Need Advice: Meridian M33 or Dynaudio Speakers for Meridian 568

I would pick the Meridian again anytime over any other processor, well, I am thinking about a 568 currently as well, since I see the need to go back to separates, also because of 6.1.


I used to own the Meridian 565 with AC-3 + remote and the 519 demodulator and can only resport good, except for the smallest ergonomics improvement I'd like to see in the "Meridian world". I mean their remote is a joke. I am using a pronto, so I do not care anymore. I used to own 5 digital Philips speakers as well, DSS930 limited edition. It was full digital AC-3 from source to the speakers. I am missing this set up very much http://www.avsforum.com/ubb/frown.gif .


If you do have the cash go for digital speakers. They are the way to go. Some can go very loud, and remain so very clean. I used to own Dynaudio's Contour 1.3 (not MK2). Dynaudio speakers are very nice sounding with a lot of depth. But the Contours, like so many high end Dynaudios are very demanding, due to their low sensetivity. I recall my Contours to be around 86 db at 1m or so.


As said, if I would have the cash I would never go back to pure passive speakers again (except for a JM Lap Grande Utopia http://www.avsforum.com/ubb/biggrin.gif ), always stay at least with active speakers, either a studio speaker such a MEG 906 or higher (my favorites) or a Genelec (which I haven't heard yet) or go back to a full digital path. I cannot say that all the latest digital speakers impress me alot. I wish Meridian would use more expensive chassis, like focal, well take the best and improve it digitally. But nevertheless their speakers sound very well. Their latest 8000 speaker is my new wallpaper on my desptop (what a beauty).



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Cheers,


Andreas


[This message has been edited by Andreas (edited June 13, 2000).]


[This message has been edited by Andreas (edited June 13, 2000).]

Peter, the tweeter.........toaster http://www.avsforum.com/ubb/wink.gif ,


well to be honest a loudspeaker IMHO should sound and reveal, not necessarily burn air or withstand at least 1K Watts, like a B+W Matrix 800......but, there are people addicted to "Maxisms" (is this the correct term ?).


The last good set-up I heard were from MEG (Music-Electronic-Geithain), MEG 906 and my dream the 901. They impressed me so much that I really do not care anymore about maximum output levels, although the big MEGs go very loud (up to 112db in the 901). My Philips also sounded so right and imaged so well, also due to their acclaimed Philips tweeter ("Bändchen").


I checked out the DSP33 specs, they really look nice, remind me of my former Philips, well, more like the DSS940. I have to admit I do not like the roll-off function for higher SPL, but that's about it. If they image as sharp as they look than I say you can't get wrong.


Didn't know Genelec did have full digital active speakers, just thought active analogue ones. I guess I'd rather check their page again soon (haven't been there for some time).


Germany isn't far behind digital speakers, France maybe http://www.avsforum.com/ubb/wink.gif ....

Look at T+A's digital speaker line !. What about Revox Scala, was Revox still Studer/Revox then ???. Oh, isn't Studer swiss. Guess it getting late and oh yes, MEG things about going digital as well.......


Cheers,

the mix mode addict Andreas http://www.avsforum.com/ubb/biggrin.gif

What a story, this is brain burning stuff....


Something I would like to add concerning digital speakers as we know them today is the following. If you opt for digital speakers be aware that the number of channels you use (the number of digital speakers you own) + the main processor will have to be up-dated each time a new format comes to market. People owning Meridian digital speakers can luckily purchase up-grades from 20 to 24Bit/96Khz and probably will be able to purchase up-dates for 192Khz, but others might be left alone.

It's also mainly a money issue, to up-drade 6 to 8 units all the time.

I mean time isn't a constant and something is always changing.


That's why I would favor good active analogue speakers like the MEG, or maybe the M33 (haven't heard it yet, instead of the DSP33). Just buy them once and be happy, no up-grades, since they work active but analogue. Then you only have to focus on your processor you use, like the 568. Of course everybody might need new speakers soon once 100Khz bandwith becomes standard, oh oh. Maybe separate tweeters can be purchased, who knows what happens here. Personally I am still concentrating on getting 20Hz to 20Khz correct in my ht.


