DSP8000 XE – Meridian’s Next Generation Flagship Speakers

Meridian Audio’s flagship DSP8000 XE is an example of “significant progress in the development of digital powered loudspeakers.”

The DSP8000 XE is the first loudspeaker from the Extreme Engineering program, launched nearly 7 years ago, to recreate every element of Meridian’s product platforms, both software and hardware.

One of the main achievements of the program is a design concept known as the “Precision Sonic Transport” (PST). The company says that PST “applies innovative methods and new processes to ensure that every aspect of the audio path through the loudspeaker maintains maximum audio fidelity.” The DSP8000 XE is the first Meridian product to benefit from PST enhancements, but it certainly won’t be the last.

The towers are built on a new sound architecture with higher specifications, more powerful components and a host of fresh programming ideas. Their Atlas software core is a new audio processing and control platform for Meridian’s most powerful DSP to date.

The R1 Electronics Platform is a hardware infrastructure for digital and analog circuits, including the Command Board processing center, which houses the DSP processing engine and the Sync-Link digital audio synchronization system, which uses shielded RJ45 channels from the Command Board directly to the new DAC boards.

The acoustics also boast separate, dedicated, higher-performance DAC boards and more powerful amplifier boards connected via extremely short, balanced audio connections.

In terms of drivers, the DSP8000 XE features six all-new 200mm long-throw (24mm-throw) woofers in a “force-balanced” configuration for maximum bass expansion, a 160mm Evo mid-range driver, and a 25mm beryllium dome tweeter with silver voice coil and a new steel waveguide. The system delivers up to 150W into the 4 ohm tweeters and midrange drivers and 240W in bridged mode for bass.

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Meridian also improved the aesthetics with a redesigned cabinet, acoustically transparent flush-mounted metal grilles and an aluminum base plate for weight distribution.

Connectivity options include Meridian B-Link Bluetooth device, IR, USB, RS232 and Meridian controller support. Each speaker also includes an optional IA21 analog input module that allows users to connect and control the DSP8000 XE via any analog of their choice.