Meridian Unplugged - Powered by MrTechGuy.co.uk Forums Discussion Meridian - Systems New Product - Meridian Audio Ellipse

Gosh, I bought a Naim Muso-qb 2 thinking to replace or upgrade the F80. It didn’t hold a candle.

2024, I’m still so impressed by the F80 and over 25 years I’ve been through enough audio equipment (too many $10k-30k systems to admit) to know whats truly good and reviews and hype more times than not don’t translate into my real world experience. Maybe the Ellipse trumps it when avail 2nd hand at better price. Use it with wiim mini

The Ellipse is currently on dem in Russ Andrews’ room at the UK Hi-fi show in Ascot 21-22 Sept 2024

I keep having to check that it is the Meridian that I am listening to!

"Bass & Space" works well

I have a put picture in gallery. Not sure link is correct-using iPhone! (now fixed!)

Dropped by to hear it again, still sounds very impressive!

Had a guy check to see if the audio was playing from the pair of loudspeakers flanking it.

Would have been good to have seen/heard more Meridian kit here.

On an unrelated note: The standouts for me so far have been the Perlistens and SVS rooms at the Karma AV stands.

What on earth is all that carnage surrounding it for?

That carnage is the remains of Meridian's credibility.
Who the heck at Meridian thought Russ Abbot would be a good idea to have any association with? Are M sooo desperate that they'll associate their brand with the industry's clown company?

Seriously time to review brand loyalties Chez-Moi.

I know what you mean about the intestinal mess of magic cabling and mystery black boxes of the surrounding system. By contrast, I felt that just showed off to good advantage the simplicity of the Ellipse as a one box, no-fuss solution for those who really can't be bothered with all that mystical faff and tweakery just to listen to music. Amazing soundstage for such a little thing, clean and articulate as well. I was more impressed with it than I thought I'd be.
I still feel it needs a radio.

Good to see someone understood the concept and had no need to be rude about it!🤔
l did hear it recently alongside the XE’s and the amazing DSP9’s and it was very impressive for what it is meant to be.
Best
Relham

I've been listening to the Ellipse and have to say the sound staging is unbelievable (and I'm not exaggerating with this word) for such a small unit. The sound stage can stretch across at least 4m*, with a good sense of depth and height.

The only thing I can say about this unit which seems unusual compared to Meridian's typical signature sound is that (to my mind) the vocals can sound a little recessed (which I'm hoping they might change in a firmware update). While it's not going to win against the likes of a DSP8000XE on higher frequencies, this is a single unit that can thrash separates that cost somewhat more. Just incredible.


*I'm not sure whether this is related to the acoustics in this room, but it seems the sound stage gets wider the further away from the unit you are. At 4m, it's utterly convincing that the sound is coming from everywhere, but the unit itself.

That carnage is the bread and butter of the shysters whose room it was. They have no interest in showing how all that dross can be replaced by a single box from a reputable manufacturer, so why was it there and what was their message? Who at Meridian signed off on getting involved with Russ’s crew?

I think this post probably violates several forum rules, perhaps you should refresh your memory of them at the link at top of page.

Russ Andrews have been a Meridian dealer for many years, over a decade if I recall correctly. Presumably, they were showcasing the new Meridian speaker as a part of the overall range of products they offer.

There seem to be some audiophiles who like to see all the wiring and equipment on show. Personally I find it a huge distraction from the music. I’ve always hidden my equipment away in cupboards and buried my speaker cables in walls or floors. I will just about tolerate seeing my Dsp7200se speakers because at least Meridian design good looking speakers but I don’t ever want to see any of the back room stuff thanks.

+1

I currently have a setup where I deliberately use a portable projector screen which rolls upwards from the base and route as much of the wiring as possible behind this so it’s not visible in the main part of the room. Behind there, though, it’s a mess!

I love my Meridian gear, but I never understood the marketing claim that DSPs use less wires when they use more - signal, comms, and power to each speaker and some comms back to others, or a common block. Once you get into a surround setup, with network cabling and switches too for Roon, etc., and all the sources, there is an insane amount of wiring!

Honestly, even if star grounding everything (which I think might be what is pictured) was the way to go, I just couldn’t bring myself to add even more cables right now.

One day, when funds allow, I would love to do a full install and get it all into the walls… gone are the days when I love staring at all this!

[edit: I also don’t mind the look of the newer DSPs, they can stay, but all the rest can hide away]