Meridian Audio has long been a pioneer when it comes to high-fidelity sound, pushing the envelope when it comes to technology and performance. It’s a brand synonymous with the high-end. So it’s perhaps a surprise to encounter the Ellipse, ostensibly a compact Bluetooth wireless speaker, from the marque.

But looks can be deceiving. Born out of the brand’s Extreme Engineering Programme, the Ellipse inherits design and performance cues from flagship models like the DSP8000XE and DSP9 floorstanders, translating Meridian’s audiophile sensibilities into a compact, streaming-friendly package.

Meridian Ellipse speaker: Design

It should come as no surprise to hear that the Meridian Ellipse is a beautifully crafted unit. What is surprising is just how small it is. Its elliptoid dimensions measures 412 x 223 x 171 mm, and it weighs in at 3.9 kg.

It’s compact enough to sit on a bookshelf, coffee table, or media unit while maintaining a strong visual presence. A satin-black finish, paired with a metal grille on the front, lend it a contemporary yet understated look.

Behind the grille are two 90mm polypropylene drivers and a central 15cm bass driver, driven by 80W of total power (2 x 25W for left and right, with the remainder allocated to the woofer).

Three subtly angled feet optimise sound projection, which can be further tweaked by clever DSP.

Meridian’s attention to detail extends beyond aesthetics to its acoustic design. The biggest challenge in compact speakers is eliminating resonance, a common issue that tends to degrade audio quality.

Killing resonance is easy when you're working with a 70kg loudspeaker, but with a compact enclosure such as this, not so much.

The Ellipse solves the problem with a separate low-frequency enclosure, ensuring clean, distortion-free bass without interference from the left and right channel drivers. This innovation, trickled down from the DSP9 floorstander, allows the Ellipse to maintain a high level of definition and clarity that belies its size. The speaker also runs a new hardware platform, using stablemate software.

For those seeking a wired connection, the rear panel (which nestles on the undercarriage) includes an optical/analogue 3.5mm input (with a 3.5mm mini-Toslink adapter included), USB-C (for high-resolution 192kHz/24-bit audio from a laptop), USB-A , and Ethernet LAN, to support wireless connectivity.

However, there’s no HDMI ARC/eARC, reinforcing that the Ellipse's primary focus is music rather than home entertainment.

That said, there is the option of using the digital optical audio legacy output from your television. Lip-sync adjustment is available to help marry errant sound and vision.

Meridian Ellipse speaker: Features and Installation

The Meridian Ellipse is loaded with features designed to meet the demands of both enthusiastic listeners and custom installers. Streaming service support is wide, and includes Spotify Connect, Tidal Connect, AirPlay 2, and Google Cast.

As well as Bluetooth and Wi-Fi streaming, it can be used as a UPnP renderer. It's also Roon Ready. The system doesn't support aptX Adaptive of LDAC though.

Installation is seamless. The Ellipse automatically looks to pair upon first use, making setup via the Meridian Control App straightforward.

Said app offers various sound mode adjustments, including Bass & Space for soundstage enhancement, Image Elevation for virtual speaker repositioning, and Free-Q for placement optimisation (there’s the usual choice of Wall, Shelf, Corner settings). When it comes to home automation, the Ellipse is compatible with Crestron, Control4, RTI, and Nice systems, making it an excellent candidate for smart home integration.

Meridian has incorporated various DSP technologies into the Ellipse, each designed to refine and enhance the speaker’s output. Among the most significant are Bass & Space and Image Elevation.

Bass & Space is a very effective technique that expands the perceived size of the speaker by enhancing low-frequency response and spatial cues, creating a big, room-filling sound. It works extremely well.

Subtle but also impressive, Image Elevation technology compensates for any low-profile placement by lifting the perceived height of projected audio. It makes vocals and instruments sound as if they are at an ear-level position rather than being anchored too low in the soundstage.

This tech has its development roots in Meridian’s high-end automotive audio systems, where sound staging has to be carefully controlled within a vehicle’s interior.

Meridian Ellipse speaker: Performance

One of the most impressive achievements of the Ellipse is its ability to produce a convincing stereo image. Traditional stereo relies on speakers being physically separated by a certain distance, yet the Ellipse’s left and right drivers are only 200mm apart.

To overcome this limitation, Meridian has employed spatial audio processing and psychoacoustics to create a larger, wider stereo image than you’d expect from a single enclosure.

The result is remarkably expansive. This effect is particularly noticeable in well-mixed recordings, where instruments and vocals are clearly defined.

There’s a fair amount of user control available from the app. Boundary correction optimises performance regardless of placement while adjustable image elevation lets users control the apparent height of the sound. There’s also vanilla-flavoured bass and treble control.

Anya Taylor-Joy’s rendition of ‘Downtown’ showcases the Ellipse’s ability to deliver silky, articulate vocals, with its brass backing arrangement still well-defined. The speaker is agile too. Foo Fighters’ ‘Monkey Wrench’ illustrates the speaker’s ability to handle dynamic shifts and high-energy riffs with precision and control.

While bass isn’t exactly prodigious, it can still sound meaty. Falling in Reverse’s ‘All My Life,’ with its country hooks and massive beats, arrives with tangible weight.

Meridian Ellipse speaker: Verdict

Overall, we rate the Meridian Ellipse as an astonishingly well-executed wireless speaker, able to deliver classy audio for compact, streaming-friendly package. Sophisticated DSP, punchy amplification, and meticulous engineering combine to make it one of the most versatile premium wireless speakers available today.

For existing Meridian customers, the Ellipse is a welcome addition the Meridian ecosystem. For newcomers, it’s a luxurious, no-compromise introduction to one of the most respected names in audiophile-grade engineering.

It’s obviously not cheap, but it is patently brilliant.

The Meridian Ellipse is available now, priced at £1,900. For more, visit Meridian Audio here.

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