Don Cheadle writes copy for the Marantz SR4320
After coming across a post at Gizmodo about how Marantz is introducing a bunch of new stuff at CES, I headed over to Marantz's website and came across the SR4320 Stereo Receiver. The copy for the product description sounds like it was written by Buck Swope from Boogie Nights. Drop a couple "Hi-Fi's" in there, and it's a done deal.

1) "Stereo Receiver"
I'm pretty sure companies stopped making mono receivers 20 or 30 years ago. It's 2006, boys, you can just call it a "receiver" now.
2) "Stereo Receiver with A/V switching capabilities"
This is a bit redundant. "Switching" is what receivers do. This is not a feature per se. It's like selling a car with "driving capabilities."
3) "AM/FM Tuner With Frequency Direct Access"
Translation: You no longer have to tune in stations manually with a big knob. Again, this has been a standard for quite some time now, Marantz.
4) "New Full Function Remote Control"
This is my favorite. Not sure which I love more, the fact that they're advertising that their receiver comes with a remote control, or that they refer to it as a "full function" remote. It's good to know Marantz isn't shipping receivers with their old "partial function" remotes I guess.
The product page for the SR4320 seems to be an anomaly, because all the other product pages sound like the copywriter is actually from this century. I just hope Marantz doesn't go to CES and start touting their new "Disc-based Cinema Player" and "Color Televisions."

1) "Stereo Receiver"
I'm pretty sure companies stopped making mono receivers 20 or 30 years ago. It's 2006, boys, you can just call it a "receiver" now.
2) "Stereo Receiver with A/V switching capabilities"
This is a bit redundant. "Switching" is what receivers do. This is not a feature per se. It's like selling a car with "driving capabilities."
3) "AM/FM Tuner With Frequency Direct Access"
Translation: You no longer have to tune in stations manually with a big knob. Again, this has been a standard for quite some time now, Marantz.
4) "New Full Function Remote Control"
This is my favorite. Not sure which I love more, the fact that they're advertising that their receiver comes with a remote control, or that they refer to it as a "full function" remote. It's good to know Marantz isn't shipping receivers with their old "partial function" remotes I guess.
The product page for the SR4320 seems to be an anomaly, because all the other product pages sound like the copywriter is actually from this century. I just hope Marantz doesn't go to CES and start touting their new "Disc-based Cinema Player" and "Color Televisions."

The only difference is, Marantz makes high-end audio equipment. The SR4320 is their low-end receiver and still retails for $429.99. A full-featured remote isn't an option.
1. It a Stereo (2 channel) receiver, not a Home-Theatre (more than 2 channels)
receiver. As a music lover, this makes a big difference.
2. Not all stereo (2 channel receivers) have video switching.
Some use it for music only. Some would like to use it with their TV's too.
Very important to know.
3. Frequency Direct Access. No all receivers have this - the ability to
tune a station by keying in the numeric frequency on the numeric keypad.
Such as 9-4-1 for 94.1
4. Full Function Remote. Not all receivers have controls for other components.
CD, DVD players, Tape recorders built into the remote.
It's your fault if you misinterprete. Not Marantz's.