Focal & Marantz: The Ultimate Dolby Atmos Home Cinema Experience!

The curtains draw closed. The lights dim. In the silence, only the sound remains. But not just any sound — the kind you don’t just hear... you feel. In the next scene, your living room is no longer just another room in the house. It’s a battlefield. A concert hall. A spaceship. A stadium. The floor trembles. The air shifts. The hero’s voice whispers in front of you. Something’s coming… from above.

This is the power of synergy between two legendary names: Focal, with its Sib Evo 5.1.2 Dolby Atmos speaker system featuring up-firing satellites, and Marantz, with the 7.2-channel Cinema 70s AV receiver bringing its signature warmth into the cinematic soundscape. Together, they create a complete home cinema system that doesn’t just reproduce a film — it pulls you into it. And the price? Surprisingly accessible.

Focal Sib Evo 5.1.2 — Dolby Atmos with elegance and efficiency.

The Sib Evo 5.1.2 series integrates Dolby Atmos technology in a smart, compact form. Its front satellite speakers include up-firing drivers that reflect sound off the ceiling, creating the illusion of height — without the need for in-ceiling speakers. As The Master Switch puts it: “Does an absolutely terrific impersonation of downward firing height speakers.” These elegant, high-gloss black speakers are designed with visual minimalism and acoustic coherence in mind — delivering immersive performance while fitting beautifully into your space.

Key specs:

• Frequency response: 70Hz–25kHz | Sensitivity: 90 dB | Impedance: 6 Ω
• Cub Evo subwoofer: 8¼″ Polyflex driver | 200 W Class D amplifier | 35–150 Hz response (down to 30 Hz)
• Smart, compact, and remarkably convincing in real-world use

And the result?

When the up-firing drivers activate, it’s not just a visual gimmick. It’s a three-dimensional audio experience: rain, helicopters, effects — all appear to fall from above, wrapping around the viewer with a realism that defies expectation.

At the heart of the system: Marantz Cinema 70s.

At the heart of the system lies the Marantz Cinema 70s — a sleek, slimline AV receiver that brings the full philosophy of the Marantz Sound Master into a more compact form, without compromising on performance. Elegant, musical, and technically refined, it’s an ideal match for premium compact speaker setups.

Technical Specifications:

• Power Output: 50W per channel (8Ω) or up to 70W (6Ω) – delivering crystal-clear dynamics with a natural tonal balance

• 7.2-channel processing, with full support for Dolby Atmos, DTS:X, and Dolby Atmos Height Virtualization

• Supports 5.2.2 Atmos configuration without requiring in-ceiling speakers

• Slimline design – only 11.5 cm tall, making it ideal for tight cabinets or minimalist furniture

• 6 HDMI inputs and 1 output, with 8K/60Hz and 4K/120Hz passthrough

• eARC/ARC, ALLM, VRR, and support for HDR10+, Dolby Vision, HLG

Wireless Streaming & Connectivity:

• Built-in Wi-Fi, Bluetooth, AirPlay 2, and HEOS – for seamless wireless music streaming and multi-room audio

• Compatible with Spotify Connect, TIDAL, Deezer, TuneIn Internet Radio, and more

• Voice control ready – works with Amazon Alexa, Google Assistant, and Apple Siri

Room Calibration & Smart Features:

• Audyssey MultEQ – automatically adjusts sound to your room’s acoustics

• Audyssey Dynamic EQ & Dynamic Volume – maintain balance at lower listening levels

• Easy setup via the Marantz AVR Remote App

• Analog and digital inputs, including a dedicated phono input for turntables

What makes the Cinema 70s stand out isn’t just its compact form — it’s the unmistakable Marantz musicality. From crystal-clear dialogue to spatially rich effects, this receiver brings a sense of presence, warmth, and refinement to every listening experience. Whether for film or music, it delivers sound with grace and emotional clarity — the Marantz way.

But beyond specs, there’s that sound — what Marantz proudly calls Sound Master tuned. Warm, musical, and immersive, it offers crystal-clear dialogue, dynamic transitions, and a cinematic punch that breathes life into every frame. Known for its Japanese audio heritage, Marantz brings depth and musicality to any soundtrack — with full-bodied bass and open, expressive mids.

What does the viewer gain? A multidimensional experience.

This pairing goes beyond conventional surround sound. The up-firing drivers in the Focal Sib Evo satellites introduce verticality, giving sound the freedom to move above you. And thanks to the Marantz Cinema 70s, that vertical presence is embedded into a cohesive 360° sonic field.

The sleek design of the speakers blends into any living room without dominating it visually. And the Cub Evo subwoofer, though discreet in size, delivers impactful lows with control and nuance — from thunderous explosions to delicate ambient detail.

The Marantz adds its signature warmth, ensuring clear dialogue, emotional pacing, and the kind of sonic stage where every crescendo resonates. Together, this system doesn’t just play the film — it brings you into it.

It feels like cinema. In every sense.

Picture the opening of a film: subtle wind, footsteps, distant noises… Suddenly, sound moves above your head — and it feels heavy, real. The up-firing placement, combined with Marantz’s spatial finesse, results in hyper-realistic panning and object placement.

Explosions hit with energy, but never fatigue. Dialogue remains intelligible, even during the most intense action. And with music-driven scenes — say, Inception or Blade Runner 2049 — the Cinema 70s truly shines. There’s depth, breath, and nothing gets lost: the bass is tight, the mids are airy, and the overall control is masterful.

It’s not just about volume — it’s about command. This is hi-fi cinematic expression.

In conclusion: More than equipment — an experience.

If cinema is about transporting you to another world, then the Focal Sib Evo Dolby Atmos 5.1.2 + Marantz Cinema 70s system is the vessel that takes you there. It’s not just a home cinema setup. It’s a carefully tuned work of audio engineering and design — offering emotional resonance, spatial precision, and stunning realism.

It’s ideal for those who don’t have room for massive floorstanders, or who don’t want visual clutter, or who simply don’t want to spend a small fortune. It opens new realms of enjoyment, where pressing play becomes the start of a journey. Because in this setup, sound doesn’t just come from the sides or the rear — it comes from everywhere. Bullets pass so close you instinctively duck. Starships roar overhead with spine-tingling realism. And when the credits roll, all that remains is the silence… and your gaze, still lingering in that other world.

AthensProAudio Team ©