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Speaker Asylum: REVIEW: Merlin Music Inc. VSM-MM Speakers by photomensch General speaker questions for audio and home theater. |
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141.153.156.29
Model: VSM-MM Category: Speakers Suggested Retail Price: $7700 Description: Two way floorstanding speaker with Battery-Bam Manufacturer URL: Merlin Music Inc. Model Picture: View
Review by photomensch ( A ) on October 29, 2005 at 06:33:19
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for the VSM-MM
This updates my September 2005 review of the VSM-MM speakers, which I feel I wrote too soon.After nearly two more months of extended listening to a large cross-section of music, I can say that these speakers have truly exceeded my expectations. Don't know if it was a matter of the speakers breaking in, or because I installed a fresh set of tubes in my preamp, or that the Super BAM is really super, or that I tweaked the speaker positioning just a little. Whatever the reason, the Merlin VSM-MMs deliver an uncanny natural, detailed and transparent presentation. It will make you wonder how anyone could acheive such great performance from "only" a two-way system. Keep in mind, even the low-end response and slam of the MM bass trumps the M by a wide margin.
The VSM-MM speakers are likely not the only speakers around that inmates will find satisfying. Consider Sue Kraft's recent TAS review of the B&W 801D, which are priced at $20,000, and which she recommends driving with high-powered amps like her monster Krell. By comparison, the combined list price of my Belles 21A preamp and AES/Cary Six Pacs is less than $5,000, and delivers a very high level of satisfaction.
Not much else to add. Maybe in two more months I'll write another update.
Product Weakness: None for the money Product Strengths: Extremely natural presentation.
Associated Equipment for this Review: Amplifier: AES/Cary Six Pacs Preamplifier (or None if Integrated): Belles 21A Sources (CDP/Turntable): Sony DVP-S9000ES/Rega Planar 3 Speakers: Merlin VSM-MM Cables/Interconnects: JPS/DH Labs Music Used (Genre/Selections): Jazz/Classical/Female Vocalists Room Size (LxWxH): 18 x 12 x 12 Room Comments/Treatments: Carpeted Time Period/Length of Audition: Three months Other (Power Conditioner etc.): Walker Discs Type of Audition/Review: Product Owner
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Topic - REVIEW: Merlin Music Inc. VSM-MM Speakers - photomensch 06:33:19 10/29/05 ( 4)
- Merlin Music Inc. VSM-MM Speakers - Bombaywalla 07:55:40 11/2/05 ( 1)
- Re: Merlin Music Inc. VSM-MM Speakers - Bobby Palkovic 18:34:36 11/3/05 ( 0)
Merlin Music Inc. VSM-MM Speakers - SBurton 17:00:38 10/31/05 ( 0)
Interesting amp combo with .. - Blue Bull 10:23:53 10/29/05 ( 0)