Meridian Audio
I joined Meridian Audio in 2007 as a loudspeaker design engineer and was part of the team that developed the DSP7200HC centre loudspeaker, DSP3200 bookshelf loudspeaker and DSW subwoofer.
Transducer Design
I designed and developed 165mm low frequency (LF) & 85mm full range (FR) transducers which were manufactured in China. The 165mm LF transducer employed a high-power, long-throw NdFeB motor system to energise a 4-layer bifilar wound voice coil to achieve the power handling and efficiency specifications required to generate the required max. SPL within the cabin.
The 85mm FR drive unit was designed to operate over a 250Hz – 20kHz bandwidth. Using a single driver for both midrange and high frequencies eliminates the requirement for a crossover filter within the vocal range, avoiding distortion and providing a seamless reproduction of this critical audio bandwidth. The diaphragm was manufactured from aluminium alloy with a low-mass, rubber roll surround. The NdFeB motor system was FEA optimised and used a low mass, low inductance CCAW voice coil.
System Design
The LF transducer has been employed in Meridian Audio DSP3200 and DSP3300 loudspeakers and the McLaren Automotive 650C and P1 vehicles. The FR transducer has been used in Meridian Audio DSP320, DSP3200, DSP3300, DSP520, DSP 640 and M6 loudspeakers as well as the McLaren Automotive 650C and P1 vehicles.
Automotive Design
The engineering work with McLaren Automotive progressed my role into Automotive Programme Management for both McLaren and JLR. Meridian Audio are a Tier 1, ODM supplier to McLaren Automotive and I was responsible for supply contract quotation and negotiation, project documentation (CQP, DFMEA, PFMEA, ULP, PPAP), internal logistics for both direct (Tier1) and indirect (after-market) supply.
Meridian Audio are brand & technology partners with JLR and I worked with the client’s Electrical Function and Infotainment teams to create and agree design specifications, vehicle packaging requirements and technology roadmaps. I worked closely with JLR loudspeaker component suppliers to develop a range of transducers that were incorporated into the Meridian Audio sound systems that are available in the majority of current JLR vehicle models.
All of the transducers employed NdFeB motor systems and various diaphragm materials were used from Al and Ti alloy HF domes, mica-loaded PP and kevlar-loaded paper pulp diaphragms. The transducers were designed to meet all weight, size, cost, performance and quality specifications. These transducers are included in the following vehicles:
Range Rover, Range Rover Sport, Range Rover Evoque, Discovery Sport, Discovery 4, Freelander 2, Jaguar XE, Jaguar XF, Jaguar XJ, Jaguar F-Pace, F-Type and Jaguar C-X17.
Please click on a brand below to see some of these projects >
- Jaguar Land Rover
- McLaren Automotive