If the original intent is to say Meridian is not a speaker company because they don't design their own drivers, then I disagree wholeheartedly with the point. Roger and the rest of the "most outsource parts" group are right. Ultimately, its the integration that we are purchasing. Though in the case of Meridian they really are building their own crossovers (digitally of course) and the other processing is all them.

VK, I've often wondered the same thing: if M is using good but not the absolute best drive units (I don't know, but this is a common charge) and the results are terrific now, what would the results be if they went to the very best? And I think the answer is it wouldn't be much better. I am making an assumption that they are using drivers that are not terrible, that they are better than good enough but perhaps are not quite at the highest level. I think passive or regular active speakers would benefit more because of the lack of the kind of processing M does and thus the difference in the drivers becomes more apparant. I think the digital crossovers that M uses as well as the other processing really does let them have their cake and eat it too so long as the drivers are of sufficient quality. And no matter which set of speakers you look at, all of Meridian's speakers are investments and I don't believe they would be short changing us.

Steve, thats right. Ferrari doesn't make tires, but they do work with the tire manufacturers to refine tires to their specs. They are not the only car company to do that btw. Many do. I am sure if Meridian requires drivers to a certain spec they could have them made.

Best regards,
Jerry
Main System: 861v6, DSP8000s in corners, DSP7000s Center and Sides, 1-9 humans.