Meridian 25th Anniversary Special Edition Speakers Preview
Meridian DSP8000 SE
Summary
- Product Name: DSP8000 SE; DSP7200 SE; DSP5200 SE
- Manufacturer: Meridian
- Review Date: May 01, 2014 08:00
- MSRP: $20,000-$80,000/pair, 1/2 price for a single speaker (for a center channel)
- First Impression: Pretty Cool
DSP8000 SE
PERFORMANCE
-
Frequency response in-room 20Hz – >32kHz ±3dB (for inputs at 44.1kHz or 48kHz).
- ‘31/2’-way crossover system with linear-phase mid–top crossover; 6th-order Linkwitz-Riley bass–mid crossover.
- Output >118dB spl @ 1m on music material.
- Noise less than 15dB spl.
- Overall distortion typically <0.02% at any frequency or level
INPUTS
- SpeakerLink balanced digital (2ch, RJ45)
- S/PDIF unbalanced digital (2ch, phono)
- 32kHz–96kHz sampling rates
OUTPUTS
-
1x RJ45 with balanced digital audio and control for a second loudspeaker. Carries infra-red pickup for system automation.
AUDIO PROCESSING
-
FIFO memory buffer input for the lowest possible jitter from almost any source.
- Four 24-bit D/A converters.
- All upsampling and processing is performed by 2 x Freescale 56367 running at 150MHz.
CONSTRUCTION
- Two separate enclosures: mid/top and bass.
- Horizontally opposed and profiled bass system introduces minimal vibration to the mid/top enclosure. Entire speaker manufactured from interlaminated panels with glass front.
AMPLIFIERS
- Bass: 3 x 150W power amplifiers
-
Mid: 150W
- Treble: 150W
- Total: 750W
Drivers
- 6 x 200mm long-throw bass drivers
- 1 x 160mm polypropylene (TPX) mid driver in separate enclosure
- 1 x 25mm (1") Meridian piston in short horn, beryllium dome with silver voice-coil.
DSP
-
2 x Freescale 56367 running at
150MHz, 4 x 24-bit Multi-bit delta-sigma DACs with 128x
oversampling.
- Crossover minimum-phase at 2.6kHz.
- Response correction for the whole system.
- Bass protection.
- User tone controls.
- Analogue/digital volume and phase control.
CONTROL
-
Rear-panel controls for Power On/Off.
- Full control via MSR+ and RS232 SpeakerLink carries Comms
- serial and balanced digital audio via RJ45/CAT 5
FRONT DISPLAY
- Eight-character display with system lights, can be blanked.
POWER
- 20W standby, 920W max.
DIMENSIONS
- 1350mm (53.2in) H, 400 (15.7) W, 528 (20.8) D
WEIGHT
- 105kg (231lb) each
DSP7200 SE
PERFORMANCE
- Frequency response in-room within 3dB from 30Hz to over 32kHz.
- Maximum output >112dB spl @ 1m on music material.
- Noise less than 15dB spl.
- Overall electronic distortion typically <0.02% at any frequency or level.
INPUTS
- 1x phono digital input (S/PDIF)
- 1x balanced digital (AES/EBU) input on RJ45; 32kHz–96kHz sampling rates at up to 24 bit; MHR support. RJ45 input also carries RS232 and trigger.
OUTPUTS
1x RJ45 with balanced digital
audio and control for a second loudspeaker. Carries infra-red pickup for system automation.
CONSTRUCTION
- ‘3 1/2-way’ acoustic reflex system.
- Single-port (vertical model) or dual-port (horizontal centre).
- Entire speaker manufactured from interlaminated panels with individually covered grilles for bass units.
- Finished in high-gloss piano lacquer.
DRIVERS
- 2 x 200mm long-throw bass drivers.
- 1 x 160mm polypropylene mid driver.
- 1 x 25mm (1") Meridian piston in short horn, beryllium dome with silver voice-coil.
DSP
-
2 x Freescale 56367 running at
150MHz,
- 4 x 24-bit Multi-bit delta-sigma DACs with 128x
oversampling.
