|
Audio Asylum Thread Printer Get a view of an entire thread on one page |
For Sale Ads |
I discovered that the Mahler and Studio require a Large amp to get the performance out of them so......I've been leaning towards the Merlin VSM due to the amazing reviews that come from every direction and the fact that the speakers can be powered by 17 watts or less of tube amp. The only thing thats holding me back about these is the new Sonus and the Silverline speakers. They seem to have a little deeper bass and I'm not a sub type so this is a positive attribute.
I noticed the Merlin appears to have the same tweeter as the Silverline La Folia and the Eggleston Rosa.
I wish the new sonus were here in the states and maybe I could demo any of the final 3 or 4 but here in dallas I haven't found a place yet??
Thanks for reading!
Anything else to consider?
Follow Ups:
"I've been leaning towards the Merlin VSM due to the amazing
reviews that come from every direction"
It's your money, so choose your speaker based on your tastes and, most
importantly, on your own auditions. Don't let the almost fanatical supporters of
certain designs, brands, flavors-of-the-month or whatever make the decision for
you. I should know, since I almost purchased a pair of Revel Studio based on the
"amazing reviews coming from every direction" until I actually sat
down to listen seriously and focus on my own priorities and trust my own ears.
Despite what its loud supporters might say, the VSM is a little
overpriced for what it does. Although it has high quality parts inside, it's a
two way speaker and thus makes its woofer try to cover both the bass and the
bottom half of the midrange, putting it at a disadvantage when compared with
three way speakers of similar parts quality, where the drivers have a more
specialized function. On top of it, the bass is augmented by an equalizer (the
BAM). The Esotar tweeter is great, but it starts rolling off at 18kHz as opposed
to another great tweeter, the Revelator, which is flat to 30kHz, so in no
circumstance does it have the same out-of-this-world airiness as the Revelator.
Esotar has twice the Revelator's handling power capabilities, unnecessary
because VSM can't fill a very big room anyway, and it's also very expensive,
which makes this 2-way speaker cost more than it needs to. The midrange used in
VSM is the same as the one used in Wilson WATT/Puppy and here it's called to do
double duty: bass (boosted by BAM) and midrange. Hmmm...
"and the fact that the speakers can be powered by 17 watts or less
of tube amp."
Merlins are not the only easy to drive speakers.
"Anything else to consider?"
Yes. Von Schweikert VR-5 might be what you're looking for in a speaker. Much
better bass, also easy to drive, a better value in my opinion. It's just that
its supporters are not as loud as Merlin's.
Disclaimers:
1. Yes, I'm biased. I own a pair of VR-7 MkII. Albert offers 90 days money
back guaranty, so please anyone don't try to imply that I'm trying to justify my
purchase by recommending my speaker to others because it's moot. Rather, try and
give VS a listen and see what I'm raving about.
2. No, I have absolutely no affiliation with or interest in VSA, Merlin or
Revel.
3. Any way you'll go, you'll get excellent speakers, no doubt. High-end is
about splitting hairs, isn't it?
Just read your review and I'm curious how you prop these little dudes up.I appreciate the review as I've been looking to replace my Martin Logan Odysseys.
Have you heard anything from eggleston or silverline?
I've a pretty simple setup, as listed in my profile. Amp is a Marantz, a Titan II LE sub, and Nordost wiring.
I love my VSMs, but at this level personal taste, room acoustics, and system matching are far greater factors than determining which is "best". The VSMs are like chameleons, taking on the colors of factors outside the speakers to a large degree. Whichever you get, you'll have to adjust other factors to get the best of them...but we all know that, I'm sure.
A tip on Mahler: they are a 90db sensitive speaker representing a nominal 6 0hm load and are not terribly difficult to drive, and certainly easier than a pair of Odyssey, and no more difficult than Merlin VSM.Cremona should be available in the States sometime in late spring, but don't quote me on that.
Best,
Patrick
Sumiko
Thats a pretty small amp.Have you heard the new sonus and the Vienna Strauss?
I like the Cremona looks.
thanks,
Cremona I have heard, Strauss I have not. I am eager to get my hands on both for some heavy play time. I went and checked out the Llano Design web site for some more info on you A 100, but they only list the A 50. I'm assuming the A 100 is a larger version of the A 50 minis? Anyway, if this be the case, you have plenty of juice for most speakers on the market today.Best,
Patrick
All great choices but if I were you, I would wait and for the new ACI JagLE/LFM combo.
That has got to be one of the sweetest looking systems I've ever seen pics of. I'd love to see and hear it in the flesh.
