Meridian Unplugged - Powered by MrTechGuy.co.uk Forums Discussion Meridian - Systems DSP8000SE with no or small center in HT system

Hi,
I'm considering setting up a HT and MQA system with DSP8000SE as main fronts and wonder if anyone have tried to skip a center speaker all together or used a DSP5200HC?
also would a DSW add anything if I also would use DSP5200 as surrounds (5.1 or 7.1)?

for MQA I would of course just use the DSP8000SE

I have used DSP8000.2 and a DSP7200HC.2 befor for HT but felt that Trifield didn't sound as good as just the the DSP8000 alone

Chris

Skipping the center or going smaller will be a big step down in HT performance. Like you, I prefer stereo over Trifield, but personally I would not want to compromise the HT experience.

same same.

8kSE's are insane in stereo.

BUT - for HT the 7200HC is crazy good. If you can figure a way keep SE's for Stereo and try hang on for the centre.

I also tried the 5200HC before the 7200 and that's a massive difference.

Sorry :-(

I gave up my 7200HC center many years ago and have noticed only an improvement in HT at the end of it. Today I urge anyone who asks me to just do L+R for HT. With a center in place, 95% of the SPL comes through the center and try as one may, it is not possible to match the tonality of the L+R with C, even where they are all same brand.

Prior to giving up the C, I had it in place for many years as well. There is tons of stuff about this on Google.

That is my experience. Quite at variance with the others here, I'm sure.

My planned design looked like needing a (small) centre above the screen with 8ks either side. Meridian Design Service advised to not use a centre and stick with left/right and a phantom centre. Of course it may also be the case that using a Trinnov will fill the 'hole' with it's magic.

NB> They also suggested using 2 DSWs so I assume they think it does add something.

regards

Chris

With 80%+ of the movie soundmix coming from the center the whole HT setup will gain or loose impact depending on how you handle your centre channel sound information.

With the 8000SE's as left and right
1. Get a DSP8000SE vertical center
2. Get a DSP7200SE vertical center
3. Get a DSP7200HCSE horizontal center
.
.
Get a DSP5200SE vertical center
.
.
Get a DSP5200SE horizontal center

Sorry, but been there done that. I did have all manners of center speakers ranging from DSP5000HC, DSP5200HC, DSP7200HC, DSP7200HCSE. Tried working with the SW1600 to integrate a better more potent centerchannel.

The conclusion is and was. Get a DSP7200 class center channel if you have DSP8000(SE) L&R. Preferably a vertical, otherwise horizontal. Also, get an SE center channel if you are serious about HT or Trifield because it is so much clearer and transparent compared to the older center channels.

What most don't understand is that physics matter and when you play 80%+ of your soundmix through a _small_er center speaker your HT will sound small and less potent than what those badass L&R give the visual appearance of. Especially the DSP5200 series horizontal center is NOT the same physical speaker cabinet volume as its vertical counterpart.

Setup: Get the horizontal center speaker off the ground, on a proper stand. Or if on a hifirack with some good footers. I use a set of Finite Elemente Cerabase Compact on my DSP7200HCSE with good results.

so...

If only a DSP5200 or smaller is possible as the center, would it be better - even if a compromise - to use only the DSP8000K left and right and phantom the center?

Without a doubt.

Shankar

I use a 5200HCSE with 8K's and I think it works well. I wouldn't mix and match SE and non SE simply because of the massively improved capabilities of the SE variants.

I used to use a standard 5200HC with the 8k's (before they were upgraded to SE) and they could get a bit bogged down, but the SE are seriously good.

(If I had the room, I'd use a 7200HCSE, but I don't so the next best thing is the 5200HCSE).

The other thing is to isolate the 8Ks from the centre when running 2 channel. So I run 808.6 direct to 8ks for 2 channel music, then use a G61R for movies. You really don't want the processor in the chain for optimum 2 channel playback.

Cheers
Greg

Thank you all for sharing your experiences and a special thank to Crion (you have a very potent system and seem to have tried many version).

Christofer

So what was you final decision?

+1 on the SE.