Meridian Unplugged - Powered by MrTechGuy.co.uk Forums Discussion Meridian - Systems 5200 Midrange Quality

In my search for new speakers, I keep coming back to the 5200. They offer full-range sound in a compact package, don't require quality stands, and the clincher is DSP.

I've always liked stand-mount monitors because of their midrange clarity. I've owned Proac Reference 8 Sig's., B&W 805's (Matrix and Naut.), Merlin TSM's, AVI ADM9.1's and others.

I haven't heard the 5200's and I've read here about it's great bass output and it's ability to play loud cleanly.

So my question is, does it rival some of the finest (IMHO) mini-monitors in midrange clarity?

Thank you very much,

flea

Hi Flea,

I don't recall reading about its great bass output here specifically. I would say that for it's size the bass is darn good but doesn't compare to its bigger brothers. However, to answer your question, the midrange in it's clarity is amazing.

Thanks Dolf,

Glad to hear that the midrange quality is amazing!

I agree midrange is awesome on 5200's. They sound as good as 6K's without the low end. But they are amazingly punchy for their size.

I'm just going to offer a different opinion because I found the 5200 mid-range to be it's weakest area. I heard the same difficulties in mid and bass as I found on 5k's. When pushed the definition is lost.

As mid is important to you I would state the obvious in that you must demo them and use material that you know very well for mid-range properties.

Just my 2p and all relative to the larger DSP's which I prefer in this regard.

Fair enough. I can't afford the bigger models, but would you say that the 6K or 7K would be better in the mids than the 5200?

Some good points raised here. But don't forget that your listening room also plays a major part in the speakers' presentation. My 5200's are in an 18' x 15' lounge and they certainly don't lack bass. The best advice is to demo a pair (if you can) in your room then you will be sure that they either do or don't do what you want. Good luck.

3-4 years ago I auditioned DSP5200s at home. I directly compared my G91 digital out onto the DSP5200 to the G91 analog out (i.e. unbalanced) via G57 into my B&W Nautilus 804 speakers.

The DSP5200 was a very big improvement in bass in all respects. It was also good in lower midrange - somewhat equivalent to the 804 which is excellent in this regard. Where it was much worse was in upper midrange and treble. Female vocals, e.g. Sarah McGlachlan showed this up immediately, and it was not a subtle difference - slightly raspy vs sweet and soaring. It was also present in the relative lack of "air" and general openness. It was not what I had expected at all. As a result I did not purchase the DSP5200s. The openness and sweetness of B&W in the upper mid and treble that I've loved for 10 years was not something I wanted to lose.

Now, perhaps if I'd had a G68 and therefore had the benefit of upsampling, the difference would have been less. The analog output of the G91 is internally upsampled to 192kHz. And the DSP5200s at that time did not have apodizing either.

Hi Flea,

You might find my review of the DSP5200 vs DSP3100s helpful. As a long time user of standmounts I too found the 5200s a little too soft in the mid to high range but others may find the mids / highs of standmounts too much / un-natural. A home demo is therefore definately recommended.

DSP5200 vs DSP3100 Home Review

Simon