Peter,

You can get/order infos on MEG from: [email protected]

I assume they are working on their web page.

Their speakers can be found in 80% of all studio mastering facilities in Germany. Drop me a mail once you get material from them and let me know what you think, will you ???. You actually have to hear them.



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Cheers,


Andreas

Walter,


you'd better check the Meridian homepage at: www.meridian.co.uk

There you can download the year 2000 catalogue, like I did (3,6 MB PDF file), and the 568 manual. The "Products" section will also list the products and their compatibility features, like 24Bit/96Khz. Most Meridian components nowadays understand 24Bit/96Khz and "DAC" them correctly, since up-sampling is a key feature in high end audio.


I would imagine that the DSP33 clearly outperforms the M33, since the digital crossover can utilize steeper high/low pass filters in the digital domain without introducing phase erros, common in steep analogue! (analogue, like in "passive" analogue speakers) crossovers. The drivers however appear to be the same.


An analogue "active" speaker like the M33 will accept any format comming out soon, it is just limited by it's frequency responce concerning new formats !. The processor will just have to output any new format at it's analogue RCA outputs and the M33 will cheer.


Found my catalogue, the DSP33 will go up to 24Bit/96Khz as an input signal and DAC it via their 24BIT/96Khz converters. Since the price is too high for your taste I would look at the M33 or compare both carefully before buying. It is a shame that MEG is not selling in the Philippines ?. The MEG 906 is comparable to the M33. But then it is also nice to have a complete system and Meridian is one of the few (maybe the only)manufactures where I would go for such a complete system myself.


The obsolete question is something not new to me. My DSP-A1 did hold for 2 years, my former 565 for about 5 years (although I sold it earlier, needed the cash). The 568 will be obsolete depending on progress, or on the channel creaziness spreading around. But I assume that Meridian will let you have a software up-date also in 4 years, once 10.2 is out, for the still use of your "maybe" up-graded and then out-dated 7.1 system (10.2 will then be down-converted to 7.1), because let's face it, I do not see that people get more than 7.1 speakers in my home.


There is no need for 5 speakers in the front e.g.. You cannot sit that close or have such a big screen that you really need 5 front speakers. If you have that problem, then it lies either in the mix or your speakers are badly placed or do not image, like a MEG does. Once you found out the later to be true, then you are finally "formed" to progress yourself and go to active or digital active speakers. The truth is so simple.


Remember Walter, if you go for five DSP33 and one 568, you have 6 digital devices which need to be up-graded, if the digital word changes. If you go for M33, you only have to look at the 568.


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Cheers,


Andreas


[This message has been edited by Andreas (edited June 15, 2000).]

Quote:
Don't think there's a MEG dealer here...


Remember Walter, if you go for five DSP33 and one 568, you have 6 digital devices which need to be up-graded, if the digital word changes. If you go for M33, you only have to look at the 568.
[/quote]


Thanks for the advice, you have a very good point here...


BTW, do you think it's important for a sub to go down to 20 Hz, the M1500 will only do 30 Hz...

Walter,


of course I'd like to have it all, but life is full of compromizes. I'd love to have 20Hz, have a Velodyne 15" like a friend owns.

But then, mostly I cannot drive reference levels anyway in my flat, but I'd like to have at least the frequency response.


The Velodyne is comparable to the M2500 and it is also a closed subwoofer, IMHO the only right way to go.


If you can live with 10Hz less, then take the Meridian. If you can live with 96Khz, which is already a leap, then take the DSP33s and the DSP1500 http://www.avsforum.com/ubb/biggrin.gif . Overall the sound will probably be better from the full digital chain, but then agian life is full of compromizes.


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Cheers,


Andreas


[This message has been edited by Andreas (edited June 16, 2000).]