Meridian Unplugged - Powered by MrTechGuy.co.uk Forums Discussion Meridian - Systems 861v2 control problem

This is only relevant if you're using speakerlink processors, 861v6 and 861v8. Not an issue here as the OP is using a non-speakerlink 861.
Which is why it's not even an option to designate the 'Master' speaker in the legacy configuration program, as this was just for pre-speakerlink processors.
Rick

Have you also configured each speaker to set their respective channels and Master/Slave (On the speakers themselves as part of the Typing process)?

Can you confirm you only have one speaker showing a RED LED, designating it is set as the Master speaker?
This is the speaker which should be connected to the 861 using the 5M lead to the speaker Input.
This speaker should have the Comms return cable from its Output to the 511 .

Rick

Hi, Rick. Thanks for clearing that up.

Yes, I set position and master/slave on each speaker during the Typing process. IE switching the speaker on while holding "6" on the MSR. Only the Center speaker has the Red LED indicating it is set to Master, the left and right speakers have no Red LED. I have an M5 cable going from the 861 Comms Output to the Center speaker, then an S5 cable is going from the Center's output to to the 861's 511 S-patch card.

Hi,

With the system in standby, press and hold the Clear button on the MSR so the 861 states Controller and Centre states Non-Con.
Retyping may have upset this in the past, so best to do it again now.

This means you point the MSR at the 861 from now on as it is the system (IR) controller.

Have you tried holding 'function' on the MSR while cursoring up/down/left/right to access the Tone controls?

Do you have a Meridian DVD player in your system?

Rick

Rick,

I have held clear in standby to set controller / not-controller.
The center displays n.Controller and the 861 displays Controller so that seems to work properly.

I don't have an Meridian DVD player.

I've also tried holding "function" while pressing the arrow keys and nothing happens. I'm able to access and adjust the tone controls by using the arrow keys only.

I'm out of town for the week. I will try these again when I'm back home and will report back.

Thanks again for your help!

How old is the equipment? BR G

Hello again. I stepped away from working on this issue for a while, but I recently went through all of the config processes again and am still having the same problem of not being able to adjust certain settings, like Bass, on the Slave speakers. This wouldn't be a problem but I find myself frequently wanting to adjust the Bass!

At this point it really seems to be a problem with the 861v2's programming. It's running firmware v2.71 and I'm wondering if anyone can provide me v.2.81 so I can give it a try. I do have a local Meridian dealer but I don't know if they'd have access to firmware this old.

Please let me know. I'd love to get this 861 running properly and don't know what else to try!

Thanks!!

I just updated the 861 firmware to v2.81 and the problem persists.

I think I'm going to order a 56x series controller. I'll report back if I ever get anywhere with the 861.

Does the display on the 861 show the changes when you adjust the bass or treble ?

Set the right speaker to master and all others to slaves.
Do that for each single speaker NO com cable is connected at that step to the speaker what are you typing !!!

Do following tests in that order:
01) Connect only the M 5 cable from the 861 to the right speaker, disconnect all other com cables includes that on the slave patch.
02) Type that speaker as master
03) Hit „clear“ in standby on the MSR pointing to the speaker and keep push the button until all light on the 861 come on
04) Release the button and wait 5 seconds, the push again, but only for 1 to 2 seconds(The displays have to change then but NOT all light have to go on- otherwise make 3) again
05) Switch the 861 out of standby and try with the keys on the 861(not MSR) the bass, treble, volume control and watch the 861 and speaker display if they stay synchronized.
06) Make the same with the MSR.
07) Switch to standby and connect direct one slave speaker with a S5lead from „master com out“ to the „slave com in.“
08) Repeat step 3,4,5,6.
09) Switch to standby
10) Disconnect the S5 lead from the slave at „com in“ and connect that to the slave patch panel on the 861.
11) Connect a S5-lead from the slave patch to the previous slave speaker at "comms in“.
12) Repeat step 5 and 6).

When all that works, exchange one by another the remaining S5 leads between the slave patch and the slave speakers "comms in“.
Then you know for sure that the comms cables are working.

13) Disconnect the current slave and do ALL tests again with EACH other slave step by step.
14) Then choose the next slave, type it as a master speaker.
15) Type the previous master as a slave.

Start with step number 1) and do ALL again.

Do that for all your speakers.
It's stupid work take paper and not all the steps!!
Then you KNOW, that all comms CAN work, so no hardware issues.
If there are failures during all the steps, retype that particular speaker and make always step 3) and 4) before you try again.

Sorry, it's a lot of work, but have to be done to double check all.

Tell us the results.
If you have technical skills, open the 861 and check the + 5 Volt supply for DC Voltage and the AC hum.
Report all your work, stay cool..

Thanks for the detailed reply Robert. I'll go through your steps to confirm hardware functionality.

When adjusting bass and treble with the front panel buttons or MSR the displays on the 861 and Master speaker adjust correctly.

Robert, I have re-checked all the devices and comms leads in my system. I've confirmed that all the S and M leads are working properly. I only had one M-lead so yesterday I made another and confirmed that they are both working properly and the same. I followed the same set up procedures in every configuration possible for this system: center as master, left as master, right as master, etc. I'm unclear on steps 3 and 4. Those refer to setting the devices to "controller" and "not-controller," correct? I was sure to do that when setting up each configuration. The 861 is controller and Master speaker is not-controller.

No matter which speaker is set to Master, Bass will ONLY adjust on the 861 and Master speaker. When adjusting the Bass via the 861 front panel or MSR, all SLAVE speakers display "t" (treble) and whatever the Treble setting is set to. So the Slave speakers are recognizing that commands are being sent, but they are not responding to them properly. Its like the Slave speakers are locked out of Bass EQ adjustment for some reason. Very strange!!

To be clear, if the 861 is taken out and the system is reconfigured as Left/Right only, then the Slave speaker's bass setting adjust properly. Its only with the 861 in line that the problem occurs.

So, the only component in the system that hasn't been swapped out is the 861. Maybe it is time to open it up and to test voltages? Can you or someone describe a procedure that might help with this?

Thanks everyone for your patience and assistance with this problem!

Yes, very strange.yes steps 3 and 4 reset/determinate the controler and non-controler.
Looks like a particular failure refer to your latest info regarding to take the 861 in and out the chain.
Will think over and come back.
Have to go for a sleep its late..