Meridian Unplugged - Powered by MrTechGuy.co.uk Forums Discussion Meridian - Systems DSP5000C and D1500/D2500

Does a Meridian digital subwoofer daisy-chain off the Meridian digital centre speaker in 565v6.0/DSP5000C setup?

what you mean?

I don't have this setup, but I think the answer is Yes. Usually digital output #2 (channels 3 and 4) carries the center speaker and the sub.

So how does each speaker know to interpret which channel to read (L/R for C/S)? I am sure I should RTFM for the DSP5000C more closely but maybe I have missed it? Or is it related to the Master/Slave setting, which is a problem with the 565 as Master......

The speaker doesn't know: it's all in the configuration settings in the 565. You're going to have to get to know them sooner or later, so start now!

The pages you should read are called 'Speaker Layouts' and I would guess that Layout A would be a good starting point. (Meridian can't decide if 5000s are 'small' or 'large' speakers.)

With layout A you will need that funny little 'SY lead' that comes in the box with the subwoofer. See Figure 1, page 6, for a wiring diagram that is probably pretty close to what you're aiming for.

- Pete

On a separate, but related topic, I've been considering changing subwoofers and was wondering if anyone had impressions of the digital (D1500 & D2500) subs. Anyone have thoughts or comparisons to the older analog versions?

Interesting reading the 565 manual with a subwoofer head on.

So I have a choice of setting my mains to small (layout A) and the sub operating all the time or my mains to large and the sub only operating on Cinema presets (layout AG).

OK, once the processor knows that there is a sub in place and where it is, how would it know whether to send the sub signal to the analog sub (4) or digital centre/sub (3,4) output (I have DSP5000C centre and analog mains)? Does it send it to both just in case?

Assuming it gets to the digital output OK, how does the DSP5000C know to pick up the centre channel and the DSP sub the sub channel IFSWIM - which is what my original question should have been?

Gianni,

(1) You have more choices than you may have realized - layout B, for example. If you go this route and use a D1500, best thing is to experiment with layouts and with the LFE 5.1 Subwoofer setting and see what suits you best. Good fun for a rainy afternoon (have you seen the weather forecast for Sunday??)

(2) 565 simultaneously presents its outputs to the eight analog sockets, and its digital outputs to the four 'digital output' sockets. Each of these four digital outputs carries two channels which could be L-R, but could be any other pair of signals. In the case you're describing the '3-4' output will carry the centre and the sub channels.

(3) Your 5000C is, I assume, currently configured as 'Centre'. It is taking the 565's '3' output. When you buy the D1500 you get a little patch lead that lets you split the signal currently going to the 5000C. With this 'SY' lead in place both the sub and the 5000C are getting the '3-4' signal. 5000C is happy: it still sees the C channel on the 'left', ie '3' signal. The sub is configured (by a switch on the back!) to accept 'channel 2' (of the cable) which means it now gets the '4' signal from the 565. (Did I lose you yet?)

My own modest setup has 5000s L and R, 5000C and two small analog rears. I have two D1500s and am running (after many experiments) Layout K. The result perfectly satisfies my need for monitoring voice and classical music, with the occasional need also to shake the floor, break a few glasses, and scare the hell out of the cat, on certain movies.

- Pete