Meridian Unplugged - Powered by MrTechGuy.co.uk Forums Discussion Meridian - Systems Stand-by sound DSP8000.2

I recently replaced my DSP5200 with a pair of DSP8000.2 while the DSP5200 were silent (there was no sound at all) in standby mode the DSP8000.2 are not. Both speakers make more or less the same ‘irritating noise’. The importer indicates that it is normal that the DSP8000.2 produces some sound because of the bigger amplifiers in comparison to the amplifiers of the DSP5200. I doubted about it...

Does anyone have experience with the sound of DSP8000.2 in standby mode?

‘Irritating noise’ you mean they sound like my ex wife?

Seriously though, a little better description of the noise may help with diagnosing the issue.

There should be zero sound in standby. The only thing that some folks have heard is a mains hum from the PSU located rear/bottom where the power cable goes in.

If I put my ear practically on that area I can hear it but anywhere else is inaudible.

What sound are you hearing?

Probably mains hum from the transformers. It has come up here before. The windings will be vibrating. It can be blamed on poor mains supply or poor transformers. If it is you’ll struggle to stop it, even with new power supplies. You’ve probably paid a pretty penny, it’s for you to decide whether you think it’s OK to have humming speakers. It may come and go at different times of the day, days of the week.

I’ve only heard of it on 8ks, never 6ks or 7200s.

They are big transformers but there’s no need for them to hum...

Thanks for your response, I think hum is the best qualification for the ‘noise’ I mentioned up here. Maybe it’s possible for me to record the hum with my iPhone tonight when it’s quiet, but I think you understand what I mean and I think that’s the right classification of the ‘noise’ I hear.

Hopefully it’s low enough that music hides it, that would frost my a$$.

Thanks for your reaction Steve, I see you have a upgraded DSP8000 set, do you hear anything when it’s quiet in your room and there’s no music playing or your speakers are in standby mode?

No, mine are silent, but not without their own quirk. Mine take a ling time to warm up out of standby and sound like they go in and out phase for the first 15-30 minutes. They did it before the upgrade and I had expected the new kit to eliminate the problem, but for now at least they seem to settle in when fed a digital source. I should add I bought mine used and can't speak of their history.

The SE upgrade gave you a 5 year warranty on the whole speaker from the date you registered the upgrade, at least that was the case in the U.K. Not sure if the USA is any different maybe Bruce can confirm? If they are under warranty it would be worth getting them checked out?

Isn't the warranty only on the upgraded parts not on original parts. If issue persists, then likely to be an issue on original part.

Surprised though, it was not detected whilst upgrade was being tested. Unless the issue is not a speaker issue.

Hi Ian

Not according to post 206300 from Rick at AudioImages, in fact it is up to 6 years if you registered the upgrade, which I thought the installing dealer usually did?

Yes but upgrades are not considered to be used as a repair. His problem with his speaker existed before the upgrade.

As the upgrade included all new elecronics minus the power supply, it suggests that the problem lies in the source, the source material, a midrange driver, or the speaker power supply.