Rell-in-one streaming speaker, the Meridian Ellipse is meant to deliver pristine sound quality in a compact (and mobile) form factor, with Meridian highlighting the fact that the product integrates 12 unique DSP technologies, including the company’s Bass and Space technology. According to Meridian, this allows the Ellipse to create an incredibly wide soundstage, far exceeding that expected.
This, ideally, is meant to help the Ellipse stand out in the crowded wireless speaker market, and while I’ve had my fair share of those–from cheap Bluetooth speakers to more advanced, streaming-enabled options, I have to admit the Meridian Ellipse has changed my perspective on music playback, which we’ll get into shortly. At $3,000 MSRP, it is definitely on the pricier end for a wireless streaming speaker, though, even as one that is touting itself as an all-in-one solution
From my experience, all that money does go into a product that delivers well-balanced mids and crisp highs, ensuring vocals and instruments sound clear and natural across a variety of music genres. Bass and Space, for instance, takes account of the physical configuration of the Ellipse and applies frequency and signal-specific processing to widen the stereo image.
Without getting too much into it before the full review, the Meridian Ellipse comes with a substantial amount of quality and features that fight to justify that price tag.
CE Pros & Cons
Pros:
- Phenomenal sound and one of the best, if not the best, wireless streaming speakers on the market.
- Built-in streaming with high-resolution network audio compatibility elevates the listening experience beyond standard Bluetooth.
- Aesthetically pleasing and fits well in a variety of environments. I just wish there were other color options.
Cons:
- While it has plenty of controls to fine tune the experience, the Meridian app isn’t super intuitive. It also requires some tinkering to get the perfect sound, but it exists.
- $3,000 is a lot for a streaming speaker.
Ellipse Features & Design
Starting off this review, I’d like to note the Ellipse, like all Meridian speakers, is a curvaceous instrument of audio excellence. Its shape, as the name suggests, is elliptical—though more elongated, resembling a football or even Arnold’s head from Hey Arnold! if you remember that classic Nickelodeon show. The speaker rests on three sturdy legs, adding to its premium, sculptural look.
According to Meridian, the cabinet of the Ellipse was developed using a combination of material science and computer modeling. High-quality materials were selected for their acoustic benefits as well as their aesthetic properties. Multiple manufacturing processes were involved in achieving an extremely rigid and inert enclosure, ensuring the cabinet does not resonate or interfere with sound quality at any volume level.
Inside, three drive units are mounted in individual chambers to provide acoustic isolation. Two 90mm (3.5-inch) full-range drivers handle left and right channels, while a 150mm (5.9 inch) x 100mm (3.9-inch) long-throw ‘racetrack’ driver acts as a subwoofer, reproducing low frequencies.
Meridian’s Flagship DNA in Compact Form
What makes the Ellipse so impressive is how much Meridian has packed into it. According to the company, this speaker shares engineering and manufacturing innovations with their flagship DSP8000 XE and DSP9 loudspeakers. The result is an incredibly inert, perfectly sealed cabinet enclosing powerful drive units and sophisticated signal-enhancing technologies. Unique control options, including Image Elevation technology and the innovative Bass & Space feature, allow users to tailor sound based on listening preferences, background noise levels, room size, and speaker placement.
The Ellipse offers seamless bidirectional integration with streaming apps, allowing for intuitive volume and playback control. Unlike standard Bluetooth connections, streaming over Wi-Fi lets users continue using their phone for calls or other tasks without interrupting playback, while also providing higher sound quality and reduced battery drain.
One interesting thing I noticed about the Ellipse was how when I had Bass and Space maxed out and cranked the volume, the bass lost some of its punchiness, but returned back when I turned Bass and Space down. In addition, you can’t fully max out the volume when low frequencies are prioritized in the control app. These are features that prevent users from blowing out the drivers.
The Meridian app allows users to control and fine tune their listening experience, but it is a little complicated and takes some time to figure out. While it could be more intuitive to use, the app does allow users to set levels to their liking and configure it based on where it is placed.
In addition to Bass and Space, other useful features in the app are ‘image elevation’ that essentially makes the speaker seem like it’s coming from a higher elevation (maybe for use as a soundbar below a TV) and ‘image focus’ with left/right buttons to account for off-center listening. These are subtle yet quite noticeable settings that further refine the Ellipse listening experience.
Additional Feature & Connectivity
The Meridian Ellipse offers a versatile range of connectivity options, ensuring compatibility with various sources and streaming platforms. At its core, the speaker features an internal streaming source, along with a USB-C input that supports high-resolution audio up to 192kHz/24-bit. Additionally, a mini-TOSLINK optical input provides support for 96kHz/24-bit audio, sharing with a dual-purpose 3.5mm minijack socket for with 88kHz/24bit A/D conversion.
