CEDIA 2010 Coverage

Meridian introduced two new products at CEDIA. The first is the replacement for the DSP3100 speaker, not surprisingly named the DSP3200 ($6000/pair). The second is the long awaited successor to the 562 - the AC200. It serves as a gateway to Meridian DSP speakers with analog and digital inputs and SpeakerLink outputs, and will retail for $3000.

I stopped by Meridian’s suite at the Westin on Saturday afternoon to get a first hand look at the new AC200 digital preamplifier and DSP3200 digital active speakers. The first thing that struck me was that these are every bit Meridian products from the design to the execution. As Meridian likes to say, they have the Meridian DNA. Although the AC200 is a newly designed aluminum chassis by Allen Boothroyd, it is evolutionary rather than revolutionary, echoing both its 500 and G series roots. It is small, but elegant rather than cute. The AC200 would sit within the glass top plate of a 500 series component.

The AC200 is, at its heart, a two channel digital preamplifier, much like the Meridian 562, although as a bonus it includes a tuner. Like Meridian’s newer products, it incorporates the apodizing upsampling filter. Inputs on the rear panel include two RCA analog, two coaxial digital, two combination analog/optical digital on 3.5mm, one i80 iPod dock connector, one SpeakerLink on RJ45 for Sooloos, one USB for maintenance, and an AC power socket. Outputs include two SpeakerLink for connection to DSP speakers and a 3.5mm headphone jack. It will retail for $2,500.

The DSP3200s are likewise small, and look like miniature versions of the DSP8000 head units. They are made out of the same cabinet material - Meridium - as the other DSP speakers in the lineup. In keeping with the theme of its larger siblings, the rear panel is a finned extruded aluminum heatsink. Provision is made for the attachment of a special wall mount Meridian has sourced from Germany, and Allen has designed a matching stand as well. All of the connections (SpeakerLink and power) are located underneath for a clean look. The DSP3200s lack a display and IR control, so volume is controlled through the Sooloos interface, an AC200 or a surround sound processor. In that regard, they should be looked at as significantly upgraded DSP33s rather than direct replacements for the DSP3100s. They feature a 3″ full range speaker augmented by a 6 1/2″ woofer. I expect that the critical midrange will be exceptional. The DSP3200s will retail for $6,000/pair.

I believe, like the F80, the AC200/DSP3200 combination will be a home run for Meridian. The AC200 itself is both a gateway to DSP speakers and a hub for a two channel audio/video system. Think about an AC200, an i80 iPod dock and pair of DSP3200s. Definitely a step up from an M80 (which by the way looks terrific with the new leather trim). Better yet, a Sooloos Control 15 and a pair of DSP3200s. Or, if you already have Sooloos and a pair of SpeakerLink speakers (a very popular combination I am told), and you want to use your system for TV and movies as well, simply add an AC200.

The AC200 will never replace a surround sound processor in a full-on Meridian multi-channel system. It’s not intended to. On the other hand, a G61, five DSP3200s and a sub would make for a compact home theater with stunning sound.

Lots of possibilities I think. I wish the units I saw had been operational so I could have given you a preview of how they sound. I also wish I could post the photos I took of these components so you would have a better idea of just how great they look. Alas, I am embargoed from doing so for the time being.

Pages: 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 24 25 26 27 28 29 30 31 32 33 34 35 36 37 38 39 40