Floor Loudspeaker Reviews

Description: Remote-controlled, powered, three-and-a-half-way, floorstanding, sealed-box loudspeaker with two Meridian Comms ports (5-pin DIN), 9-pin D connector for RS-232 PC setup and control (null modem, 9600 baud, 2N1, no handshake), two digital (S/PDIF) inputs, and one digital (S/PDIF) output mirroring selected input. As supplied, handles input sample rates of up to 96kHz; FIFO buffer locks at 44.1, 48, 88.2, or 96kHz, ±150ppm (LPCM or MHR encoding); 176.4kHz or 192kHz supported with special firmware and cabling. Drive-units: 1" (25.4mm) composite-dome tweeter, 6" (160mm) plastic-cone midrange unit, six 8" (200mm) plastic-cone woofers. Crossover frequencies: 200Hz, 2.6kHz, linear-phase filters, ±30 degrees realized in DSP running on two 100MHz Motorola ICs. Power amplifiers: complementary bipolar design with output-stage error correction and low feedback; three by 150W RMS (bass); 100W RMS (midrange); 100W RMS (tweeter). Frequency response: 25Hz-35kHz, ±1.5dB in-room. Distortion: typically <0.01%, or <0.02% up to full power at all frequencies. Noise and hum: <-94dB at all volume settings. Acoustic noise: <15dB SPL at 1m. Maximum acoustic output: typically >115dB SPL at 1m. Power consumption: 20VA idle, 900VA max.
Dimensions: 51.2" (1300mm) H by 15.7" (400mm) W by 20.8" (528mm) D. Weight: 231 lbs (105kg) each.
Finishes: piano-black lacquer; other colors available by special order.
Serial numbers of units reviewed: 10091A & B.
Price: $40,000/pair. Approximate number of dealers: 120.
Manufacturer: Meridian Audio Ltd., Stonehill, Stukeley Meadows, Cambs PE29 6EX, England, UK. Tel: (44) (0)1480-52144. Fax: (44) (0)1480-459934. Web: www.meridian.co.uk. US distributor: Meridian America Inc., 3800 Camp Creek Parkway, Building 2400, Suite 122, Atlanta, GA 30331. Tel: (404) 344-7111. Fax: (404) 346-7111. Web: www.meridian-audio.com.