Meridian Unplugged - Powered by MrTechGuy.co.uk Forums Discussion Meridian - Systems Upgrading my (vintage) system

I am upgrading my front L & R speakers from M60's to 6K's, this is prompting a reappraisal of my system & how best to enjoy it.

Our TV room is 2.7m x 5m with one end having the TV setup - currently a 77" LG G3, Sony BDP800, Humax freesat, HD HD621, 568.2mm, M60's, 5KHC, 2 x D1500's with 2 x DSP33's as rears.
We sit 3m or so from the screen , the rear wall has (full) floor to ceiling bookshelves. When I get the 6K's the D1500's will go.

My only current music source is a Mac feeding lossless files to the F80 in the living room.
In the past I have used Airports to distribute music, but am considering a WiiM or WiiM pro as I will be able to use a digital input on the 568. The optical input is used by the TV.

I have a couple of questions:

- Is the WiiM pro a significant upgrade over the basic offering, is there a better (comparably priced) alternative?

As funds become available would upgrading the centre to a 5200 be a better use of the cash than getting a sub?
Sub-question (pun intended ) The room volume is circa 1270 cu ft, were I to get one for movie LFE what would you recommend?

Thanks, Nick

My own experience with 6k's is that you will never need an LFE. And that the 55k is the easiest path to a center than can play with the 6k's. I think others have gone the SE route. YMMV.

Thanks for the reply. Unfortunately space / aesthetic considerations rule out a 5.5KHC. It sounds like a non-SpeakerLink 5.2KHC would be the best option.
Does anyone have any WiiM experience?

I initially bought the WiiM Mini, which I don’t recommend, and then the Pro which can be OK as a Meridian-level source. I really like their (free) iOS control software, Tidal/Qobuz/Roon plus-other-sources integration and think that SQ improves nicely with a quality 5v power supply and DDC. I use an iFi iPurifier2 between the Pro and a whole house (multi-zone) system.

If you can’t go 5500HC, then try for a 5200CSE and offload the bass to a very large, capable sub, or two, which can also do LFE duties.

JL Audio Fathom, perhaps?

Thanks for the replies. I will order a WiiM pro this week - I’m not sure if a remote is worth getting or if it is best used via phone/iPad.
WRT the 5200HC I obviously have a ‘legacy’ processor so I assume I need legacy connections, particularly as the centre is the master speaker.

Is your 5KC 96/24? Presume so. I would consider an amp board check, a service which won’t cost the earth. Check out SWPNT on here. The tweeter might benefit from a refresh too. I think the 5KC can work fine with 6Ks, especially in the room size you have. I do like the 5200, not tried the SE, so can’t say much there. Other than look however, I can’t recall key differences between the 5KC and 5200C. Sure there are some, I just can’t recall them, I released my M kit some time ago. Had 6K and 7K too for awareness in a slightly larger room but not by much.

Re the WiiM, I have 2 Pro plus models I went straight for these over the other 2 models, I think they are good value. I like the app interface and sound. You can also eq the sound which might be of interest. MS200’s are about used, that might be an option too. You can play around and connect either option to the 6Ks or via the 568. For £250 or thereabouts I think the WiiM pro plus is a pretty solid choice and easy to sell on if you wanted to get something more exotic.

Re subwoofers - I would not do anything until you’ve adjusted to the 6Ks. You might not feel the need for them. I’d experiment with your existing subs (if allowed) before pulling the trigger on anything else, knowing you know them in room. Given the prodigious bass output of the 6Ks you’ll likely find that you will need some large sub box options to surpass them.

Actually, I agree - in a legacy setup, you could use a 5000C if you get it overhauled and tweeters updated, etc. In fact, I would also recommend this for 6Ks at this point, and might even suggest that the biggest upgrade you could make in the first instance is actually get them to Mr Tech Guy or Steve on here for a good refresh service and some new tweeters.

It really makes an enormous difference, if this hasn’t been done already.

The 5200 has a slightly larger cabinet, due to the curved back, so likely a mildly better bass response. They also have apodising firmware, but your processor is already doing this. 5200 series have coaxial and legacy comms inputs, as well as Speakerlink, if memory serves, so you shouldn’t have any trouble there, if you decide to go that route.

I do recommend a sub to reinforce the bass, if not using a VC, rather than just offloading that to the 6Ks. There’s an option in MConfig, iirc, to use the sub to reinforce the centre channel specifically (as well as LFE). I guess this is due to the traditionally smaller HC designs, which simply can’t match the bass output of much larger mains…?

Edit: just remembered that 568.2mm does not have apodising, I think? In this case 5200 might be a bit of an improvement (although I have never heard a mix-match of non-apodising mains with apodising centre…).

Thanks for the input. Steve has recapped my system & is supplying the 6K’s!!
The 5KHC will be in use for a while at least so I’ll see how I get on.

Oh it was you who got his lovely 6Ks - congrats!

Maybe just try one of your existing subs supplementing the 5KHC first, this may be enough!

Great system you’re building - enjoy

They are now in Cornwall & sound magnificent 😀😀. I don’t think a sub is required!!
Now I need to sell the M60’s & D1500’s…..

Enjoy!