Meridian Unplugged - Powered by MrTechGuy.co.uk Forums Discussion Meridian - Systems Dipping a toe into Meridian waters : speaker quandary....

Rolski: please do yourself a huge favor and get the DSP8K's! I had the 7200s (with 5200hc) for a minute and was not that impressed coming off of the 5200s but when the 8Ks were in, well that's reproduction on a whole other level.

OK, send me the money !
But seriously, as I've noted before, they literally wouldn't fit in my lounge anyway so it's a definite no-go.

Now we're going O/T, but I'm curious as to why they'd actually be better apart from bass impact :-
- The separate head-unit on the 8K's is the same as the one on the 7200's - except that on the 7200's it's "bonded" to the base unit. The mid & tweeter drivers are the same.
- The only difference is 6*opposing bass drivers compared to 2*non-opposing. Of course the crossover & amps are a little different, but that's necessary simply to cope with / drive the larger bass drivers.

Surely if you just added a sub or two to a 7200 & set them up correctly then you'd have approximately the same thing ?

There is no comparison ( wallet/SWMBO permitting!!). If you hear the 8ks - they are near enough addictive. I have a 7200/5500HC SW1600 & the memory of the 8ks still pales my kit - well no brainer there!!:)
A good friend has just upgraded his system to 8ks from a set of 7200's. I can state unoquivocally that the difference in his room was amazing - without going into the convolutions of the phsycho-acoustic effects etc. If you can legally get the funds I'd aspire for the 8ks any day of the week. Surprisingly, they work well in rooms that would otherwise be deemed "too small".

Hi Will,

Is that your Dentist mate that visted my place with you?

Regards,
Carl

Hi Carl,
Yes it was, he finally took the plunge & went "full Monty" got 8k/861/800 kit sounds delightfull- (do i sound a tad jealious!!). Again, he has not got a very large room (it may well be a broom cupboard in American Parlance ;)) & was surprised how well they sounded & not boomy as one may envisage.
On another note the difference in relative footprint size between the 7200's & the 8ks was not that great. As you can see Im deperately trying to convince myself I NEED a set of 8ks & now only a question of funds & a permit from SWMBO!! now if only I did the lotto....

Cheers

Will

Hi Will,
The obvious question I would ask - taking my other post above into consideration regarding the differences between 8000's & 7200's - is "why" do you think there's no comparison ?
In terms of something I've experience of, the difference between the B&W 802D & 800D is the bass - but nothing else - and in smaller rooms the 802D+sub is a far more flexible solution which at the end of the day can also sound better because it's just more appropriate & practical for the room volume : careful sub placement can be critical / beneficial. And of course more amp power would be useful with the bigger speakers - which is the same with the passives or actives.
I think the same applies with the DSP's, doesn't it (I could be wrong !) ?

We could talk about this for days! its a bit like discussing swimming, or the the best recipe for something ( not trying to digress!!) etc. in fact any activity that YOU must sense for yourself, rather than anyone else really trying to describe subjectively. As we all seem to agree you really ought to discuss the options with a good dealer & then embark upon a home demonstration only then can YOU hear what its is that stirs your soul & heart! I remember Bob describing the sort of sound that eminated from Meridian kit - " Accurately Magestic" was his reply.

Will,
Forgetting the 8000 discussion for the moment (it's not going to happen unless Bill gives me the money ! ), if I decide to move away from B&W passives you seem to have exactly the same kit list that I'd be aiming for after the discussions I've had here so far.

So, how do you feel about the voicing of the 5500HC compared to the 7200's ?
Do you have any surrounds & do you use your system for movies, or is it music only ?
Do you feel the SW1600 complements the 7200's - and how do you have them set up ?
And how would you describe the sound of your system - perhaps in comparison to what you had before ?

I've run DSP5kHC, DSP52kHC, DSP72kHC, SW1600, DSP5000, DSP5200, DSP8000 in my current room.

I've mixed and matched during the years and have a dealer who has had the DSP7000/DSP7200/DSP8000.2 for comparison.

Now, when listening to music or movies an awesome center like the DSP7200HC does really deliver a much more believable and relaxed centrestage. As well as more impact ofcourse.

When it comes to fronts, get the best ones you can afford. When I had the DSP5200 and swapping them to sides for DSP8000 the bass did not get worse, it just got more refined. I think that the sealed design of the DSP8000 really helps in this case. That is also the reason why an SW1600 doesn't make a fool of itself in settting with the bigger DSPs, it's sealed as well.

What IMHO does not work well with better DSP fronts is the DSP52kHC and DSP5kHC, for some reason no matter how high I set the Xover it will get strained.. fast! The cabinet volume is not even the size of the DSP5200, let alone the bigger DSP's and that difference is immediately noticable and real when listening into Trifield or any movie.

My vote is still
1. Get two DSP8k's
2. Skip DSP52kHC and go for DSP72kHC.

DSP actives and the infinite baffle models are the system to cherish.
Side firing woofers and Trifield my choice.
Equal height tweeters a must.

I have also a fab Meyer Sound 500A system
18inch subs 15inch tops and radial horns.
This is great for scale ,width and tone.
It can go very loud (130db per cab)
I love it.

The D6KS are in a domestic environment
They can only do 113db per cab but I never get there (85db averages)
The processing is ultra smooth and the image central from most positions.
Buy second hand is my advice.

Roger.

Rolski,

How high is your ceiling? Is the system in a closed room? I'm trying to consider what bass problems you are likely to have with any full range speaker in the corners. The 7200s and 8Ks can have their bass "turned down" to some extent.

To answer your question regarding the sonic differences between the 7200s and 8Ks, I would say simply that the midrange and highs are perfectly separated from the bass in the 8Ks. If they are set up correctly, you get an incredible soundstage. When I auditioned the 7200s, I thought the midrange was a little congested compared to the 8Ks. Believe me when I say that that is a very relative statement. If I couldn't afford the 8Ks, I would have gone for 7200s in a heartbeat.

Considering the restraints you have with your room, you need to demo these speakers in your home.

Bill

He is getting along with 802D's in the corners, plus a sub, so I don't think he'll have much trouble.