Meridian Unplugged - Powered by MrTechGuy.co.uk Forums Discussion Meridian - Systems DSP5200 v DSP5200SL

Hello all,

I'm also a newbie (at least with respect to Meridian products) and I'm also looking to upgrade my 2 channel system.

I've been looking at DSP5200s. My first question is whether there is any sonic difference (or any other significant difference) between the older DSP5200s and the newer ones with the SpeakerLink connector.

My second question is whether DSP5200s come with a remote control. From downloading the Meridian manual, it appears the answer is no. Does this mean I have to buy a Meridian system remote?

I saw somewhere that there is an iPad app that might control them. Is this an adequate solution?

Thanks all!

Hi Jack. (welcome to the HH forum!)

There have been firmware upgrades that added functionality like upsampling and apodizing, both versions of the 5.2K received the updates. The 7.2K series has also been engineered to have EBA - bass alignment (?) and new tweeters. But the canned answer is that the SL and older non-SL versions of the 5.2K sound very, very similar if running the same newer firmware versions.

I would encourage you to audition the speakers before committing to buying them to make sure they suit your listening preferences...

Usually the DSP speakers are sold with a MSR+ because that is required to configure them at the very least (in a non-processor 2 channel system). If these are second hand, the seller might want to keep the MSR+ for their current system.

Regarding the iPad question, the Meridian Sooloos system can be controlled via iPad, and output to the DSP speakers, but that is extra cost and would involve at a minimum: MC200, MS200, possibly a reviver(?) to convert SL to digital audio and comms to the legacy 5.2K's.

Hi Jack.

I have no direct experience of 5200s (other than looking at some, but that doesn't really count!) but assume that sonic differences between new & old versions would be subtle at best.

They do come with an MSR when bought new but if you find a good pair at a good price that doesn't have an MSR they can be bought 2nd hand quite easily, either on here (in the Restaurant) or eBay.

Good luck.

No, not any more.

vMSR is also an option. Free iPad app, you only have to pay for a LAN-RS232 dongle, and a cable adapter for the speaker end if you get SL ones. Obviously you need a suitable network connection too.

Or you could use a vMSR software on an iPad with a Global Cache IP2SL.

Much cheaper but I'm not sure that it is usable for set up purposes (retyping, etc.). Perhaps Rick could chip in?

[Curses, Ludwig beat me to it!]

Not usable for re-typing, it is connected to the Meridian processor by an RS232 cable and is an MSR+ emulator not a replacement.

Russ

I agree with Russ, don't plan to buy a pair of DSP speakers without also buying an MSR+ or owning one already... They are used to initialize the speakers into a known setting ("re-typing") and are also fantastic conversation starters ... "Is that really a stereo remote...?" "Why yes, handmade in the UK by enslaved hobbits in the Shire"

Hi Jack,

Certainly the SpeakerLink connection improves the performance of the DSP5200, as long as you have a SpeakerLink source or processor.

Meridian DSP speakers used to come with an MSR included, but if I recall correctly, the remote was omitted when they moved to SpeakerLink variants.

You will need a Meridian MSR remote to typeset the speakers. You can't do that from vMSR iPad application, although once typeset vMSR would work fine. (So perhaps whoever sells you them could make sure they're typeset correctly.)

Cheers,
Rick

Thanks everyone for the responses; all very helpful. My takeaways:

1. There probably is no significant difference between the DSP5200 and DSP5200SL as long as they both have the latest firmware (well, possibly a difference if SpeakerLink is used from a Meridian processor).

2. I will need a MSR+ to set them up. The iPad app can be used after that.

3. Fight to free enslaved hobbits; they deserve a fair wage.

Thanks

Am I right in thinking non SL 5200s will never get EBA, as it requires SL? Hopefully EBA roll out is imminent.

There's a mantra along the lines of-Meridian makes changes on the production line, so there may be minor changes made along the way. These can add up...

I don't see why EBA could not be implemented in non-SL 5200's but there would be some restrictions such as the speakers config would only support EBA=On/Off (i.e. EBA=SL would not be available).

Whether M would choose to implement it is another question.

Regards,
Carl

Or a programmable remote like a Harmony.