–

A dash means the manufacturer does not publish that figure, or it does not apply. 42 specifications compared.

Verdict

No single best amplifier here. What decides it is what you have to drive, what you need to plug in, and how much of the system you want in one box.

AreaBetterWhy
Powerevenly matchedEffectively the same output - 50W against 50W into 8 ohms is under 1dB, which is not an audible difference in loudness.
Grip on hard loadsevenly matchedBoth behave much the same into 4 ohms - output nearly doubles (92W and 92W).
Analogue inputsevenly matchedThe same number of line-level inputs (1).
Room to growevenly matchedThe same expansion options on both.
Priceevenly matchedPriced within a few per cent of each other.

A Anthem MRX SLM  B MartinLogan USR51
depends neither is better in the abstract - it turns on your room, your system or how you will use them. Only specs published for both amplifiers are judged; anything missing on either side is left out rather than guessed.

Which should you choose?

Neither runs away with it - they trade advantages. Let the "depends" rows and the speakers you already own settle it.

What a spec sheet cannot show: how either sounds with your speakers, how the controls feel day to day, and what the app is like to live with - which is where most all-in-one amplifiers are actually won or lost. Power figures are the manufacturers' own and are not measured to a common standard, so treat small differences as noise. If you can hear both, that will tell you more than any row above.

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