DSP8000 XE Loudspeaker Emerges from Meridian’s Extreme Engineering Program

The Meridian DSP8000 XE Digital Active Loudspeaker is the first Meridian product to emerge from the company’s Extreme Engineering Program, which commenced more than six years ago. Informed by psychoacoustics and engineered by experts, the Extreme Engineering Program was created to re-imagine every element of Meridian’s product platforms, including both software and hardware.

A major advance, borne from Meridian’s significant investment in this program, is a new design concept known as “Precision Sonic Transport” (PST). PST adopts innovative techniques and new processes to ensure that every aspect of the audio signal journey through the loudspeaker maintains maximum sonic fidelity.

With PST, every detail and emotion are rendered to the listener exactly as captured in the recording. DSP8000 XE is the first of Meridian’s products to benefit from the enhancements enabled by PST, with further new product developments to be announced.

The DSP8000 XE is built on a brand-new audio architecture, using higher specification, more powerful components and leveraging Meridian’s expertise in psychoacoustics to achieve exceptional sound quality. Three key features of the DSP8000 XE include Bespoke Signal Mapping, Full Frequency Alignment (FFA), and Image Focus+.

DSP8000 XE Bespoke Signal Mapping

Meridian Bespoke Signal Mapping in the DSP8000 XE utilizes digital signal processing to apply tailored crossover filters that are designed specifically for each configuration of drive units within a loudspeaker.

Full Frequency Alignment in the DSP800 XE

Meridian’s FFA technology ensures that even the very deepest bass notes enter the room at the same time as mid and high frequencies, giving a clean, open sound with incredible detail and power. FFA, as applied in the DSP8000 XE, is a combination of digital filters and delays that correct the group-delay of a loudspeakers. It ensures that all frequencies reach the listener’s ear at the same time at all volume levels

Image Focus+

Meridian Image Focus +solves the problem of being able to sit in the “right” place in any room, meaning your music and movies sound amazing wherever you sit. As used in the DSP8000 XE, Image Focus+ combines gains and delays applied to the left/right speakers with delays applied to drive units within each speaker to correct for off-center and off-axis listening. This results in a natural soundstage with accurate left-right placement as well as a sense of depth.

“The DSP8000 XE delivers the full force of Meridian’s experience, expertise, and continuous investment in research and audio technology development,” commented John Buchanan, Meridian’s CEO. “DSP8000 XE embodies all of Meridian’s core values and breaks new ground in Meridian loudspeaker performance with the first implementation of our Precision Sonic Transport design concept. The all-new hardware and software platforms combine to unleash a new level of accuracy, power and emotional connection, and the result is a holographic sound experience so immersive that it’s as if the loudspeakers are not in the room.”

Performance Facts

• Frequency Response: In-room within 3dB: 18Hz – 40kHz
• SPL: 120dB@1m for a single loudspeaker
• Amplifiers: Tweeter and Mid-range – each >150W into 4Ω, Class AB, Bass – six bridged pairs, each pair >240W into 4Ω, Class D
• Tweeter: 1 x Ultrasonic tweeter, 25mm beryllium dome with custom waveguide
• Mid-Range Driver: 1 x Evo mid-range, bespoke 160mm with clear cone
• Bass Drivers: 6 x Subsonic bass drivers, 200mm with long-throw, polypropylene cone