Meridian Unplugged - Powered by MrTechGuy.co.uk Forums Discussion Meridian - Systems Would a DSP33 be OK as a centre speaker?

I am looking to replace my 5000C centre speaker if I cannot get it fixed. Please could someone advise if a DSP33 may be a suitable replacement worth considering. Apologies if this is the wrong post for a question like this.

Thanks,
Andrew

It's a much smaller speaker but it will work. I use an M33 as a centre with my M60's and it sounds great to me in my room. But you may notice the step down in size.

For a sense of perspective though, 'ordinary people' who come to me to listen to music get a 'Jaw Drop' experience the like of which they have never heard before. This from the lower end of the 'Meridian Tree'.
I am sure that is the same for you and many others here lol

Thoughts Chris

I have very positive experience with a DSP33 as a centre speker together with a pair of DSP3200 and a pair of DSP33 as rears. I now have replaced the centre for a DSP3300, but the difference is not very impressive.

Pieter

I use to run DSP33 in a 5.1 DSP33/M33/D1500 scenario.

It was fine in that scenario but I don't think I would have wanted the DSP33C being centre for more capable L/R speakers.

That said, if you were happy with the 5000C, there may not be much difference other than bass between 5000C and DSP33C, so, without being familiar with your L/R speakers, you may be fine with it.

Would it work? Yes, in the minimal sense. Would it be a good choice of center with the quality of the rest of your system? No.

A DSP5000C should be the least that you should put back in there. A DSP5500C would be a better choice if you have room for it. A center channel should be able to produce the amount of bass similar to or more than the rest of the system for the best experience. A weak center will be immediately obvious.

I agree. A 33 just doesn't have the weight of the 5000 as a centre, although it's stronger in some areas (IMO).

One of the best sounding cinema systems I have ever heard for a smaller room (only about 14 feet square) was at a Meridian dealer and it consisted of 4 3200s with a 3300 centre BUT with a DSW subwoofer so the other speakers were all designated small and did not have to handle much bass.

If you do not have a sub (how do you designate your existing speakers?) then I think you will be disappointed in going as small as a DSP33.

Thanks everyone for you helpful advise. Very much appreciated.

Cheers,

Andrew

Depends also on your listening levels. The DSP33C has limiter circuitry present and when called upon to produce sharp loud sounds, like the gun shot sequence in Heat, it cannot match the output levels of its bigger brother.

It's drivers are smaller than the 5ks and to prevent damage/clipping, the DSP kicks in and limits the output. This really took away the impact on some movies at about -10dB in a 4x3m room.

Keep your 5K if you can.

A DSP5200HC is more pleasing to the eye and does a fantastic job
DSP 5500HC is very much over powering in a small room.

A lot of folks might be assuming you mean 5000HC vs 5000C. But you did say 5000C which implies a VERTICAL speaker.

If it's a 5000C (as in vertical) a DSP33 won't even come close. Possibly not even a 5200HC would come close.

5000's both vertical and horizontal are pretty easy to come by. DSP33's less common.

Personally the DSP33 is the worst speaker Meridian ever made.

Not to mention is extremely frustrating to set up because it has no display.

If you truly have 5 or more 5K's Vertical or Horizontal. KEEP IT THAT WAY. Having all matched speakers at any level has benefits.

The horizontal centre 5000 is labelled DSP5000C, there's no such thing as a DSP5000HC.

I beg to differ. I have both DSP5000C and DSP5200HC. The DSP5200HC is a much more capable speaker. They use the same drivers, different DSP, different amplifiers, and the DSP5200HC has a bigger sturdier cabinet.

Cheers,
Jason