Speaker Asylum

General speaker questions for audio and home theater.

Return to Speaker Asylum

Merlin TSM-M sounding too cool (pic)

75.70.186.104
Posted on November 7, 2009 at 13:37:00
PeterI
Audiophile

Posts: 841
Location: Colorado
Joined: October 17, 2006



I got my used Merlin TSM-M speakers about 9 months ago. Heard them first at RMAF 3 years ago. Very detailed but warm. Was convinced they would be the best speakers I have ever owned. After pairing with Quicksilver Mono amps, they seem cooler than they should be. I have tried 3 speaker cables:
1. homemade, silver-plated copper 14g w/ copper spades. bi-wire.
2. Anti-cables.
3. homemade 12g pure copper standed (18" - short, as recommended by Quicksilver), bi-wire.

I took them out of system for 4 months, in case I was comparing too much to my previous very good ProAc Response 1s. Now back in use, they still seem cooler. I have placed them very precisely. Not the warmer, round sound I originally heard. Any ideas from Merlin TSM owners?

Pete
RE: Merlin TSM-M sounding too cool (pic), posted on November 9, 2009 at 07:49:52
Bobby Palkovic
Manufacturer

Posts: 877
Joined: November 9, 2000
 pete, use my cardas lead free jumpers to make them sound more balanced.
use of silver will push presense range forward, not recommended. the jumpers or hf wires should be no larger than 15 awg. if larger, the dcr in front of the tweeter is too low and the tweeters will play too loudly relative to the woofers. ms can be upgraded to great effect and the tsm mme is imho, much fuller and relaxed sounding compared to the m. this may be more to your liking.
any more questions, call or mail me at the factory.
best, b

RE: Merlin TSM-M sounding too cool - thanks., posted on November 9, 2009 at 09:51:49
PeterI
Audiophile

Posts: 841
Location: Colorado
Joined: October 17, 2006
 thanks very much to all responders. will try 16g stranded copper, with only one Zobel and the original jumpers i have. MMe upgrades and/or new $400+ cables are not in the budget now.

Pete

RE: Merlin TSM-M sounding too cool - thanks., posted on November 9, 2009 at 10:29:30
Bobby Palkovic
Manufacturer

Posts: 877
Joined: November 9, 2000
 pete, the original jumpers will help but you may want to call me about getting the lead free new ones which will sound fuller and more centered than the leaded ones. they are not expensive and well worth the go.
best, b

RE: Merlin TSM-M sounding too cool (pic), posted on November 8, 2009 at 15:31:07
kkak66
Audiophile

Posts: 201
Joined: April 25, 2000
 You must use the cardas jumpers with this speaker, Bobby reccomends not to bi-wire, and use a copper cable at least.I own a pair of TSM MXe and do not bi-wire. Are you using Zobel network too?

Don't know how that would affect tonal signature but, posted on November 8, 2009 at 07:45:18
jbcortes
Audiophile

Posts: 755
Joined: July 6, 2000
 Bobby wouldn't recommend bi-wiring.
As mentionned by the other poster, email him directly, he stands behind every pair of speakers he's ever made, even if you bought them second-hand and he will be happy to help you.

JB

Email Bobby or do a forum search., posted on November 7, 2009 at 19:34:40
howard
Audiophile

Posts: 2256
Location: No. California
Joined: December 31, 1999
 nt

Page processed in 0.230 seconds.

[ Top Top of Page ] [ Contact Us ] [ Support/Wish List ] [ Copyright © 2009, Audio Asylum, all rights reserved ] [ Go Green ] [ Take5 ]
[ General ] [ Speakers ] [ Tubes ] [ Vinyl ] [ Digital ] [ Hi-Rez ] [ Video Asylum ] [ Cables ] [ Tweaks/DIY ] [ Music ] [ Films ]