Meridian Special Edition DSP5200
The Meridian DSP5200 Special Edition pairs tonal neutrality with taut, well-defined bass, clean treble and room-filling dynamic authority. Its adjustable DSP, dedicated amplification and inert layered cabinet create an unusually seamless active-speaker experience; Home Theater Review found its presentation smooth, accurate and naturally musical. A refined choice for listeners drawn to controlled scale without sonic hype.
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Nicely Roasted
Sound Quality
90/100
Build Quality
92/100
Value for Money
85/100
Pros
Smooth, neutral and accurate balance, with clear midrange and treble that avoid an overly processed character.
Taut, well-defined bass and strong dynamic authority, scale and depth.
Adjustable DSP and dedicated amplification for each driver support room tailoring and seamless integration.
Substantially built, resonance-conscious layered cabinet with a timeless design.
Cons
Connectivity is limited to Meridian-oriented SpeakerLink and coaxial digital connections, with no optical, HDMI or analogue inputs.
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What Reviewers Are Saying
SOUND QUALITY PERFORMANCE 90/100
Reviewers describe a notably neutral, smooth and accurate presentation that avoids sounding processed despite the extensive DSP architecture. The reported sound combines taut bass, clean midrange and treble, and convincing scale and dynamic authority.
Bass
91/100
Home Theater Review found the bass taut and well defined, with sufficient extension to reproduce the low-E fundamental of bass instruments. The specified 35Hz in-room response aligns with the reviewer's impression of useful low-frequency reach rather than exaggerated weight.
Mid
89/100
The midrange was described as clear and clean, while the overall tonal balance was praised as neutral and accurate. Reviewers did not report coloration, excessive warmth, or an overly forward presence region.
Treble
89/100
Home Theater Review found the treble clear and clean, with an overall character that was neither bright nor forward. The speaker was also described as smooth from bass through treble, suggesting a refined rather than hyped top end.
Soundstage Imaging
91/100
The DSP5200 was said to provide satisfying scale and depth, contributing to a convincing presentation rather than a constrained small-speaker sound. Detailed comments on image specificity and lateral stage width are limited.
Dynamics
92/100
Home Theater Review reported more than enough volume, dynamic authority and presence for its listening tastes. Alpha Audio likewise considered the active three-amplifier arrangement fully sufficient, despite its modest-looking power figures on paper.
Assessments of Build Quality, Usability, and Overall Propositions.
Build Quality
92/100
Reviewers describe a carefully engineered, highly inert enclosure: multilayer materials, veneered plywood and poured resin are cited for rigidity and resonance damping. Alpha Audio also praised the layered wood-and-aluminium cabinet as incredibly solid and acoustically 'dead,' while noting the enduring, timeless design.
Value for Money
85/100
The DSP5200 SE sits in a premium bracket at roughly $13,995 per pair or €14,500 for an active system. The reviews identify the price but offer little direct comparison with similarly priced alternatives or a clear verdict on value at the asking price.
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Professional reviews and sources for this product's Watt'n Potatoes analysis.
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Specifications
- AUDIO INPUTS
- Meridian SpeakerLink (RJ45) & RCA phono digital inputs accepting 32kHz to 96kHz sampling rates at up to 24-bit
- AUDIO OUTPUTS
- Meridian SpeakerLink (RJ45) & RCA phono digital outputs delivering 32kHz to 96kHz sampling rates at up to 24-bit
- PERFORMANCE
- Peak SPL: 116dB at 1m (music material)\nNoise less than 15dB SPL\nFrequency response In room within 3dB: 35Hz - over 32kHz
- AMPLIFIERS
- 3 x 75w (225 w)\nOverall distortion typically <0.02% at any frequency or level
- LOW-BASS DRIVER
- 160mm polypropylene long-throw
- MID/BASS DRIVER
- 160mm polypropylene long-throw
- BERYLLIUM DOME TWEETER
- 25mm (1”) Meridian piston in short-horn, beryllium dome with silver voice-coil
- DISPLAY
- Eight-character display with additional status indicators; can be blanked during use
- DIMENSIONS / WEIGHT
- WIDTH: 178mm [7in] tapering to 300mm [11.8in]\nDEPTH: 220mm [8.7in] tapering to 360mm [14.2in]\nFOOTPRINT (W x D): 300mm [11.8in] x 360mm [14.2in]\nWEIGHT: 27kg [59.5lbs]
- POWER
- 20W standby; 300W maximum
Manufacturer's Description — Meridian
The Special Edition DSP5200 delivers ultimate high-resolution performance from a compact loudspeaker.
Loudspeakers
Special Edition DSP5200
The DSP5200SE contains a complete matched audio system, giving the highest overall quality, lower power consumption and the low-frequency performance of a traditional passive loudspeaker several times the physical volume. Finished as standard in piano lacquer black, our Select finishing option means Special Edition loudspeakers can also be supplied in the colour of your choice. Full-range floorstanding and horizontal centre-channel options are offered, for audio or home cinema solutions.
Bespoke Signal Mapping
Meridian Bespoke Signal Mapping utilises digital signal processing to apply tailored crossover filters that are designed specifically for each configuration of drive units within a loudspeaker.
E3 Bass
Meridian E3 Bass uses specifically designed filters to expand, extend and enhance the low-frequency response of the loudspeaker.
FFA
FFA (Full Frequency Alignment) is a combination of digital filters and delays to correct the group-delay of a loudspeakers. It ensures that all frequencies reach the listener’s ear at the same time.
Q-Sync
Meridian Q-Sync deploys Meridian's multiple “First In, First Out” buffering system which minimises jitter, ensuring perfect timing and improved clarity.
Pro-Active Bass
Meridian Pro-Active Bass protects the bass drivers from over-excursion, ensuring maximum bass output without damaging the drive units.
Pro-Active Thermal
Meridian Pro-Active Thermal monitors the audio being sent to the mid-range drivers and tweeters and limits the overall volume of the loudspeaker if there is a risk of the drive units getting too hot.
True Time
True Time is Meridian's proprietary Apodising Filter that avoids pre-ringing and cleans up the effects of early filters, converting pre-echo to post-echo.
True Link
Meridian True Link is an encryption method for transferring high-definition digital audio over SPDIF connections. It allows secure movement of digital audio whilst ensuring that the SPDIF clock signal can be transmitted with minimum degradation.
Free-Q
Meridian Free-Q is used to compensate for acoustic problems associated with specific loudspeaker placement conditions.
The Reference Series
With its extensive Research and Development programme Meridian has pioneered the development of a host of innovative audio technologies many of which feature in today’s Meridian products.
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Authorized dealers for Meridian Special Edition DSP5200
- Absolute Sound (SG) — online and in-store — Singapore, Singapore (website)
- Alex Audio Video — in-store — Sofia, Sofia City Province, Bulgaria (website)
- Alpha High End — online and in-store — Brasschaat, Vlaams Gewest, Belgium (website)
- American Sound — in-store — Richmond Hill, Ontario, Canada (website)
- Analogue Seduction — online and in-store — Whittlesey, England, United Kingdom (website)
- Art & Voice — online (website)
- Audio Connection — online and in-store — Verona, New Jersey, United States (website)
- Audio Evolution — online and in-store — Volla, Campania, Italy (website)
- Audio High — in-store — San Jose, California, United States (website)
- Audio Reference — in-store — Hamburg-Nord, Hamburg, Germany (website)
and 54 more verified dealers