MartinLogan has unveiled the USR51, a compact 5.1-channel AV receiver designed to deliver surround sound without the bulky hardware traditionally associated with home theatre systems.

Developed in partnership with Anthem, the new receiver features an ultra-slim design that allows it to be concealed behind a television, installed inside an in-wall media box or tucked into shallow cabinetry.

Priced at US$1,299.99, the USR51 is aimed at consumers and professional installers looking to build a discreet home entertainment system without sacrificing audio performance.

According to MartinLogan, the receiver was developed in response to the growing popularity of slim televisions and low-profile speaker systems, which have become increasingly difficult to pair with conventional full-size AV receivers.

“From razor-thin displays to low-profile speakers, performance from compact designs is staggering. Yet despite these advances, most AV receivers have remained large and difficult to integrate into low-profile spaces,” said MartinLogan Senior Vice President Allan Tarrant.

“Our goal with the USR51 was to deliver a miniaturized, streamlined AVR that easily conceals behind the TV, solving the challenge of where to place equipment in space-saving installations.”

Despite its compact dimensions, the USR51 incorporates five channels of amplification, delivering 50 watts per channel into 8 ohms or 92 watts per channel into 4 ohms.

The receiver also benefits from Anthem’s audio processing technology, including its ARC Genesis room correction system.

ARC Genesis uses measurements taken within the listening environment to analyse room acoustics and adjust audio output, helping compensate for unwanted resonances and other acoustic characteristics.

MartinLogan has also included a range of wireless connectivity options, including Apple AirPlay, Google Cast, Spotify Connect and Bluetooth, allowing users to stream music from compatible devices and services.

For television audio, the receiver supports HDMI eARC alongside optical and analogue connections.

Unlike traditional AV receivers, the USR51 does not feature multiple HDMI inputs for connecting gaming consoles, streaming boxes and other video sources.

Instead, MartinLogan has designed the system around the assumption that a television or external streaming device will handle video switching, while the receiver concentrates on delivering multichannel audio.

The simplified connectivity also helps reduce the space required for internal components.

Installation flexibility is another major focus, with MartinLogan supplying a mounting bracket that supports standard VESA patterns, allowing the receiver to be positioned directly behind a flat-panel television.

The USR51 can also be installed inside structured media boxes, shallow cabinets or equipment racks, where it occupies just 1U of space using an optional rack-mounting kit.

Toolless Phoenix speaker terminals are included to simplify wiring in confined spaces.

Because the receiver is designed to operate out of sight, MartinLogan has incorporated several remote control options.

These include IP and infrared control, a supplied IR remote and compatibility with the Anthem Remote App for iOS and Android.

The receiver also supports integration with popular home automation platforms, including Control4, Crestron, Savant, URC, RTI, Elan, AVA and Josh.ai.

Rather than using a conventional on-screen setup menu, configuration is handled through a web-based interface or the control app. Volume information can still be displayed on the television during normal operation.

MartinLogan Product Manager Andrew Lindsey said the design was intended to make adding surround sound to modern living spaces considerably easier.

“The USR51 eliminates the need for deep furniture or remote gear mounting when adding a surround system. Simply mounting a USR51 and a media streaming device behind a TV fulfills most listeners’ needs,” Lindsey said.

The company is positioning the USR51 as a companion to its architectural and low-profile speaker ranges, including the Motion SLM Series, Motion Compact Series and Motion Discrete Cinema Series.

The MartinLogan USR51 is scheduled to become available through authorised dealers and professional installers worldwide from October, with US pricing set at US$1,299.99.

No Australian pricing is available at the time of writing this article.