Meridian Unplugged - Powered by MrTechGuy.co.uk Forums Discussion Meridian - Systems Big DSPs vs other serious speakers

I did a search in the forums wondering how the 7/8k performed against the likes of Wilson Audio Watt Puppy 7 / Sophia / Grnad Slamm / Maxx - I realises they are analogue but supposed to be the best in the business - matched with some serious amplification they could be very very special, just a slightly different sound - would they sound clear, but smeared like the B&W 802's I heard vs 7k's?

Anyone done a back to back and picked on or the other? There is precious little opportunity to hear Wilson products in the UK - anyone got any I could hear?

I don't care for Wilson speakers...but thats me. They are very fast and detailed with bass so tight it doesn't sound musical to me. I'm refering to the Watt Puppies! They are unforgiving and unless the recording is top notch my ears blead.

I prefer Aerial Acoustic speakers myself...but that's what my ears like. I heard the 8K's and I did like what I heard but in the room I heard them in the bass was way to boomy where in the same room the Watt puppies had tight bass. I felt the 8Ks needed a very big room but I didn't setup the system so there probably is tweeking that would tame the bloated bass. I like a speaker that is detailed yet lush sounding. The 8K's fit's my taste...if the bass can be tamed.

Every one hears differently and you really have to figure out what you like by listening to a lot of different designs. Then try them in your own home to decide if it is what you want.

I've heard B&W's and they sound big! Just big to me. Not sure if I liked them because I really didn't listen to them very long.

Once I fell in love wih my Aerial 10t's...they are the best to my ears and I don't have any urge to change them at all. That's just me though!

Ron

I've listened to watt/puppy 7, Sophia, and DSP-7000s, and I liked the DSP-7K the best. Watt puppies are amazing speakers. They reveal a lot of detail but they sounded a little too "bright" for my taste. If you are considering Sophias, you should listen to DSP-5500s too.

I have been listening to the 5, 7 & 8k and Revel Studeo & F50. and I defenetly like the Revels compared to Meridian DSP. they are more open an and do the perspectiv a lot better.
But thats is my ears.

For my money, the best performing speakers on the market have to be Martin Logan, with Verity Audio coming in a close second.

As I've said in the past, on this and other forums, I spent a huge amount of time listening to a lot of different speakers before I bought. The first time I listened to Martin Logans was a though someone had taken a 'veil' away from in front of the music - the sound just reached a new level of transparency and realism that I've never heard from anything else. With my current system (Meridian amplification and sources, ML speakers) the sound is truly amazing. The imaging is truly awesome - I get a sound stage that goes way beyond the speaker positions, right out to the side walls of the room. The realism of both instruments and vocals is simply staggering, like nothing I've ever heard from anything else.

You may have noticed that I'm a Martin Logan convert! They require a really good amplifier to drive them, but nothing else sounds as good to my ears. I can safely say that I'd never go back to dynamic driver based speakers.

Cheers,

David

OK - kind of the response I was suspecting!



The fast tight bass appeals. I could not consider MLs only because I am ham fisted and will break them, both phyically and probably driving them too hard.

I could not go any further than a Watt/Puppy 7 mostly because my living room is on the first floor and I would not be able to get anything heavier up the stairs. (Some of these ship at over 1000lbs!!!)

The Sophias do look to be reasonably prices and as was stated they are in the same bracket as DSP5500s - not likely to find any second hand in the UK though.....but I could get them in pretty much any colour I fancy - lime green??

Hehehe - perhaps a call to my friends at Absolute Sounds is in order? (ahem)

Hi there,

There's a pair of Sophias on AudiophileCandy?

Tim.

Golly - there is too! Thanks for the heads up!

I've spoken to Absolute Sounds - not got a UK price out of them yet, but if the advert is right, they cost more in pounds than they do in dollars???

They do have a "dollar equalisation fund" - I can't see them bailing out the US budget deficit with that though.....

I see what I can find out...

<QUOTE>

but if the advert is right, they cost more in pounds than they do in dollars???

</QUOTE>

With absolute sounds, you'd better believe it. Those guys put one *huge* markup on everything they import, whether it be Italian (Sonus Faber etc), American (ML, Wilson), they make a lot of money from these imports. ML speakers also cost less dollars than they do pounds!

Cheers,

David

PS - Don't worry about breaking MLs - they're very robust. About the only thing that will damage them is cigarette smoke(!), 'cause the particles stick to the panels and effectively slow them down.

I have heard the new B&W 802D speakers and IMHO I do not think I have heard a better mid to top speaker ever!!! Although the bass was somewhat shallow and hidden (which surprised me!! and I need a home audition) I am on an upgrade path myself and am still undecided as to whether to go active with some DSP 7000's and get rid of my Meridian pre/power amps (I love them) or just get another G57 and Biamp the 802's or similar..

If you use analogue sources, stick with Meridian Pre/Power. DSP is great if you only use digital sources. BUT, you'd be amazed how flat vinyl sounds when it's been converted to digital and back again - it totally looses its' appeal.

Of course, going DSP also kills your upgrade / enhancement potential!

Cheers,

David

Sonus faber - I know a bit about - and they are kept honest by other dealers. But with some of the others (US) - Krell / Wilson?? / Levinson / ML they have the sole import rights so the honesty factor is less pressing. However, apart from import taxes, shipping charges, there is very little to protect them - so I'm hoping this should keep more honesty on track.

Anyhow - I still love the digital concept - the upgrade path is more convoluted, but since the standard is so high at this price point, except for changing technologies (I don't have vinyl) there is precious little requirement for upgrades ...... <covers ears la la la>



Oh Strabat - nothing against the B&Ws - this is my ears, not yours - at this level everything is good - it's just a matter of preference

[This message has been edited by dmurfet (edited 05-31-2005).]

[This message has been edited by dmurfet (edited 05-31-2005).]