Meridian F80 Entertainment System: Best of Its Kind

Meridian Audio, attempting to target a larger consumer demographic for the first time, is making its F80 entertainment system available through some mainstream channels.

Installers won't find it at some big-box retailers.

I recently had the opportunity to demo the F80 entertainment system.

2.1 Speaker System, Ferrari Finishes

The F80 features an AM/FM tuner with dual external connections and station presets, a built-in CD/DVD player with composite and S-Video outputs, an IR remote control, an 80-watt amplifier that powers a 2.1 speaker system, a set of DSP EQ curves based on placement locations, three auxiliary inputs (including a mini-DIN connection) and an optical output.

The unit's chassis employs a die-cast metal base, and the speakers are mounted in separate enclosures made from an alloy-injected composite from Ferrari.

The F80 entertainment system can also come in five Ferrari colors.

Intuitive Setup Menu

The F80 comes with two antennas, a power cord, the remote and a manual. After connecting the accessories, I used a 3.5-mm-to-3.5-mm cable to connect it to my iPod and iPhone docks via the "Aux 1" input.

It also has accessible controls, allowing the user to adjust bass control, the location DSP curves and other controls, like "width" (another DSP function that helps to determine the scope of the soundstage in concurrence with seating distances).

There is also a "tilt" function that increases bass while reducing treble. Audio settings can be customized to accommodate different listening environments throughout the house.

The physical aspects of the setup are easy, and the setup menu is intuitive. Learning it shouldn't be a problem.

Liquidsmooth Range

I listened to everything from AM/FM broadcasts, CDs and DVDs to AAC, Apple Lossless and AIFF files, and I was continually impressed. The system's sound is typical Meridian — liquidsmooth midrange, tight bass and lots of top-end resolution.

I'm not saying it can run with the company's 800 Series in terms of volume, impact, soundstage and imaging, but put it up against other desktop products and the results will be as decisive as a USC/Arizona PAC-10 football game.

This isn't a knock against the rest of the field, but the F80 is that good.

The F80 had average video performance highlighted by low-level outputs, and it took a few minutes to dial in a balance between the lows and highs in its audio playback.

Best of its Kind

The more I used the F80 entertainment system, the more I liked it. I could nitpick and say the F80 would be even cooler if it could be networked like a node device to allow for local sources.

I could also say it would be better if it could be connected to computers (iTunes, photo viewing with the video outputs) and cable/satellite boxes to create a retrofit multiroom system.

But that would be like saying Halle Berry looks better in a red bikini than a blue one.

If installers qualify their clients properly, the F80 is the best of its kind.

It should open up new opportunities with consumers that want great sound, but are spatially challenged.

MSRP is $2,995.