Meridian Unplugged - Powered by MrTechGuy.co.uk Forums Discussion Meridian - Systems Sub vs better DSPs for 2Ch?

I've wondered the same thing.

Ken

And I'm back to requesting 2-ch MRC for the 818 again

I think Meridian would answer you with the suggestion to buy an 861v8, to replace both your 818v2 and your 568.2MM. (Or even an 861v6.)

The 818 is essentially a "minimalist" product in Meridian's line-up. For MRC and many other extra features, they have a "maximalist" product available in the 861.

I no longer use the 568, I bought it to dip my toe into multichannel, but quickly decided it is not for me.

The 861 is vastly more expensive and most of it would be redundant for me, it's only the MRC which would be of interest.

Why is the 818 a niche product - it's the top of the range of their 2-ch gear, not everyone cares about multichannel?

I very much doubt stereo guys would pay the extra for an 861 just for MRC, but Meridian could make a fair bit with an add-on card for the 818/808 at, say �1000 a pop?

You make it sound so easy� They'd have to do a whole new firmware for the 8x8 units, which would then be redundant for those who are happy with an 8x8 without MRC.

Well, as a 818v2 customer, I think it is a great idea. I think a lot of people wouldn't bother to use it, but some would & the code is well known inside of M's HQ and has well-defined built-in limitations.

Totally agree, it's not like they're venturing into new code, or design, it's essentially capitalising on existing R&D - far simpler than multichannel and less processing power?

Of course they would have to engineer it into the existing architecture and I have no idea if that's possible or economically practical, but the idea is attractive at least in theory?

The 861 is a perfect example of many cards being 'redundant' except to those who need them, but it doesn't stop M producing a card based option system

The reason I mentioned the 818/808 series is they're also card based and at least should be able to accommodate the card(s)?

It makes no sense to me to throw a full blown surround processor into my 2 channel system just to gain MRC. The 818 is a superb endpoint and would be even better with MRC. And, frankly, I'm not at all sure replacing the 818 with a processor would maintain the same SQ. If MRC could be added with a card I'd happily buy the upgrade.

Ken

Ive always thought that the best place for room correction is in the DSP speakers themselves. Ok, so analogue users would not benefit, but it would be a value added option for DSP users much the same as EBC is now.

Agreed that DSPs might also be a good place, although that would be most useful in the opposite scenario - customers who buy DSP speakers but without a Meridian front end? The downside is not only analogue users but legacy DSP users would not benefit, and even the current DSPs are not card based and might lack the mic inputs, etc?

Tantalisingly in that regard, I was re-reading a review on 5Ks or 6Ks the other day (so obviously from a while back) and it mentioned that at the time Meridian were offering a dealer service to come and tweak the DSP bios to compensate for room anomalies - anyone aware of this?

The 818/808 series, though, would be value added to current models, and possibly encourage more people, including analogue and DSP users to buy into Meridian's high-end endpoints. The main reason for suggesting this though is that it's already 800 series casing/card/architecture based, so hopefully it might be possible as an add-in card without major rework, as a nice option for those who want it?

Worth a poll to show potential interest to Meridian?

You can add REALLY potent DSP at small cost these days - even free... (players like Jriver have eq plugins)

You don't have to correct the whole system if you add a sub , You can use the correction JUST for the sub and inline with it
Look at the miniDSP site - look at the openDRC in a box for FIR + IIR filtering (FIR is complex but potent , but is similar to what MRC does)
or look at minidsp in a box for just PEQ DSP (PEQ= Parametric EQ) filtering - you can find a product there that will suit ANY Meridian config - DSP or active analog subs + more
Minidsp
The effects of correcting bass below 200 hz is amazing , the whole freq spectrum benefits

That's going to be a much more economical solution than persuading M to make a 818 with bells and whistles.