THE #1 AV NEWS PUBLICATION. PERIOD.

Meridian Custom Install Offering Enhanced With New Products & Services

phpnmqd3famSEPT. 7, 2016—During CEDIA 2016 in booth 5708, Meridian will reinforce and showcase its dedication to the custom install market, debuting new partnerships and demonstrating both new and flagship products that emphasize high-resolution performance, ease of installation for the custom installer, coupled with impressive functionality. Much-anticipated new two and eight-channel amplifiers and a new Zone Controller are on the docket for CEDIA, along with favorites, like the acclaimed Meridian DSP320 in-wall / in-ceiling architectural loudspeaker, enhanced Sooloos multi-room streaming audio platform, and new Meridian Design and Specification Service.

New Product Introductions Deliver a Powerful Punch

Meridian will preview three exciting new Hi Res products at this year’s CEDIA, all of which will be available to order at the show for shipping later in 2016. Among these new products are two new power amplifiers—the Meridian 258 Eight-Channel Power Amplifier and the Meridian Reference Two-Channel Power Amplifier 857.

The Meridian 258 is a dedicated rack-mount Eight-Channel Power Amplifier. This powerful, high performance cold-running Class D amplifier is suitable for a wide range of applications and delivers >100W per channel into 4 Ohms / >70W per channel into 8 Ohms*.  At only 1U high and carrying a 5 year manufacturer’s warranty, the 258 is a category changing amplifier and as with all Meridian products is manufactured in the UK. The price at launch will be $2,000 (MSRP).

The Meridian 857 is a Reference Two-Channel Power Amplifier delivering 500W per channel into 4 Ohms. This Hi-Res Audio amplifier, bridgeable to >1.5KW, is available as a dedicated rack-mount variant and incorporates a totally new design based upon extensive research. Tremendously powerful with an incredibly low noise floor, the Meridian 857 represents a step change in amplifier design. The price at launch will be $10,000 (MSRP).

The final product to be previewed is the new Meridian 218 Zone Controller. Combining both digital and analog 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 3rd Party control systems, this versatile 1U-high product can be rack, shelf, or wall mounted. The price at launch will be $1,000 (MSRP).

Barco and Meridian Partnership Creates Unique Opportunity for Dealers

Meridian and Barco recently entered into a new partnership that enables dealers to specify Barco projectors into Meridian projects. Building upon each brands distinguished legacy to create the highest quality home cinema and media room experience, dealers will have access to Media Series, Theatre Series and top of the range Cinema-at-home Series projectors, offering significant performance advantages for a wide range of viewing applications, specifications and price-points. The new brand partnership will complement Meridian and Barco Residential’s existing distribution channels, all of which remain unchanged.

Meridian DSP Loudspeaker Technology Delivers Predictable and Repeatable Performance

Emphasizing its commitment to the custom installation market, Meridian will also be showcasing the DSP320, the company’s most discrete yet highest-performing in-wall/in-ceiling loudspeaker to-date. The DSP320 delivers unrivalled audio performance, while saving significant time, cost, and space for installers working on whole-home, home theater, superyacht, single media room, and other high-end, high-performance projects. Within its svelte 12-inch square (300mm square) and 4-inch deep (100mm deep) enclosure, the DSP320 contains all the system’s electronics—including digital analog converters—eliminating the need for any amplification on the rack for dramatically simplified installation. Meridian’s DSP approach provides unparalleled performance from a small design, making the DSP320 capable of predictable and repeatable performance—perfect for a wide variety of in-wall and in-ceiling applications. As an added bonus, Meridian will also display at CEDIA a pair of DSP5200SE loudspeakers in an automotive color, showing how the company can outfit speakers with almost limitless finishes via Meridian Select.

Sooloos Delivers Superior Hi-Res Audio Streaming Experience

What would CEDIA be without some mention of streaming and hi-res audio? Meridian’s award-winning Sooloos audio platform provides the most flexible, cost-effective, and highest performing streaming audio offering to-date. Fully flexible and scalable in terms of zones and systems, Meridian Sooloos is a music cataloguing, metadata system, comprising control, network, hard drive storage, core operating system, and audio source. Recent updates to the Meridian Sooloos system also bring significant benefits, including deeper integration with a range of third-party control systems and storage options. New additions include a plugin that enables third-party Network Attached Storage (NAS) integration and a range of significant performance and hardware enhancements. Sooloos can now be integrated using Meridian Core storage options (with integrated end point) or a supported NAS device through a special QNAP plugin, giving the integrator or technologist the freedom to specify their preferred storage product. Meridian has partnered with NAS supplier QNAP to provide Meridian dealers direct access to pre-configured and installed drivers for Meridian Sooloos systems. The system also features improved control options to embrace redesigned iPhone and iPad applications, and TouchPC control, alongside integration with a variety of third-party automation and control systems. Sooloos epitomizes Meridian’s commitment to developing and delivering the industry’s finest high-resolution distributed audio systems.

Speaking of the Future (Pun Intended) AI Platform Josh.ai Integrates with Meridian Sooloos

Meridian has always been at the forefront of innovation and is delighted to announce that it has been working with JStar LLC on the integration of its “whole home artificial intelligence platform” josh.ai into its award winning Meridian Sooloos system. More information on this will be available at the Josh.ai booth at the show, where a pair of Meridian DSP loudspeakers will be on display.

Integrators Benefit From Free-of-Charge Design & Specification Service

Last, but not least, Meridian will also be demonstrating its free-of-charge Meridian Design and Specification Service, which saves design time and reduces costs for its dealers working on whole-home, home theater, or superyacht projects. 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 room layout, speaker positions (for two-channel and home cinema systems), and wiring diagrams. The service can also help dealers understand and show how Meridian components can interface with existing audio and video distribution systems, third-party control options, acoustic treatments, and projection systems.

Making the Most of Hi-Res with Meridian – Richard Hollinshead Educates and Inspires

Meridian’s Chief Technical Officer Richard Hollinshead will educate and inspire audiences during his CEDIA training session Making the Most of Hi-Res on Wednesday, September 14th from 8:30 – 10:00 am in room D173. This energizing session will explore the importance of high-resolution audio and examine the difference between standard and high-resolution audio, the available audio formats and sources, and the requirements to use them. Richard will also explore ways to maintain high-resolution audio throughout a distributed audio system. The course—#EST0034_1—provides 1.5 CEU credits to those who complete the session. To find more information and to register for this training course, visit http://cedia16.mapyourshow.com/7_0/sessions/session-details.cfm?ScheduleID=138.

Celebrating Custom Installers, Integrators, and Technologists at CEDIA

To celebrate custom installers, say thanks to dealers, and to showcase Meridian’s dedication to the CI channel, CEDIA attendees are invited to join Meridian and partners for drinks and networking during a booth reception being held Friday September 16th from 3:00 – 5:00 pm in booth #5708.

To learn more about Meridian, visit www.meridian-audio.com

Top