Meridian DSP technology brings High-Res Audio entertainment home

Advanced Meridian DSP technology is at the heart of a high-tech new build in Hastings. The project, recently completed by smart home design and installation firm Progressive Home Technology, combines High-Res Audio playback, multiroom streaming and high performance home theatre.

The brief was to bring premium quality audio to the family’s entire home entertainment experience. The requirement was to be able to access music from multiple sources, as well as deliver reference standard home cinema. At the same time, it was important that the technology complemented the interior aesthetic of the house and integrated seamlessly with the Control4 system in use.

For the media room, Progressive Home Technology specified a 65-inch LG OLED screen, fed by a Kaleidescape Premiere movie system. Processing is handled by Meridian’s 861V8 Surround Controller, for 7.2 THX Certified cinema sound. Audio was delivered by Meridian Special Edition DSP7200 loudspeakers for the LCR, complimented by Special Edition DSP5200 rear speakers. Deep bass comes via a pair of Meridian DSW Subwoofers.

The sophisticated design of the Meridian Special Edition DSP7200 loudspeakers, finished in piano lacquer white, makes them an ideal match to the modern interior. With four, integrated 150W amplifiers, the DSP7200 loudspeakers remove the need for an amplifier in the rack, also reducing power and thermal management requirements. The system also maximises the amount of space available to the homeowner.

“While the loudspeakers were chosen primarily for quality, the aesthetic influenced the striking layout of the room, which was designed around the loudspeakers,” explains Liam McLaughlin, Director of Progressive Home Technology.

A Meridian Sooloos digital media system was chosen for multiroom duites, with lossless CD ripping and playback and MQA (Master Quality Authenticated) audio streaming. The system is fully integrated with the client’s existing AVID turntable setup (pictured above), allowing him to play vinyl through the Meridian DSP loudspeakers. The Sooloos system serves seven audio zones in the property, six from a Meridian Media Core 600 into an Audio Control Director amplifier which provides audio to the kitchen, dining room, snug, bedroom, bathroom and gym.

The Sooloos works across the client's home network for simple, hassle-free installation, making it easy to browse and play content from both personal music libraries and internet streaming services.

“We recommended Meridian for all the digital connections in the home,” comments Liam McLaughlin. “The active DSP design helps to save important space in the rack, easing venting requirements in what is a compact storage space. Thanks to Meridian we can get high resolution audio into the system when few other systems could offer a solution of comparable quality. Integration with the Sooloos system also influenced the choice, but the key requirement and deciding factor was for the best looking and the best sounding equipment within the overall budget.”

Project Kit List:
Meridian 861V8 Surround Controller
Meridian HDMI Audio Processor
Meridian Special Edition DSP7200SE LCR Speakers
Meridian Special Edition DSP5200SE Rear Speakers
Meridian DSW Subwoofers (2)
Meridian Media Core 600
Meridian Control 15 Touchscreen 
The Director Model D3400
Kaleidescape Premiere Movie System
LG 65EF950V OLED 4K TV
Lumagen RadiancePro 4K Video Processor
Furman Reference Mains Conditioning
Control4 Home Automation Processor

For more on Meridian’s High Res Audio solutions, visit our resource page here.