Meridian America DSP8000 User Manual

DSP8000 Digital Loudspeaker System User Guide
ii
Preface
Important safety instructions
Read the instructions.
Keep these instructions.
Do not use this apparatus near water.
Clean only with a dry cloth.
Install only in accordance with the manufacturer’s
instructions. Refer all servicing to approved service personnel.
Do not disassemble – no user-servicable parts inside.
This apparatus has been designed with Class 1 construction and must be connected to a mains socket outlet with a protective earthing connection (the third grounding pin).
The apparatus may be isolated from mains power either by unplugging the power connector from the rear of the unit, or by unplugging the connector at the opposing end of the power cord or cable from its supply outlet. As a result, either or both of these connectors should remain accessible.
Safety warnings
WARNING: TO REDUCE THE RISK OF FIRE OR ELECTRIC SHOCK, DO NOT EXPOSE THIS APPARATUS TO RAIN OR MOISTURE.
Do not expose the unit to dripping or splashing.
Do not place any object filled with liquid, such as a
vase, on the unit. Do not place naked flame sources, such as lighted
candles, on the unit.
To avoid overheating
Leave at least 10cm around the equipment to ensure
sufficient ventilation.
Do not position the unit:
In direct sunlight.
Near heat sources, such as a radiator.
Directly on top of heat producing equipment.
To avoid interference
Do not position the unit:
Near strong electrical or magnetic radiation, such as
near a power amplifier.
Radio interference
FCC Warning: This equipment generates and can radiate radio frequency energy and if not installed and used correctly in accordance with our instructions may cause interference to radio communications or radio and television reception. It has been type-tested and complies with the limits set out in Subpart J, Part 15 of FCC rules for a Class B computing device. These limits are intended to provide reasonable protection against such interference in home installations.
EEC: This product has been designed and type-tested to comply with the limits set out in EN55013 and EN55020.
Contents
iii
Contents
Introduction 1
Meridian DSP8000 loudspeaker system 2
Sample configurations 4
Specification 6
Setting up the DSP8000 loudspeakers 7
Unpacking 8
Positioning the DSP8000 loudspeakers 10
Connecting the loudspeakers 11
Connecting to other equipment 12
Using the DSP8000 loudspeakers 17
Selecting a source 18
Changing the display 19
Adjusting the volume 20
Changing the treble, bass, or phase 21
Configuring the DSP8000 loudspeakers 23
Choosing standard settings 24
Specifying information about your system 26
Configuring the sources 27
Configuring the setup options 28
Troubleshooting 31
Troubleshooting 32
Maintenance and cleaning 33
Service and guarantee 34
Index 35
Changing the listening position 22
iv
Preface
Copyright and acknowledgements
Sales and service in the UK
Meridian Audio Ltd Latham Road Huntingdon Cambridgeshire PE29 6YE England
Tel (01480) 445678 Fax (01480) 445686
Sales and service in the USA
Meridian America Inc 8055 Troon Circle Suite C Austell GA30168-7849 USA
Tel (404) 344 7111 Fax (404) 346 7111
MHR: This product incorporates copyright protection technology covered by certain patent applications and intellectual property of Meridian Audio Ltd. This technology is provided for the express purpose of securely containing copyright audio within the Meridian System only. Reverse engineering or circumvention of this protection is strictly prohibited.
This guide was produced by: Human-Computer Interface Ltd, http://www.interface.co.uk
World Wide Web – http://www.meridian-audio.com
Designed and manufactured in the UK
Meridian Audio Ltd Latham Road Huntingdon Cambridgeshire PE29 6YE England
Copyright © 2002-2008 Meridian Audio Ltd. Part no: DSP8000U/3 (P83801)
Meridian Digital Theatre, Meridian Lossless Packing, MHR and MLP are registered trademarks of Meridian Audio Ltd.
Introduction
Welcome to the Meridian DSP8000 Digital Loudspeaker System.
This user guide provides full information about using the DSP8000 loudspeakers in conjunction with your other equipment, to achieve the superb results you can expect from them.
1
Introduction
2
Introduction
Meridian DSP8000 loudspeaker system
The Meridian DSP8000 loudspeaker system represents the fruits of more than 30 years of continuous development of loudspeakers as musical instruments. The finest materials and state-of-the-art design are combined to create what we believe is the ultimate home loudspeaker.
