Really expensive systems that sounded great?

@erik_squires

Yes, Meridian supports Atmos through their 271 Digital Theater Controller. Its good you started this thread, sometimes you can get an expensive system that rivals systems costing multiples more. When you spend a lot, you risk a lot. Having a Meridian system that is engineered from the ground up not only removes a lot of that risk, it can go beyond what an equivalent chain can achieve for the same price. Look at the specs on the DSP 8000XE. They weigh almost 250 lbs each and have 1250 watts of internal amplification. As good as the specs are they sounded even better than I imagined, dynamics were shocking and you don’t need a sub for sure:

Specification

INPUT CONNECTIVITY

Meridian SpeakerLink connector (RJ45)

1 x co-axial digital audio [RCA phono] supporting up to 192kHz @ 24-bit

1 x optical digital audio [Toslink] supporting up to 96kHz @ 24-bit

1 x USB digital audio [type C] supporting up to 384kHz @ 24-bit

Bluetooth via the Meridian B-Link [supplied]

1 x balanced analogue audio [XLR] on IA21 Analogue Input Module

1 x unbalanced analogue audio [RCA phono] on IA21 Analogue Input Module

OUTPUT CONNECTIVITY

1 x Meridian SpeakerLink connector (RJ45)

PERFORMANCE

Peak SPL: 120dB@1m for a single speaker

Frequency response in room within 3dB: 18Hz – 40kHz

TWEETER AMPLIFIER

Class AB, capable of greater than 150W into 4Ω, < 1% THD

THD + noise @ 1kHz < 0.005%

Bandwidth >100kHz

MID-RANGE AMPLIFIER

Class AB, capable of greater than 150W into 4Ω, < 1% THD

THD + noise @ 1kHz < 0.005%

Bandwidth >100kHz

BASS AMPLIFIERS

Six bridged pairs of Class-D amplifiers - each pair capable of greater than 240W into 4Ω, < 1% THD.

THD + noise @ 1kHz < 0.008%

TWEETER

25mm beryllium dome with silver voice-coil, steel custom faceplate and waveguide

MID-RANGE DRIVER

1 x 160mm with non-conductive voice-coil former and anti-resonance clamp-ring mounting system

BASS DRIVERS

6 x 200mm polypropylene long-throw (up to 24mm excursion) with anti-resonance clamp-ring mounting system

FRONT-PANEL INDICATOR

Blue in Standby, White in use (can also be unlit in use)

REAR-PANEL CONTROLS

Power On/Off, channel selector switch, input sensitivity switch [on analogue input module]

DIMENSIONS / WEIGHT

HEIGHT: 1350mm [53.2in] (With feet/spikes)

WIDTH: 400mm [15.7in] tapering to 158mm [6.2in]

DEPTH 528mm [20.8in] tapering to 210mm [8.3in]

WEIGHT: 110.5kg [243lbs]

POWER- 1250W max

I get the idea of a 100% single brand solution that goes from HDMI to screen and speakers.

I do feel a little humbled and out of place with Meridian gear though.  Like, their customers are the McMansion buyers, not a mere audio enthusiast. 

You are correct, Meridian is a luxury brand, that’s why I listed it in this thread, the gear is among the best I heard, at any price. 

The top system in YG Acoustics old listening room was mental...spent a few hours there listening to Radiohead, Raconteurs, etc. and the speakers just disappeared and the sound was coming from all around me like I was sitting on stage. I've never heard anything close to that.

Well I guess I am disappointed that as an audiophile of world renowned taste (good or bad!) I still feel like there's a whole spectrum of audio gear that is deliberately marketed around enthusiasts and through separate installer channels.

We should be fortuante that MBL for instance still does demonstrations on a regular basis.