Meridian Unplugged - Powered by MrTechGuy.co.uk Forums Discussion Meridian - Systems Something NEW in Jan 2012?

Hi Robert,

Yes that's got it.

Rick

I think Meridian could do well with an M range of speakers again, especially if they got the price and spec right.



Imagine a pair of M3 floor standers, 1m high, shaped like these M6's, but with 3 digital inputs and an analogue sub out.
You wouldn't need the 6" downward firing woofer in it, as long as it went down to 70hz you would be fine, add a B&K 8" sub for �250.

You could use the tech from the M80 inside them.


Maybe a small input box and then an umbilical cord to the speaker, and another one to hook the next speaker up with, just to keep it neat.

�2500 for them and I bet they would sell like hotcakes.

Oops - looks like the original release now pulled from site... Good job someone copied it for us here.

I find the naming strange. The old M speakers were all non-DSP (and analogue input) yet this one is supposed to have full DSP processing and SpeakerLink input; and it seems strange to differentiate it so much from existing speaker ranges. Why not DSP4200 if it's smaller/cheaper than 5200 and bigger/more expensive than 3200/3300?

I wonder if this will be aimed at non-premium dealers (leaving them with 'DSP' exclusivity).

Or has someone new in marketing just decided they didn't like DSP in the speaker names (especially after the confusingly named DSW DSP sub-woofer).

Chris

There is the problem that "4" is unlucky in Chinese circles. Many hi-fi manufacturers avoid it in product numbering, including Meridian IIRC.

To achieve sales numbers equivalent to 5Ks they will have to go some. Hence the radical change to "Lifestyle" appearance of product to compete on cost, in a high end consumer market.
Credit to the Premium Partners and other Meridian sellers for requesting a product with high sales volume potential. Entry level products are fundamental to creating brand awareness and a future upgrade sales pipeline.
From my limited experience it would appear many customers began with a CD player and a pair of 5Ks and have loyally stayed with the evolving M product proposition (limited by available funds) through thick and thin.
I hope the M6 launch is a great success giving prospective new customers access to high quality M audio at a reasonable price.
My receptors will decide (late January) on the relative value, but I am sure HQ know what they are doing.

I expect Meridian will leave off the ash tray.

Kal:

I always thought that was a drinking fountain look myself

What is the reatail on a pair of 5200s in the US?

Just wondering how much the M6's will retail for in the UK if they are $6000.

Zing!!! :-)

I think an 818 preamp/controller sounds extremely interesting. It will fill a gap in the range which I suspect currently disbars the 8000s from serious consideration by audiophiles who want a high end 'purist' 2 channel rig. They could shift a lot of these where hifi is still a booming hobby in the BRIC countries.

The M6 sounds a very interesting proposition too, and if the styling scores lifestyle/WAF points in a way which conventional floorstanders don't, it could do very well (subject to pricing).

And this new iPad Sooloos app? If it does everything the C15 screen can do, well, sky's the limit!

Well done Meridian...these sound like really super new products. I just wouldn't like to be on the receiving end of the roasting which the Sports Techy team are going to get!

Cheers

George

5200s retail at $15K in US
5200C at $7.5K
I find it amazing that in general US M prices are incremental in steps of $500 or $1000. Possibly TTP or a culture I do not understand.

Interesting, so at $6000 the M6's could have a UK retail of around �2500 I guess.
Probably more like �3000 though.

If they have they really could be a great way to get someone into M gear, depends what else is needed.
If they have a couple of inputs and a display on them for the remote though then it could be a great entry point.




Was hoping the other item might have been a new stereo pre, with drive less MC200 built in, I guess the 818 is getting close to that.
Some like the PS Audio Perfect Wave DAC/Pre.