If I was M, this is exactly how I would have done it, if I was looking to extract the most from my DSP platform. The proliferation of MQA devices was always destined to be mostly analog output. It had to be, if MQA was going to work. By rolling out SE DSP upgrades and speakers, they locked in as much revenue as they could from their DSP offering. I feel for legacy DSP owners that don't have an SE upgrade option.

At the same time, launching halo products (8xx line) before the mass products (if ever), is pretty standard in aspirational consumer products. Any other way, you risk losing would be buyers.

I will say this, I think M is going to make mint from the 218 and whatever extends beyond it.

That all said, this level of communication seems par for the course with Meridian...

Primary: MD600, MS200 (SpeakerLink to AES), Trinnov ST-2, Ayre V6-xe, Salk SS8 3x LRC.
Secondary: MC600 (whole house).
Zone one: 568.2, G57, MS200, Spatial Hologram M2SE.
Zone 2-6 (Awaiting assignment).