Meridian Unplugged - Powered by MrTechGuy.co.uk Forums Discussion Meridian - Systems Will Meridian survive?

Linn made money from Loewe TVs
Now no longer.
Not similar

Au contraire - I am not indicating that Linn products are similar to Meridian, but that a fellow British audio company faced financial problems not that long ago.

Moreover, Loewe is still going strong - with Selfridges TekZone being the latest shop front for their products. Also, some Meridian dealers also stock Loewe.

Loewe may be going strong. The point is they're not distributed by Linn anymore, so Linn have lost that income stream.

Mark S

There was an interesting article about Linn and Ivor in the FT a few weeks ago.

http://www.ft.com/cms/s/0/1ae2e2c0-a512-...ck_check=1

This dicsusses the Loewe situation, automotive audio, job losses, profits turnover etc.

The long and the short of it was
Workforce decreased
Refocus of business back onto core areas
Kill off unprofitable product lines/areas of business
Get new products out

And they they are back to profitability, albeit with a turnover that is now half of what it was at its peak.

What's the impetus for the drop in value of the pound? I don't think the US economy is stronger than the UK economy... And I think the worse is yet to come in the US too.

The question is how long and deep will the recession be, and who manages to survive. My employer has been stockpiling cash over the last year and is also growing.

I really didn't say Meridian would not survive, I said in its current form.

I think it will be a little like Linn where we go back to Meridian being a specialist, moving away from the mainstream and as such reducing in size.

The USA is Meridian's main market, I read in their fiancial details something like 75% of their sales go abroad.

So their company and products are built on that demand, and if that demand is no longer their then production needs to be reduced. The only downside is a large factory and staff bills to pay.

I can not honestly see people spending �1500 on F80's in the current climate like they were prior to the slowdown, can you?

Paul

No, I can't. Unfortunately, it's a very discretionary product.

Having spent, for me, a considerable sum last year on new plasma, speakers and sub the 'management' (aka my wife) couldn't justify my spending a further �4,250 on a G95 (which is why I'm 'slumming it' with my present Yamaha surround receiver and DVD).

In an ideal world I would have Meridian DSP pockets (like the majority that seem to frequent this forum), but while I was able to realistically purchase my original stereo Meridian system years ago without much effort the entry ticket for a basic Meridian surround system today is too much amongst the competition for other goods - such as a new car.

Alternative 'quality' one box solutions - such as Arcam Solo Movie (complete with MLP), or Linn Classik Movie - are available at half the price of the G95. Sure, such alternatives do not have the full technical capabilities of the G95 - but they offer a road in at a more realistic price.

Perhaps Meridian might consider a more 'basic entry' all-in-one cinema system in the present economic circumstances at around the �2,000 level.

I then wouldn't have any problem persuading the 'management' that a new Meridian system was a practical purchase amongst the competition for other niceties in life.

Entry Level to Meridian may have to be Pre-owned. No change for me then.
But you get used to great sound, so be carefull.....

I would be more worried if they were doing nothing, cutbacks means somone is in control and taking appropriate action for the long term.

Just todays thoughts, Chris

As one door closes another one slams shut...

It is a great time to buy used M kit.

Roger (who started on the M trail in 92 and sold his Krells and Scintillas for a simpler and happier life)

I have faith in Meridian senior management team. Sure, a 861 V6 with HDMI would be cool, but we will see..

Yeah at this point short term I don't care if I see specific products but would like to see them continue to engage with their current customer base.

I think Meridian has a very loyal following and they seem to be distancing themselves to go more upscale who don't really care if the system is "Meridian" or not. They just want an installer to install the best and for it to work. But in 5 years they won't care when they "upgrade" if it's Meridian or not.

But the folks like on this board do care.

Upgrade programs, firmware release gems like apodizing filters etc. will keep their customer based hooked. Even if it means laying low during hard times when things get better those customers will be ready with cash in hand when things start looking better.