Meridian Unplugged - Powered by MrTechGuy.co.uk Forums Discussion Meridian - Systems F80 - Any tips and tweaks?

Hmm guess I can email Meridian but any ideas on the new firmware revision number and features?

Guess some sort of bootable ISO to make a magic CD is a bit unlikely and it'll be a dealer job?

Ah yes. Bootable CD. Of course.

When I first got my F80, I got this advice from 'Mother'.


I found it very good advice.

There are friendly dealers out there . Sorry to have inadvertently hijacked your thread. I'd be most interested in tips and tricks for the F80. I think there is a lot of information in the main F80 thread though.

Happened to be in Harrods at the weekend and they had 2 F80`s on display (1 red and 1 Black)

One of the F80`s was hooked up to a 28” LCD playing a music concert type DVD across a composite connection, with volume at about 20. Indeed, the F80 was partially behind the LCD and I had almost walked past it before I realised what it was

The F80 settings were set at “Floor”, Width at 2, Bass at +10 and Tilt at 0??????? I moved the F80 out from behind the LCD, found a CD and then played around with the settings until I got the best match for where they had it on display. I turned the volume up to 65 and then left it alone. I did all this without any salesman asking me any questions.

The other F80 was on display and did not have a power cord connected, therefore people could not hear it. I managed to find the power cord, power it up and play a CD. Again I played with the settings until I got the best match and turned it up to 65.

It was interesting to then see a number of people walk up to both machines, listen and nod approvingly.

While I wish that Meridian would spend more time on their higher end equipment, I fully comprehend the business and “name recognition” case for the F80. If I was Bob Stuart, Harrods would be one of first places I would put such a product given the number of people from all round the world who go there expecting to see and hear the best.

However, for all the same reasons, I would make DAMN sure that they were set up properly to give of their best when people saw them. Showing a DVD at low volume on a 28” LCD is obviously not showing the strengths of the F80 and as for not having one connected..........

By all means, put them there on display, but don`t rely on ignorant sales people to display them. Go the extra mile and make sure they are set up properly. Train at least 1 of the people (for free) on how to set them up. Just make the extra effort. Don`t make the shipment and then “hope they sell”. Insane!!

So it is a cable after all.

Shame about the cable, I was hoping it would be a DIY job via a CD but hey ho c'est la vie.

RHurley - I'd heard of one, but first actually heard one in Harrods as I was down in London and happened to be killing a few hours.

Tbh I thought it sounded crap on the crowded shop floor and I certainly wouldn't have brought one based off what I heard. It's a shame as I suspect many people wouldn't have gone to the bother of trying one at a dealers.

Any ideas what/how the DSP does its stuff?

I've seen a few videos about the benefits in terms of the speakers, but I'm not clear how much "on the fly" trickery is being done?

hutchingsp. You need to try it in any normal room perhaps.

It is astonishing in what it can do. This is the trouble with major stores, Meridian have no control on how they are demo'd.

Make the effort to have a proper demo, Let your ears settle down from the busy day you may have had. You have to be smarter than the shop somtimes. You wont be dissappointed.


Cheers, Chris