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Speaker Asylum: REVIEW: Merlin Music Inc. VSM-MM Speakers by Dr-V

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REVIEW: Merlin Music Inc. VSM-MM Speakers

70.22.35.250


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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 Dr-V ( A ) on December 09, 2005 at 16:52:37
IP Address: 70.22.35.250
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for the VSM-MM


Merlin speakers have always been special. For more than a decade, they have won numerous best-of-show awards, reviewer endorsements, and glowing accolades from listeners across the globe. Looking to replace my trusted JBL 18-Ti monitors that I had had for some 15 years, I became very interested in Bobby Palkovic’s speaker design and, after reading the many positive reviews, I finally auditioned the TSM and VSM speakers in the late 1990s. After liking what I heard and saving up enough money, I bought my first pair of slightly used VSMs in early 2000. At that time, Merlin offered two version of the VSM: basic and SE. I decided on the basic version with the addition of the single-ended BAM.

As soon as I put the speakers into my system, I realized that I had made the right decision. The VSMs were open, detailed, precise and added musicality and air to the music that seemed so much more natural than what I had experienced before. I was stunned by the precision and the honesty with which these speakers revealed the strengths and weaknesses of my system, but also the quality—or lack thereof—of any recording I listened to. Unfortunately (for my wallet), I also soon realized that it was now time to upgrade my electronics and cabling to really get the most out of these speakers.

After a lengthy and winding upgrade path, I settled on Joule Electra components (LA 100 preamp and Stargate SET monoblocs), an Audio Logic DAC used with a variety of transports, and a combination of Cardas and Stealth cabling. I now had a system that sounded good with all kinds of music at any listening level. To my ear, the Joule/Merlin combination shows the exact same sonic signature (detail, space, air, sparkle, frequency range) at low-level late night listening sessions as it does at full steam, “blow your ears out” levels. I was satisfied and happy and spent many long nights listening until the wee hours. But, as any audiophile can relate, after a couple of years, I began wondering what else was possible.

I first upgraded the preamp to Joule’s LA 150 and gained extension, detail, air and a widened soundstage. I compromised some midrange lushness with the upgrade but am quite happy with the more neutral and revealing sonic picture that the 150 presents (plenty of detailed reviews and threads on the sonic differences between these two preamps have been posted on audio asylum and audiogon). Then I started thinking about having the VSM upgraded by the factory to current specs but, after discussing my various upgrade options with Bobby, decided to go all out and buy the latest MM version of the speaker (in part because the upgrade for my age speaker, according to Bobby, would only have given me 9/10 of the sonic benefits of the latest MM version).

I received my new MMs about two months ago and immediately noticed everything that I liked about my old VSM, but more of it and better right out of the box: more detail and openness, more focus and clarity, deeper and punchier bass, and sweeter and more extended highs. Because of their front-ported design, Merlin speakers work well regardless of how they are set up; they even sound good put right up against the wall. After a brief trial-and-error period, I settled on placing speakers about 3 feet from the front wall and about 6 feet apart, slightly toed in to my listening chair which is about 8 feet from the speakers. Setup is a breeze, since Bobby provides a comprehensive and very well illustrated manual and you can call him any time with questions. Merlin provides among the best customer service in the industry! I let the speakers settle into my system and gave them about 200 hours to burn in before sitting down for more critical listening sessions. And I noticed further improvement in all areas listed above.

I listen to a variety of music, but am particularly interested in a music system that works well for classical and acoustic guitar, blues, jazz, and female vocalists. The MMs excel with all these genres. Andres Segovia, Julian Bream and Paco de Lucia sound like they’re picking their guitars right in front of me; Eva Cassidy, Norah Jones, Aimee Mann, Mary Coughlan, and Billy Holiday sound like they are in the room with me. To my ear, the Merlins disappear completely and seamlessly connect me to the music. The soundstage is precisely where the speakers are (not moved forward or to the back), but incredibly big and wide. This certainly is an improvement of the MMs over their older brethren (or are speakers female? Do I need to say brother/sister to be politically correct…?). If you like acoustic rock, try Nils Lofgren’s Acoustic Live or Lynyrd Skynyrd’s Endangered Species (a whole new experience rocking to “No Mercy” or “Sweet Home Alabama”). Every time I play these CDs, it seems like I am listening to Lofgren in a small club or are part of a garage audition of Skynyrd’s greatest hits—Johnny really does sound a lot like Ronny. Anywhere you want to go, the MM will take you. They are that good!

