Meridian Unplugged - Powered by MrTechGuy.co.uk Forums Discussion Meridian - Systems 568.2mm Firmware Flashing and Configuring Advice Sort

The SPL meter is used to measure sound level at your listening position. You take the numbers you get (the 568 has a test mode where it emits pseudo-random noise from each speaker in turn) and plug them into the legacy configuration program. In the legacy config program, you set the distance from the listening position to each speaker (for phase accuracy) and the volume adjustment (for centering the image).

You can adjust things without a SPL meter - as a coarse adjustment, there's the balance settings on the 568. If you are listening to either 2-channel or 5-channel sources, it isn't all that critical. If moving your head a couple feet in each direction doesn't appreciably change the sound, it is probably good enough.

If you listen to Ambisonic recordings using the Ambisonic preset, configuration becomes a lot more critical. If it suits your musical tastes, try Cowboy Junkies - The Trinity Sessions (the original, not Trinity Revisited). Play it using the Ambisonic preset and move your head around as I described above. It should be quite a revelation!

You can get one from Radio Shack (Link). But B&H has a wider selection (Link).

For those willing to take the time to set up and fine-tune a system, the Meridian DSP stuff is very rewarding. But it certainly isn't a "take it out of the box, plug it in, and listen" system. I've taken my 568-based system to the limits, including a whole bunch of additional DSP presets. For one example, take a look at my post here from 2002.

Can you elaborate? You said you daisy chained. Do you mean you didn't flick L and R on the back of the respective Subs, or do you mean you tried to configure them in Config.

If you daisy chain, you just set the main speakers as Large and leave it at that (making sure the switches on the back of the Subs are correctly set).

If you daisy chained and then told the 568 it had subs connected to its subs outputs you will have serious problems (i.e. no bass).

Could we just help B with the wiring of stereo subs? I can't check atm but maybe someone can.

I tried already. I'm willing to talk him through it, as are a lot of other people. He just has to say the word.

Thanks Nic, lets wait until I receive my 568.2mm.

I goes like this. My system has been unplugged, an all cables removed for a few years. We have had our house gutted for remodel. Years ago there was a Meridian dealer in Albuquerque who I bought my DSP mini theater from but has since gone out of business . To be honest they tried, their best to start a high end audio store but failed. They never had both subs working when they installed my system so maybe that adds to why they are no more.

Regardless, we are now finally starting the entertainment room so I took out all my Meridian gear and for a novice it is a bit intimidating. I read a lot here and got motivated to make it all work correctly. Run cables in walls and lay some PVC in the slab to hide a lot of cables and put all the gear in a ventilated closet.

I bought (it's on the way) a 568.2mm as this seemed like a upward move and decent first step from my 568. So it's a waste of time to do anything with my old 568 right now as I will first need to upgrade firmware on the new 568.2mm before config the unit anyway.

One question is, althought I have a copy of the 2.5 upgrade, the Meridian site only lists the 1.0 firmware. I think the 2.5 was a beta. Anyone have any issues with it? Any regrets from updating? Why does Meridian not say it's the most current. I would hate to run the update and have issues . Attempting to go backward to an older firmware I have not read about here. I hope the unit comes with the original software in case I need to go back to it.

I have had a 568.2 and a 568.2mm, both running the 2.5 firmware and I've never had an issue with either of them.
You can always reflash to older firmware if you need to after.

Hi,

As you say, it's not worth starting config / setup till you get you 568.2mm.
2.5b is the latest version of the firmware. There is speculation as two why it remained 'beta' which has been discussed in older threads.

The Meridian site is woefully out of date one sort of gets used to using it only as guide then coming on here or Duncan�s site to find the real state of play.

Even if the 568.2.mm has an older version of firmware you cannot extract it for later restore; you would need to source a copy of the firmware files.

The only issue I know of is that the Trifield Width Adjustment is broken in 2.5b (and 861v3/v4 & G68) I think only the 861v6 has it working again. This is covered in many threads if you want more detail.

Regards,
Carl

Just getting ready if my unit arrives today. Do you attach all the comms and digital cables to the DSPs speakers to the 568.2mm first before you update the firmware on the processor or wait until update is done and then run cables and start the config program?

Thanks.

If you don't already have an Sound Pressure Level (SPL) meter, but do own an iPhone there is an app which does a reasonable job.

Good luck - I'm about to go through the same process with my stuff.

I have an iPhone. I am a totally Mac person. 27 of them in our office. That's why this config and upgrade will be a slow process for me. I never owned a PC. I'll need to borough one with a serial port to do the firmware upgrade and config program. Good luck finding a laptop PC with a serial port. I also read on the Meridian site the version of Windows is important. Meridian is like the Zeiss instruments in our office. Great stuff but behind the times when it comes to keeping current on the software side.

I feel like I need to look for a 10 year old PC laptop.

I bought a laptop with a serial port from Dell Financial services online auction a couple of months ago. Great laptop and cheap. They are reconditioned, most coming out of leases.

Ken

Err Guys - won't one of these Ebay - USB to RS232 Serial adapters work?

Might be cheaper...