Meridian launches M80 high-end compact entertainment system, we yawn
By Ben Bowers 
posted August 6th 2010 12:52PM
posted August 6th 2010 12:52PM
Meridian M80 Compact Entertainment System
Meridian's M80 Compact Entertainment System with i80 iPod Dock (included)
Includes 2.1 DSP Loudspeaker System; CD and DVD Player; FM/AM Radio; i80 iPod Dock; and Multiple Analog and Digital Inputs
Meridian Audio has announced the introduction of the new M80, a complete, high-performance compact entertainment system that shares all the technical features and sonic distinction of its predecessor, the F80. The curved arch of the M80 houses a refined yet powerful loudspeaker system, finished in a range of carefully selected British hand-stitched leathers – Obsidian Black, Chestnut, and Ivory.
Discreet enough to find a home in any living space, the M80 includes a host of internal sources, including CD, DVD and FM/AM radio, as well a mix of analog and digital input connectivity, offering the opportunity to listen to a range of music sources, including iTunes® via AirPort Express®, personal computers or a Meridian Sooloos Digital Media System.
The i80 iPod Dock included with every M80 offers the perfect way to both listen to – and charge – an iPod. The special i80 link also allows the choice of music from an iPod to be selected via the M80 front panel – or from across the room using the M80 remote control.
Containing a powerful Meridian 2.1 DSP Loudspeaker System in its unique, mineral-doped composite body, the M80 can fill a large room with sound; alternatively, thanks to its DSP capabilities, it can be enjoyed at low levels and at close range from a desk or tabletop.
Suggested Retail Price $2,995 USD (includes i80 iPod Dock)
About Meridian Audio Limited
Meridian is based near Cambridge, UK, and was founded in 1977 by Bob Stuart and Allen Boothroyd. With over 30 years' history of innovation and development of uncompromised consumer home entertainment systems offering exceptional performance, this award-winning company is widely recognized as a world leader in high-quality audio and video reproduction. Meridian developed the first audiophile CD player, the world's first consumer digital surround controller, and developed the MLP lossless packing system included in Blu-ray Disc. The company's optical disc players, DSP-based loudspeakers, video projectors, and scalers are unique in the industry, maintaining a super-quality digital signal throughout the path from the studio to the home, using advanced digital signal processing to deliver both a sweet, natural sound and smooth, crystal-sharp images with true cinematic realism. With the acquisition of Sooloos, Meridian now brings its expertise to the Sooloos Media System, the world's most innovative, functional and easy-to-use networked home entertainment system. Meridian Sooloos systems effortlessly combine spectacular quality, rich metadata and the industry's leading user interface to change forever the way we enjoy and interact with music.
If you yawn, why even bother posting? fail..
@User42 it does look like the radio from portal
@emlee0203: I was about to post about the likeness.
hooray another overpriced "all in one" media center. if you want to waste your money, Bose is the best way to do it.
the phrase "Jack of all trades" comes to mind.
@avinationcom From your comment I might guess that you are so blasé about the product because your already have so much Meridian kit, but then if you had ever experienced Meridian sound output you wouldn't mention Bose in the same sentence.
the last thumbnail on this page makes it look like the m80 has kitty ears.
i am disappoint.
yeh serious......if the article and product suck so bad then WHY POST IT?
OMG, it looks like the Portal radio!!!
@PavelAK
I totally recognized that too. If only it was colored white and it had an antenna then it will be the Portal Radio.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mD3v1B_aXw0
Three grand for that? Seriously?
Mr. Bowers,
Have you had a chance to listen to one of these? I was fortunate enough to get a listen and it is absolutely incredible. If you pick it up, you know it actually has real drivers in it unlike any audio device its size. The thing weighs a ton. If you were looking for a feature rich box, I am thinking that a high end compact system targeted at AUDIOPHILES is probably not the box for you.
Sincerely,
A "usually bothered with engadgets hating on everything" reader.
@nickhudkins Amen
@nickhudkins
Applause: My favorite thing you mentioned is how great it sound because its heavy. I know a draftsman that used to work at Madrigal (Mark Levinson) and he would talk of how they used steel or lead blanks to add mass to the product solely for weight.
@Ken J
My comment on the weight was just that chances are, the weight is coming from significantly awesome voice coils. :-). Maybe I'm wrong but I heard this prior to hearing their DSP 8000s, and from their little music systems to their flagship loudspeakers, these guys mean business when it comes to quality. Not to mention that Sooloos rocks.
@Ken J Mass loading is typical in many high-end products. It can actually have an impact on the sound of loudspeakers, but I'm not sure that it would affect the amplifier's output.
Don't yawn until you actually hear it.
I bet it sounds great. But not as great as the sound of 30 Benjamins rubbing against each other in my wallet.
Why would someone $3k on a radio and listen to 6music?
@EdR
Less why (6Music is awesome).
More how.
According to the press release it only has an AM/FM tuner, so listening to a digital only station (ie. 6Music) would be impossible.
Engadget have numerous posts about apple products and report every single little details - including incredibly a *case for a trackpad* but they sound uninterested in a product from Meridian - one of the world's finest Audio companies (well..I'm a Naim Audio guy myself but Meridian is kind of ok if you like that kind of thing :P) - without, seemingly, listening to it to form an opinion.
Sad.
I'm sure, if you actually check out the back panel, you noticed the video output section only contains s-video. The primary purpose of the DVD drive is for DVD-A playback (Meridian actually developed that tech). I don't think anyone in their right mind purchases a device like this to hook to a TV for watching movies. The video output is for navigating the DVD-A menus. This is a music system.
is it just me or does it look like that radio from the first level of portal? :|