Anthem Announce New Multi-Room Systems

High-end home audio company Anthem has announced new multi-room distribution systems that also support room correction for individual zones.

The MDX-8 ($2499) and MDX-16 ($3699) feature advanced DSP processing, matrix switching of any input to any output, and cutting-edge Anthem amplification technology the company said provides smooth, efficient, and consistent high power and reliability.

The two systems are designed to simplify custom audio system installations while still providing quality sound.

Both are capable of providing 60 watts per channel at 8ohms, and can be bridged to provide 200 watts.

The MDX-16 features eight RCA inputs and four digital inputs (divided equally between coaxial and optical TOSLINK connections).

Outputs include eight Euroblock speakers, eight RCA subwoofer connections, 2 stereo-analog pass-through for daisy-chaining multiple units, and one digital optical TOSLINK jack.

The cheaper MDX-8 has four RCA inputs and one TOSLINK, and four stereo Euroblocks and four RCA subwoofer outputs.

Both support Anthem Room Correction (ARC), bass management, bass/treble adjustments, and level control settings for each independent zone.

High-resolution digital audio is supported up to 24-bit/192kHz by the on-board DAC, with DSP and on-board room correction converted at 32-bit/48kHz.

The MDX’s web-based setup gives users the ability to customize zone names and configurations, including which inputs play to which zone, independently adjust EQ and volume, run ARC in different zones and easily update firmware.

As a longstanding favourite of custom installers, Anthem ensures the MDX is compatible with leading home automation systems such as Control4, Crestron, Elan, RTI, Savant, and URC, but there looks to be no support with the increasingly popular consumer-level home automation provided by digital voice assistants like Amazon Alexa, Google Assistant and Apple Siri/Homekit.

The MDX systems are expected to be available in Australia next month.