- Crossover minimum-phase at 2.6kHz.
- Response correction for the whole system.
- Bass protection.
- User tone controls.
- Analogue/digital volume and phase control.
ELECTRONICS
-
FIFO memory buffer input for the lowest possible jitter from almost any source.
- Analogue gain & filtering with proprietary Meridian Class-A discrete amplification.
- Digital & conversion electronics utilize advanced surface-mount techniques and partitioned 6-layer printed-circuit boards.
- 4x 24-bit 128x oversampling D/A converters for maximum audio quality.
AMPLIFIERS
- Bass: 2 x 150W
- Mid: 150W
- Treble: 150W
- Total: 600W
CONTROL
-
Rear-panel controls for Power On/Off.
- Full control via MSR+ and RS232
- SpeakerLink carries Comms,
- serial and balanced digital audio via RJ45/CAT 5
FRONT DISPLAY
- Eight-character display with system lights, can be blanked.
POWER
- 20W standby, 920W max
DIMENSIONS
- Vertical version: 1072 (42.25) H (no feet), 350/180 (13.75/7.1) W, 415/217 (16.5/8.5) D [base/top, mm (in)]
WEIGHT
- 55kg (121 lb) each (vertical version).
DSP5200 SE
PERFORMANCE
- Frequency response in-room within 3dB from 35Hz to over 32kHz.
- Linear-phase mid/top crossover.
- Output >108dB spl @ 1m on music material.
- Noise less than 15dB spl.
- Overall distortion typically <0.02% at any frequency or level.
INPUTS
- Meridian SpeakerLink in and out (RJ45)
- S/PDIF digital input, 32kHz–96kHz sampling rates at up to 24 bit with MHR support (phono).
OUTPUTS
- 1x RJ45 with balanced digital audio and control for a second loudspeaker. Carries infra-red pickup for system automation.
CONSTRUCTION
- ‘2 1/2-way’ acoustic reflex system.
- Single-port (vertical model) or dual-port (horizontal centre).
- Entire speaker manufactured from interlaminated panels with individually covered grilles for bass units.
- Finished in high-gloss piano lacquer.
DRIVERS
- 2 x 160mm polypropylene bass drivers.
- 1 x 25mm (1") Meridian piston in short horn, beryllium dome with silver voice-coil.
ELECTRONICS
- Two precision 24/192 oversampling converters for bass/mid and tweeter signals.
- Active bass/mid crossover.
- Digital and conversion electronics constructed using advanced surface-mount techniques and partitioned 6-layer printed-circuit boards.
DSP
- 2 x Freescale 56367 running at 150MHz
- 2 x 24-bit Multi-bit delta-sigma DACs with 128x
oversampling.
- Crossover minimum-phase at 2.6kHz.
- Response correction for the whole system.
- Bass protection.
- User tone controls.
- Analogue/digital volume and phase control.
AMPLIFIERS
- Bass: 1 x 75W
- Mid: 1 x 75W
- Treble: 1 x 75W
- Total: 225W
CONTROL
- Rear-panel controls for Power On/Off.
- Full control via MSR+ and RS232 SpeakerLink carries Comms,
- serial and balanced digital audio via RJ45/CAT 5
DISPLAY
- Eight-character display with system lights, can be blanked.
DIMENSIONS
- Vertical model: height: 903mm/36in (without spikes/feet); width: 300mm/ 12in at base, tapering to 179mm/7in; depth: 356mm/14in at base, tapering to 217mm/8.5in.
WEIGHT
- 35kg packed.
Meridian Audio has been in the high-end AV business for a long while. They are known for their speakers, but they have other offerings including external DACs, headphone amplifiers, media streamers, power amplifiers, pre-amps, CD players, and even video projectors. Currently, Meridian is celebrating 25 years of building digital loudspeakers. A quarter-century ago, Meridian decided that keeping the signal in the digital domain as long as possible was what they wanted to do. Now, to celebrate their long history of digital speakers, Meridian has released their Special Edition DSP Digital Active Loudspeakers. Ranging from $20k to $80k a pair, these are not for the faint of wallet.
