I spent about an hour at CES listening to the new M6 loudspeakers and can say that, once you get past their "lifestyle" looks, these are Meridian speakers in every sense of the term. The bass was exceptionally taunt and dynamic, the highs were airy without being etched, both male and female vocals were reproduced accurately but not clinically, and the soundstage was wide and deep. They are speakers you will not tire of listening to. I think they are every bit the equal of the DSP3200s with additional low frequency extension. While few Hitchhikers are likely to buy them, their intended market is in for a treat.

By the way, the new Sooloos iPad app is a huge step forward, and the 818 is on my wish list. It does everything the 808i.3 does except spin discs, and the ID41 Sooloos card is an upgrade to the ID40. If you can live without the CD drive, you can save yourself $5000 over the 808i.3. That savings will buy you a MC200 with change to spare, and is over half way to a Control 15.

561, DSP5500s, DSP5000C, analog sides and rears