I had some reservations after my VSM-M audition, but bass certainly was *not* one of those areas. Paired with a BAM, the Merlins deliver clear and tuneful bass carrying extra information I didn't know was on the recordings. While the overall bass wasn't room-shaking, it was still bass-a-plenty.
What are your reservations about the Merlins? I auditioned them on the weekend and think I've found my next speaker..I think they need an amp with a fullsome midrange or they might sound a tad threadbare.
Mainly the bass. I'm a little leary of the BAM.
Have you made a phone call to Bobby Palkovic to talk about how the BAM is integrated into the system and what it really does? There are some real pluses that component brings to the table. And from my experience, it has to do much more than with just helping the low end...Jim
It would be simplest to just say that something didn't sound quite *right*. Probably a touch of coolness in the upper midrange, but hard to say for sure. I posted my experiences on the Verified Reviews section of Harmonic Discord.
Hi AlleriaSee what happens when you cross Merlin Owners? :). Certainly everyone won't agree on the VSM's but one can't overemphasize how good this system can be. Whether you heard them at there best I can't say but as a 2 year owner I can only say they do it for me but it DID take a while to get there, system matching is very critical. They are neutral as it gets. I really like the Harmonic Tech Truth Link interconnects which work very well. I've done a lot of playing around with different speaker cables. As Celluloid notes, it can make a dramatic difference.
I read your very thoughtful objective review with music you're familiar with. I can only say that you really have to hear a REAL well recorded piano reproduced with an OTL amp to know how well they get it right. Every recording of Diana Krell I've heard makes the piano sound electronic. Whatever you heard in your review would be most likely attributable to the recording or ancillaries, not the speaker. They are Class A speakers all the way. Seems you have found your nirvana and who could argue with Quads? Me, I'll take the Merlins!!
Take Care Will
Hi,YES ! it is right. If I was not totally convinced with the VSM-SE, now that I have upgraded to the Millenium, Tube harness, and purchased the Transcendent grounded grid along with the T8 OTL stereo, it is REALLY good, wonderful should I say, and I'm not the kind of guy to be enthousiastic for nothing. I do agree with your comments about Diana Krall, and many others discs : provided you have a good source (As neutral/linear/transparent as possible I mean) you will hear everything. Musicality !
Regards,
Jeancarmet, ex-audiophile.
Funny that...after a long day of listening yesterday in a cable shoot-out at chez celluloid...the verdict was the VSMs were exactly the opposite of your experience. I was able to make it sound "cool" in the mids/tops by merely swapping cables. My own take on them is that they are so transparent that one can 'flavor' them easily with ancillary components...whereas, imo, Mahlers have a definite signature. I find that the VSMs really don't have a "sound" of their own...and are one of the few speakers which can make that claim. The original poster really would be better served by actually auditioning various speakers in home...it is worth the effort if one is spending this kind of money. Asking inmates to help him choose isn't really the best method.
Believe me the VSM-M has a sound of its own. You'll find out when Bobby comes out with VSM-BTM (better than millenium) sooner or later hehehe. :)I personally wish the VSM were 1' taller and deeper, and have one or two dedicated woofers, and have a Revelator 8530 midwoofer instead of 8545. And more importantly - a wider than 7' optimum speaker separation. :D
I agree with this. The only thing about trying the Merlins in your own home is that your gear may not be up to the task of getting the best out of them. These speakers or more like a "franchise player" - you build everything else around them. That's what I have done. If there is something better out there then ignorance is bliss because I am happy as hell. I've stopped looking for "my next pair of speakers" like some always seem to be doing. One good thing Bobby has done is make the speakers more accomodating to more equipment via the "s" or "t" harness.If you are going to try them at home I would talk with Bobby about what gear you have and what you can expect. If he is familiar with it and doesn't like it with his stuff, he will tell you. And he'll give you specifics. He gave me that hard news and I'd rather know that than still be looking for answers. (That is what we are all looking for here, right?) Then just have a listen. BTW, you don't have to spend a ton of money to get them singing. Several have had success with the Belles solid state amp. And it doesn't get much easier on the wallet than that. I do have a word of caution, don't listen to the speakers with a high-quality analog front end, good wire and otl amplification - it'll drain your checking account dry. Ask me how I know...
Good luck,
Jim
sorry to hear your "difficulties" jim!fyi everyone: i am one of the lucky ones to have TERRIFIC luck w/ a belles amp. while i know a # of people are using the 150a hot rod($1495 msrp) to great effect, i have its big brother the 350a ($3495 msrp) and it is a wonderful match.
(ps: if / when i get these entec subs working seamlessly, i may take home a T-8 stereo for comparison--figure 20wpc is plenty for 100hz & up, which is where i'm rolling off the mains)
rhyno
This post is made possible by the generous support of people like you and our sponsors: