Meridian Unplugged - Powered by MrTechGuy.co.uk Forums Discussion Meridian - Systems Meridian Special Edition Loudspeakers

Yes but the point is that you had the choice. I am not aware of a two tier pricing structure for Meridian repairs. As such we are left to assume that those prices that exist are reduced by the recycling of upgrade components. Which may indeed be the case.

Equally for all anyone knows the recycling of components could be used to reduce the component costs for warranty spares and increase the profits on the original sale. Personally I suspect that Meridian have limited storage of warranty components, except for recycled components, and instead rely on the supply chain.

I am willing to give Meridian the benefit of the doubt, in lieu of sufficient information based on the free, if rather lengthy, repair of an 861v2 PSU that was considerably out of warranty.

Cheers,

Tony.

Tony,

Don't forget, theres a big difference between upgrades and repairs. My experience with Meridian has been very reasonable WRT repairs (others may have differing opinions). Meridian has to weigh the financial benefit of offering upgrades at all vs. simply improving their products and giving them new model numbers. For every upgrade ordered there's a potential loss of a new product sale. I'm sure it's a delicate balancing act for any manufacturer.

I do realise that there is a big difference between repairs and upgrades. What I am trying to understand is the implication that the upgraded components may be used to provide the basis for reasonable repairs. I have direct experience of this with a no cost out of warranty repair but have seen the repair costs of others not so fortunate. I would have expected reasonable repair costs to be built into the original sale of the product rather than facilitated by upgrades.

The financial benefit of upgrades is not as simple as considering the potential loss of a new sale due to an upgrade. If I upgrade my 5200s then Meridian and their dealerships get my money. If no upgrades are offered, or they are not competitive enough for me, then when considering new 5200SEs I am more than likely to also consider alternative vendors products as well. In which case by not offering an upgrade they may not even gain a sale at all. So by not offering an upgrade there is also a potential loss of a new product sale.

I am not sure what balancing act for any other manufacturer there is. As many have pointed out a significant number of manufacturers just don't offer upgrades at all hence no act to balance.

Cheers,

Tony.

Just for info: I received the other day a publicity email from Meridian. If you click through to the website, the pages for the SE appear to have expanded rather, including new photos (of black and white versions, rather than the funky colours from the original publicity).

Has anyone asked Meridian whether there is any chance of a cheaper upgrade route with just the new tweeter (and presumably firmware) in order to use the same tweeter across speakers without having to replace all the electronics too? As others have mentioned, the full upgrade for 5200 to 5200SE is probably more expensive than it is worth (in comparison with other options such as simply training in). I'm sure Meridian could sell an awful lot more upgrades to us 5200 owners (who would otherwise not bought any upgrade) if they were able to offer us a cheaper half-way upgrade package. If it's a drop in replacement then maybe it's just a "replacement part" rather than an "upgrade"?

Hi Minilo,

Your suggestion won't be an option. The new tweeter requires associated electronics changes to match it in any case, this couldn't be done 'simply' with a firmware revision.

Rick

Hi All,

By way of clarification, as I've been asked on several occasions now, the SE upgrade prices are cost of exchange for tweeter and electronics.

Meridian will require the removed tweeters and electronics returning to them.

Cheers,

Rick

BTW, I listened to the new SE, and to my ears, no reason for an A/B. The improved SQ surpasses the .1 to . 2 by an order of magnitude. Kudos to Bob S. And the folks att M.

John

Hi John,

I assume you went to the Audio High demo in Mtn View? If so any impressions of the other DSP's?

Ken

Here is a report of the SE event at Audio High from The Absolute Sound.


Soundserge

I also had the pleasure of hearing Bob Stuart speak and listen to the new line of DSP speakers. Very impressive indeed. Even though at some point I will probably upgrade my speakers I would still love to hear a " shootout" between the non SE, upgraded SE and new SE 8000 as that would really allow one to hear the differences. I spoke with the Elite Audio owner in SF CA (Mike- very nice gentleman) and he may be able to do that at some point in time. I'm still jealous of you hikers across the pond as you have dealers like Rick at Audio Images that is on top of it all the time.
Regards
Joe

Nice review.

No love for the midwest in those tour dates .