Meridian Unplugged - Powered by MrTechGuy.co.uk Forums Discussion Meridian - Systems Thinking about DSP again

I thought about this a few years back - at the time I had a rented house with a fairly damped living room. I was 5m away from my speakers.

These days I'm about 2.5m away from my speakers and they are a lot brighter sounding than they were in the room we had when I bought them. In that same room, I compared my current B&W 705s to the DSP5000s (smiley faced IIRC) and found the 5ks to be too laid back.

Now I'm wondering whether they would suit me better in the smaller rooms I seem to be in these days.

I guess the only downside to the 5ks is the limited selection of finishes. Plus they are rather large as I recall.

I'm also finding myself getting frustrated with the 568 again - its DTS problems on my favourite BT DVD. I guess DSP isn't going to help that.

I just want a nice sound that isn't fatiguing - the B&Ws aren't delivering that now they are closer to me. I find myself enjoying the sound from my cheapo Yamaha active servo computer speakers more than my main hifi!

Get an F80 Chris............

A Small room Mirracle.

Cheers, Chris

I still want 5.1 surround sound etc.

ChrisG - You may have gathered I've recently replaced by 18-bit 5ks with an F80 and I'm delighted. I had severe positional problems in the room and, in the end, the 5ks had to give.

What does the F80 do that helps solve the positional problems (that I presume cause you some room acoustic issues?)?

You really need a home trial, It will shock you at how good it sounds, also just how you keep useing it.

Its addictive.

With small TV's the picture is great, only being S vid.

The sound, with it just below the TV (Not Tried it above) is astonishing for one so small.

It aint HD, but in a small room, who cares.

Just the thing to ride out the format war IMHO.

If I could only keep one posession, a bit like desert Island discs, I would keep the F80. Nuff Said!!!!

Cheers, Chris (Unfortunatly, not on commision)

P.S. and its DSP !!

It probably doesn't have as low a frequency response as a DSP5000, so it is less likely to excite room boom.

Mark S

More furniture layout problems! We have doors, a fireplace and a couple of other features that mean we can't optimize the room for both listening and living... The F80 can be stuck in a corner, on a table, shelf, etc. Problem solved.

I would note though that I'm not using it for video.

Joel, If you have any concert DVD's, try the F80 with them.
The video is not critical here and the sound is great.

The jools Holland series is a good start. The sound detail is amazing, you can distinguish the backing singers easily. Tambourines stand out, watch any musician and you can pick out what they are playing.

Cheers, Chris

Chris Geary-
I use both the 5000s and the 5200s in a smallish room (condo) - they are overkills but sounds wonderful with MRC - no fatigue issues, easily tuned to the room; they are still big though relative to other solutions like 3200.

Do you guys (F80 users) miss surround in your applications?
(or just not applicable in the bathrooms? )

ken

Ken, your right. The bathroom is too small.

Surround is better, but the F80 has plenty to offer if your stuck for space.

I bet if you lived with one for a week, you would be reluctant to be without it.

Cheers, Chris

Chris G,

I often listen to a family member's Arcam / B&W rig at close range (room size etc) and always find it quite fatiguing. Initially it sounds really detailed and crisp but you just can't do it for long (and loud) sessions.
Everytime I come home, I find that my DSP's have always allowed for endless listening, but, without losing any of that detail. It's just not in my face.

In your shoes, I'd try a pair of 5200's.

The F80 is a fab product but it's not going to give yu a hi-fi presentation is that's what you need.