The Meridian team arrived at their Cambridgeshire headquarters to the sight of two shiny tour buses yesterday (Wednesday 12^th June). Following Neil Young’s performance at the Birmingham LG Arena, part of his Neil Young and Crazy Horses Alchemy tour, Neil dropped into Meridian for a meeting with our very own Bob Stuart and throughout the day experienced various demonstrations and tours. 

The first demonstration took place in the Meridian Digital Theatre. The demo started with BB King live at Montreux , Chain of Love followed by Quincy Jones live at Montreux, Miss Celie’s Blues (Sister) performed by Chaka Khan and Patti Austin. The demonstration then ended with the Red Bull film ‘Art of Flight’. Neil was impressed with both sound and picture quality as Bob discussed the theatre system which includes the DSP8000 Digital Active Loudspeakers, DSW DSP Subwoofer and the recently introduced DSP520 In-wall Loudspeakers. The 810 Reference Video Projector powered the visual experience and Bob explained ‘it’s all in the detail’.

Tim Ireland, Meridian CEO, then escorted Neil around the company’s new Experience Centre showcasing the Meridian product range and the timeline of history, including the first system designed by Bob and Allen, the Lecson in 1974. This also included a demo of the M1’s, Meridian’s first Active Loudspeaker for the home, developed in 1977. Neil concluded ‘That’s a beautiful sound’.

The tour group then proceeded into the factory where Neil saw for himself how every Meridian piece is engineered and built in the UK, alongside the most sophisticated manufacturing technology available. Neil also experienced the rigorous testing procedures the products go through before they are released to the customer. Bob described the Meridian speakers to Neil ‘like musical instruments’.

Towards the end of Neil’s visit he very kindly dedicated some time to signing memorabilia for the Meridian team and signed an 808v5 Signature Reference CD Player which Meridian donated to Neil’s chosen charity, Bridge School Benefit.

Before the end of the day, the team headed back out to the car park to experience in-car audio ‘Meridian style’ – Neil rode shotgun in a Range Rover Vogue, complete with a state-of-the-art, 19 loudspeakers, Meridian sound system delivering its 825 watts throughout the cabin. The Range Rover is one of the latest Meridian-equipped models borne from its automotive partnership with Jaguar Land Rover Limited.