Digital Signal Processing
Digital Signal Processing, or DSP, is a technique pioneered by Meridian in hi-fi products for achieving extremely accurate reproduction of audio signals using high-precision mathematical processing.
DSP allows sophisticated processing to be performed without any of the cumulative noise or degradation that inevitably occurs, even with high-quality analogue circuitry. In addition, the signal improvement techniques incorporated in the Meridian DSP loudspeakers would be virtually impossible to implement in analogue circuitry.
The Meridian DSP loudspeakers take advantage of DSP for several different functions:
To remove timing variations from the incoming digital
signals (de-jittering). To upsample 44.1kHz and 48kHz signals to 88.2kHz
and 96kHz. To split the frequency band between bass, mid-
range, and treble drivers (crossover). To perform filtering or adjustment of the frequency
response; eg treble or bass. To provide volume control to 48-bit precision.
To perform electronic equalisation.
If you are using the Meridian DSP loudspeakers with a digital source, such as CD or DVD, the signals remain in digital form until the last possible stage.
DSP loudspeaker drivers
Each DSP8000 loudspeaker uses six multiple high­efficiency long-throw custom bass drive units. The bass units are mounted symmetrically in pairs on the sides of the bass cabinet, cancelling vibration in order to minimise interference with the mid-range and treble units.
The treble and mid-range drivers are mounted in a separate sealed head assembly. The treble unit is a semi-horn-loaded composite dome design with a silver voice coil. The mid-range unit incorporates a cone made from a uniquely light and stiff combination of polymers to give unparalleled transparency.
Power amplifiers
The speakers are driven by five independent high­power low-feedback power amplifiers mounted on a multi-finned extruded heatsink. The combination of idealised magnetic design, careful star earthing, and very fast output devices gives the amplifiers extremely low noise, high detail, and fast bass.
The whole electronic assembly is supplied from two substantial toroidal transformers feeding high-quality audiophile-grade capacitors.
Cabinet
Each DSP8000 loudspeaker is built around a precision manufactured cabinet, which uses innovative design techniques to give exceptionally low coloration and amazing mid-range transparency.
The head assembly is a sealed enclosure fabricated from curved pressure-laminated panels, each using multiple layers of selected woods and metal to provide high stiffness and damping. Its narrow tapered shape offers optimum dispersion across a wide listening area. It is supported on the bass enclosure by three machined feet.
3
Introduction
Like the head unit, the bass cabinet is constructed from interlaminated panels with extensive bracing. The front panel is 6mm glass and incorporates a window for the matrix display and infrared remote control sensor. The cabinet stands on triangulated adjustable machined foot assemblies with provision for floor spikes or skids.
Meridian High Resolution (MHR)
The DSP8000 loudspeakers support Meridian High Resolution (MHR), to allow you to connect to other MHR-compliant Meridian products to take advantage of high-rate audio sources, and provide the additional benefits of lower jitter and improved sound quality on all sources.
MHR is a proprietary secure encoding format that uses encryption and anti-copy methods to provide a secure copyright protection environment, and allow the secure transfer of audio streams within a Meridian-only system for playback only.
Meridian Comms
The Meridian DSP loudspeakers are part of the Meridian family of advanced digital, analogue, and video components, and these incorporate a sophisticated communications link, to allow you to control any combination of units using a single remote, and ensure that they will work together as a fully integrated system.
The communications system also allows you to extend your hi-fi system into two or three rooms, with the ability to control the sources in one room from the controller in another room.
The following pages show two recommended configurations based on the Meridian DSP8000 loudspeakers to illustrate the flexibility of Meridian components.
4
DSP5500HC
DSP8000 DSP8000 DSP8000DSP8000
Meridian 861 Reference
Surround Controller
Meridian 800 Reference
DVD/CD Player
Introduction
Sample configurations
Meridian Digital Theatre™
Up to seven Meridian DSP8000 loudspeakers can be used in conjunction with a Meridian Surround Processor to create a digital surround system with superb music and cinema sound.
The Meridian DVD Player is an ideal source for use with DSP loudspeakers. It allows you to play both audio CDs and DVD movies, with the audio kept in digital form until the last possible stage.
5
Introduction
Meridian Digital Music System
Meridian 808.2 CD Transport
DSP8000DSP8000
Meridian DSP loudspeakers include DSP volume and tone controls, and can be connected directly to up to two digital sources to create an extremely compact high-quality music system.
6
Introduction
Specification
Connections
Digital co-axial input and output.
Meridian BNC Comms input and output.
