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

Hi Ian,

Thank you for your reply, and please don't think for one second your message is of no use.
Quite the opposite actually.
It proves there is an issue with the DSW.
Your non Meridian sub handled it fine.

I myself purchased a second DSW to help lessen the load on the DSW, and foolishly thought that it had cured it. IT HASN'T!!
I have since come across a few other scenes that cause the same issue.
I have changed the calibration settings and have to go to minus 10 for it to disappear.
If I keep the calibration level up it happens even with the sub size reduced down to 12.

I have been meaning to raise the issue with M but have been very busy lately. I will certainly be getting on to it though.

Can't believe that more people haven't noticed their DSWs doing this.

Thanks again for your message.
Cheers
Nick

Yes it has to be a DSW issue. Still waiting on my 2nd DSW to arrive but in the meantime i got the same problem appear multiple times, for instance top gun maverick, during opening screne. And sub levels aren't even that high to my ears. Started to watch Stranger Things last weekend, and the bass levels are much higher; never skipped a beat!

Let me know if you opened a ticket as i will reply to that aswell.

Hi Frans

It's odd that just me, you and Nick that are reporting this DSW issue but it is absolutely repeatable. However I've just tried Top Gun Maverick 4k Bluray and the intro is fine for me. Watched first 2 mins. There is a lot of LFE and the DSW cone moves a lot but I don't hear the rattle. I know at least 3 of my blurays do it but can't remember which ones apart from Alita 4k! There is a 6 second sequence from around 50 seconds at the start that sounds dreadful as the volume of the soundtrack at that point is not that loud so it's very pronounced.

Looking forward to a response from M when Nick gives them the details. Think I'll get Passengers and try that one too.

All the best
Bob

Hi guys

Issue raised with Meridian. Please feel free to chip in.

Just so you are aware I have been changing the low pass filter level to see if that helps. I am currently at 40 Hz and the problem is still there with calibration level at minus 7.5.
I have run dozens of tests now at different levels across the board and it seems the only way to get rid of the issue is sub at size 10, which is utterly ridiculous. Calibration level down to at least minus 10. Again, ridiculous.

I wonder if any dealers would like to check the issue if they have any DSW's in their systems.

Cheers,
Nick

Just to add that I also have this issue and I have 4 first revision DSWs of various ages.

Not sure that I can add any value to this thread but I have noticed that nobody seems to have tested between music and movie modes. Something I will try myself if I ever get the time.

Thanks for your reply Marvin

That is very interesting, and helpful information.

I have quite a few tracks which are very bass heavy and have never noticed the issue with music.

I think it's fair to say that if a single DSW bottomed out occasionally but rarely, we would probably accept it to a certain degree, if the volume was very high.
Two Dsw's sharing the load, No. It shouldn't happen.
But FOUR Dsw's, that is crazy and I would say, proves that it is a specific frequency, which is definitely not even that deep, and therefore completely fixable.

If any of you have 'The Hobbit, The desolation of smaug' on 4k, try the battle scene at the end.
Bilbo runs into a hall and smaug smashes through the wall. It goes quiet as the flag drops to the floor. When the flagpole hits the floor the Dsw's pop. It's definitely not sub bass, but causes the issue.
I have reconfigured and recalibrated my settings dozens of times at different levels but it still happens.

Hopefully Meridian can come up with a fix.

Cheers

Nick

I can confirm it never happens during music listening.

Not sure I was being clear. I wasn't referring to music or music content but movie or music modes. I think the only really easy way to change it is by using a 818 or AC200 unless using an 861 where it changes automatically.

Instructions from a helpful dealer.


Start the Meridian Configuration program.
Then in the Config program open the 'Control Window' (just to the right of 'Store' on the top toolbar.

This opens the 'Control Window' popup
Use the 'Command' tab
The Command will default to 'ID'
Check you have your correct Com port (PC specific) and then Click 'Send' to check the connection, the DSW should respond.

Now to change from Music to Movie type in the Command Box (where ID was), and press 'Send'
For Movie: Mm MO (Then 'Send')
For Music: Mm MU (Then 'Send')
For Speakerlink control (default): Mm SL (Then 'Send')

Just for the record i have also seen particular movies cause this same issue with the subs and have reported it.

Ok my 2nd DSW.2 was received. When playing the problematic movie pieces without calibrating the same behavior occurs on the new sub as well so it’s safe to say it is a problem “by design”.

After recalibrating my system the problem disappears using stacked subs in Trinnov settings but the bass as a whole is somewhat distant. Disabling stacked subs is making the bass more apparent and still very clean, but occasionally the pop is appearing though very rare.

Overall the bass is much improved: I’m simply unable to pinpoint where it’s coming from. Using one sub it was detectable where the sound came from.

If Meridian is able to fix this overdriving of the woofer I would be very happy! Needs to be fixed IMO

Very interesting Frans but we 861 owners don't have that [stacked subs] option!

As you say with one DSW it is totally apparent it is coming from there. If you feel underneath without being too close to the cone you can sense that it suffers a very sharp transient causing a sudden sharp movement. I have submitted a report to Meridian twice and on the second time they acknowledged receipt of my report and it was sent to their Technical Department. We can only hope!

Bob

How did you submit the report, email, dealer or is there an online form?

Perhaps all us affected users should be doing the same.