Meridian Unplugged - Powered by MrTechGuy.co.uk Forums Discussion Meridian - Systems New 2012 Price List?

My point about internet updating was an example of "it just works" (thank you Steve Jobs). For the luxury target audience, it should be install, work, forget. Meridian equipment is not always like that.

And, yes, I do think that Meridian is struggling in many areas.

I think I have a way Meridian can increase sales and obtain more brand recognition. But it is up to Meridian to actually implement the idea. Obviously, the average person that buys audio systems has the impression that Bose is good audio and until they can justify the increased costs associated with high quality audio like Meridian, other high end audio products, it is kind of difficult, One of the problems with high quality products is that the cost to make some a lot better costs a lot more to develope and mfg. I personally think that Meridian should make a M80 product that has the aluminum finish on it, add AirPlay technology and sell the product through both Apple stores (physical and on line) and then come out with a slightly larger version that has triple buffering, Apodising filter, more power, larger bass driver, and other features to make it a true audiophile version and sell it through the Meridian dealers so they can be supporting the higher end products. Since Apple stores attract about 1,000,000 people a day, they'll get a lot more visibility, plus they can hook the up to the AppleTV product and give the consumer a demonstration on how good their sound is for people that obviously have discretionary income and want a nice all in one system that is tailored to people that want something easy to set up and use that blows away larger systems. Even if they don't buy one immediately, they at least know the brand which is a inexpensive way to advertise their products. If Meridian got .001% sales penetration of the people that walk into an Apple store that is about 1,000 units a day. One of Meridian's biggest problems is brand awareness. Their website also needs to improve as well. I think if Meridian could figure out a way to sell their auto systems through after market car audio installers, maybe they could increase sales as well. There is a big awareness and push to sell high end audio systems in cars and Meridian needs to step it up a notch to compete against B&O and B&W. Naim, and Bermester,

VK

In my experience they certainly don't struggle in sound quality and the pleasure that gives the end user, as for updates I agree with Nick, compared to my pc's (Mac and Windows) & iPad, the need for online updates is minimal, if it was available online that would be great but really not critical for me anyway, maybe a way for the dealers to dial in and update the system much like my Lutron installer does when I need system changes or updates could be a way forward?

Russ

Perhaps I move in the wrong circles but I only know one other Meridian owner not counting HHers.

People say they enjoy music, and clearly do but are not prepared to invest the money required to buy Meridian new, and are not confidant or knowledgeable enough to buy pre owned.

They will spend on Cars, TVs, iPads, iPhones, home improvement and the like but not Meridian.

So many people seem to have to have the "BRANDS" that are familiar to us all as if that is more important than actual performance.
I view it like sheep following the herd, no confidence to lead.
This saddens me but unless you are a golden Brand, you will never get popular uptake of your product.

Thoughts, Chris

I don't think the products Meridian have out there are wrong at all, however there is no denying that they are aspirational products for many, but where is the aspiration coming from??

Who knows about Meridian?

Unless you are into Hi-Fi in a pretty big way, you won't.
None of my friends knew who Meridian are, and none of my daughters friends have ever heard of them either (all 17-20), but they all know who Bang & Olufsen are, now they are in the Apple store for the younger lot.

And that is where Meridian is going wrong.


I do wonder if this new 'M' range is done to allow Meridian to split their distribution up a little, so you will see M80's, M3, M4, M5 and M6 speakers and the Audio Core range sitting in John Lewis, Apple Store and Harvey Nics while leaving the top end G series and 800 series along with DSP speakers in their Meridian Partner Stores?


Let me ask you all something, as a teenager how do you even get to hear how wonderful a Meridian system is?
I asked my daughters friend what HiFi brands he knew and he said that he didn't really, only the ones in Richer Sounds as 'All the other hifi shops make you feel like a tramp when you walk in.'
Now this is a pretty mature 19 year old lad, he plays rugby every week with the guys, he was extremely well educated and is about to start at Cambridge, he can hold a conversation with anyone and is old above his years, yet he still feels intimidated walking into the average hi-fi store.
And let's be honest, if he asked the sales guy to put a Meridian theater system together for him to demo do you think they would do it?? if they did it would be through gritted teeth.

So there is no where for them to really hear Meridian kit.

Meridian needs to have products in a store where people feel comfortable, places like the Apple Store, John Lewis etc. etc.

