Meridian Unplugged - Powered by MrTechGuy.co.uk Forums Discussion Meridian - Systems DSW DSP or Velodyne DD+12 with 861v8

This is my first post , and I am about the order my first high end system, and I have been advised to go with Velodyne DD+12 from the dealer.

My room has poor acoustics (lots of different obstacles) 3.5m wide x 4.5m deep but opens up to a larger tiled area.

I am intended to go with a 5.1 setup:

861v8
HD621
DSP5200 Fronts and 5200HC centre
DSP3200 Sides
Oppo BD105

Do I need to get an analog output card to connect to an analog sub? Would I be better off to go with the DSW which has the DSP which may be more important? There just isn't much information on the DSW but the Velodyne is proven.

Also where would be the best place for the rear/side speakers? I can't really put it at the rear - would it be directly to the side or at an angle?

If I have asked some very basic questions please accept my apologies.

Many thanks for your help!

First of all, Welcome to the forum!

The standard guide for recommended angles etc is here.

DSW vs Velodyne: if you're buying that amount of stuff from your dealer, I'd expect him to demo both options to you at your home�

Yes, you'll need to buy an OA08 or OA18 for your v8 to output analogue.

Looks shouldn't come into it but the rest of the kit is rounded, the DSW sits in well with this look. Cabling is easier, especially with SpeakerLink.

Is it for LFE or music as well? You may consider two, perhaps smaller units, which may argue for analogue.

The DD12 plus is an amazing sub, especially as it comes with a built in SMS-1 (bass parametric EQ to tune the sub to the nth degree).
I auditioned one against the SVS's I have and thought the DD12 better and more musical.

It came down to price - I wanted twin subs and 2 x DD12's were a lot more then The SVS's as the SVS's were 2nd hand and the Velodynes new.

I don't know what you have in your 861 , but I run my subs off the analog L/R sub outputs with my 568.2, you would need some sort of analog output for the Velo.

The Velo's do have strong bass management built in, if you had to go for a DSW sub, I would imagine you would have to use something like MRC instead to get the best out of it.

I'd def ask to dem both, and bear in mind that the DSW will likely integrate more easily and use SpeakerLink, as others have mentioned. Remember the 861v8 has MRC (Meridian Room Correction) built in, and you may find this, in combination with the DSW works very well indeed.

Also, you might consider trying the system without a sub in the first instance and see how you get on - in my experience the 5200s were far from being short of bass by themselves! You can always add a sub later on if you really feel you're lacking in the low frequencies, and you might save some money in the first instance.

I have a 861v6 + SW1600 (an older digital Subwoofer) in my HT and I am amazed at its bass output regardless of its small-ish size and reputation. I suspect the DSW would be the smarter, easier purchase. The non-uniform room makes the bass waves' propagation difficult to predict. I strongly agree regarding the advice regarding the home audition, though.

Many thanks for pointing to the angles.

It is difficult to demo any Meridian at the moment because Australia has lost its distributor. The dealer is the only official partner remain in Australia at the moment, and only import on order. They have got rid of all their demo units last year when the distributor was gone, besides they are 1000km away. What prompt me getting the units now, is substantial price difference at the moment whilst there have no middle man whilst getting full warranty.


It is intended for LFE only.

I guess going with the DSW may be the smarter choice at this stage as price difference between Velodyne + extra card and DSW would be very close. It will integrate better with the 3200 as my plan is to eventually drop them off the system.

I have not yet heard the DD12+ but it has been reviewed with amazing accolade... And seems to be one of those subs that is at the very top of the pops when it comes to LFE. I'm a little surprised at how little the M subs have been reviewed.

Have you considered purchasing two lower priced subs? I personally have a M2500.2 sub which I'm looking to upgrade to 2 x SVS SB13U subwoofers. They are supposed to be pretty phenomenal for the money. And integrating 2 in my system would smooth out a lot of issues.

If I could however afford at this time 2 x 12DD+ it would be a no brainer from all I have heard of them. Just my humble opinion....

Thanks for this - I simply don't have enough room to fit two subs. The DSW ended up cheaper than the DD12+ after adding the analogue card so at the moment will go with the M sub.

After all I have plans to drop the 3200 later for 5200 and having a matching sub for the 3200 would always be better.

So, ordered the system today and hopefully have it before Christmas.

Or every better, drop the 3200s, move the 5200's to replace and get a pair of 7200's which are a big step up from 5200's.

Hears (pun intended) to a Merry Christmas for you.

Regards,
Carl

Hi,

I have had a few sub's with 861 I tried the DSW and found it a very poor performer and a big disappointment I now use another analogue one that is fantastic

Can you be specific about which areas the DSW was a big disappointment and relative to what?