Meridian Unplugged - Powered by MrTechGuy.co.uk Forums Discussion Meridian - Systems The new Meridian M6 loudspeaker

I am not exactly sure what "lifestyle" means. If we accept your definition, are you saying that the M6 is going to be sold on the basis of its looks; against opposition from cheaper, real-wood and shiny-metal speakers costing �1000 - �1500?

I am in a different camp here because I think the 5k2s look elegant, sleek and sophisticated: just look at those curves from the side. But I am not of course suggesting that my opinion represents anyone other than myself.

I'm also really like the look of the 5200s. There aren't too many directions to go in with speakers, Scandyna "pods" (quite cute!), curved boxes, straight boxes.

I'm at risk of being an 80s-90s chap though but I'd like to think taste can mature like a good wine (I'm the sort who still doesn't get Big Brother).

3200s are really sweet, lovely lines but nothing to put them on, they even have a matching sub, so close and yet where do they go?

I can't quite get the pricing of the M6s, you could put a nice system together for that.

The original DSP7000s look the best of the curved style IMO.

I am saying that Meridian are becoming more and more of a lifestyle brand, as are many audio companies.
No longer is it OK to just have a box that sounds nice, it has to look the part too.

There has been as much thought in many of Meridians designs as there probably has into how they sound.


I think the 5200s look great too, however, I was surprised that I was in the minority when it came to folk who just saw them as 'a pair of speakers' or were not into hifi at all.

Although I reckon most of us on here think the DSP range look 'sexier' than the M6, I wouldn't be too shocked if many find it the other way round.

I don't think that Meridian are going up against people like Monitor Audio with the slimline range, but I think they have produced a speaker that may be allowed to creep into the dining room or bedroom, where as a 5k2 might not.
I think there has been a lot of thought about the design and how it will be viewed by the non geeks in the family.

Hi there,
I thought I would respond and put in my two pennies worth.
I have over the years got my system to a state where I am relatively happy with it.
I initaily had a Naim system some years ago when I was single with lots of boxes for power supplies and big bulky speakers and at the time I liked its sound if not a bit tiring to listen to for long periods.
But when I married my wife and moved house we changed our living room and looked at many many home cinema options.
The amp and DVD player were relatively simple to choose but speakers were the one thing we just could not agree on. I really wanted some Meridian DSP speakers and have a full Meridian digital theatre but my wife absolutely hated the looks of them. Every now and again I show her pictures of others systems and always it is the speakers that are the sticking points.
So in the end we settled on Artcoustic speakers. Not sure if others have seen these but they are wall mounted speakers that look like picture frames that you can buy artwork to place on them. The sound is good but not wonderful. Certainly I am convinced one can get MUCH better sound for the money but maybe not as aesthetically pleasing
But again we are thinking of moving house and choosing speakers comes up.
My wife still HATES the majority of DSP speakers but finally she sees the M6 speaker and no longer is it hatred. Ok it may not be love but finally there isn't hatred.
So my point is finally Meridian may have a speaker system that would be acceptable in our living room. For me that is a big plus in their range.
Also from a cost perspective lets be honest new Meridian gear IS expensive but DSP 3200 plus stands are in the same ball park as M6's. It depends on whether they sound as good or better as I hope then I could realistically imagine having a pair of these as my fronts!

Richard

So what we're really waiting for is a set of 'full-range' DSP in/on wall speakers... Now that would get the WAF high (in my house at least).

Chris

Or for speakers that look like this but sound like Meridian...


All the women I know think these look nice.

By nice I guess they mean unobtrusive?

The problem with wall 'speakers is that to get any real LF energy they have to be either deep and look like a box, or huge to get the internal volume.

I ended up making my own to hide them in my dining room, 3 NXT panels and 2 under floor subs.

Trifield panels;


All you can see of one of the subwoofers;


All the best,

Steve.

A built-in sub like that would go down well here. Unfortunately solid floors on ground floor. Maybe with some renovation we could build something in.

But I guess a couple of 'normal' subs would still be smaller than the 8ks...

Chris

I have a standard beams and floorboards construction; the two subs are mounted on the joists; the vents allow the sound up and into the room.

I had to get the floor registers (vents) from the US, they are commonly used for forced air heating or cooling.

The three panels are NXT panels in custom frames.
I plotted the maps out on my A0 plotter and stuck them across the whole of the panels.
The cables run under the floor and up the wall, along the picture rails.
They are then soldered onto the picture rail hooks, each of the picture chains make up one leg of the speaker lead.

The rest of the system is; 504 Tuner and Apple Airport Express for sources, 565 for control, Behringer DCX2496 for DSP room PEQ and panel EQ and a Rotel 985 five channel amp driving the three panels and two subs.

The 'speaker system is totally invisible and it's always good fun playing spot the speakers with guests.

What are your criteria?

My own aesthetic tastes. I did say IMO...