Meridian Unplugged - Powered by MrTechGuy.co.uk Forums Discussion Meridian - Systems Appreciate feedback - DSP7200 replacing 6000's

I disagree with the "simple" list. In that, there is a trade-off between what is the absolute "best" center and what is the "best match". On occasion you might get better results matching the center than using a better center.

And you need to be careful also that all Horizontal speakers are quite a different speaker than their vertical flavor (even if they have the same model name). For example with Veritcal 7200 main speakers a Vertical 6000 might work better than a Horizontal 7200HC center. I'm not saying that IS true. I'm just saying it could be true. Because both the 7200HC is different as well as a 6000C. Cosmetics is a whole other story.

Every situation is unique and you have to weigh things and not just use a simple list like Crion entered. Lot's of tradeoffs and the tradeoffs are slightly different for movies vs Trifield. Yes a perfectly matched center is better for both movies and music and movies and not doubt 3 vertical fronts is ideal for both. But I think it has a bigger impact on Trifield than it may for movies. Your mileage may vary.

And IMHO because movies a slightly less critical of the best match, Crion's list may indeed be that simple for movies, that the absolute best center you can buy may be the best center for movies but that isn't true for Trfield.

Also even a vertical 5200 with for example 8K mains might do better than any Horizontal speaker. Or a Vertical 7000 might do better than a 7200HC with 7200 mains. Obviously I have not tested every combinination possible nor do I think any one has. I'm just saying it's possible the rule is not so simple.

Matched height alone is a factor too. A raised 7200HC might be just as good as a 7200 Vertical.

I had a 5500HC to go with 5200s l and r. Changed to a 5200HC and, in this room, enjoy a very large and noticeable improvement. The center is better matched and plays it's part without dominating. This is just my experience but I think it's hard to say definitively without an on site listening test. JimK

Curious that if you feel that applies to Trifield or Movies or Both.

Have you heard and compared all these speakers?

Or are you simply guessing?

I have heard every speaker on this list apart from the DSP3200 which was added later by admin. I have owned and still own quite a few of these speakers and dabbled extensively with center matching since I'm quite critical of the center speaker, it's often the weakest link of the system and when it isn't it's simply an outstanding Trifield system.

As you see, the VC's are rated higher than their HC counterparts, they match and blend better.

With the smaller DSP5k/DSP5.2k's it's not just that they are horisontal but actually are different speakers with completely different cabinet volumes from their vertical siblings. That means radically different speakeroutput and lowend capability. Try putting a DSP5k/5.2kHC instead of your DSP5k/5.2k front mains L/R position and you will probably hear what I mean.


I think it's almost as simple as this list if adequate placement can be accomodated for each alternative.



There is definately an improvement to raise the center speaker to tweeter/mid of the mains. But HC version will always be behind and never surpass it's VC counterpart.

In my own experience I found the 5500HC to actually be a better speaker than the vertical version.

The vertical ones can be boomy where I found the HC is not. I believe it has something to do with HC having dual ports vs vertical has one. The verticals needed much more MRC to tame them where HC I could get away with none.

There is also one other factor George, placement of Front L/R vs. center. Most often the Front L/R are closer to corners/walls and that could attract some "boominess" from vented enclosures, more so than their sealed friends (DSP8k/DSP6k) IMHO.

I have noted your past description of DSP5.5kHC being less boomy than DSP5.5k before but I have not made that observation yet.

I find it interesting that DSP5200HC has two rear ports as opposed to DSP5000HC having two front ports.

Regards

The issue with DSP5kHC circular front ports is that they are smaller than DSP5.2kHC backfiring rectangular ports and that means they will make noises earlier when raising the volume than the DSP5.2kHC does. Still the DSP5kHC and DSP5.2kHC are roughly the same size, but much smaller than their VC counterpart.

Thus the gap in performance between DSP5kHC and DSP5.2kHC is small compared to DSP5.2kHC and DSP5kVC.

George, Trifield for sure, and not a knock on 5500hc. It's a great speaker, no doubt.
We replaced carpet over concrete (no basements in So Calif) with hardwood floors and I changed from 800v3 to 808.i2. Trifield sings! I have a slight boost on 5k rears and have stretched the center depth just a bit. I would love to try the hoped for Trifield width fix that , but I already have a well integrated sound stage that extends deep and just beyond the front speakers.

We don't do much in the way of movies so I can't comment there. JimK

Neither 5500 was near a corner and the right one was almost in open space (there is a whole room to the right).

Unless I put a 5500HC in each position (standing on end) and/or 5500 a Vertical in the center (on it's side) you can't be sure. But I'm fairly confident that the 5500HC is less boomy than the verticals and I believe it has to do with dual ports, but I can't be sure. Like you said it's a completely different speaker. There may be other aspects that are worse but as far as bass goes 5500HC does great. The ports on the 5500 vertical are right at the floor and there is a "corner" between the floor and the wall. With the 5500HC it's off the floor by 20 inches or so. I'll bet if you raised 5500's a foot they would not be as boomy or put the 5500HC on the floor it would be more boomy. Just a hunch.

So yeah you could call that "placement". But you could call it design too because most people don't put 5500's on pedestals or 5500HC's on the floor. Like perhaps if the rear ports were higher on the 5500's they *MIGHT* not be as boomy. Again just a hunch, not fact. Just me experience that 5500HC wasn't boomy and 5500's (both) were (a LOT of MRC managed to tame them).

Thanks for your reply.

To have heard, compared and evaluated all those speakers is a very impressive achievement.