Meridian Audio Core 200 System (Playback 52)

 Meridian’s ability to consistently produce top-echelon audio gear that combines technological advancement with ergonomic elegance is only equaled by their breathtakingly high pricetags. But once the initial shock at the number of 0s, 9s and 5s attached to the prices subsides, it’s easy to be seduced by Meridian’s Siren song. Their gear works and sounds fabulous.

Just as Goldilocks chose the middle road for her sleeping accommodations, Meridian hopes that prospective owners will find their new Audio Core 200 system to be the perfect system for small and mid-sized rooms. In terms of price and capabilities it sits right between the Meridian F80 tabletop unit and their full-blown 800 series components.

The Audio Core 200 stereo system consists of an Audio Core controller and two DSP 3200 powered/active/digital speakers. The system can be hooked up to almost any source you can think of. It supports digital sources via two S/PDIF and USB inputs, analog via both RCA and mini connections, and any Meridian network device via its Meridian SpeakerLink connections. Audio Core Outputs include twin SpeakerLink connections and one 3.5mm stereo analog variable-level headphone output.

FEATURES

Meridian DSP 3200 technical highlights:

•Drivers: 165mm polypropylene bass driver, 85mm aluminum full-range driver. The full range driver in particular allows the, “DSP crossover frequency to be outside the speech band, for an effortless sound that remains clear, open and spacious, even at high listening levels.”

•Onboard Amplifiers: 2 x 75 Wpc, one for each driver, distortion < 0.02% “at any frequency or drive level.”

•Onboard DSP system:

Provides electronic crossover functions.

Provides dynamic bass protection functions that deliver “very accurate transients,” while also providing, “clear, accurate, quality sound even at high levels and for prolonged periods.”
Provides loudness compensation functions said to deliver “ bigger sound that remains balanced even at low listening levels.”

Meridian Audio Core technical highlights:

•Inputs

Meridian SpeakerLink (RJ45).
2 x S/PDIF coax (phono).
2 x mini-optical (3.5mm jack).
USB for use as external computer sound card.
i80 connector (Mini-DIN).
2 x Stereo Analog (phono).
2 x Stereo Analog (3.5mm jack) (same connectors as optical digital).

•Outputs

Twin Meridian SpeakerLink (Master & Slave, RJ45) with MHR.
3.5mm Stereo Headphone out (optionally mutes speakers).

•Processing

Upsampling to 2xfs (88.2/96 kHz). (Output is always high resolution).
Meridian ‘Apodising’ filter cleans up muddiness in digital recordings.

•Control

Allows access to DSP speaker functions such as Treble, Bass, Stereo Width, Loudness, etc.
Nine front-panel keys, five of which are context-defined.
Large knob for volume control and muting.
IR remote control (included).
USB connector for serial control and maintenance.

•Display

OLED (Organic LED) display with automatic brightness feature (can also be dimmed/brightened/disabled manually)

SONIC CHARACTER

Meridian has long been unique among audio manufacturers because they make an enthusiast product that masquerades as a lifestyle product. Designed so it can be used easily by anyone with opposable thumbs, the Audio Core 200 system also attempts to deliver the best sound possible from its small speakers. In the right sized (i.e., not too big) room the DSP 3200 speakers can produce surprisingly high sound pressure levels without signs of audible distress. But if full bass extension is important you will have to augment them with a subwoofer.

Over the last 20 years I’ve used and owned many Meridian products, and while I wouldn’t say that all Meridian audio gear has a similar “house sound” I would note that every Meridian product I’ve tried has been both musical and non-fatiguing. The Audio Core 200 system follows that model. Whether I used low-rez MP3 files streamed from Internet radio or my own 96/24 recordings the Audio Core system never failed to deliver more than merely listenable results. Even on streaming sources the system was enjoyable and musically involving.

