Meridian Unplugged - Powered by MrTechGuy.co.uk Forums Discussion Meridian - Systems Discussion on effects of upsampling and apodising

Another thought,

I believe another huge issue with M's apodising filter is that it is voiced with M speakers.
This is not an opinion on M speakers but I do believe that M could do alot better listening to other speakers as well as their own when voicing products. Most high end audio manufactures use many different speakers when voicing products.

And another,

Actually the reason I think Sooloos has taken a huge step back since M bought them is exactly what I said above. M wants a closed system from source to speaker and there in lies the biggest problem with apodising. Does anyone ever remember reading anything about M's speakers being toward the top of the sonic ladder? I don't. Any review comment revolves their performance in theater systems, not in high end audio systems. Ultimately, if M's speakers were better, the rest of their products would be better, including their digital products. I can't help but feel that their apodising filter is really acting as a filter to make their speakers sound better. In fact, IMO, if the powers that be at M were more open minded and actually listened with other speakers, their digital would be the best available.

But it will never happen with current ownership.

I think some of those comments are a touch harsh - surely if the source sounds good it sounds good regardless - if you don't like it that's very different, there is no accounting for everyones personal preference in manufacturing.

My AV amp does use Digital Amplification as do M DSP's by my knowledge so that may be why I think it works well.

Someone posted an email or letter on this forum from someone at M
I remembmer reading it but it has only now just clicked the meaning.

It said something along the lines of the sources that they are making are designed for you to not hear the track being played where it was i.e. a concert hall - they are designed for you to hear it being played in front of you in your room.

Now to me that is how it sounds, to a certain degree - how its been tailored to sound focused like that - I personally think its great.

Now after hearing my MS600 lately I would love to try and good set of DSP's but they are just too damn expensive for me, especially to buy into a full M system.

I seem to recall that the DSP6000s were Stereophile class A for over decade, longer than any other speaker.

Agree,. At launch, 6000, 7200, and 8000 were well received in the press. Now, Meridian are rarely seen in Stereophile and Abs. Sound print mags. They don't seem to have a robust Marketing presence in the US. So I don't think we can use review absence as a critique of speaker sound quality, although this is written by a new 7200 owner who is very pleased with the speaker SQ.

Given the high praise certain overpriced rubbish has received, I would suggest that M doesn't "shout their round" at the trade shows like they used to.
I've found that the DSPs have a definite 'house sound' to them, in many ways designed around the limitations of the CD format, it brings up the Naim argument "who listens to concert halls?" - they are music speakers first and HiFi speakers second.

The current Market Reality is that ALL Print Publications survive on Advertising and thus are Managed and Led by the Marketing people.

In summary, if a Company doesn't Advertise "enthusiastically" in a Magazine, then they simply won't receive Reviews or Editorial.

Like it or not, this Reality applies to Magazines in all market areas, including Audio.

That is absolutely true, certainly in the classical CD market. It's totally explicit: no full-page ad, no review.

Why do you think M doesn't "shout their round" as you put it?
It's because they would get luke warm response at best from their offerings, especially at the price points of their speakers and the sonics they serve up. Actually, if it wasn't for 800 series and Sooloos and the respect those products still have they would basically be ignored. M speakers are HiFi speakers all the way.....

You know G997, we get it. For whatever reasons, you don't like Bob Stuart; you don't like what Meridian have done with Sooloos and you certainly don't like their DSP Speakers

And all of that is perfectly fine; we got the message more or less since your first posts 18 months ago.

But can I please ask you to refrain from flogging that particular dead horse and most particularly to refrain from combining your obvious prejudice against Meridian with quite obviously deliberately Misleading and Misjudged Comments.

Only a few days ago, you had Hewlett Packard going out of business (in spite of not knowing who HP were the day before?) and your constant harping comments appear to imply that Meridian are soon to follow them.

It's quite obvious to anyone with an evenly remotely open mind that Sooloos has made very significant steps forward on Database Design, User Interface and especially Sound Quality since they were acquired by Meridian.

Likewise your statement that Meridian's DSP Speakers would "be ignored" by many simply flies in the face of many here who have witnessed previous Meridian Virgins being more than impressed at various Shows and Events, some to the extent of becoming DSP Users.

In addition, you seem to forget that many here have been fortunate enough to experience and Audition many other Manufacturer's Equipment and Speakers at all Pricing Strata, including the equipment listed in your own signature, and still decided to pursue either a Partial or Full Meridian system.

And yet despite your Multitude of Negative Meridian posts over the past 18 months, Nobody has stooped to denigrate your Equipment or Speaker choices, even though we would be able to construct a Weighty Argument, that would be easily "backed up" by other Forums and Magazines out there who have have made similarly Negative observations about your own Equipment.

I think it's fair to say that most here recognize that there are many ways for an individual user to arrive at their own Audio Nirvana and that doesn't always mean everybody choosing the same equipment or Speakers.

So, you don't like Meridian ........... Fine ..........but Live, and let Live ............ Please .......... with a Cherry on Top

Well said.

You know Ronnie, we get it. Touched a nerve here? Taking it personal are we? Pretty much every poster supporting M on everything they do (or don't do) is based in the UK. You would think M is a national brand owned by the citizens of the UK.

The HP comment was a joke. Seen their stock prices lately? One day they are in for tablets and the next they are out. Great company to be designing software for. Yep. Windows and M leading audio and Sooloos into the future!

The reality is Apple is the undisputed leader in music, interface devices that people want and use and M basically ignores them. I wonder why?

So where are my misleading and misjudged comments? Everything I chose to comment on is to balance the prevailing and misguided thoughts that I read on M. Also I really hope that the staff at M read them and it will strike a progressive thought in someone there.

What gear I use or you use really doesn't matter. I could care less what you or anyone else thinks of it. But I can say I read more about what I use, good, bad or indifferent than any M products. How many articles and reviews have we seen on M's latest and greatest, the 818? One? Two maybe? Or Sooloos?

Bob Stuart is a genius. And his own worse enemy. I actually like the man. But I value M more.

I'm prejudice against M? My $$ is were my mouth is. I own 3 Controls, 4 TwinStores, 2 MS600's, 818, Source One and a Store Two. Yep, I'm definitely prejudiced against M!

What matters is trying to get some of the guys here to think outside the current M box. What matters is getting M to explore the vast arena of available products that are undeniably better to MAKE THEIR PRODUCTS BETTER!

So until that happens, my answer to you is no.

You may wish to read this PDF Meridian paper on DSP design philosophy which will explain why Meridian don't consider other manufactures when it comes to designing Hi Fi.
There are fundamental differences in the way they approach the reproduction of music that other manufacturers choose not to share. The traditional route, if you like.

Wether people agree or disagree is of no consequence, Meridian do things there way and with great effect.

http://media.Meridian-audio.com/datasheets/papers/DSP-speakers-paper-v2.pdf

Enjoy the read and the forum, Chris