Meridian Unplugged - Powered by MrTechGuy.co.uk Forums Discussion Meridian - Systems 568 and dsp6000 vs. 568 and analogue speakers?

I love reading topics about sound, sound reproduction, and audiophilia in general. I would like to put in my few cents about selecting a speaker.

I am not a professional advisor about audio or "stereo" equipment. I have though, advised several individuals over many years on ways to purchase, improve or change their system to achieve the sound and feeling that they are wanting.

First, while it is always good to get input from others about problems or advantages about any stereo component, it always comes down to what YOU hear. I always have trouble explaining what I hear to others in terms that are universal, since I haven't seen a dictionary that defines what "color", "space", etc., mean in audio terms. I have on many occasions heard people use different terms to describe something that they hear. Why is that? Because we hear everything differently! What I hear as forward, or "in your face" others may hear as lively. The only way that I have found that my input is useful to someone is to visit with them, listen to the type of music they listen too, watch and learn how they set up their system, then offer suggestions that I feel will benefit what they "say" they are trying to achieve with the changes they are looking for with upgrades to their system.

Second, any advice gained from others must be verified before going forward, otherwise you will not only end up being disappointed with the sound, you will waste time, and money, on products that never would have met your needs in the beginning. For example, as I stated above I have helped many people build entertainment systems of several years, but it took me 5 years to find components that I personally could be happy with. It is not my dream system, but it meets my needs, is within my budget, and provides the closest sound to real life that I "personally" can achieve with an electronically reproduced signal.

All of this comes down, again, to what you hear. If you have damaged your hearing by working in a loud environment, like a factory, or and airport. I for example, spent several years playing live music in large auditoriums and stadiums; thus I know I have some diminished hearing at some frequencies. Do not allow yourself to fall for something that you are told is "the best" product, simply because it costs more than something else, or plays louder than most components at a given price point.

The environment in which you are going to place the system you desire has as big an impact as any single component of the system. The layout of the room, as well as the types, sizes and construction of the furniture will affect the sound.

I recently helped a friend locate "the system of his dreams" at a dealer that, fortunately, would allow him to audition it at his home. After setting up the equipment, after calibration was complete, the sound produced from exactly the same equipment used at the showroom, sounded awful in this setting. The sound to me in the showroom was "lively", "crisp" and "forward", just as he wanted. But, at his house it was blaring, and the voices and background jumbled together. He was very disappointed because he really wanted this system to work out because he was told that, "it was the system to have".

I have found that I personally enjoy listening to Meridian "systems" for the reasons I stated above. My problem is that to achieve the sound that I feel that I need in a Meridian system, and to do the system the justice it deserves completely blows my budget.

There are very obvious advantages to having the DSP speakers that Meridian offers, which many people have described on this board before, so I wont go into detail. The key to making any reproduced sound appeal to the listener, is to find that combination of components, wire, and speakers that sound "real" to you.

The direct reflecting, bipolar, etc. speakers are even more susceptible to room variables impacting the sound reproduction. The fundamental problem with these speakers is that the reflected sound is delayed by the physical space between the rear of the speaker and the reflecting surface. This can cause problems in some rooms where the back wall either is very reflective or absorbs the sound. The space between the speaker, the wall, and the listener must be carefully evaluated before this type of application is used.

Enough ranting and rambling, I will end for now. The key is to listen. Truly listen. Don't let the status of a product be the deciding point.

[This message has been edited by h0mer (edited 11-27-2001).]

[This message has been edited by h0mer (edited 11-27-2001).]

[This message has been edited by h0mer (edited 11-27-2001).]

I did not get the impression that we ranted or rambled each other, or did we ? I always got the impression that this is an open forum and although we cherish what we own we still are open minded.

I think DC got honest advice. He was impressed by the "complete Meridian system" he heard and knows now that the room and the speakers, especially in this case, mainly determined the sound character, not the processor. So it would be a good idea to look for new speakers or a different placement, or treatment for the room.

Cheers,
Andreas

[This message has been edited by Andreas (edited 11-27-2001).]

You are correct, this is an open board. I was referring to MY ranting and rambling. I am sorry if anyone thought that I was directing that at them.

OOPS, no, you are right, I should buy some glasses .

Cheers,
Andreas

Dave,

I recently had an opportunity to compare all three of the Meridian processors with my analogue speakers at home over an extended period. Let me explain...

My system consists of an 800/861 driving a 558 power amp, and then Revel Ultima Studio/Voice/Embrace speakers (in a 5.0 configuration, with bass and LFE summed for the main stereo pair). However, the 800 and 861 both broke down and had to be returned to Meridian for repair. My local dealer lent me a 568, which I fed from my spare DVD player (a mid range Rotel machine). Then, he had to ask for the 568 back (to do a customer demo), so he lent me a 561 instead. I had the 568 and 561 each for about 2 weeks; then the 861 came back from repair. So I heard all three in close quarters in an analogue context.

I did make a few observations about the three processors during this time:

(1) They are all very, very good! They really do all shine in an analogue context.

(2) Price and quality are actually pretty well correlated. That's to say the best by far of the 3 really was the 861; smooth, detailed and very, very musical. I could listen to it for hours (I do actually!) It can even make my old Rotel DVD sound ok. The 568 was pretty darn good too, losing not too much on detail, and in other respects also very good. The 561, while not the best of the 3, was still absolutely fine; in no way unmusical. Just not quite as detailed and smooth.

(3) The 561 does have a significantly higher noise level than the other 2 processors. I noticed this particularly on movies; if you put the DVD player on pause, you really can hear a noticeable hiss from the speakers. The 568 is much quiter, while the 861 absolutely silent. This is one important reason to go for the 568 if you can afford it.

(4) However, if the budget is tight, the 561 nonetheless does have a lot going for it. It had a better bass than the 568 (in the context of my system), and is much lower price than the 568, especially if you need the video switching capability. This does not come as standard with the 568 (I think you also have to buy a 562V, and that makes the cost nearly double a 561).

(5) One other thing to remember is that the 561 only has single ended outputs, whereas the 568 has balanced for the front three speakers. I don't know if this is important to you, I certainly do run balanced outputs to the 558, normally from the 861 for all 5 channels.

Hope this is of some help.

Regards,

Andy Evans

Andy,
That was a very helpful review summary. I have been leaning towards a used 568 if I go with Meridian.

Thanks,
Dave