Meridian Unplugged - Powered by MrTechGuy.co.uk

Nic you have the cutest cable management cat manager

"My wife found that the MRC added no discernable difference in our "typically UK sized living room".

I was not actually referring to the additional MRC but the DSP frequency and phase corrections applied through the on board processing.

"Nic you have the cutest cable management cat manager" - I second that, so sweet!!!

"Do you have a feel for the ideal minimum sized room for 8Ks (do I need to move house?!)"

Tom - If the speaker was passive then certainly yes, there would be minimum room dimensions to avoid exciting resonances - if you have a speaker that can hit 20Hz then you certainly need a room that can cope with that energy. There is a whole load of information published online - Nelson Pass or DIY Audio is always a good place to start.

However, the 8k's are DSP compensated and therefore are significantly more versatile in their placement and performance. The less ideal their placement the more processing required to rescue them - ie MRC on top of the on board corrections.

Ideal room placement is covered extensively on the net, as are ideal room dimension ratios to minimise excitation. There is also many different software packages available to highlight potential issues. If after entering the room dimensions etc it reveals a myriad of issues between 20-30Hz then it maybe unwise to chose a speaker that has a significant output in this region.

Of course, you could chose one and then tailor its response by using a graphic equaliser, DSP, MRC etc but this increases the signal path complexity, usually an undesirable and maybe one that could have been avoided by choosing a more appropriate speaker in the first place.

It is always best to try to follow the speaker placement guidelines for any speaker, even the DSP's with their ability to bend the rules. In the same way try to avoid suspended floors and be aware of the first reflection points. However I am aware that often the ideal is compromised in a domestic environment, unless you have a room built for the purposes (as many HH's would seem to have done).

I simply prefer the concept of minimal processing. I understand the M gear has some very capable processors operating at 48 bit word depth so it may be that any potential signal degradation is only theoretical... but each to their own.

If you guys all love your 8ks I'm sincerely happy for you - they're just not for me in my system at the moment

http://www.noiseaddicts.com/2009/03/can-you-hear-this-hearing-test/

ROTFLMAO

"I recall my own silliness as I tried to convince anyone who would listen that the 8Ks would funtion better as full 4 ways rather than partial 3 1/2 ways, until I finally stopped with the crazy theoretical conjecture and listened to them."

How did the full 4 way 8ks actually perform in comparison with the partial 3 1/2 ways? The theoretical conjecture may have been perfectly correct, it's just that you accepted the 8k's for what they were...

That doesn't mean that you weren't wrong...

With regard to the relationship between frequency response and room interaction is the following link

http://www.quarter-wave.com/General/Stand_Mount.pdf

The author concentrates on transmission line designs as this is his passion. However, it may give some insight into some the work that goes on behind the scenes of speaker design and how the influence of a room is taken into account.

My personal preference in the Meridian DSP range of speakers is for the DSP33. I used to own the M33's and their short comings are addressed by DSP in the digital version. I've had the pleasure of visiting the Audio Images where they're used most effectively in quite a large (and very beautiful) dem room.

The Meridian data sheet for this product mentions some of the on board DSP processing that is used to adjust the natural (passive) frequency response. Being a small speaker the DSP will be relatively limited, I assume in the 8k's the processing is far more complex...

"The unique Meridian DSP processing is performed on a brand new 100 MIPS Motorola DSP, the 56364. Like the other members of the Meridian DSP Speaker family, the DSP33 Signal Processing includes

� FIFO memory buffer input for the lowest possible jitter from almost any source
� Linear-phase crossover for precision drive unit integration not possible with analogue techniques
� Tweeter delay for perfect driver alignment
� 48-bit resolution volume control
� Minimal frequency equalisation to give a frequency response free from drive unit or electronic colouration
� Transparent tone controls
� Absolute phase control and phase-corrected balance control

The extraordinary big box sound of the DSP33 is achieved using exciting new signal processing developments. Meridian�s active bass extension deepens the response without excessive woofer excursion. At moderate volumes, a psychoacoustially correct extension filter extends the bass still further.
At high volumes DSP bass protection helps prevent the woofers from bottoming. Only the very lowest frequencies are reduced."

When watching a movie and using a system in home theatre mode the brain devotes far less attention to the audio quality. As such, I'd be very happy to have a DSP33 equipped home theatre. However, for two channel I prefer the presentation of the Quads and the unique intimacy that electrostatic panels are known for.

The 33's would be supported by multiple subs placed to minimise resonance excitation in the room. The B&W PV1 is a superb design, again port free - it's only a shame they don't accept a digital MSL input!

If the Quads timing circuits could be controlled by DSP rather than by passive components I'd certainly invest further as the DSP would certainly be the lesser of the two theoretical evils.

Yes a symetrical centre is available
A kindly HitchHiker tracked one down for me in Hamburg and I palleted it back to Blighty.
Very elegant and it dissappears behind a Kuro display.

Personally, I find that Meridian spec sheets make good toilet paper...

The kind that has been known to sometimes cause one to fall into the toilet.




Perhaps before various spec sheets for equipment are referenced one should figure out their very own specs.

If one can barely hear anything how can one claim to appreciate differences in cables cords wires and crazy spec frequency responses? I answered my own rhetorical question obviously...

@DPaws

Thanks for the links to the various websites. I can follow your line of thinking and as always find your comments amusing (in a good way) and interesting. It's good to have someone who goes against the grain. Without trying to put words into your mouth - might you be suggesting that there is a room sizes where a pair of 7200s (or even a small speaker) would provide a better sound then a pair of 8000s?


I'm guessing we've reached a point where talking about it isn't going to be enough and some actual hi-fi listening will be required.

Cheers
Tom

That did actually make me laugh out loud .. and then I thought - I hope he meant "suspect" rather than "find" ... or is that prerequisite for being a moderator these days!!

Cheers
Tom

If the room is that small that 8Ks are too powerful, then save yourself a lot of dosh and keep the 5200s. Maybe add a sub if you think you can properly have it integrated.