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Speaker Asylum: REVIEW: Merlin Music Inc. VSM-MX Speakers by SBurton General speaker questions for audio and home theater. |
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Model: VSM-MX Category: Speakers Suggested Retail Price: $9995 +/- various BAMs Description: Newest of the VSM loudspeaker Manufacturer URL: Merlin Music Inc. Manufacturer URL: Merlin Music Inc.
Review by SBurton ( A ) on April 11, 2005 at 18:45:31
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for the VSM-MX
Merlin VSM-MX review by Steve Burton, April, 2005The Merlin VSM-MX is an elegant speaker. Fit and finish is exemplary. Mine are Piano Black with a mirror smooth gloss finish. Wife acceptance factor (WAF) is at the high end of the scale. Well packaged in a single box they arrived with no damage to box or contents.
Associated Components:
CD players: Audio Aero Prima, Cary 303/300, and Ultech UCD-100
Pre-amp: Aesthetix Calypso
Amps: Berning ZH270 and AES/Cary Sixpacs
Interconnects: Cardas Golden Reference
Speaker cable: Vampire Wire
Room: 14 x 15 x 8
Music: Jazz, Blues, and Classical
Over the years I have read numerous glowing reviews of the Merlin VSM speakers. Always wanted to audition them but never got the chance. Finally ordered them “sight unseen.†Easily the best audio purchase I have ever made.
The VSM-MXs took approximately 300 hours of play before they sounded their best. I have used the MXs with all the equipment listed above in various combinations. The Merlins are a clear window for the upstream components to shine through. Someone said they are like “sonic microscopes.†I agree. They are as clear as the best electrostatics I’ve ever heard, maybe more so. It’s kind of difficult to review the Merlins because what you are hearing is the upstream components with almost no color added by the speakers. Any upstream change makes an audible difference.
My most important listening priority is having the music totally separated from the speakers. When instruments appear to emanate from the speaker itself, for me, the illusion is broken. The Merlins pull the disappearing act as well as any speaker I’ve heard. The soundstage is very wide, very deep, with plenty of bloom. Images are precise and natural. Tonal balance is even. Instrumental timbre is natural and convincing. Vocals are spectacular through the Merlins. With the Berning amp in the chain female vocals appear to be “in the room.†With the components listed above, the sound is rich, smooth, and refined, with absolutely no brightness. However, be warned, I have no doubt that they will convey the shriek of bright components in a heartbeat.
Okay, okay, I’m done with all the flowery prose. Not! Gotta tell you about the bass. The bass may be my favorite MX feature. There is no shortage of impact. The bass is full, tight, and articulate. No, it doesn’t have the lowest octave, but most listeners will never miss it. Driven by the Berning ZH270, these speakers can shake the walls with bass. It’s hard to get enough of it.
Most people already know the Merlins work well with the Berning ZH270 amp. I am happy to report the MXs also sound great with the AES Sixpac amps. The Sixpac/Merlin combo is rich and smooth, extremely easy to listen to. It produces a tremendous soundstage. With the Berning you get incredible resolution, more articulate bass, and more transient attack, yet the sound is still rich and full. Prior to upgrading my CD player, I thought the Berning was a bit lean. With the Cary 303/300 and the Audio Aero Prima the sound through the Berning is now warm and full. (That’s what I mean when I say the Merlins convey the upstream components.) The music is more “real†through the Berning. Though different, I like the presentation offered by both amps. If you want a different sound just change an upstream component, tubes, or wires. You’ll hear the difference. This is much easier than swapping speakers looking for a particular sound.
Is there anything to criticize about the Merlin VSM-MX speakers? Not much. The missing lowest octave I suppose. They do require the best sounding upstream components to sound their best, but fortunately that doesn’t always mean the most expensive.
I can’t complete this review without mentioning the great service, support, and advice I’ve received from Bobby Palkovic at Merlin. Bobby is one of the very few manufacturers that actually care about your success with their product. He goes out of his way to help you. He’s been making the VSM speaker for ten years now, refining them, honing them, into the best they can be. This approach appeals to me much more than manufacturers that simply toss out idea after idea, hoping for a “hit.†The Merlins are thoroughbreds. True classics.
Other speakers I’ve owned: Isophon, PSB, Apogee, Von Schweikert.
Other high-end speakers I’ve auditioned: Wilson, Magnepan, B&W, Innersound, Martin Logan, Eminent Technology, Scientific Fidelity, Acoustat, Totem, Focal JM Labs, Audio Physic, Fuselier, Vandersteen, Aerial, Alon, Infinity, Thiel, Revel.
