Meridian Unplugged - Powered by MrTechGuy.co.uk Forums Discussion Meridian - Systems 861 Direct Setting Questions

Thanks Russ

Yes running 8.1 still a distinct difference in SQ.

There is a lot less bass with Stereo engaged and I have the 861 setup as just 2 channel at the moment i.e only 2 speakers in Mconfig

Everything goes soft squidgy and blurred by comparison

Clear as day.

However I have not set the correct distance yet. I will do that when setting up the full AV.

I notice your speakers are rated down to 43Hz plus/minus 3db. Where do you have the crossover set for stereo, integrated with the sub?

There are no subs presently in Mconfig just the 2 main speakers set to large.

Measured with REW there is loads of bass to where the speakers drop off.

I am comparing apples with apples here Direct loads of bass Stereo much less bass and worse sound overall.

The only difference is the distance is set too short as I have moved the MLP back about 3 feet into a better spot.

I know this makes a difference so will test again when set properly.

Running your mains full range in Stereo should sound exactly as Direct sounds if settings are identical.

How can the settings be different?

The only difference I can think of will be the distance setting I would guess direct bypasses any delay settings like that.

According to Marc Koval, ex Meridian USA senior technical guy for 20+ years and currently a dealer, without subwoofer support, stereo equals Direct. That's when I learned my front sub supported only the center channel.

Fair enough, that is taken on board - However I am only saying it how it is for me at the moment - the difference I am hearing is not small

So much so I am considering never using Stereo again and will live without 45hz and below. I would rather sacrifice the lowest octaves to maintain the rest of what I have been hearing with direct engaged.

Have you checked the setting for whether subwoofers are active in music and/or AV DSP modes?

See Page 71 of this manual.

Firmware



MConfig
No subs used

I am not surprised you like it better all direct. 43 Hz is plenty low for a vast majority of music. A sub not properly dialed in, so as to disappear can be a detractor. Even with room correction it can be a challenge. Before Meridian I had(still do) Vandersteen Modsl 2s. Time aligned front open baffles. Covered with a sock like M2s but shaped like a box. They are flat to 35. Never could get a sub to integrate.

It's nothing to do with sub integration - I could integrate a sub into this system perfectly from any frequency from 150Hz down.

I have the skill to do it seamlessly and that would normally be my preferred option and has been my setup method for years.

However I am talking about the difference between Direct and Stereo with the system as it is now - purely stereo speakers and set to large.

There should be none. Isn't the question why the Stereo signal is not the as as Direct in your use case?

It must be down to a configuration difference?