Meridian is on hand at High-End Munich with its new DSP9 Digital Active Loudspeaker. This loudspeaker features a brand-new cabinet that, along with advanced technology is designed to produce outstanding fidelity, dynamics, and power for home cinema and listening rooms.
The DSP9 is the second loudspeaker from Meridian’s Extreme Engineering Program.
Tip: The first speaker developed through Meridian’s Extreme Engineering Program was the DSP8000 XE, which is also being shown at this year’s High-End Munich show.
Speaker Design
The DSP9’s design features smooth curved sculpted lines that support enhanced sonic support.
The curvature of the exterior minimizes unwanted diffraction of the sound projected by the loudspeaker. Subsonic bass drivers are housed in an isolated cavity. This allows for the separation of the forces created inside the loudspeaker by the bass drivers from interfering with the sound coming from the midrange and tweeter drivers.
From John Buchanan, CEO of Meridian: “Meridian’s goal is for our products to be as beautiful to look at as they are easy to use and amazing to listen to. A design where you can see no effort – elegant, simple, and powerful… With the DSP9, we achieve the perfect synthesis of function and form through our holistic system approach. It’s an artful balancing act that allows us to create a beautiful aesthetic whilst pushing the boundaries of world-class audio engineering. We are delighted to launch the DSP9 at High-End Munich and showcase this incredible loudspeaker to our partners from around the world.”
Features
- Flexible Audio Settings: This includes Treble, Bass, and Balance. Additional settings include Position. The settings can be accessed and adjusted from a connected Meridian controller product, or via the supplied Meridian B-Link device. B-Link also provides the option of control via the Meridian Control app (iOS/Android).
- Bluetooth: This enables the DSP9 to play audio wirelessly from a Bluetooth device such as a smartphone, tablet, or computer.
- Additional Control Options: The DSP9 can be easily controlled via IR, USB, RS232, or from other Meridian controller products.
- USB: The provided USB audio input provides a direct connection for playing sound from a computer. Supports Hi-Res audio signals with sampling rates up to 384kHz/24-bit resolution.
- IA21 Analog Input Module (supplied): This changes the functionality of the DSP9 so it can be fed from any non-Meridian product or system which features a balanced or unbalanced line-level analog output.
Advanced Meridian Performance Features
- Bespoke Signal Mapping: This feature employs digital signal processing (DSP) to apply specific crossover filters for each configuration of drive units within a loudspeaker.
- E3 Bass: Meridian E3 Bass uses specific filters to expand, extend and enhance the speakers’ low-frequency response.
- FFA (Full Frequency Alignment): This feature is a combination of digital filters and delays to correct group delay. This ensures that all frequencies reach the listener’s ear at the same time.
- Meridian Q-Sync: This technology utilizes a multiple “First In, First Out” buffering system which minimizes jitter, providing perfect timing and improved clarity.
- Pro-Active Bass: This protects the bass drivers from over-excursion, ensuring maximum bass output without damaging the drive units. Of course, it also helps if you don’t go crazy and turn up the bass volume to unbearable levels.
- Pro-Active Thermal: This feature monitors the audio sent to the mid-range drivers and tweeters and limits the overall volume of the loudspeaker if there is a risk of drivers getting too hot.
- True Time: This is Meridian’s proprietary Apodising Filter that avoids pre-ringing and cleans up the effects of early filters, converting pre-echo to post-echo.
- True Link: This Meridian feature is an encryption method for transferring high-definition digital audio over SPDIF connections. It allows secure movement of digital audio while ensuring that the SPDIF clock signal can be transmitted with minimum degradation.
- Free-Q: This compensates for acoustic problems associated with specific loudspeaker placement conditions.
Specifications
Input Connectivity
- 1 x Meridian SpeakerLink connector (RJ45)
- 1 x coaxial digital audio (RCA phono) supporting up to 192kHz @ 24-bit
- 1 x optical digital audio (Toslink) supporting up to 96kHz @ 24-bit
- 1 x USB digital audio (type C) supporting up to 384kHz @ 24-bit
- 1 x balanced analog audio (XLR) on the analog input module
- 1 x unbalanced analog audio (RCA phono) on the analog input module
- Bluetooth via the Meridian B-Link (supplied)
Output Connectivity
- 1 x Meridian SpeakerLink connector (RJ45)
Control Options (without Analog Input Module)
- Meridian communication via SpeakerLink
- Bluetooth via Meridian B-Link module [supplied] and the Meridian Control app (iOS/Android)
- Integrated IR receiver
- External IR receiver connection
- RS232 via SpeakerLink input
- USB via Maintenance Connection
Control Options (with Analog Input Module)
- Automatic signal-sense detection. Switch on detect time less than three seconds; switch to standby timeout approximately 20 minutes
- Trigger input on analog input module (3.5mm minijack)
Performance
- Peak SPL: 119dB@1m for a single loudspeaker
- Frequency Response (in-room within 3dB): 20Hz – 40kHz
Tweeter Driver
- 25mm beryllium dome with silver voice-coil, steel custom waveguide
Tweeter Amplifier
- Class AB, capable of greater than 150W into 4Ω, < 1% THD
- THD + noise @ 1kHz < 0.005%
- Bandwidth >100KHz
Midrange Driver
- 1 x 160mm with non-conductive voice-coil former and anti-resonance clamp-ring mounting system
Mid-range Amplifier
- Class AB, capable of greater than 150W into 4Ω, < 1% THD
- THD + noise @ 1kHz < 0.005%
- Bandwidth >100KHz
Bass Drivers
- 4 x 200mm polypropylene long-throw [up to 24mm excursion] with anti-resonance clamp-ring mounting system
Bass Amplifiers
- Four bridged pairs of Class-D amplifiers – each pair capable of greater than 240W into 4Ω, < 1% THD
- THD + noise @ 1kHz < 0.008%
Front Panel Indicator
- Blue in Standby, White in use.
Rear Panel Controls
- Power On/Off, channel selector switch, input sensitivity switch (on analog input module)
Dimensions (WDH)
- 392mm (15.43in ) tapering to 158mm (6.2in)
- 511mm (20.1in) tapering to 187mm (7.4in)
- 1101mm [43.5in] (with feet/spikes attached)
Weight
- 68kg (149.9lbs)
Finish Options:
- DSP9 purchasers have a choice of getting a complimentary finish that blends into most rooms or standing out with a bold, vibrant color, finished in matte or gloss.
Pricing and Availability
The DSP9 is reportedly priced at £60,000/$85,000 US (pair) with a gloss black finish. The availability date is forthcoming.
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