Meridian Unplugged - Powered by MrTechGuy.co.uk Forums Discussion Meridian - Systems Out with the Old, in with the New

A birdie informs me that DSP5200SE and DSP7200SE models with ‘soon’ become discontinued.

In their place will be DSP5200XE and DSP7200XE variants.

While the current DSP5200SE retails for <£12k, the DSP5200XE will likely retail for £20k.

That's a very considerable shift upmarket.

With any business this has to happen, they have to move forward. But as with cars, I’ll have to stick with my classic 5200SEs. We can’t always go for the new model having found a quality level that satisfies…
The upgrade train never stops and realistically, it leads nowhere. Find a stop you fancy and alight at that station…

I've always felt that Meridian DSP speakers have been grossly underpriced. Great news for us enthusiasts of course, but not good for the company and brand.

When you're competing with the likes of £100k Wilsons, Giyas, and MBLs. at that level the potential (less informed) purchaser was bound to wonder why the 8ks were half the price.

"Reassuringly expensive"

I think that is the sad reality, although I paid £4,250 for DSP5ks in 2005 and according to The Bank of England calculator, inflation has been approximately 58% over that period, so they should now cost £6,700, which is nowhere near the current cost of the 5200SE's and a third of the 5200XE's. So the conclusion is that they always were grossly under-priced or they are now becoming very overpriced.

My system in 2005 was 5.0 with DSP5ks front and back with a G68, G98, G12 and a Yamaha 42" plasma (£3,300 pre discount!!). The whole system cost sub £20k including a multi day install by the dealer. I was extremely pleased with the results as were everybody who listened to it and watched a movie. Not sure I would spend north of £50k on an equivalent system today but then if that's what the competition are charging, its the market rate.

I guess that fewer Meridian products will be sold but at higher prices, which in turn makes the company profitable and allows it to continue, just means that the historical trickle down of products onto the 2nd hand market will be less and the prices higher.

Just my thoughts.

Like a new Car that substantively drops in value the moment it’s driven away from the dealership, Meridian DSP’s similarly depreciate.

Or, there’s the pre-registered ‘new’ Cars with delivery mileage that can be purchased at considerable savings.

Similarly, it’s not difficult to find ‘new’ DSP7200SE’s at half the sticker price simply because they have been proverbially driven around the block a few times.

This is the method whereby many of us here will only be able to obtain future Meridian kit that would otherwise require a small mortgage.

I'm sure this is true for a lot of audio equipment, but it does seem the depreciation is especially steep for M DSPs.
On paper, I completely agree with Viruskiller in that the DSPs provide tremendous value when you consider you are getting a completely matched system- amps, drivers, pre-amp, etc. in a beautiful and well-constructed cabinet.

Reviving this semi-old thread. Any birds whispering about other product updates?
I'm looking at what to do for processor/DAC and feel like I'm in limbo here.

Given Meridian’s relationship with Trinnov it’s highly unlikely that Meridian will produce a new AVP.

Yes I suspect that is true.
I just don't like the kludge of a 271 and an external DAC delivering analog channels. (I can't justify the price of the digital alternatives).
I would miss not having a coherent system controlled as one unit.
I also don't like having lots of boxes and a rats-nest of wires.

I love my DSP5200 speakers because I can play any music on them and it sounds good. I have had a number of other brands, like Dynaudio Contours for instance, great at voices but the bass end ... no. Nothing I have listened to is as all-round as these.
They are nowhere near as resolving as my Kef R3 (now that is an astounding but small speaker).
So it would make sense to move to DSP7200.2 or SE but buying an now outdated Meridian DAC or the 271/other DAC seems wrong.
Ideas?

Using a 271 can make things quite easy cabling wise. With a Trinnov it can be a single cable. System use is also easy, on the Meridian side you simply turn it on and off, volume stays at 87. With a Lyngdorf or Storm it is very similar. What adds alot of extra boxes and connectivity is when you are using legacy speakers or a mix there of. Being able to use our beloved DSP speakers in a modern surround system is a big plus. With a Storm ISP elite I was able to not use a 271 when using appropriate cables and interfaces.

Hi Magnus and Bruce
My upgrade of 5200 to SE status along with a new pair of 5200SE was the best investment I made in Meridian kit.
These give me 2 small room zones of extraordinary quality compared to my 7200's which are now only used for TV.
Like Chris I have alighted at my destination in these difficult financial times.
Happy Hector