Meridian Unplugged - Powered by MrTechGuy.co.uk Forums Discussion Meridian - Systems To DSP8000 owners : if you had an infinite budget, would you upgrade....?

Thanks,
Robert

Interesting. Because when I heard the 8Ks for the first and so far only time, my thought was that I preferred my stereo mostly-Avantgarde setup. Described in slightly more detail here:

https://www.meridianunplugged.com/u...bb=showflat&Number=138202#Post138202

Granted, I didn't get to listen to the DSP setup in anything like what I'd consider a truly thorough audition. And when the DSP speakers were doing surround, I very much liked what they were doing.

Not meaning to be rude, but from the photos you posted the 8ks looked too close together and too close to rear and side walls to give of their best.

I hope you are happy with your new system: Avid decks sound very good.

I had the Avantgarde TRIO before my first D8Ks. I wife really hated them(a lot!) but that was not the reason for dumping them. The TRIOs are a one trick pony (an one seat in the living room) kind of speaker. The TRIO does ONE thing extremely well where as the D8Ks a number of things very well (Like a Porsche 911, not the fastest, lowest and most expensive car in the world..but the fastest way of getting from A-B everyday without thinking; will it break) I think it is called; engineering!

Just make sure that the 8ks are properly set up:

1. get a clean power supply dedicated to the system so that other domestic stuff does not introduce noise.

2. use an outstanding source such as an 808.3 or ID40, and put it on a good isolation platform.

3. move the 8ks well clear of rear walls.

4. move the 8ks well clear of side walls.

5. sit central to the speakers, well clear of rear walls, and the same distance from each speaker as they are from each other.

6. be obsessive about speaker toe-in.

If you still feel the urge to upgrade / have the latest new thing then spend the money on a therapist or you will never be happy. 8ks already cost a fortune so why feel the need to spend more?

To be insufferably smug, mine are set up as above and sound wonderful. Final toe-in adjustments after the speakers had run in / burnt in (yes, I hear the objections) made a surprising degree of difference.

1.Get a clean power supply dedicated to the system so that other domestic stuff does not introduce noise.
- Of little or no consequence as the M products does the filtering inside the products not outside!

2. Use an outstanding source such as an 808.3 or ID40, and put it on a good isolation platform.
- Of little or no consequence to the sound quality as the D8K is the least sensitive of all M products in this respect.

3. Move the 8Ks well clear of rear walls.
- All speakers like this but with the settings and/or adjustment of the D8K you can compensate.

4. Move the 8ks well clear of side walls.
- All speakers like this but with the settings and/or adjustment of the D8K you can compensate.

5. Sit central to the speakers, well clear of rear walls, and the same distance from each speaker as they are from each other.
- The D8Ks has a very controlled dispersion pattern (and pre settings) leaving you with the freedom to sit where and how you like.

6. Be obsessive about speaker toe-in.
- The D8Ks has a very controlled dispersion pattern (and pre settings) you can be obsessive with speaker toe-in, but don�t expect to hear the eagles sing.

At least if you have DSP8Ks everyone does not think you are an investment banker. (English rhyming slang)

AsaPost

7. have a great room to put them in

The short answer is no. The longer answer is if I decided to move into another house and didnt have one room for audio and video, then I might look at a system thats dedicated for audio and I would be inclined to keep the Meridian setup for that but given that I last seriously auditioned things about a decade ago, Id go check out whats the latest and greatest and the costs involved. And then Id do the same for video. As it is, I am completely content with the 8000s. I've owned mine since early 2003 and its one purchase where Im not looking for whats the latest/ greatest/ next.

I think that what I wrote may be ambiguous. The intention here is to refer to the wall behind the listener, not the wall behind the speakers. The objective is to reduce harmful reflection from the wall behind the listener. Please explain if you think that the 8ks can cure this problem thereby allowing the freedom of seating that you suggest.

Thanks, Gianni.

Perhaps it should be:

7. have a great room with a view to put them in (which luckily, as you know, I have).

Point "3" seems controversial to me at least.

If seated with back near back wall, almost most speakers do sound not so good. The reverse, with speakers near wall but listening position clear off any wall at the back, seemingly sounded way much better.

As for all the rest of the points, cant agree for more. Toeing in will be to choice of speaker placement (how far apart would necessitate the need - more or less toeing in).

I tried the toeing in, but in the end, choose to have it straight facing the front. Maybe its because I have a small listening space to warrant the effect.