Introducing Meridian Ellipse: The High-End Wireless Speaker

Meridian, a renowned British audio company founded in 1977, has once again revolutionized the audio market with its latest offering, the Ellipse. This compact wireless speaker encapsulates nearly five decades of engineering excellence and innovation, aiming to deliver a sound experience that significantly exceeds its size.

A Brief History of Meridian

Bob Stuart and the late Allen Boothroyd co-founded Meridian in 1977, launching the world’s first active speaker, the Meridian M1. In 1983, the company introduced the world’s first audiophile performance CD player, cementing its reputation for groundbreaking audio technology. Over the years, Meridian has partnered with major entities including Land Rover, Jaguar, TOGG, and LG, further establishing its credentials in audio engineering.

Design of the Ellipse

The Ellipse looks like a giant M&M cut in half and tilted at an angle, resting on three feet. Its front features a metal grille with the Meridian logo, while the back offers various ports for flexible connectivity options. Although not made of exotic hardwoods or precious metals, the Ellipse is constructed of high-quality plastic, maintaining a luxurious appearance.

Connectivity Options

The Ellipse supports Ethernet, Wi-Fi on both 2.4GHz and 5GHz bands, AirPlay, Google Cast, Roon Ready, and UPnP device control. It includes a 3.5mm mini-jack for optical or analog input, a USB-C port for higher resolution audio, and an external storage option via USB. There is no HDMI port, but you can connect it to a TV using its optical input.

Unique DSP Technologies

Meridian Ellipse distinguishes itself by integrating more than a dozen DSP technologies from Meridian’s top-tier speakers like DSP8000 XE and DSP9. These technologies offer unparalleled control over the listening experience, allowing users to adapt the sound to their environment and preferences.

Image Elevation

Image Elevation enables the listener to tailor the sound to their specific room dimensions, speaker placement, and background noise levels. This feature makes the Ellipse a versatile choice for different audio settings.

Bass & Space Enhancement

Bass & Space technology widens and optimizes the stereo image, ideal for speakers placed close together. This enhancement ensures the listener experiences a convincing stereo soundstage, even with compact speakers.

Image Focus

The Image Focus technology corrects off-axis listening by applying a combination of gains and delays, preserving the original recording’s soundstage. This feature ensures a consistent audio experience regardless of the listener’s position.

Image Focus+

Image Focus+ builds upon the principles of Image Focus, adding further corrective delays between the speaker’s drive units for an even more natural soundstage. This advanced technology increases the listening experience’s depth and precision.

Control Mechanisms

The Meridian Control app serves as the primary remote control interface for the Ellipse. However, the speaker doesn’t come with a standard remote control, despite its high price point. Meridian does provide an IR sensor for use with programmable remotes. For in-depth control, the Meridian Ellipse includes a top-mounted control panel with illuminated touch options.

Technical Specifications

The Ellipse houses two 90mm polypropylene wide-range drivers for left and right channels and a 150mm x 100mm polypropylene middle-range “racetrack” subwoofer sandwiched between them. The crossover frequency is set at 180Hz, with a generous amplification of 25W for the full-range drivers and 30W for the subwoofer.

Audio Resolution

AirPlay and Google Cast streaming on the Ellipse top out at 44.1kHz/24-bit and 96kHz/24-bit, respectively. For higher-resolution audio, streaming services like TIDAL Connect and Spotify Connect can bypass these limitations. The USB-C port supports audio up to 192kHz/24-bit, while the mini-TOSLINK optical input allows up to 96kHz/24-bit audio streaming. When using the 3.5mm analog jack, the speaker converts the audio signal to an 88kHz/24-bit data rate.

Sound Performance

The Meridian Ellipse’s compact design does not diminish its sound quality. Offering exceptional clarity in the mids and treble, the speaker leverages its 90mm polypropylene drivers and a solid 30W subwoofer. Even when playing jazz classics like Diana Krall’s “Sway,” the Ellipse creates a lifelike and spacious listening environment, a testament to the advanced DSP technologies embedded within.

Market Analysis and Competitor Comparison

The Meridian Ellipse is priced at $3,000 or £1,900, potentially challenging its competitiveness against speakers like the B&W Zeppelin and Denon Home 350, both of which cost around one-third less and offer additional features.

Conclusion

While the Meridian Ellipse embodies the company’s engineering prowess, it grapples with several market limitations. Despite its exceptional sound performance, its high price, lack of a built-in remote control, and lack of hi-res Bluetooth codecs and a display for album art or settings might pose challenges. Still, the Ellipse’s innovative technology offers a top-tier sound experience, making it a noteworthy entry in the high-end wireless speaker category.

Tech Specs:

• Streaming: Bluetooth, Wi-Fi (Dual-band), Ethernet, AirPlay 2, Google Cast, Spotify Connect, TIDAL Connect, Roon Ready, UPnP renderer.
• Audio Inputs: 1 x USB-C up to 192kHz @ 24-bit, 1 x mini-TOSLINK optical up to 96kHz @ 24-bit, dual-purpose 3.5mm mini-jack for stereo analog (A/D conversion up to 88kHz/24-bit).
• Control Options: Top-mounted illuminated touch controls, Meridian Control app (via Wi-Fi/Ethernet), IR receiver eye, Automation interface (via Wi-Fi/Ethernet).
• SPL: 100dB@1m.
• Frequency Response: 40Hz – 20kHz within 3dB at volume setting 65.
• Amplification: 2 x 25W full-range drivers, 1 x 30W subwoofer driver.
• Driver Units: 2 x 90mm polypropylene wide-range drivers, 1 x 150mm x 100mm polypropylene middle-range subwoofer driver.
• Crossover Frequency: 180Hz.
• Wi-Fi: Dual-band – 2.4GHz and 5GHz compatible.
• Dimensions (WxDxH): 412mm [16.2in] x 223mm [8.8in] x 171mm [6.7in].
• Weight: 3.9kg [8.6lbs].
• Power: 100V – 240V AC, Max 70W.

Pricing & Availability:

The Meridian Ellipse is available from authorized Meridian distributors worldwide.

Takeaways:

• The Ellipse is a result of nearly five decades of audio engineering expertise.
• Advanced DSP technologies enhance the audio performance, transforming a compact speaker into a room-filling experience.
• At a hefty price of $3,000 or £1,900, the Ellipse must compete against cheaper alternatives in the high-end wireless speaker market.

We encourage you to share your thoughts and experiences with the Meridian Ellipse. Comment below and let us know your perspective!