Meridian 541 Specifications

Meridian 541 Surround Controlleruser guide

4IntroductionCinema surround systems –Type 1 or 2If your primary interest is cinema, you can use a monosubwoofer to enhance the bass performance for b

Introduction5Second room system – Type 7The 541 Surround Controller has all the features necessary toset up a two (or three) room hi-fi system. From e

6IntroductionThe 541 Surround Controller provides a sophisticated range ofaudio and video control options, and even if you have noimmediate plans for

Introduction7Cinema presetsThe surround controller provides three alternative presetsdesigned for decoding TV, film, video, and LaserDisc soundtracks.

8IntroductionMusic presetsThe 541 Surround Controller provides two alternative presetsdesigned to enhance traditional stereo recordings andbroadcasts.

Introduction9SpecificationVideo connections 3 composite video inputs.1 composite video out to monitor.1 composite video tape loop for VCRor second roo

10IntroductionAvailable accessoriesThe following accessories are available from your dealer:❍ Phono modules: 515 (MC) and 516 (MM).Meridian Audio rese

Using the surroundcontrollerThis chapter provides a visual summary of the functions of the 541Surround Controller in order to identify the controls wh

Using the surround controller12Front panel1 SourceSelects the source.2 CopyCopies a selected sourceto the tape output.3 PresetChanges the preset.4 Mut

Using the surround controller131 24857936Meridian System Remote1 Source selection keysSelects the source.2 Source control keysControl the source funct

PrefaceiiSales and service in the UKMeridian Audio LtdStonehillStukeley MeadowsHuntingdonPE18 6EDEnglandTel (01480) 52144Fax (01480) 459934World Wide

Using the surround controller14Selecting a sourceThe display shows the source,and volume setting; for example:CD 65Then after a short delay the

Using the surround controller15The 541 Surround Controller adjusts the volume in precise stepsof 1 dB, where 9 dB is equivalent to doubling the loudne

Using the surround controller16Changing the presetEach source has a preset associated with it, and when youselect a source its default preset will aut

Using the surround controller17Changing the displayThe 541 Surround Controller displays information about thecurrent settings on the 12-character fron

Using the surround controller18Recording a sourceThe 541 Surround Controller allows you to copy any of thestandard sources to the tape and VCR outputs

Defining your ownpresetsIn addition to being able to change the source, volume, and preset, the541 Surround Controller provides a sophisticated range

Defining your own presets20To simplify the normal operation of the surround controller, andto protect the settings from accidental changes, you can lo

Defining your own presets21Changing the listening positionA conventional stereo system provides a single balance control,which changes the relative lo

Defining your own presets22Changing the preset parametersEach preset provides a series of parameters which you can varyto customise the behaviour of t

Defining your own presets23To change a preset parameter● Make sure the menus are unlocked; see To unlock the menus,page 20.● Press > or < until

iiiPrefaceContentsIntroduction 1Introduces the 541 Surround Controller,and describes the alternative surroundsound configurations that it supports.The

Defining your own presets24Defining your own presetsThe 541 Surround Controller allows you to modify one of thebuilt-in presets, and save it for futur

Defining your own presets25For example, you could changethe name to:Sto.Stadium● When you have entered the name you want to use pressStore.The display

Defining your own presets26

Setting up the surroundcontrollerThis chapter explains how to install the 541 Surround Controller. Itdescribes what you should find when you unpack th

Setting up the surround controller28UnpackingRadio interferenceFCC Warning: This equipment generates and can radiate radiofrequency energy and if not

Setting up the surround controller29Rear panelConnecting the surround controllerAudio connectionsThe following table gives details of the six audio in

Setting up the surround controller30Video connectionsThe following table gives details of the composite video inputs:Use this input To connect to this

Setting up the surround controller31SCART connectorsIn addition, the 541 provides European standard SCART (orPeritel) connectors, which duplicate the

Setting up the surround controller32To connect a TVMONITORINVideo leadsTUNEROUT541 Surround ControllerAudio leadAUDIOOUTTVOUTTV INA5Television● Connec

Setting up the surround controller33To connect a VCR using SCARTSCART-SCART lead541 Surround ControllerSCARTVCR1Video recorderIf your VCR has a SCART

PrefaceivSetting up the surroundcontroller 27Describes how to unpack and install thesurround controller, and gives details ofthe video and loudspeaker

