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

James

I'm not sure the email from Meridian relays anything to be alarmed about. So the existing product isn't upgradeable, but on the face of it, that was always the case.

I take heart from the fact that a) you got a quick response (good to know the company still cares) and b) they have a number of interesting ideas for future iterations of the product (a sure sign that they see the Meridian project as an ongoing concern).

If you want wireless with the existing F80, why not just plug a Squeezebox into it?

Jezclayton

I think this is probably the best "budget" Meridian multi-channel system I've come across. It makes a *lot* of sense to me.

Virus, He is not selling that Kit. He is selling all the kit in the loft no longer used.
The F80 has spurred him into action.

His Main system sounds great.

Cheers, Chris:)

No no. I was just commenting that it was a really good, cost conscious, Meridian multi-channel system. In particular, the M60s have superb bass (better than the DSP5000s IMO), the DSP5000C has exceptional clarity for dialogue, and the M33s will be great for rear movie duties where a larger speaker isn't strictly necessary. The 561 is great and a current bargain (though less so vs. the 568.1 these days) and the 596 is a very good CD and DVD player (for audio). When SDI-modded, the 596 is even better.

SWMBO is a happy bunny once more, we collected the F80 on Saturday and yes its as good as we remembered it to be. Meridian did not give anything away as to what caused the sound on CD/DVD to fail but not on radio, but have sent us a completely new F80 in its place.

Well done Gavin, I am glad to hear they swapped it for you.
Now you have to run it in again, what a Chore!!!

Cheers Chris

Argh! I just found out that at a recent event my local Meridian dealer (www.definitive.com) had, that Meridian USA demoed the F80. I should have guessed, seeing as they were on the list, since Meridian have done many (world first) launches at this dealer in the past. I've enquired on US retail price and availability though, so hopefully I'll find that out to pass along.

USA launch: According to the dealer, the retail price is $3000 and the official US launch will be at CES (maybe they meant Cedia though). However a few dealers (including themselves) have been allotted units before then, and there's about a 6-8 week backorder from now.

Our Meridian system is in the family room, and my downgrade of a G68J to a 561 was due to a baby being on the way. However, after listening to Dolf's system a few weeks ago my wife really started replicating my desire for some DSP speakers in the living room, but we decided that with a toddler in a couple of years they could have toy cars etc smashed into the side of them. We're solving this by preordering (with no obligation to buy if we don't like the sound when it arrives)a black F80

You wont be Dissappointed with the sound of the F80, (It is DSP) although it will not outperform a full surround system.
When you can get your main system going again (Kids Hi-Fi Trained), the F80 will not be obsolete.

$3000 is exactly what it costs in the UK with exchange rates as they are.

Enjoy, Chris

Amazing isn't it, it's still cheaper in the USA considering the exchange rate, shipping costs and import duty.

Well not quite, as the UK price includes VAT and my price has an extra 8.8% to slap on for local sales tax afterwards. Taking that into account the retail price before any import duties and shipping is about $2550 and my final out the door will be $3264. But yeah, still only about 100 quid more

I wonder if it will still have the DAB tuner for when we travel up into Canada?