Meridian Unplugged - Powered by MrTechGuy.co.uk Forums Discussion Meridian - Systems Adding speakers to a "stereo" system?

We inherited a system a few years back from a good friend who died from cancer. He purchased it as a gift to himself while he was in hospice care, then left it to us since we were such movie buffs.

The system (basically) consisted of:

G68D Controller
DSP7000's (x2)
MF-1 Projector
HD Digital Video Processor

We've used it in "stereo" mode as reinforcement for the video system, but have decided we are now going to expand the system for a full surround theater.

I purchased an "as-new" DSP5000C and a pair of DSP420's from an audio/video store that was upgrading their showroom (for one hell of a deal... let me tell you) and noticed something...

I'm digging through the manuals and notice there is a little hitch to this build:

The documentation says that I need a 511 S-patch box to connect 3 DSP speakers together.

So... with THIS particular controller, I only have 2 Meridian COMMS outputs... I'm guessing that I need to use 1 COMMS for the "front" array and the other COMMs to feed the "rear" array of speakers (through an AC11 box)?

As for the DSP420's... my understanding is I need an AC11 between the G68 and the speakers to convert everything going to them into CAT6 (RJ45) to feed the in-wall surrounds.

Are my assumptions correct?

I did a search for this and I'm afraid it comes up over 250 threads and most of them are for digital streaming.

Is there someplace here that we have more in-depth diagrams of how to connect all this together?

We love the system... and thankfully managed to keep it from getting flooded in the rains we had here in Texas last month. We had to rip out the carpet and baseboards in the living room due to water and had all the equipment up on coffee tables to keep it dry... and now seemed like the perfect time to wire this system in like it should be and finish it up.

Thanks in advance for any help/guidance offered... our nearest Meridian Professional "help" is over 4 hours away in Houston.

You can daisy chain DIN comms for front three speakers. For the rears, there are alternatives to an AC11. Have a look for a Reviver. This is a third party device which would do the job you are after.

Can you post a piccie of the DSP420 connector block as I thought you could still hard wire Ordinary Master/Slave cable directly in, without the need for any accessories.

Jon

I don't have them in my hands yet, Jon... they are on the way.

Is there a wiring diagram on the site that shows the difference between a master COMM's cable and a slave COMM's cable?

I built a new "master" using the original that was with the system but it was WAY too short for where the rack was mounted vs. where the DSP7000's ended up being placed.

I haven't opened the slave cable to look at the pin-outs to see what the differences are.

I was wondering about that... it seemed to be the simpler solution.

Must have been a marketing guys idea @ Meridian to sell more hardware?

The Reviver looks interesting... I might possibly go that route. CAT6 would be SO much easier to run and terminate.

At least there are solutions available out there... it seems like once Meridian cut the cord with the old style COMM's they just left everyone out in the wind. Buy our $1k box to mix & match or not have the benefit of being able to expand the system using the newer speakers.

At the prices this stuff is new, changing out everything is only an option if you have more money to burn than Midas...

Is this diagram of any use?

Russ

Exactly what the doctor ordered, Russ!

Thanks!

I'm new to the site... been lurking for a while, but never registered. Some of this stuff is difficult to find the first time around.

You are most welcome.

Russ

FYI there are 3 different iterations of the DSP420 speakers. IMHO they are designed like the 7K pairs to have a digital audio input/slave comms from the controller/G68 and then have the digital output/comms output go from one speaker to the other (perhaps in the ceiling). Since they are powered there needs to be power for the speakers in the ceiling, too. I checked the pic of the G68D, there are actually 3 comms ports, one is the newer style and you can craft an adapter.

You can daisy chain the L/R pair and also the center channel together. Don't stress out the first time you do it!

The age of the DSP420's might mean the tweeters are old and need to be replaced. Mr. Koval does that service, too.

Beware the 420's are heavy and need to be mounted appropriately. You could say the same about most of the DSP range. Lots of electronics/amps integrated inside the box.

That would be Marc Koval, member here, M dealer, and prior M technical head in the U.S. He also use revivers frequently and makes up custom adaptor cables as he does a lot of business mixing older and newer kit for people. Repairs everything!

From eBay?