Product Weakness: They don't go down to 20hz. Product Strengths: Totally disappear, leaving only the music. Clarity. Great, articulate bass. Reflect the upstream components. Great customer support from the manufacturer.
Associated Equipment for this Review: Amplifier: Berning ZH270 and AES/Cary Sixpacs Preamplifier (or None if Integrated): Aesthetix Calypso Sources (CDP/Turntable): Audio Aero Prima, Cary 303/300, and Ultech UCD-100 Speakers: Merlin VSM-MX Cables/Interconnects: Vampire Wire spkr., Cardas Golden Reference ICs Music Used (Genre/Selections): Jazz, blues, classical Room Size (LxWxH): 14 x 15 x 8 Room Comments/Treatments: None Time Period/Length of Audition: Four months Other (Power Conditioner etc.): None Type of Audition/Review: Product Owner
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Topic - REVIEW: Merlin Music Inc. VSM-MX Speakers - SBurton 18:45:31 04/11/05 ( 34)
- Merlin Music Inc. VSM-MX Speakers - Dr. Guru 20:46:44 04/13/05 ( 28)
- Here we go again. - howard 06:36:08 04/16/05 ( 0)
- you are correct! they are 80% unobtainium. - bobbypalkovic 12:15:58 04/14/05 ( 3)
- Two things.... - John Ashman 08:30:29 04/18/05 ( 1)
- Re: Two things.... - Bobby Palkovic 10:01:20 04/18/05 ( 0)
- That's ballsey, but I would not .......... - claud 17:31:13 04/15/05 ( 0)
No, they just sound like they do... end of story ! - jonbee 12:04:31 04/14/05 ( 22)
- Re: No, they just sound like they do... end of story ! - morricab 18:21:55 04/15/05 ( 3)
- and another thing... - Bobby Palkovic 10:04:27 04/16/05 ( 0)
- Re: No, they just sound like they do... end of story ! - Bobby Palkovic 05:38:27 04/16/05 ( 0)
Re: No, they just sound like they do... end of story ! - SBurton 21:05:00 04/15/05 ( 0)
Re: No, they just sound like they do... end of story ! - Dr. Guru 12:22:16 04/14/05 ( 17)
- Uh, don't think you "got" anybody - jz 10:22:22 04/15/05 ( 11)
- Re: Uh, don't think you "got" anybody - morricab 18:25:21 04/15/05 ( 10)
- Re: Uh, don't think you "got" anybody - Bobby Palkovic 05:48:30 04/16/05 ( 8)
- Re: Uh, don't think you "got" anybody - morricab 13:28:52 04/17/05 ( 7)
- Re: Uh, don't think you "got" anybody - Bobby Palkovic 14:33:44 04/17/05 ( 6)
- Re: Uh, don't think you "got" anybody - morricab 06:43:27 04/18/05 ( 5)
- Re: Uh, don't think you "got" anybody - Bobby Palkovic 10:22:38 04/18/05 ( 4)
- Re: Uh, don't think you "got" anybody - morricab 01:33:39 04/19/05 ( 3)
- Re: Uh, don't think you "got" anybody - Bobby Palkovic 05:48:13 04/19/05 ( 2)
- Re: Uh, don't think you "got" anybody - morricab 11:22:22 04/19/05 ( 1)
- Re: Uh, don't think you "got" anybody - Bobby Palkovic 12:26:18 04/19/05 ( 0)
- Re: Uh, don't think you "got" anybody - sirius 23:09:41 04/15/05 ( 0)
Re: No, they just sound like they do... end of story ! - bobbypalkovic 12:35:20 04/14/05 ( 4)
- Just a comment on "build cost" - John Ashman 07:59:32 04/18/05 ( 3)
- Yes, they are that good. - SBurton 16:15:18 04/18/05 ( 0)
- Re: Just a comment on "build cost" - Bobby Palkovic 10:39:16 04/18/05 ( 0)
The're that good. - howard 10:33:55 04/18/05 ( 0)
A few questions/ideas/suggestions ......... - Blue Bull 12:22:54 04/12/05 ( 3)
- Re: A few questions/ideas/suggestions ......... - sburton 16:40:13 04/12/05 ( 2)
- Considering a ... - Blue Bull 19:39:39 04/12/05 ( 1)
- Re: Considering a ... - sburton 21:01:34 04/12/05 ( 0)
Merlin Music Inc. VSM-MX Speakers - BadgerDMS 07:27:46 04/12/05 ( 0)