I think it may be harder to understand if you're in the States, there is no where near the snobbery and class system over there in stores as there is in the UK, you can walk round the highest end designer stores in New York and you are treated nicely, respectfully and with a more relaxed attitude than you are over here, walk into the Vivienne Westwood store in London and if you're not a fat 50 year old gay guy they look down their nose at you, walk into Louis Vuitton and if you don't look like a Jewish middle aged supermodel they don't even let you in, walk into those stores in New York and they play hide and seek with your kids!!

There is far too much snobbery in hifi and if you fall into that trap as a manufacturer you may just find that you don't have a next generation of customer coming through, cause they won't even know who you are.

+1 Gizze, thats why Jaguar had to change, all the Old Colonels were dieing off and they had no customers.
Kodak, sideswiped by digital, no customers.

I have to believe Meridian are aware of this, but it doesnt seem so to me.
Then, lets see the 2012 price list and think which of the upcomming younger generation will be able to afford anything on it?
Remember, they have to have houses, cars, an education, "i products", a life kids and all. Meridian will be way down the list if Bose will do.

More thoughts carefully dragged back on topic. Chris

P.S. Kids is a UK reference to young adults.

Yes, little kids can't afford Meridian, but title kids grow up, then they go to college, then they graduate college, then they buy what they always wanted. A Bose system, because they were never exposed to something like a Meridian system when they were a little kid. However, the kids that were exposed to good audio when they were a kid will decide to buy better audiol. B&O has the cool factor due to the artist design, but the sound isn't keeping up. Right now, the OEM car stereo market is fighting it out and the audiophile brands are seeping in. I think from all of the companies out there, this is an excellent opportunity for Meridian to show off since they mfg their own electronics, they can put in some of their own technologies they have developed, they are used to driving efficient speakers with small amount of power, etc. Mark Levinson screwed up in my opinion since they don't make the electronics, the amps are Becker from what I understand, and Becker makes the amps for Bose, H/K, as well as most of the stock OEM radios for the European car market and Becker is owned by Harmon International and they are just slapping Mark Levinson's on other equipment. Now, B&O is getting a lot of attention due to Mercedes, Audi, and BMW is going with B&O.

Actually, I am shocked Ferrari doesn't use Meridian for their cars since they partnered together for the M80 and now the M6 cabinet resin. Maybe we see Ferrari rip out Bose and go with Meridian.

Yeah, there is a lot of snobbery in high end audiophile stores, just there is in high end car dealerships. I got that attitude, and I was actually serious about buying a car. I got treated less In a BMW dealer because what I was looking for they didn't have in stock, they were low in inventory, the Audi dealer acted like a bunch of cheap car salesman, but Mercedes just gave me the keys to the car and let me do my own test drive without the salesman. What did I buy? Mercedes. Partly because of their safety, build quality, but it all came down to what how I felt, I was treated to feel comfortable and since I am looking to buy another car, guess what it will be?

Any dealer that is reading these posts, treat everyone that walks in the door like they have a wad full of cash in their pocket because even if the don't, they walked in the door for a reason and sometimes it is just to become better educated on why people spend the money on better audio.

Hi gIzzE,

Sort of reminds me of the 5 years I spent in Milan Italy in the early '90's. Stores would have 'Entrata Libero' which means free entrance, because there are some stores in the City that have the nerve to expect you to buy something if you have the audacity to walk in. No browsing allowed in those stores. And you're right the respect you get in the US in High End outlets, be they luxury car marques, designer clothing stores or AV boutiques is very quite noticeable.

I guess they started getting out of hand with spending money like there was no end, but i guess they got caught over spending. That big hotel they build over there apparantly went through some changes.

+1 on Airplay with M80/F80.

Anybody know what Airplay is? An airport card linked to the local network? This sounds like a no brainer to me. How about a tiny Airplay box and modded into the F80 or do we have to wait 2 years? B&Os silly looking iPod speaker (two speaker cones connected by a bar) sound really good BUT it's not Airplay. Come on M!

An Airplay M80 would be absolutely suit the Apple market and look great in the store, as per DrOne.

Xenophobia rules ok

Difficult to let this go IMHO

UK Companies have gone out of business as a result of not being paid by other UK Companies.........or US Companies.........or European Companies.........not paying Bills is hardly unique to Abu Dhabi or Middle Eastern Companies

Middle Eastern Companies undoubtedly have a different business culture......and that Culture needs to be understood before getting into business with them

But painting all Abu Dhabi (or Middle Eastern) Companies with the same big brush is simply not defendable in today's environment