Meridian Unplugged - Powered by MrTechGuy.co.uk Forums Discussion Meridian - Systems F80

George

I hope it is as good as you believe (I don't doubt your opinion), but can you honestly say it will be at the top of your shopping list (and would you be trying to hide your embarrassment from your wife at having spent that much on what she will most definitely regard as a radio)?

In this age, �1500 buys a lot of electronic goodies, or shoes for that matter.

Regards

Jezclayton

I will only buy this if it comes in ferrari carbon fiber and of course with the matching luggage!

best regards,
Jerry

I'm sorry, but all I can think of when I see it is a Bose Wave radio. Prejudices aside, I don't get it - the target demographics will likely want something a bit more stylish. Honestly, what type of decor would be enhanced with an F80?

Jez, I can certainly understand your view - I'm feeling a little the same way. They showed us a little with the initial picture, then the video showed a bit more, and then it was all blown by charver like coverage of the final product. They need Time magazine, Readers Digest or Radio Times coverage, not Shiny Shiny.

When the local dealer gets one, I'll go for a non-prejudiced listen though.

I don't know how many not so excited folks here went to the Meridian Tour. But I was really impressed by the feedback after that tour. I think Meridian knows you have to listen to it before you judge it and possibly part of the reason they had the tour.

I am interested in an all-in-one solution for our cottage. But I really would like it to be an all in one Music Server than a CD/FM radio. I know I could plug in a Music server and have a computer server. But then it's not so all in one.

That doesn't mean Meridian couldn't do one in the future.

They could easily use these as Second Zones. All-In-One music servers (just need the Music Server part).

I also assume the deal with Ferrari means that Meridian may have a contract with Ferrari for their car audio systems.

The better Meridian does with this we all win. If Meridian gets more volume then maybe they don't have to have such high prices on some technology.

I'm also exicited that Meridian is in R&D of new DSP audio again. I'm looking forward to listening to one. But I will probably hold out for the F82 (Music Server based). If I had not recently exposed myself to sqeezebox I may have thought differently. There is no going back to CD's for me.

One after thought for the Joe Winecooler customer. They should have built the iPod dock into the F80.

By the way I had an idea for the HDD in the unit. They could put good chunk of memory in it and buffer 1hr worth of music. Then spin the drive up buffer another hr and then spin down. To keep it quiet 99% of the time.

Also a question assuming your allowed to answer. Does the F80 use wave guides and exotic drivers to get it's sound or is it standard in wall speaker type drivers and it all done in DSP?

The cost of the F80 at �1500 does sound steep, but then, how may of us have spent ���� on Meridian kit when a better paper spec'd alternative comes in at a few ���.

Put the F80 against ���� worth of Meridian kit, as a second/alternative/luggable piece of kit, the F80 is a very desirable alternative and, except for critical listening, its going to run ���� kit very close.

It's not. Meridian will never be mass market. However, there are a lot of wealthy people out there who have never heard of Meridian and whose idea of high-end is Bose and B&O. They are the target audience for the F80.

Boys, Boys, as much as I understand your reticance; you HAVE!! to hear it to believe it!!!

As Bob says, people like quality things, they buy Rolex, they buy Diamonds. They will buy the Meridian F80!!!! (My conservatory awaits as funds become available).

I dare you to take your G91 squeezebox DSP speakers etc on a weekend break with you and see what managment has to say about it.

With the F80 she will be very pleased. 'Take that' in Hi-Fi quality, can you bear it?

New cars often have an issue with people not initialy liking the styling, but in time everything else just looks 'Old'.
But, with time, performance will show through.

Joe sixpack will miss out I am afraid, but then he nearly always does.
'Attitude' My Glass is half full, and filling rapidly.

Cheers, Chris

Chris!

You're....going....to...buy....a new one!?

Regards

Mark

Mark,

there's a first time for everything afterall

George,

IIRC correctly, there are no tube tricks like a waveradio in the F80. The drivers are all mounted just behind the cloth grills and it's the DSP that does the rest.

Bob indicated that it's the big DSP technology that's made it's way into the F80 rather than the F80 breaking new ground. I think you'll find boundary settings in it for example.

The new technology that is in there is probably around the compact surface mount stuff and certainly the digital amps. These were carefully selected for SQ and also the run-cool performance for the tiny unit.

It doesn't carry HDMI as it's not designed to be plugged into your 50" plasma or PJ. If you have those then you have the full setup to go with it.
It has Composite and S which will suit tha vast majority of conservatory/cottage/holiday home/kitchen/bedrooms/hotel room/2nd room locations that it is targeted for.

Waveradio equivilant? Expensive alarm clock ?
Yes, to both. BUT, just hold back on dismissing it you hear it.

And, btw, I didn't list �1500 boom-box as I didn't spot anywhere to put the 8 x big batteries in and there's no grab handle for shoulder mounting

No-one has yet mentioned that what seems to be feet underneath are actually small wheels. And that combined with the label at left: "RoboMop Mode" made me think of...