Setting up the surround controller34Connect to loudspeakers as follows:Use this output To connect to thisMain-L, Main-R Main left and right loudspeake

Configuring thesurround controllerThis chapter explains how to configure the 541 Surround Controller to suitthe loudspeaker arrangement you want to us

Configuring the surround controller36The 541 Surround Controller provides seven alternative standardsettings, called Types, which configure all aspect

Configuring the surround controller37To select a standard settingWarning! Selecting Type will reset the 541 Surround Controllerto one of a standard se

Configuring the surround controller38If none of the standard settings exactly matches yourrequirements choose the one that is closest, and then use th

Configuring the surround controller39To specify the type of subwoofer● Press > or < until you see adisplay such as:Sub Wide● Press A or V to

Configuring the surround controller40To specify the speakers to use formusic presetsIf your centre speaker and/or subwoofer are of lower quality thany

Calibrating theloudspeakersThe 541 Surround Controller includes a built-in calibration procedure tohelp you to set up your installation to give the be

Calibrating the loudspeakers42Using the calibration procedureAs you run the calibration procedure the name of eachloudspeaker is shown on the front pa

Calibrating the loudspeakers43To calibrate a loudspeaker● Press Source (front panel), or > or < (remote) to select theloudspeaker you want to ca

vPrefaceSetting up sources 45Explains how to connect sources to thesurround controller, and set them up toyour preferred configuration.Connecting sour

Calibrating the loudspeakers44

Setting up sourcesThis chapter explains how to connect up sources to the 541 SurroundController, and set them up to your preferred configuration.When

Setting up sources46Connecting sourcesTo connect to other Meridian 500Series equipment.● Connect one of the Comms sockets on the rear panel of theSurr

Setting up sources47To connect to Meridian 600 or 200Series equipmentIf your system includes any Meridian 600 or 200 Series units,with 600 COMMS or 20

Setting up sources48The design of the Meridian 500 Series incorporates a powerfultwo-room capability, making it possible to link systems betweentwo or

Setting up sources49The 541 Surround Controller provides six sources correspondingto the following source selection keys on the remote control:CD, Rad

Setting up sources50To configure a source● Turn off the control unit, using the power switch on the backpanel.● Turn on the power again while holding

Setting up sources51Option Initial value Alternative values ExplanationPresetCD MusicMusic, Trifield, etc, or See To change a source preset, page 52.N

Setting up sources52For example, to configure the CDvideo input choose:CD L.V.Video● Press A or V to choose the video input.For example, if you always

Setting up sources53To use a source key to change presetYou can use the unused source keys on the remote to changethe preset for your current source.F

Prefacevi

Setting up sources54

Troubleshooting andmaintenanceThis chapter describes problems you may encounter when using thesurround controller, and includes suggested solutions.If

Troubleshooting and maintenance56No lights are displayed whenswitching on❍ Check that your AC power supply is connected correctly.❍ Check that the ON

Troubleshooting and maintenance57Communication is not workingbetween the surround controller andother Meridian products❍ Check that all products are i

Troubleshooting and maintenance58CleaningWhen cleaning the surround controller bear in mind that the frontof the unit is plastic, and the display pane

Troubleshooting and maintenance59ServiceThe Meridian 500 Series of hi-fi components have been carefullydesigned to give years of untroubled service. T

Troubleshooting and maintenance60

61IndexIndexAAccessories 10Active subwooferconnecting 34setting crossover 34Audio connections 29Audio inputs 9Audio outputs 9BBalance, changing 21Bala

Index62Connections (continued)Peritel 31SCART 31Controller, configuring 46Controls 9Copying, a source 18Crossover, in active subwoofer 34Customising t

63IndexMusic preset 8Music presets 8Music 8specifying loudspeakers for 40Stereo 8Trifield 8Music Sub Config option 40Muting the sound 15OOn-Screen Dis

IntroductionThe Meridian 541 Surround Controller is unique in providing high qualitysurround-sound processing in an audio-visual remote-control preamp

Index64SourcesAddress 51audio input 51audio sensitivity 51changing label 52changing presets 52changing video input 52Comms type 51configuring 50connec

65Index

Index66

2IntroductionThe Meridian 541 Surround Controller is part of the Meridian 500series of advanced digital, analogue, and video componentsdesigned to mee

Introduction3Sample configurationsThree-channel surround system –Type 3The ideal starting point for a surround sound system is to add acentre loudspea