Jordan O'BrienMeridian Audio will once again be back at ISE showcasing its advancements in the field of high resolution audio. These advancements include two new power amplifiers, as well as an enhancement to the company’s design and specification service.
The first new product launching at ISE 2017 from Meridian Audio will be the Meridian 258, a dedicated rack-mount eight-channel power amplifier that can be integrated with any existing passive loudspeaker system. This class D amplifier has been designed for a wide range of applications and delivers >100W per channel into 4Ohms. This power amplifier is 1U high, meaning it can be rack-mounted. Pricing has been set at £1250, excluding VAT, although a release date has yet to be confirmed.
Those not needing eight channels will also get a new two-channel power amplifier, in the form of the Meridian 857. This amplifier is capable of delivering 500W per channel into 4 Ohms. This high resolution amplifier is bridgeable to >1.5KW and is available as a dedicated rack-mount variant, with a totally new design. Similarly to the 258, the 857 has been specifically designed to work with any audio product. Release date details have yet to be confirmed, but the Meridian 857 will cost around £5,000 excluding VAT at launch.
The final product to be previewed is the new Meridian 218 Zone Controller. Combining digital and analogue inputs and outputs, the Sooloos/MQA–enabled Meridian 218 is suitable for a wide range of distributed audio applications from single zone to multi-zone use. With control features including IP and IR, easily integrated with third-party control systems, this 1U-high product can be rack, shelf, or wall mounted. Pricing has been confirmed at £625 excluding VAT.
It’s not just new products that are being displayed at ISE 2017, Meridian Audio is also keen to promote its newly updated and complimentary Design and Specification Service, which was formed to help dealers integrate its products into designs for home theatres.
All dealers have to do is send a plan of the room or home where they are installing the system, and Meridian will return a schematic that details where to position speakers, audio panels, and projector and screen to ensure that the technology is optimised to provide the best experience. The service can also show how Meridian components can interface with third-party control options and existing audio and video distribution systems.
It won’t just be on Meridian Audio’s own stand where Meridian Audio speakers will be available. Visitors to Barco’s booth will have the opportunity to hear a pair of Meridian Special Edition DSP7200 Digital Active Loudspeakers, finished in a custom Meridian Select colour.
As part of the ISE 2017 education programme, Meridian’s CTO Richard Hollinshead will present Making the Most of HD Audio on February 8 from 9:30 – 11:00 am in room D202, discussing the importance of high resolution audio. Richard will examine the difference between standard and high resolution audio, the available audio formats, sources and the requirements to use them. Richard will also be discussing Listening to Music and Movies in the Year 2020 on the CEDIA booth at 10:30 am on February 7, looking at how we will access more content, in more formats across more devices as our lives become more mobile, urban and connected.