Meridian Audio DSP-420 Owners manual

user guide

Meridian

DSP

420 In-Wall Loudspeaker

Meridian DSP420
In-Wall Loudspeaker
System User Guide

Preface

i

Sales and service in the UK

Meridian Audio Ltd

Stonehill

Stukeley Meadows

Cambs

PE29 6EX

England

Tel [phone]

Fax [phone]

World Wide Web

http://www.meridian-audio.com

Part no: DSP420

Sales and service in the USA

Meridian America Inc

3800 Camp Creek Parkway

Building 2400

Suite 122

Atlanta

GA 30331

Tel [phone]

Fax [phone]

Designed and

manufactured in the UK by

Meridian Audio Ltd

Stonehill

Stukeley Meadows

Cambs

PE29 6EX

England

Preface

ii

Copyright © 2003 Meridian Audio Ltd.

Boothroyd|Stuart Meridian, Meridian,

Meridian Digital Theatre, Meridian

Lossless Packing, MHR, and MLP are

registered trademarks of Meridian

Audio Ltd.

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

Important safety instructions

❍Refer to installation sheet for wiring and other important safety

instructions.

❍Heed all warnings.
❍Read the instructions.
❍Keep these instructions.
❍Follow all instructions.
❍Do not use this apparatus near water.
❍Clean only with a dry cloth.
❍Install only in accordance with the manufacturer’s

instructions.

❍Only use with a Meridian Audio DSP420 wall box.
❍Refer all servicing to approved service personnel.
❍Connection to the mains should be carried out by a skilled

and suitable qualified person.

WARNING: TO REDUCE THE RISK OF FIRE OR ELECTRIC

SHOCK, DO NOT EXPOSE THIS APPARATUS TO RAIN OR

MOISTURE.

To avoid overheating

Do not position the speakers:

❍In direct sunlight.
❍Near heat sources, such as a radiator.
❍Directly above heat producing equipment, such as a power

amplifier.

The DSP420 front plate acts as a heatsink and requires

adequate ventilation. Ensure that air can flow around it.

To avoid interference

Do not position the speakers:

❍Near strong magnetic radiation, such as near a power

amplifier.

Preface

iii

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.

Preface

iv

Contents

Introduction 1

Introduces the DSP420 In-Wall

Loudspeaker System, and gives guidelines

and suggested layouts to help you plan

your surround system.

The DSP420 In-Wall Loudspeaker

System ..................................................... 2

Sample configurations ............................. 5

Specification and accessories ................. 8

Unpacking the DSP420
loudspeakers 11

Gives details of the components supplied

with the digital loudspeakers, and explains

how to reset their configuration.

Unpacking .............................................. 12

Resetting the loudspeakers ................... 13

Using the DSP420
loudspeakers 15

Provides step-by-step instructions for

operating the digital loudspeakers in

compact systems with no other

preamplifier or control unit.

Selecting a source ................................. 16

Adjusting the volume ............................. 17

Adjusting the balance or phase ............. 18

Preface

v

Configuring the DSP420
loudspeakers using a
computer 19

Describes how to configure the digital

loudspeakers using the Meridian

Configuration program.

Troubleshooting 31

Preface

vi

The Meridian Configuration program ..... 20

Running the Meridian Configuration

program ................................................. 21

Creating a new settings file .................... 23

Changing the setup options ................... 25

Setting up sources ................................. 27

Completing the configuration ................ 29

Provides suggested solutions to typical

problems.

Troubleshooting ..................................... 32

Service and guarantee ........................... 34

Index ...................................................... 35

Introduction

The DSP420 In-Wall Loudspeaker System uses high technology digital

signal processing to remove the compromises previously associated with

in-wall speakers, allowing them to achieve the same clear open sound and

wide frequency response as traditional free-standing speakers. DSP420

loudspeakers are ideal as part of a home theatre system, or as the basis

for a compact stereo system.

For instructions on installing and connecting up the loudspeakers please

refer to the separate sheet DSP420 Installation Instructions.

For instructions on setting up the loudspeakers turn to the next chapter,

Unpacking the DSP420 loudspeakers. Once they have been set up refer to

Using the DSP loudspeakers, page 15, for information about getting the

best results from all your music and film recordings.