Meridian has tried to maintain easy to understand nomenclature for their audio components. But with the Audio Core 200 system Meridian has embarked on a slightly murkier name plan. By naming it Audio Core 200, when Meridian also makes a Media Core 200 is confusing. The Media Core 200 is a stripped-down Sooloos control and hard drive system. It was designed to augment an existing Sooloos system, not as a stand-alone controller/speaker system like the Audio Core 200. But, the Media Core 200 can be used with the DSP 3200 speakers (or any other current Meridian/Sooloos component), although it lacks the ergonomics of the Audio Core 200.

A phrase I found popping into my head on a regular basis while listening to the Audio Core 200 was “suave.” No matter how rude or abrasive the source the sound was always smooth and clean. At times I might have wished for a bit more slam. But given the size of the speakers, without a subwoofer there’s only so much punch, you can reasonably expect, especially in the upper bass.

Just before posting time for this review, Playback learned that Meridian has released an optional subwoofer designed to complement the Audio Core 200 and DSP 3200-series speakers. The subwoofer, known as the DSW DSP Subwoofer ($5000), features a 12-inch long-throw woofer and a 600-watt, DSP-controlled amplifier, and is styled similarly to the DSP 3200 speakers.  Along with the new subwoofer, Meridian now offers updated firmware for the Audio Core 200 that provides setup menus to configure the DSP 3200 speakers for use with the optional subwoofer. We haven’t heard the system with Meridian’s DSP subwoofer in play, but in theory it should comfortably address the needs of listeners who seek powerful and deeply extended bass.

If you don’t want to use a Meridian subwoofer to enhance the Audio Core’s dynamics and slam, you can use any manufacturer’s conventional sub, but you will have to surrender the headphone output to do it. Merely by running the headphone output to a subwoofer’s line-level input you can use a subwoofer. Set the sub’s input sensitivity level and you’re all set. I tried several manufacturers’ subs with the Audio Core 200 system and they all mated easily.

With a subwoofer the Audio Core 200 system could play with far more impact at any volume level. Also with a subwoofer I found that I didn’t need to turn up the volume as much to achieve boogiable SPLs. Getting a good blend between the DSP 3200 speakers and a subwoofer proved to be relatively easy—for most of my listening I let the DSP 3200 speakers roll off naturally and used a 70 Hz crossover point for the subwoofer.

The DSP 3200 speakers are fast and articulate and just a trifle on the warm side of neutral. With a sweet and extended top end, the Audio Core 200 system never sounded rude or raw, even when playing MP3s or Internet radio streams.

With their built-in amps, the DS 3200 never made any clipping noises or showed signs of electronic strain; instead they merely stopped getting any louder and compressed additional potentially damaging SPLs. If you have a volume accident, such as connecting the system to a source with volume turned all the way up, chances of the speakers and amps going thermonuclear are minimal.

Once set up, the Audio Core 200 is a remarkably un-tweaky system. Optimize the physical set-up and you’ll hardly need to mess with it, except for adjusting the treble or bass on especially horrific recordings. It’s an ideal system for a vacation home or pied-a-terre, where the “technical expert” may not be available for queries 24/7.

ERGONOMIC PERFORMANCE

As is so often the case with Meridian equipment, the user interface displays a level of thoughtfulness that most sound components lack. The user experience, whether you’re a first-time user or the guy who installed the system, is intuitive and it all just works.
The supplied credit card remote is well laid out, and its only fault is its size—so small that it can disappear in a nanosecond. While the Audio Core 200 doesn’t have its own remote control App, if you are connected to any of the Sooloos music players, they have their own remote control App that delivers wireless interoperability.

You can also operate the Audio Core 200 from its front panel, which nowadays is not always the case. All the essential controls including volume, mute, tone controls, and source selection are available via buttons. A simple one-line display verifies your selection was successfully accomplished.

MUSIC PERFORMANCE

To hear how well the Audio Core 200 system can perform I listened to a multitude of 96/24 high rez tracks played back through a Sooloos Control 15 and NuForce/Oppo BPD-93. Most of the high-rez sources I used were recordings I’ve made of either the Boulder Philharmonic Orchestra or from Rockygrass Academy. All feature acoustic instruments with no post-processing other than sample rate changes. Whether it was fed Classical or Americana material, the Meridian Audio Core 200 system brought out the relaxed musicality of the recordings.

