Meridian Unplugged - Powered by MrTechGuy.co.uk Forums Discussion Meridian - Systems 7200SE or 8000.2

Hi All,

I have pair of 7200SE DSPs and I see that Rick at Audio Images has a pair 8000.2s, would the 8k.2 be better than my 7200SE running with 818v3, if anyone has listened to both?

I would say so, but, you should go and listen to decide. The performance gap between 7k2 and 8k.2 is quite significant across all vintages. The SE helps the 7k2 but IMHO the 8k.2 will be the winner.

I’ve had both, they are different beasts. I prefer the presentation of 7200s. Definitely go and listen.

Thanks for your info chaps. Rick has a pair of 8KSE as well but a bit too much for p/x for me. Have to go and have a listen.

The 8k all the way when it comes to power and authority. The 7200SE will have a slight edge on the higher frequency spectrum.

I agree.

8Ks are really so different to 7200 of any kind that, as others have said, you really should listen. 8Ks have massive scale, authority, and bass presence. They sound big, visceral, and the most like being close up to a live concert, to my ears. There's really nothing quite like them. They are truly full-range and this does make a difference, as does being human-sized, psychoacoustically. Side-firing bass drivers load a room differently also, and that is part of the above sound-impression.

7200SE might have slightly more detail in the upper registers - the Be tweeter is technically better - but as usual it's all in the implementation not just the components and the overall presentation is so different you'd have to do a careful listen side by side to really assess this (sometimes less bass/fullness in lower frequencies can give an impression of more detail higher up, or 'speed' unless room placement is optimised for bass modes, etc.). With the MQA unfold capable firmware on 8K.2 this might be closer than you'd think - at least I thought so when I owned 7200.2/818v3 and that firmware came out.

You might find the 7200SE more domesticlally acceptable, size-wise, if that's a consideration!

Don't think you can really go wrong with either, though, it's like having a choice between a supercar and a slightly bigger supercar...

What he said.

Rick has the 8k.2 and the 8kSE which is another £10k more than the 8k.2 It's just getting past the wife, is there much between the 8k.2 and the 8kSE?

Do the 8k.2 play MQ?

The 8k.2 will play MQA with the correct firmware which I am sure it has. Main difference between 8k.2 and SE is the tweeter.
If the SE is a factory version versus an upgraded pair, the different implementation of the clamp rings will make a small difference. Listen to them all and let your ears and resources decide.

If it helps I’ve had 8K’s since 2013. Then I upgraded to SE.

It’s a massive difference and worth every penny.

But it all comes down to budget, you wouldn’t regret either.

Cheers
Greg

Yes agree in general with previous comments, however don't forget the room, in a small/smaller room 7200SE may just provide the optimum result, especially if bass is not your prerogative concern after due peroration.

Didn’t Bob Stuart once say something along the lines of if he had to use any speaker in a phone box it would be 8Ks?

Having had 6ks and 7200.2 in the same room, either was fine bass-wise when positioned well. This wasn’t a large room, about 4x5m. I’d give the nod to 6ks for bass presence, but it was no looser than the 7200.

However, bass is definitely fuller/more prominent, so yeah make sure that suits your taste, as Hector rightly says!

Physically/aesthetically though, is totally different - 8Ks could definitely overwhelm the wrong room where 7200 might blend in better…