The MartinLogan USR51 is a 5.1-channel networked AV receiver engineered in partnership with Anthem to pack full-size processing and power into a chassis thin enough to disappear behind a flat-panel television or inside custom cabinetry. With the MartinLogan USR51, the brand best known for electrostatic loudspeakers is tackling a problem that has dogged slim-profile home theater installs for years: speakers have gotten thinner, but the electronics driving them have not — until now.
An Ultra-Slim Chassis With Full-Size Ambitions
Despite the growing popularity of low-profile speaker solutions, the amplification and processing behind them has largely stayed full-size. The USR51 rethinks that equation, housing audiophile-grade electronics in a sleek, low-profile enclosure without the space demands that conventional AV receivers require. It delivers up to five channels of power — 92 watts per channel into 4 ohms, or 50 watts per channel into 8 ohms — making it equally at home mounted behind a display, tucked into a media console, or stacked discreetly in an equipment rack.
ARC Genesis Room Correction and High-Res Streaming
Thanks to the Anthem partnership, the MartinLogan USR51 includes the full suite of ARC Genesis room correction, which runs a quick series of in-room measurements to calibrate performance for the space it’s in, minimizing the acoustic penalties of hard surfaces and awkward room layouts. On the streaming side, built-in support for the latest Apple AirPlay, Google Cast, Spotify Connect, and Bluetooth lets listeners get high-fidelity audio playing in seconds, while HDMI eARC support keeps cable clutter to a minimum.
Seamless Control, Flexible Installation
Robust IP and IR support mean integrators have nearly limitless control options, from the included IR remote to the Anthem Remote App for iOS and Android. Combined with its native streaming capabilities, the USR51 is one of the most efficient and low-profile ways to add a full-featured streaming amplifier to virtually any room — behind a television, inside furniture, or rack-mounted alongside the rest of a system.
MartinLogan has built a loyal following among custom installers for exactly this kind of problem-solving, and the USR51 looks set to become a go-to recommendation for rooms where a traditional receiver simply won’t fit. For more on how MartinLogan is expanding its electronics lineup, see our coverage of the MartinLogan Motion Discrete Cinema Series soundbars.
Pricing and Availability
The MartinLogan USR51 is sold exclusively through authorized MartinLogan dealers and custom integrators; pricing is available on request via the official MartinLogan USR51 product page, where a dealer locator can point buyers to their nearest showroom.
Key Specifications
- 5.1-channel networked AV receiver, co-engineered with Anthem
- Power output: 92W per channel into 4 ohms, 50W per channel into 8 ohms
- Anthem ARC Genesis room correction suite included
- Native support for Apple AirPlay, Google Cast, Spotify Connect, and Bluetooth
- HDMI eARC input/output for simplified, clutter-free connections
- IR remote included; full control via the Anthem Remote App (iOS/Android)
- Ultra-slim chassis designed to mount behind flat-panel displays or inside cabinetry
- Rack-mountable for traditional equipment-room installs
