Meridian Unplugged - Powered by MrTechGuy.co.uk Forums Discussion Meridian - Systems How much better DSP5200SE?

Yeah, I auditioned the 5200SEs about a month ago and was astounded by the ludicrously tight bass (EBA), treble (*that* tweeter), and imaging. Midrange was less impressive alongside a pair of ATC SCM40A actives, but I suspect that the ATCs were flattering the midrange with an unnatural richness and colouration. I may be wrong, but suspect I'm not; what often appeals in the "moment" often isn't accurate. When I got home, I listened to my 6ks and they (with dedicated midrange unit) exhibited a similar "dryness".

Is the 6k unit a dedicated midrange?
I thought it was more of a mid-bass unit.

Funny you found the studio 'speakers coloured and the meridians neutral; I've not heard either so I'm not doubting you, just a little surprised as the ATC midrange is supposed to be one of, if not the best available.

I do like a dedicated midrange though, all down hill since the M1...🙂 😉

6ks are 3-way.

On the ATC midrange, perhaps it is that much better and perhaps all Meridian kit is much drier. Really hard to say. But the treble and bass on the ATCs were absolutely shamed by the 5200SEs.

Edit: Clearly not the same thing, but one musician recently told me that his 8kSEs were far more accurate than the studio monitors he was recording with...

But like the 8k, 3 way as in tweeter, midbass and sub bass; where as a traditional 3way would be tweeter, mid and bass.

Short of going 4 way, the midbass solution is better if you want proper infra bass; this is what I run, although when thinking about building a bespoke set of loudspeakers, I always feel not running a dedicated proper mid driver would be a compromise.

Interesting that the newer M models (3200) are running a mid-tweeter and bass, rather than the more traditional mid-bass and tweeter; for some reason that doesn't sit right with me either; must be expectation bias or an ingrained way of thinking.

Then again, I visited MI' (Ian) last year and got to listen to his ESL57s; ignoring sub frequencies, best sound I'd ever heard; proper studio quality and scale; just need a sub that can keep up!

Now, do I go for the M1 clones using the ATC mid, or 3 Quad ESL in Trifield along with some DSP open baffle 15" subs...

Gosh, I wonder how a pair of ESLs with an EBA-enabled DSW would sound? Unfortunately, neither is possible in my living room. As an owner of Stax SR-009s, you don't need to convince me of the merits of electrostatics!

Just to clarify, I thought that the mid on the ATCs sounded wonderful (the driver fits Gregory Porter's baritone range perfectly), but I've also heard both 5200SE and 7200SE sound incredible too in a full range sense with MQA material. Hence my puzzlement. In my experience, mid-range bumps sound very appealing, and Meridian loudspeakers sound dry in direct comparison with many speakers. Suspect it's a bit of both going on.

Semantics when it comes to defining dedicated mid? FWIW, the SCM40A crossover is 380Hz and the DSP6000 crossover is 200Hz.

Ultimately though, I feel that a full range, massless, cabinet-less, invisible, and cost-less loudspeaker system is the way forward!

ESL57s; ignoring sub frequencies, best sound I'd ever heard; proper studio quality and scale; just need a sub that can keep up!

Peter Walker was well aware of the compromises he made.

He limited the physical size for domestic harmony

The size of the ESLs is actually okay. The problem is that they would be right up against my living room walls...

Possibly the greatest limitation of 57's rather than bass response. They do need to well out in the room.

Running a centre 57 is being currently being considered Steve

Buy a pair; keep one for spares...

How about ESL-63s with the specially-designed matching Gradient SW-63? Heard them once a long time ago. lovely.

Meridian kit and especially the SE' are far more 'accurate' than just about all else, the ATC's included. The sound is not to everyone's liking mind and often a lift in the mids helps vocals cut through the mix which more often than not translates as 'better' and 'clearer'.

The technically correct method for a lot of people isn't always the preferred method.

That explains my experiences completely.