Introduction

1

The DSP420 In-Wall Loudspeaker System

Introduction

2

The DSP420 In-Wall Loudspeaker System incorporates the

result of several years of research and development into

innovative technologies.

Meridian DSP

The DSP420 accepts digital input signals up to 96kHz/24-bit,

including Meridian High Resolution (MHR) streams from Meridian

surround controllers, processors, and DVD players.

Enclosed in a fully shielded housing, Meridian’s unique DSP

processing is performed on a specifically designed six-layer

PCB using a powerful 100 MIPS Motorola DSP engine. Through

this sophisticated audio computer the DSP420 receives all of the

same high technology features that can be found throughout the

Meridian DSP loudspeaker family. These include:

❍FIFO memory buffer input for the lowest possible jitter.
❍Linear-phase crossover for precision drive unit integration.
❍Tweeter delay for perfect driver alignment.
❍48-bit resolution volume control.
❍Minimal frequency equalisation to give a frequency response

free from drive unit or electronic coloration.

❍Transparent tone controls.
❍Absolute phase control and phase-corrected balance control.

A further DSP enabled enhancement to the audio performance

of the DSP420 is Meridian’s active bass extension. This deepens

the response of the system without excessive woofer excursion

and in turn produces a convincingly ‘big box’ sound from an

in-wall unit. At moderate volumes, a psychoacoustically correct

filter extends the bass response much further than can be

achieved with an analogue speaker of equal size while at high

volumes dynamic DSP bass protection is used to prevent the

woofers from bottoming. As a result only the very lowest

frequencies are reduced.

Power amplifiers

The speakers are driven by two high-power, low-feedback

power amplifiers using carefully selected bipolar output devices.

The amplifiers are direct coupled to the drive units for the most

efficient delivery of power and the best possible control over

driver excursion.

The power supply includes a substantial torroidal transformer

and audiophile-grade capacitors, and the system uses careful

star earthing, resulting in extremely low levels of noise and

distortion.

DSP420 drivers

Each DSP420 loudspeaker uses two parallel 127mm (5") bass

drive units. These incorporate a cast alloy chassis and a carbon

fibre cone, and have a very large magnet which provides

excellent drive and control. Combined with Meridian’s active

bass extension technology, they provide surprisingly rich, deep

bass, quite unprecedented for this size of cabinet.

The treble unit is a very high quality 25mm (1") aluminium dome

with a neodymium magnet and a protective grille. It is extremely

well matched to the woofer, and also tonally very compatible

with the other speakers in the Meridian range.

The DSP420 is enclosed in an acoustic back box and front baffle

constructed from aluminium, which has low resonance at low

frequencies and has been further dampened by incorporating

stiffening into the back box. Additional high-frequency damping

ensures that the whole system suffers exceptionally little cabinet

coloration and delivers excellent mid-range transparency. All

damping materials have been fully tested to ensure they comply

with building regulations for in-wall designs.

Introduction

3

Introduction

4

Meridian High Resolution (MHR)

The DSP420 In-Wall Loudspeaker System supports 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

T he DSP420 In-Wall Loudspeaker System is 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 DSP420 In-Wall Loudspeaker System to illustrate

the flexibility of Meridian components.

Sample configurations

Meridian Digital Theatre™

DSP420

504

Meridian DVD Playe

r

DSP7000

Meridian Surround Processor

DSP420 loudspeakers can be used in conjunction with a

Meridian Surround Processor to provide the two rear channels,

and optionally two additional side channels, to create an

unobtrusive surround system with superb music and cinema

sound.

DSP5500HC

DSP7000

DSP420

A pair of DSP7000 loudspeakers, in conjunction with a

DSP5500HC centre speaker, would provide excellent choices for

the front channels, giving a complete system without

compromise.

Introduction

5

DSP420 Digital Stereo System

Introduction

DSP420

Meridian DVD Player

T he DSP420 can be connected directly to almost any source

that provides a PCM SPDIF output, including CD or DVD

players, some PC soundcards, and digital satellite decoders.

The DSP420 includes a DSP volume control, and with Meridian

sources this operates seamlessly via the 500 comms system.

DSP420

Alternatively, the volume can be controlled with the Meridian

System Remote using the optional 512 Remote Eye.

6