Meridian Unplugged - Powered by MrTechGuy.co.uk Forums Discussion Meridian - Systems Show Me Your (Gear) Rack!

Thanks for the feeedback. Regarding the lack of center channel: the DSP8000s project such a wonderful phantom center that I've felt that a center channel speaker is unnecessary, but I have often wondered if I should add one.

So... a few weeks ago I purchased a used DSP5000C (96/24) to see if it would make a significant (and positive) difference in the system. After exhaustive testing, I've come to the conclusion that I prefer the system without the center channel. No matter how tightly I try to integrate it (using all the adjustment capabilities of the 568.2 and the Trifield preset) in my system, the image is just not as coherent or natural with the center channel speaker as it is without.

Interesting, Frank, that I purchased the DSP5000C from a guy who, like you, has DSP5500 main speakers. He sold the DSP5000C because he'd acquired a DSP5500HC. Perhaps the DSP5000C is more compatible with the DSP5500s?

My DSP8000s are about 8' apart and I sit 11'6" away from them. Obviously, everyone's system is different, so YMMV.

John

I can certainly believe a 5000C would hinder more than help.

For that matter anything but a vertical 8000 might hinder.

I now own two sets of vertical 5000's which I enjoy. But that 5000C is pretty low on my list of Meridian speakers and I have owned one. I was warned before I bought one.

5500HC is a wonderful speaker and I feel is quite different from the 5500 vertical. In some respects it complements the 6000's I have and in other respects it doesn't. Overall I think it does help and it took a lot of fiddling and TIME for my brain to acquire a taste for the mix.

Any horizontal center is a huge compromise. The least compromising one was formerly the 5500HC and now it's the 7200HC.

I'm with johnmcelfresh and George - the DSP5000C certainly isn't in the league with the DSP8000s. Your preference for the pair of DSP8000s alone is not surprising.

I agree with George (usually a safe bet). I think maybe a 7000/ 7200 or the aforementioned 8000 would work but thats probably it. The 8000s image so well that I can see the phantom center working fine if its mostly solo listening or mostly music. But if its movies with friends I think the center will take on more importance. Either way, I like the look, nice and clean.

best regards,
Jerry

If you sit in the middle, then yes phantom works great with a speaker like DSP8000. But if you sit on the far side I find a center is necessary to get a good anchor with speech and something that corresponds with the onscreen action.

A horizontal DSP5000HC/DSP5200HC can not keep up with the DSP8000 (Xover@80Hz). I'm looking forward seeing the performance of the DSP7200HC if it can approach the DSP8000 performance somewhat in the midrange.

Can someone recommend a good picture server? (the two I know is out of order).

Crion and JerryL,

One would think that movies would require a center speaker, but my experience has shown that the DSP5000C did little to improve the dialog "anchor" than the DSP8000s' phantom center, even for the one seat I have far off axis. I was quite surprised by this phenomenon, but it ws undeniable. All the DSP5000C seemed to do was "flatten" the sound (or, as my wife put it, "It just sounds like a TV playing through itt's own speakers now.")

John

www.Photobucket.com hosts all my system pics too. As Frank mentioned, it works great and is simple to use.

Happy Trails!
Vince@Freewheelcycle.com

I can kind of understand that with the horizontal center. Its just all the combing it does to the sound waves. What matters most is how it sounds in your room- if its working as a 2.0 system, I think thats great. The 8000s are tremendous speakers.

best regards,
Jerry

Yeah, the 5500HC and new 7200HC shouldn't suffer from combing though as they each have only a single mid driver which crosses over quite low to the flanking pair of bass drivers. That being said, the broad cabinet face of the big horizontal centers would still result in a very different in-room power response and dispersion pattern than your mains. This subject has been a real dilemma for me too. I really want to replace my DSP5kHC with a more capable center. A 5k5HC would permit me to continue using the 110" Vutec Silverstar PJ screen I love. The sonically ideal matched vertically oriented DSP6kC would require a smaller motorized AT screen hung well into the room.

Happy Trails!
Vince@Freewheelcycle.com

Vince, how about a real DSP6kC in the middle where the bass cabinet is horizonal on a stand, the top midrange is on a stand above vertical?

Same approach as HTM1D

Yeah, I'd actually thought about doing that very thing too. It just seems that if you are going to the trouble of purchasing the acoustically perfect center channel, you may as well set it up in its ideal intended fashion.

Happy Trails!
Vince@Freewheelcycle.com

I agree- the reason for a horizontal center is the reality most people have in terms of furniture and placement. The B&W one looks great and I am sure sounds great too but by being so bulky it kind of defeats the practicality of the center. You might as well start looking at true vertical center speakers. Vince, how about looking around for a pre owned 6k or 7k?

best regards,
Jerry