Meridian dsp3100 Instruction Manual

DSP3100
Digital Signal Processing
Loudspeaker System
www.meridian-audio.com
Powerful, compact, high-
accuracy DSP loudspeaker
ideal for second room,
surrounds or nearfield/
surround studio monitoring
New dual amplifier design
based on the acclaimed
DSP8000 minimizes coloration
Self-contained audio system
with custom drivers, two
amplifiers, two digital
converters, digital crossovers
and advanced sound-shaping
DSP capability for maximum
fidelity
Listener remote control
features including bass, treble
tilt, listening axis, volume,
time-compensated balance
and absolute phase
Dynamic bass protection
system avoids LF distortion at
high levels
S/PDIF digital inputs support
up to 24-bit, 96kHz with MHR
Ultra-rigid cabinet features
aluminium panels bonded to
wood, bitumen damped for
the ultimate in low coloration
Available in matte black or
satin silver, with black piano
lacquered wood accents
Maximum output level
up to 108dB spl
Meridian’s acclaimed DSP-based
loudspeakers are unparalleled in the
industry. Each unit includes not only
carefully-chosen loudspeaker drivers
and excellent cabinet design and
acoustics, but also multiple power
amplifiers and D/A converters, and
the DSP power required to create
crossovers, filters and control systems
that would be completely impossible
in a conventional amp/passive speaker
configuration. This is why they sound
so unlike anything else you’ll hear.
The DSP loudspeaker is the ultimate
expression of Meridian’s loudspeaker
philosophy.
Active loudspeakers mean giving each
driver its own amplifier in direct and
close control of all its parameters.
DSP capability means crossover
specifications that cannot be matched
by conventional designs and bass
extension vastly superior to other
loudspeakers of the same volume,
while keeping the signal in the digital
domain until the last moment means
that there is an unbroken link between
the recording studio or concert hall and
your listening room.
The DSP3100 represents a breakthrough
in compact digital loudspeakers.
Available in vertical or horizontal
centre configuration, they deliver an
astonishing performance for their size,
and are ideal for stereo or surround
listening in smaller spaces. Their
accuracy and uncoloured sound also
makes them ideal for monitoring in
recording and mastering studios.
The DSP3100 is
available with
satin silver or black
with piano-lacquer
wood accents,
and in vertical
configuration
(above) or
horizontal centre
(DSP3100HC, left)
PRELIMINARY

Meridian Audio Limited
Latham Road
Huntingdon
Cambridgeshire PE29 6YE
England
T [phone]
F [phone]
Meridian America Inc
8055 Troon Circle, Suite C
Austell
Atlanta GA 30168-7849
T [phone]
F [phone]
DSP3100
Digital Signal Processing
Loudspeaker System
www.meridian-audio.com
DSP3100DS v1.0 200500901 RE
The DSP3100 from Meridian represents
a new benchmark in the development
of compact, high-performance digital
loudspeakers.
Cabinet design
The DSP3100’s distinctive cabinet is
made from braced MDF with piano-
lacquer ends and aluminium side-panels
bonded for rigidity. The DSP3100
offers extremely low coloration, and
this is partially a result of this cabinet
construction. Wood tends to vibrate
at lower frequencies, while aluminium
is very stable; conversely, aluminium
tends to resonate at higher frequencies
while wood does not. Combining the
two by bonding them together as
in the DSP3100 tends to cancel out
vibration across the range. In addition,
the cabinet is further damped with
bitumen, leading to an enclosure that
is exceedingly dead.
The DSP3100 is intended for use
as a bookshelf or stand-mounted
loudspeaker – specially-designed
aluminium stands are available for the
vertical units that can be sand-filled
for maximum stability and minimal
impact on sound quality. In addition,
the vertical units include Omnimount/
universal wall bracket mountings for
additional flexibility in location. The
horizontal centre unit is designed to sit
on a shelf. Feet are fitted to the units.
The speakers are tonally similar to
other Meridian DSP loudspeakers and
as a result they are ideal for use, for
example, as surrounds for a Meridian
DSP-based system. They are equally
suited for use in a smaller stand-alone
system in a study or bedroom, and can
be used as second zone speakers in
a Meridian multi-room environment.
With S/PDIF digital inputs at up to
96kHz, they can also be used as high-
end computer loudspeakers.
The extremely accurate characteristics
of the DSP3100 make them eminently
suitable for studio monitoring
applications, particularly as near-field
or surround monitors in recording and
mastering facilities, where they can
accept digital audio data at standard
digital recording sample rates up to 24-
bit, 96kHz operation.
Inside the DSP3100
Featuring high-efficiency long-throw
6in (160mm) (vertical model) or dual 5
1⁄4 in (120mm) (horizontal model) bass
drivers with doped carbon fibre cones
and cast alloy baskets, the DSP3100 also
includes a very high quality 1in (25mm)
Meridian piston treble drive unit with
doped fabric dome. The drivers are
powered directly by independent high
power, low feedback amplifiers fed
from an audiophile-grade power supply
with a substantial toroidal transformer.
The DSP power in the DSP3100 is
provided by a Motorola 56367 running
at 150MHz, while D/A conversion is
handled by dual 24-bit multi-bit delta-
sigma converters. The vertical units
feature a 2-way rear-ported design
with a single 160mm bass driver, while
the horizontal centre is a 2 1⁄2-way
closed box design featuring twin 5 1⁄4
in (120mm) bass drivers.
The DSP3100 may be controlled and
configured via RS232, and operated by
an infrared remote control unit (not
supplied).
Cosmetic finishes available are black
or silver, matching Meridian’s G Series
components (bead-blasted, chemically
brightened and anodised). Wooden
surfaces are piano-lacquered.
Outline Specifications
Performance: Frequency response in-room within 3dB from 35Hz to over 20kHz. Linear-phase mid/top crossover.
Output >108dB spl @ 1m on music material. Noise less than 15dB spl. Overall electronic distortion
typically <0.02% at any frequency or level.
Inputs: Two S/PDIF digital inputs, 32kHz-96kHz sampling rates at up to 24 bit with MHR support.
Construction: Vertical unit: 2-way ported design with 160mm bass driver; Horizontal centre: 2 1⁄2-way closed
box design with twin 5 1⁄4 in (120mm) bass drivers, with doped carbon fibre cones and cast alloy
baskets. 1in (25mm) Meridian piston treble drive unit with doped fabric dome.
Electronics: Two precision 24/192 oversampling converters for bass/mid and tweeter signals. Digital and con-
version electronics constructed using advanced surface-mount techniques and partitioned 4-layer
printed-circuit boards.
DSP: Motorola 56367 150MIPS digital signal processor. Digital crossover at 2.3kHz. Response correction
for the whole system. Bass protection. User tone controls. Analogue/digital volume and phase
control.
Amplifiers: Two 75W power amplifiers, one for each band.
Display: Eight-character display with system lights, can be blanked.
Dimensions: Vertical units: 7.65in (194mm) x 15.2in (386mm) x 10in (254mm) w x h x d; Horizontal centre unit:
18.5in (470mm) x 6.9in (173.5mm) x 10in (254mm) w x h x d.
Weight: xxkg packed.
Meridian retains the right to improve or modify product speci-
fications and design at any time. E&OE. This is a preliminary
document and final specifications may differ.
Rear panel (horizontal version)