On my recording of The Deadly Gentlemen, made in a one-room schoolhouse built in 1874, the Meridian system revealed the dynamic subtleties of their instrumental parts while retaining most of the dynamic cacophony of their vocals. While not quite as dynamically open as my reference system, the Audio Core still retained a good portion of the music’s jump factor.

On classical recordings the Audio Core 200 did a commendable job of retaining depth cues and getting most of the dimensionality of the soundstage rendered correctly. Only the back third of the stage was slightly truncated, with the horns too close to the percussion and the back wall a trifle too forward in the soundstage. Lateral focus was very good; on my recent recording of Handel’s Messiah, with its multiple soloists, they were all precisely located across the front center of the soundstage.

Hooked up to a Logitech Duet wireless music server via the SP/DIF connection gave the Audio Core 200 access to a myriad of Internet radio stations. Minnesota public radio (http://minnesota.publicradio.org/radio/services/cms/) has a wonderful classical music stream that sounded especially good through the Audio Core 200. On the better recordings I could swear I was listening to a CD or music file from my own library, not an Internet radio stream.

CONCLUSION

Consider this system if:

•You have a small or mid-sized listening room.
•You want a system that anyone in your household can use.
•You already use Meridian audio equipment.

Look further if:

•You need to play loudly in a larger room.
•You require more than three digital or two analog inputs.
•You want deep bass without a subwoofer.

Ratings (relative to comparably-priced compact speaker systems)

•Transparency and Focus: 9
•Imaging and Soundstaging: 8
•Tonal Balance: 9
•Dynamics: 8
•Bass Extension: 7
•Bass Pitch Definition: 7
•Bass Dynamics 7
•Value: 8

BOTTOM LINE

Hardcore hair-shirt audiophiles may find the idea of an audio component that is ergonomically elegant to the point that anyone can use it easily an anathema, but well-heeled music lovers who require a system for a small to mid-sized room will find the Meridian Audio Core 200 to be an ideal solution. In both looks and performance the Audio Core 200 achieves high points. For full impact you’ll need to add a subwoofer, but once so equipped the Audio Core 200 system can successfully fill any small or mid-sized room with music commanding your full attention.

SPECS & PRICING

Meridian DSP3200 Compact Digital Active Loudspeaker
Driver complement: 165mm polypropylene bass driver, 85mm aluminum full-range driver.
Onboard amplifier power: 2 x 75 Wpc, one for each driver.
Inputs/Outputs: Meridian SpeakerLink RJ45 connections (in/out).
Other: Onboard DSP system provides electronic crossover, dynamic bass protection, and loudness compensation functions.
Dimensions (H x W x D): 12.6” x 9.6” x 9.7” at base (units taper to smaller footprint at top).
Weight: 20 lbs./ea.
Price: $6,000/pair

Meridian Audio Core 200 Stereo Audio Controller

Inputs:

•Meridian SpeakerLink (RJ45).
•2 x S/PDIF coax (phono).
•2 x mini-optical (3.5mm jack).
•USB for use as external computer sound card.
•i80 connector (Mini-DIN).
•2 x Stereo Analog (phono).
•2 x Stereo Analog (3.5mm jack) (same connectors as optical digital).

Outputs:

•Twin Meridian SpeakerLink (Master & Slave, RJ45) with MHR.
•3.5mm Stereo Headphone out (optionally mutes speakers).

Processing:

•Upsampling to 2xfs (88.2/96 kHz). (Output is always high resolution).
•Meridian ‘Apodising’ filter cleans up muddiness in digital recordings.

Finish: High gloss black or white.
Power: 12v DC, <=300mA, provided by external wall-mounted universal supply
Weight: 6 lbs.
Dimensions (H x W x D): 11” x 11” x 3.6”, including feet but not including control knob.
Price: $3,000

System Price: $9,000

Meridian Audio
(646) 666-0140
www.meridan-audio.com

For more information on the Audio Core 200 system in particular, follow this link:
http://meridian-audio.com/the-collection/audio-core/audio-core-200/technical-specifications.aspx