Meridian's SE line has three entries - the DSP8000 SE, the DSP7200 SE, and the DSP5200 SE. If you are a Meridian aficionado, those model numbers may look familiar to you. Those with DSP7200, DSP5200, or the DSP8000 (including the Anniversary Edition) will be offered an upgrade path for their current speakers. The details of these upgrades (including costs) have not been released at the time of writing.
The Meridian DSP7200 chillin' at its home in the Hamptons.
The main improvements in the SE line are in the tweeter and the electronics. The new tweeter has a 1" beryllium dome for high power handling and superior transients for increased dynamic range and contrast. Beryllium is seven times more rigid than aluminum, helping to push the tweeter's breakup well out of the audible band. The tweeter is semi-horn-loaded. Most of the drivers in the SE line, including the tweeters, are powered individually for maximum control.
The new electronics incorporate an improved DSP for higher clock speeds. It has dual Freescale 56367 running at 150MHz and two 24-bit Multi-bit delta-sigma DACs. There are controls for Bass, Tilt, and Axis, as well as a new crossover design. The digital inputs accept sampling rates from 32kHz to 96kHz and up to 24 bit depth. Meridian has implemented their Enhanced Bass Alignment (EBA) DSP for time-aligning the bass. By combining digital filters and time delays for the mid and high frequencies, the bass and all the other sounds arrive at your ear at the same time.
Lastly, Meridian has added Clamp Rings around their mid and bass drivers to securely anchor them to their enclosures. The the DSP8000 SE and DSP7200 SE speaker enclosures are constructed out of "Meridium". This is a proprietary material that is a laminate of birch plywood and aluminum that is damped with a mineral-filled epoxy resin.
The Meridian DSP5200 SE at its loft in SoHo.
The DSP5200 SE is the baby of the new SE line with a single tweeter and dual 6.3" polypropylene midrange drivers. It is rated down to 35Hz at -3dB with greater than 108dB at one meter. It has a single, 75-watt amp for each driver. The DSP7200 SE has a tweeter, 6.3" midrange, and dual 7.9" woofers. It is rated down to 30Hz -3dB at greater than 112dB at one meter. The DSP7200 SE has an 150-watt amp for each driver.
The DSP8000 SE is the flagship of the line with a tweeter, one midrange, and six 7.9" woofers. Unlike the other speakers, the woofers here are side-firing and each opposing pair shares an amp (all the amps are 150-watts like the ones the DSP7200). The tweeter and midrange are physically separated from the woofer in an enclosure on top of the woofer box (see the image at the top of this article). The front of the woofer enclosure is covered in glass for a truly unique look. The DSP8000 SE is rated down 20Hz at -3dB at greater than 118dB at one meter.
One unique feature of the SE line is that Meridian offers the option of purchasing a single speaker for a center channel. At 1/2 price, you can have Meridian reconfigure the center for horizontal placement if you prefer. While the DSP8000 SE looks to be a sealed design, the other two speakers have a single port. When in horizontal orientation, Meridian adds a second port to these speakers.
Conclusion
The Meridian Audio Special Edition line celebrates 25 years of Meridian creating digital speakers. The DSP8000 SE, DSP7200 SE, and DSP5200 SE have improved electronics and a semi-horn-loaded beryllium tweeter along with other improvements. The cost? $20k a pair for the DSP5200 SE, $46k a pair for the DSP7200 SE, and $80k a pair for the DSP8000 SE. Meridian offers a perfectly matching center channel in either horizontal or vertical orientation for half price of the pair. Meridian says these are the best sounding speakers they've ever made. At these prices, we certainly hope so.
For more information, please visit www.meridian-audio.com.
Unless otherwise indicated, this is a preview article for the featured product. A formal review may or may not follow in the future.
As Associate Editor at Audioholics, Tom promises to the best of his ability to give each review the same amount of attention, consideration, and thoughtfulness as possible and keep his writings free from undue bias and preconceptions. Any indication, either internally or from another, that bias has entered into his review will be immediately investigated. Substantiation of mistakes or bias will be immediately corrected regardless of personal stake, feelings, or ego.
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