Meridian SpeakerLink (RJ45) input and output,
providing balanced digital, Meridian Comms, and power.
Digital formats
44.1–96kHz. FIFO locks at 44.1, 48, 88.2, or
96kHz ±150ppm. PCM using SPDIF/IEC60958, or MHR connection
support with auto-detection.
Output stages
Power amplifiers: Complementary bipolar design, with
output-stage error correction and twin loop design. Bass: 3 x 150W.
Mid: 100W.
Treble: 100W.
The DSP8000 includes drive unit thermal protection.
Acoustic
3  way.
Closed bass enclosure.
Separate mid/top plywood cabinet.
Bass drive unit: 6 x 200mm (8") high-efficiency long-
throw custom drivers. Mid drive unit: 1 x 160mm (6") custom driver.
Treble drive unit: 1 x 25mm (1") Boothroyd Stuart
piston in short horn, composite dome with silver voice-coil.
Characteristics
Distortion typically <0.01%, or <0.02% up to full
power at all frequencies. Noise and hum <-94dBr at all volume settings.
Acoustic output typically >115dB spl @ 1m.
Acoustic noise <15dB spl @ 1m.
Frequency response in room response within 3dB,
25Hz-35kHz.
Cabinet
Entire speaker manufactured from interlaminated
panels. Glass front.
Finished in high-gloss piano lacquer.
400mm x 1300mm x 528mm (15.7" x 51.2" x
20.8") W x H x D excluding feet. 105kg (231lb) each.
Power
100-125; 200-250V AC 50-60Hz.
20VA idle; 900VA max.
Meridian Audio reserves the right to amend product specifications at any time.
Available accessories
Each pair of DSP8000 loudspeakers is shipped complete with an MSR+ remote.
Other applications, and some advanced features, may require one or more of the following accessories, which can be purchased from your Meridian dealer:
Interconnecting leads.
AC11 SpeakerLink Hub, to allow interconnection
between newer products with SpeakerLink connectors, and products with Meridian BNC Comms or Meridian DIN Comms connectors.
Setting up the DSP8000 loudspeakers
This chapter explains how to install your DSP8000 loudspeakers. It describes what you should find when you unpack the speakers, how you should connect them to your other audio equipment, and the siting constraints.
7
Setting up
the DSP8000
loudspeakers
8
Setting up
the DSP8000
loudspeakers
Unpacking
Before you begin installation you should ensure that your DSP8000 loudspeakers are the correct voltage for your local AC supply. If they are not, do not try to install them, and contact your dealer.
You should not make any connections to the DSP8000 loudspeakers, or to any other component in your system, while the AC power supply is connected and switched on.
Care when unpacking
Take great care when unpacking or re-packing the DSP8000 loudspeakers that you do not put undue pressure on the side containing the drive units, as they may be damaged if pressed.
Components
Each pair of DSP8000 loudspeakers is supplied with the following components:
Caution
Meridian Audio has taken every care in the design, assembly, finishing and packing of this product. The high gloss finish on parts of the cabinet is achieved by painting up to five coats of polyester lacquer onto the plywood, each one hand polished.
Due to the product size and cabinet construction, small marks on the lacquer surface may be visible when unpacked. These small marks can usually be removed as described in
It is the nature of all lacquer finishes to shrink over time. This is unavoidable and may result in cabinet joint lines becoming visible.
Meridian Audio has supplied products using lacquer finishes for many years and we are confident that when carefully used your product will return a lifetime’s enjoyment.
Maintenance and cleaning
, page 33.
The DSP8000 loudspeakers.
Grilles packed separately.
A hex wrench (3mm) for the drive units.
A 10mm spanner for removing the headboard and
footboard. Six shouldered spikes for the head unit.
MSR+ remote, battery, and user guide.
One power cord per speaker suitable for your
territory. This user guide.
If any of these items is missing, please contact your dealer. We suggest that you retain the packaging carefully, as it provides maximum protection in transit.
Unpacking
To unpack the DSP8000 loudspeakers please follow the instructions on the accompanying leaflet.
Tightening the drive units
The DSP8000 loudspeakers typically take about two weeks of normal use for the drive units to settle. It is therefore recommended that you leave the grilles unfitted during this period, and tighten the mounting bolts on each drive unit every few days. Tighten the bolts in symmetrically opposite pairs using the 3mm hex wrench provided.
You should then check and if necessary retighten the drive units every few years.
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