Meridian Unplugged - Powered by MrTechGuy.co.uk Forums Discussion Meridian - Systems Possible DSW issue - popping / cracking

Hello guys

Just wondering if anyone has experienced the issue I have?

I finally got round to watching the Chris Pratt movie ‘Passengers’. During the opening asteroid scene and especially the final reactor scene my DSW was popping/ cracking.

The volume was on 70. I have lowered its setting in config to minus 5, and it still happens. I tried the 4k disc and the Blu-ray and it happens on both.

Next I tried Dune and Tenet, both much more powerful soundtracks, and increased the volume to 75. The DSW just took it all in its stride. My door was rattling in its frame, and my autistic daughter came running in screaming at me to turn it down!!!

If anyone has the movie and could test it, I would be grateful to hear the outcome.

Much appreciated,
Nick

Hello Nick,

I'm experiencing the exact same problem (i think). With movies Underwater and a Quiet Place my sub is popping multiple times when some aggressive bass is required. I will test Dune / Tennet when i have the time.

To be sure we experience the same: i have recorded a small sample: https://saasgui.yodacloud.net/sharing/xtohumapK you can hear the pops at 0:28 and 0:30

It's not due to the volume level as you mentioned already, normal listening levels. Is my DSW.2 faulty?

Regards,

Frans

Hi Nick,

as a matter of interest, how did you connect your DSW into system for signal and comms?

I thought the DSW was SL only and the rest of your kit is pre-SL so did you use some kind of adaptor, AC12, etc.?

Sub connected via an ac12 from the centre speaker.
I have reduced sub level in calibration down to -5. This has obviously reduced the problem but still happening at the same point in the film 'Passengers'. Just at a reduced amount.

Thanks for your replys. It would be lovely if Meridian would check what's going on and get back to us!!

Nick

Nick, does it make the same sound as my sample?

I talked to Trinnov support about this they think this is a subwoofer issue.

Thanks Nick.

For some reason I thought that was not possible with the DSW. Good to know it works.

Hi Nick,

I've listened to your sample and wonder if the sub is over extending. What is the sub configured as in terms of config "size". I've had similar issues and if I run size at Max it clips so I run it at size 30 with level -5db as determined by a sound meter when calibrating. The clipping only happened on a few films in certain places. When it happens can you feel the cone move a lot if you hold your hand underneath?
Just some thoughts
Bob

Hello Frans,

I have listened to your recording and would say it does sound the same. I do agree with Trinnov. I think the sub is just bottoming out. Which is a shame after what it is capable of with other films. Maybe it is a particular frequency that causes it. Who knows.

Nick

Hello Bob

The recording is of Frans sub. Doing the same thing as mine.
My sub is now at -5. Size is max, as that is default for all Meridian DSP speakers.

I have pushed the sub much much harder with other films and it just shrugged them off as I said in my original message.

Do you think it could be frequency dependent as Dune and Tenet are far more powerful soundtracks?

Nick

Hi Nick,

I would tend to agree as in my experience it's only certain sections of a few films (Alita at the start is one). I reduced the DSW size to 30 from max so I don't get the effect on any films, although it will re-appear if I listen above 75.

As I mentioned if you feel the cone underneath when it happens the travel is very large so it's beyond what it is capable of I think unless it's hitting the floor and that is the sound!

Regards
Bob

I will reduce the size to 30 and see what happens.
Thanks Bob

Nick

Hi Nick,

You've got me thinking so I tried Alita again and at the start the sound is not especially loud or dynamic but there is obviously a frequency the DSW doesn't like. At size 30 and volume 70 it clips, at volume 68 it still does it and at 66 it can just cope. Not great at all. However I've got about 3 soundtracks where this happens for a brief moment so I think to remove the effect altogether I had to reduce the size significantly which then compromises the sound for the rest of all the soundtracks. So I decided to go for size 30 and when watching these films keep the volume at 66 while the effect occurs then increase to whatever level I am happy with. As you say Tenet and Dune are fine throughout. When the DSW clips the cone travel is very large for an instant.

A compromise which is not great for such expensive kit. I'd forgotten about the issue till your post. I might raise with my dealer. My DSW is the first edition so interesting it still occurs on the .2 version.

Best regards
Bob