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How a $100,000 Speaker gets made! - Meridian Facility Tour - LG XBOOM Go

Linus Tech Tips@LinusTechTips1.2M viewsMay 13, 201915:53
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Description

Thanks to LG for sponsoring this video!

Promos

Check out their new line of XBOOM Go speakers below: LG XBOOM Go (UK): bit.ly LG XBOOM Go (US): bit.ly #LGXBOOM #XBOOMGo #MERIDIANAudio Discuss on forum: linustechtips.com Linus Tech Tips merchandise at lttstore.com Linus Tech Tips posters at crowdmade.com Our Test Benches on Amazon: amazon.com Our production gear: geni.us Twitter - twitter.com Facebook - @LinusTech Instagram - @linustech Twitch - twitch.tv Intro Screen Music Credit: Title: Laszlo - Supernova Video Link: youtube.com iTunes Download Link: itunes.apple.com Artist Link: soundcloud.com Outro Screen Music Credit: Approaching Nirvana - Sugar High youtube.com

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AI OverviewDefault language

This Meridian facility tour presents a deep dive into how a high end speaker, valued at around $100,000, is conceived, prototyped, and manufactured with meticulous craftsmanship. The video contrasts Meridian’s storied analog heritage with LG’s more compact XBOOM Go line, showing how collaboration influences driver specifications, passive radiators, and tuning profiles to deliver accurate vocal and bass responses. Early segments explain the historical context of Meridian’s discrete amplification approach, the rationale behind dedicated amplification per driver, and how this philosophy still guides modern designs. The hosts then explore the inner sanctum of Meridian’s production floor, highlighting how a factory environment is optimized for small batch production, with a lean workforce and numerous test stations to ensure each unit meets exacting standards. The tour culminates in a detailed walk through surface mount assembly, PCB handling, and final cabinet construction, underscoring the relationship between physical engineering and signal processing to minimize distortion and colorations in the final sound. Throughout, the video emphasizes Meridian’s emphasis on real-world listening accuracy, reliable testing, and the idea that premium sound requires both advanced software and carefully engineered hardware. The promotional segments for LG XBOOM Go are integrated, but the core focus remains on the craftsmanship that translates Meridian’s legacy into modern, portable audio experiences. By the end, viewers gain an appreciation for the balance between software driven sound shaping and the sturdy, acoustically tuned cabinets that ultimately influence how the speakers feel and perform in real life tests and demonstrations.

Topics · technology · engineering · audio · manufacturing · hardware · product-design

Questions answered

What role did Meridian play in the development of LG's XBOOM Go drivers and profiles?
Meridian helped specify the drivers and passive radiators, contributed to vocal and bass enhancement profiles, and assisted with the cabinet design to improve sound quality.
How does Meridian ensure that the manufactured PCB boards meet performance expectations?
Meridian uses a combination of in-house SMT production, automated pick and place, optical recognition, manual soldering where needed, solder wave, and a flying probe tester to verify component values and connections against reference standards.
What materials and construction techniques contribute to the acoustic quality of Meridian speakers?
Three layers of plywood, an aluminum layer, special glue or resin, and extensive internal bracing, plus an outer coating to dampen sound within the cabinet.
What is the purpose of the golden model and the testing workflow shown in the video?
The golden model represents the reference frequency response; finished units are tested and matched against this reference to ensure the product meets the expected sound characteristics.