Meridian Unplugged - Powered by MrTechGuy.co.uk Forums Discussion Meridian - Systems 557 to bi-wire or not to bi-wire

I have been in the game a long time and never run into those terms. I always thought you referred to a speaker using two or more amplifiers and an active crossover as simply an active speaker. I guess life used to be less complicated.

I like that link Ian...

Passive Bi-Amping is really a waste of time.

There is another term used:-
Active 'speakers vs. powered 'speakers.

Powered speakers have a single amp and a passive crossover, normally found in smaller packages; I seem to remember the active Wharfedale Diamonds were really just powered, but not 100% on that!

All the best,

Steve.

Hello

Bi-wiring was conceived by speaker cable manufactures for gullible folks with too much money.

Neil

I would have thought bi amping using different brands (unless gain matched) would cause all sorts of potential issues.

I have heard great sounds from mixed brand pre/power combinations but have never come accross a mix of power amps driving the same speakers.

Whilst I have convinced myself I have heard improvements with bi wiring I accept the reality may be very different.

As always "let your own ears be the judge".

2 557's would be my tuppence worth.

Well interestingly I asked a well respected Hifi buff/critic, who can remane anonymous, if I should think about moving to active/DSP, or replacing the Ikon's with a better traditional speaker. The response was keep the Ikon's they put a lot of high end speakers to shame and I quote the next bit "I am personally not a fan of Meridian active speakers, to me they sound big and dynamic with lots of bass but they are not very subtle, airy or engaging."

Now I have not had the opportunity to here some active or DSP Meridian's but would find it hard to believe they not very subtle, airy or engaging. Any thoughts on this?

Now to look at it from another view point, surely having active/DSP's does not necessarily remove the problems, it just means they are there although in one box, albeit with short cables?

Each to their own.

Personally, I have found that the subtlety, airiness and degree of engagement increases as you go through the Meridian DSP speaker hierarchy.

/Marcus

I think it's fair to say that Meridian DSPs are not voiced in the same way as many conventional systems. There is detail there, but it's not forced on you in a hifi-ish sort of a way. That said, I do agree that there are good quality analogue systems which can excel in particular aspects, and exceed Meridian performance, but to date I haven't heard any which manage to tick the boxes across the entire spectrum of audio qualities in the way which the larger DSPs manage.

The comment about DSPs having lots of bass is understandable if they have been taken straight from the box, plopped down and played without proper optimisation via their menus. I've yet to hear a decent in-store DSP demo that sounded anything other than leaden and dead, yet I know they can sound magnificent when set up properly and I have worked my way up the range over the past ten years. I think Meridian should have a Demo mode in the firmware as the default shipping mode, which utilises the "corner" boundary setting.

Whilst many on the forum own DSPs, there are several very satisfied analogue system owners too; you'd really need to hear some DSPs in action before making any buying decisions.

Cheers

George

The only time I have heard a pair of (anniversary) DSP8000s, this was the case (later confirmed by the dealer); they sounded very bloated and lacking in detail and engagement.

Totally unimpressed by them, especially as I knew the price.

The 818 feeding a pair of M1s in the same area sounded much better; very clean and open with a midband to die for, lots of fun.

All the best,

Steve.

That's a real shame Steve (and a crime committed by the dealer). DSP8000s should sound detailed, delicate, with oodles of uber-tightly controlled low bass, and be tremendously engaging.

Steve is not wrong, I was there!

The best review I've seen of M DSPs was 'as precisely boring as the original recording' which amused me and tallies with my own experience.

Of course if you want 'what the mixing engineer heard' then there are other options

1) If bi-amping is good, maybe tri-amping is better ...

2) After years of bookshelf sized speakers and subwoofer crossover, I found I preferred full range speakers when listening to 2 channel music, I found it more natural.

3) Electronic crossover + DSP technology in the speaker, read the interviews with B. Stuart. The technology ensures you don't have to listen at reference levels to enjoy the music.

4) The 7000's, 7200's and 8000's look modern and elegant.

Please note I didn't even mention Trifield, which I currently do not use due to the clear mismatch between my center bookshelf and the LR 8000's.