Best of all, since I am listening a lot late at night, the Merlins are wonderfully musical at low levels and play really quietly with virtually no tonal drop-out. At any but eardrum busting levels, the Merlins retain their presence, detail, liveliness and emotional connection to the music. I have heard very few speakers that are this good when it comes to micro-dynamics and the ability to hear deep into the music. Here, the MMs far surpass their predecessors; it is like a veil has been lifted or a window has been freshly cleaned—you know the verbiage professional reviewers use to illustrate heretofore unexperienced air, extension, clarity, and shimmer in recordings. Whatever your favorite analogy, the Merlins will deliver it.

The MMs do equally well with jazz recordings from Coltrane and Miles to Marsalis and Markus Miller. In fact, Miller’s bass is tight, deep and believably realistic albeit not wall shaking or window rattling. There has been much demand over the last few years for a Merlin subwoofer. With the MM version and the improved BAM, I do not miss any bass and don’t see the need for a sub. The Merlins also excel with chamber music and present big orchestra symphonies very well but are perhaps not as extended here as full range speakers would be. Again, I am not listening to symphonies very often and when I do, I am quite content with the MMs. If big power, earth-shattering bass, or huge orchestral works are your main interest, you may want to look elsewhere and consider some of the other high quality loudspeakers at this price point.

If, however, you share my musical preferences, I cannot recommend the Merlins strongly enough. Merlin does not pretend to make the best speaker available—and they don’t—but it is one of the best speakers available of its kind: a two-way monitor speaker on steroids. And they work with a range of amplifiers. Of course, Joule Electra makes a heavenly match, but I have also tried the Merlins with Atmasphere and Air Tight amps with very satisfying results. The Merlins are easy to drive—all these tube amps have around 30 w/ch—they even sounded very nice at low volume levels with my Berning Micro ZOTL amp that puts out a whopping 1 w/ch. I have also tried a number of solid state amplifiers and, again the Merlins sounded great with a variety of amps ranging from the 40 w/ch Clayton S40 to the outrageously expensive (when they were still made) 300 w/ch Warner Imaging ER 300 SE and wonderfully musical and powerful the MBL 8011s.

In sum, I like Merlin speakers! Obviously, since I am now owning my second pair. The new ones are fantastic and certainly worth auditioning, if you are looking for a speaker in the 5-10K range. If that is too much money, try to find a used pair. Even my old VSM-basics are wonderful speakers that will provide years of listening pleasure—they did for me. Now I look forward to another long-term relationship with the latest incarnation. In conclusion, one word of caution: Merlin speakers are brutally honest. They show you exactly what you have and reveal any weak points in your system. The old reviewer’s saying, “garbage in, garbage out,” certainly pertains to the Merlins. They make you very happy with what you have or they make you spend even more money in order to find components that match their outstanding sound qualities. But, after all, that’s what audiophiles are all about: the quest for the perfect sound. The Merlin MM speakers are as good a place as any to start—or end—that quest.


Product Weakness: BAM requires extra set of interconnects
Product Strengths: resolution, natural reproduction, musicality, versatility, size


Associated Equipment for this Review:
Amplifier: Joule Electra Stargates, MBL 8011s
Preamplifier (or None if Integrated): Joule Electra LA 150
Sources (CDP/Turntable): APL-Hifi modified Sony X707ES transport & Audio Logic MXL DAC
Speakers: Merlin VSM-MM
Cables/Interconnects: Cardas Golden Cross, Stealth Indra & PGS
Music Used (Genre/Selections): classical & acoustic guitar, blues, jazz, female vocals
Room Size (LxWxH): 24 x 12 x 8
Room Comments/Treatments: none
Time Period/Length of Audition: 5 years/2 months
Other (Power Conditioner etc.): Equi=Tech 1.5Q
Type of Audition/Review: Product Owner




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Topic - REVIEW: Merlin Music Inc. VSM-MM Speakers - Dr-V 16:52:37 12/9/05 ( 42)