Meridian Unplugged - Powered by MrTechGuy.co.uk Forums Discussion Meridian - Systems DSP5000s arrived beaten up - keep or return?

I bought a pair of DSP5000 off eBay. Cost £400, including cable and remote - and sound very good. They arrived kind-of battered, though - veneer coming off the bottom a bit (looks like they took a hit or scrape there), and drivers look a bit kind-of worn. Also, one of the nuts on the back looks a touch rusted.

Seller kindly offered a return and refund (they were advertised as in better nick). I'm torn, though - not sure whether to keep them (I'd struggle to get anything better sounding for the price) or to return (the damage may make them harder to resell, and if they're a bit battered they may have damage that shortens their lives). What would you do?

Is there a way to upload pics here, or do I need to host elsewhere and link?

Hi and welcome,

Personally I would return them and wait for a cleaner pair as they often appear on eBay.

Jonathan

Hi, and welcome to the forum.

What versions are they? At £400, if 18 bit I'd return, if 24 bit I'd consider it, and if smiley faced (visible display above the grilles looks curved) I'd keep them and restore them.

Rusted screws are fairly commonplace on older Meridian kit, and from my own experience doesn't correlate with being stored or used inappropriately. Also, the rubber surrounds of the drivers can tend to go a bit grey looking, but they'll still sound fine.

Re the cabinets, a furniture restorer could sort them out, worth it if newer versions as above, but probably not if they are old originals.

Cheers

George

Thanks all! Drivers aren't exactly grey looking, but it's hard to explain. Easier to show than tell! Can this site host pics, or should I post a link?

DSP5000s are robust, I wouldn't worry about damage in shipping shortening their lifespan. I have a pair over 25 years old at this point (18-bit) which I just re-capped. They sound great.

I'm unfamiliar with the market prices outside the US, but if you felt you got a good price, you may want to consider keeping them.

Which version are they?

Can you negotiate a partial refund and keep them?

You have to upload pictures to the gallery forum and then link the files in, not the easiest, but doable.

ATB,

Steve

FWIW, a comparable pair of original DSP5000’s are currently available on eBay.

I’ve previously purchased kit from Fanthorpe’s (eBay seller). The transaction was completely stress free.

Thanks. This is what the drivers look like. Would this worry people?

Pretty sure these are the original version. Think I overpaid a little given the condition, but if they're likely to remain robust I may see if the seller will be flexible on price (and return if not). I could patch cosmetic damage I think, but if there's reason to worry about function then I wouldn't want to take these on as a major repair project!

I used to own the same speakers and my drivers didn’t look like that around the edging they look glued to me but I’m not an expert, everyone else on here would be able to comment more I guess, but they don’t look right to me.
For sure 100% I wouldn’t want to have drivers in that particular condition they do look like they have been repaired to me but I may well be wrong.
I personally would want to send them back with respect.

A pair of the 5000.2 went on their for £300 a few months ago and that was a bargain of the century!

Hi Battered,

I would return these if possible. Rough is an understatement. Did we ever confirm if these were 18 bit or 96/24? Clearly a case of you can't have your Dundee cake and eat it.
Much better quality will be available in the future.

Hector

I agree with you 100% Hector, I haven’t felt as rough as those for years! I would also predict they are 18 as I think I asked a question about the serial numbers on the eBay.

Yep, I’d return those. Never seen a pair that rough. Lots of nicer pairs come up regularly for not much more money.

I’d have a service on a pair anyway to get them sounding top, but you won’t want to go replacing all the mid/bass drivers, too expansive. Looks like the coating might be coming off those, or they’re starting to separate from the rubber surrounds.

If you like how those sound, you’ll be blown away by a pair in better condition.