Notably, the Ellipse does not include an HDMI ARC input, reinforcing the fact that it’s not designed to be a traditional soundbar. However, that doesn’t mean it can’t enhance your TV audio. With the optical input, it can still serve as a high-quality alternative, and Bluetooth connectivity provides another convenient option for pairing with a television.
Controlling the Ellipse is flexible, thanks to multiple options. The illuminated touch controls on top of the unit allow for quick adjustments, while the Meridian Control app provides deeper customization and access to streaming services.
On the wireless front, the Ellipse is exceptionally well-equipped. It supports dual-band Wi-Fi (2.4GHz & 5GHz), ensuring a stable connection for high-resolution streaming. Compatibility with Bluetooth, AirPlay, and Google Cast makes it easy to stream music from virtually any device. For audiophiles, the speaker is Roon Ready, allowing for high-fidelity, bit-perfect playback. Spotify Connect and TIDAL Connect ensure effortless integration with popular streaming services, while UPnP rendering expands its capabilities even further.
I’ve been a longtime Spotify customer, but I wanted to do the Ellipse justice, so I signed up for Tidal for the time being. I’m glad I did, because listening to hi-fi streaming audio on the Ellipse is an incredible experience.
Performance & Sound Quality
Despite its size, the Ellipse delivers an impressive soundstage that rivals soundbars and even compact 5.1 systems. I put this to the test by temporarily replacing my surround setup with the Ellipse, using an optical cord (with the provided optical-to-analog converter). Surprisingly, it performed well, offering a more immersive experience than I expected from a standalone speaker. Dialog clarity was excellent, midrange tones were rich, and the bass was great for a unit this compact.
CE Pro recently asked its staff to pick “perfect” albums for demoing hi-fi audio systems. My choices were Rage Against the Machine’s (RATM) self-titled debut and Illmatic by Nas. Putting my money where my mouth is, I had to give them a spin on the Ellipse, and I was blown away. RATM’s aggressive yet groovy sound was imaged incredibly well, with Morello’s crunchy riffs, Tim Commerford’s driving bass shining through, and De la Rocha’s powerful vocals hitting like a punch. When the band leaned into heavy, chugging power chords, the Ellipse’s bass response was simply stunning. Listening to this album on the Ellipse made it hard to sit still and I may have made a few typos while writing this review as a result.
For hip-hop, the Ellipse performed just as admirably. Illmatic’s beats were deep and resonant, with the melodic, jazz-infused samples really shining through. The speaker’s ability to separate layers of sound added clarity to each track, ensuring Nas’ storytelling remained front and center. Songs like “New York State of Mind” and “One Time 4 Your Mind” were a treat on this speaker. Some older Kendrick Lamar was also a pleasure on the Ellipse.
In what should probably be considered an audiophile band, Cigarettes After Sex were beautiful on the Ellipse. The band heavily features those dreamy, ambient soundscapes featuring soft, reverb-heavy guitar lines and some nice deep yet understated basslines that gently guide the music. All the band’s songs sound the same, so there’s no real need to call out any specific songs.
I’m mostly a fan of heavy music and obscure metal bands most of the world has never heard of, and most of the time, it sounds like a gigantic mess of heavily distorted guitars tuned to the Mariana Trench. The intricacies of guitars in this genre are sometimes hard to hear. On the Ellipse, guitars in some of the more riffy, better-produced thrash/hardcore bands like Power Trip, Gatecreeper, SpiritWorld and Frozen Soul sound as crisp as I’ve ever heard them without losing the fullness and gnarly-ness. Not to mention, I heard those guttural vocals better than ever.
At ISE 2025, I spoke with Meridian’s Barry Sheldrick about listening to heavy music on Hi-Fi systems. It turns out, Meridian understands the challenge of making heavier rock sound great on premium audio gear. Maybe that’s why the Ellipse handled my chaotic music taste so well. Also, the way Meridian’s logo is styled makes it look like a band logo, and their black T-shirts could very well be mistaken for a band shirt.
In fact, Sheldrick even suggested trying out some Rage Against the Machine, as well as some remastered Metallica. Songs like “Sad But True” pack the heavy punch from the chugging guitars but really dazzle with the riffs and solos.
In terms of inputs, I mainly stuck to Wi-Fi networked audio with the built-in Tidal Connect feature and the USB-C connection, with the USB-C providing slightly better quality. Bluetooth is also an option right out of the box, but you’ll lose some fidelity of course.
Final Thoughts on Meridian’s Ellipse
The Meridian Ellipse is an outstanding speaker that redefines expectations for compact all-in-one audio systems. With its elegant design, exceptional sound quality, and robust connectivity, it’s a top-tier choice for listeners who want high-performance audio in a small form factor. It’s expensive, but discerning audiophiles would likely say it’s worth every penny.
