Note that this is a discontinued product. You may want to visit the brand's page here to browse their newer products.
What reviewers think
Bloggers and YouTubers have tried this product—so we've summarized their strongest opinions below. Links to full reviews follow.
Product Strengths
- Confident, solid, and real presentation
- Beefy-solid sound with very good imaging and focus, and with much better layering front to back than anticipated
- Tweeters have a near-perfect combination of articulation and musical purpose, and are absolutely never bright or in your face
- Arguably, the strongest point is their solid and unwavering presentation regardless of volume level
- Has a live-performance-like quality
Product Considerations
- Overall resolution is good, but not spectacular, and perhaps less than one should reasonably expect at this price
- Tonal balance, compared to Apogee speakers, is definitely on the dark side
- Exact same toe in is needed, otherwise focus will tend to either side
- Bass was initially thumb–but was resolved by placement
Comparisons (according to reviewers)
- Compared to Apogee: DSP 5200's have a lower stage, also, tonal balance is darker
- Compared to Kharma: Kharma's are more open-sounding–but can be ear-piercing, while the DSP 5200's are never aggressive or harsh
Takeaway: The DSP 5200 SE speakers deliver a confident and solid sound, that does not lack power, and performs well at all volume levels. They are great at filling the room with sound and creating a thrilling listening experience.
What are hifi reviews useful for? (1) Identifying products you should demo in person at a dealer. (2) Learning which products reviewers unanimously praise as the best they've heard (this means they probably are legitimately great). (3) Identifying a product's attributes that satisfy your idiosyncratic needs and tastes. Beyond that, we often discount what reviewers say because they heap praise on most products—and are often apprehensive about publishing strong criticism or comparisons between products. Further, they seldom have more than a few products on-hand, often relying on their memories to compare past products. Always listen for yourself.
All
Special Edition DSP5200HC
reviews
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An excellent review of a great product
/
Publisher
/
3/1/2022
An excellent review of a great product
Publisher
/
3/1/2022
Video Review
Manufacturer details
Features
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
- Peak SPL: 116dB at 1m (music material)
- Frequency Response: 35Hz to over 32kHz (in-room within 3dB)
- Amplifiers: 3 x 75W (225W)
- Distortion: typically <0.02% at any frequency or level
- Low-bass Driver: 160mm polypropylene long-throw
- Mid/bass Driver: 160mm polypropylene long-throw
- Tweeter: 25mm (1") Meridian piston in short-horn, beryllium dome with silver voice-coil
- Dimensions (HxWxD): 201mm x 735mm x 267mm [7.9in x 29in x 10.5in]
- Weight: 35kg [77.1lbs]
- Power: 20W standby; 300W maximum
Description
A perfect partner for the freestanding Special Edition DSP5200, the Special Edition DSP5200HC provides full-range playback in a horizontal centre-channel package. The DSP5200SE HC is designed for mounting under a large-screen TV, behind an acoustically-transparent projection screen and is ideal for partnering with other Meridian free-standing or in-wall loudspeakers.
Release Timeline
Manufacturer Site
Brand highlights
Taking a step back to look at reviewers' thoughts of the brand's entire lineup—not just this product—what stands out most is the following:
- Meridian leverages its decades of DSP expertise, including proprietary algorithms like Enhanced Bass Alignment (EBA) and granular software control, to tailor the sound of their speakers to specific room placements and user preferences.
- The brand offers its customers a unique personalization program where speakers can be finished in any color, enabling seamless integration into any decor.
- They designed and implemented the SpeakerLink connection, a proprietary system that transmits both digital audio and control signals over Ethernet cables, simplifying setup and reducing cable clutter.
Select products
Select product comparisons
DSP5200
- Positioning: The entry-level line, designed for affordability and compactness.
- Description: Features Meridian's refined audio architecture that offers balanced performance for smaller rooms with essential connectivity. Compared to the more advanced models in the lineup, delivers simpler processing and fewer high-end functions, making it ideal for users on a tight budget with modest functionality needs.
Special Edition DSP7200
- Positioning: Mid-range reference series model aimed at enhanced performance for standard home environments.
- Description: Incorporates advanced digital signal processing with a more robust tuning approach that delivers a higher level of detail than the entry-level DSP5200. In contrast to the HC version and DSP9, provides improved clarity and sound stability without the extra power or extensive connectivity options available in the higher-tier products.
Special Edition DSP7200HC
- Positioning: Mid-to-high range reference series product geared toward larger rooms demanding extra output.
- Description: Uses high current amplification alongside advanced tuning algorithms to offer increased dynamic range and headroom compared to its non-HC sibling. When set against the DSP5200 and the standard DSP7200, provides a noticeable boost in power and performance, yet still sits below the ultra-high-end DSP9 in terms of overall sonic refinement.
DSP9
- Positioning: High-end reference series product intended for systems where demanding performance is key.
- Description: Uses cutting-edge design with enhanced signal processing that delivers a more precise and detailed sound stage than the DSP7200 variants. Compared to both the lower-tier DSP5200 and the HC model, offers deeper technical sophistication and robust performance characteristics while remaining more accessible than the flagship alternative.
DSP8000-XE
- Positioning: The flagship product designed for ultimate, high-resolution home theater systems.
- Description: Integrates groundbreaking digital signal processing and power amplification technology to achieve exceptional clarity, expansive soundstage, and versatile connectivity features. Compared to the DSP9 and other Reference Series models, stands out with superior build quality and the most comprehensive feature set.
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Avg. Product Price
$5,001-$10,000
Used For Sale
175
Available (Scroll Down)
Brand Popularity
47
of 900+
Badges
Top 50 Brand
Top 250 Brand
Products Listed
24
Founding Year
1977
Our take on the brand
Meridian Audio pioneered digital surround-sound processing and Digital Signal Processing (DSP) in speakers, and developed the Meridian Lossless Packing technology that became the standard for DVD-Audio and Blu-ray formats. The brand's unique technologies include Enhanced Bass Alignment for time-aligned frequencies, SpeakerLink for simplified digital connections using Ethernet-style cables, and MQA for high-resolution audio streaming.
Look inside the brand
Brand Page
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