Everything!!! Ultramicroscopic detail, Transparency, cavernous soundstage, absolute tonal naturalness, deep and detailed bass, magical presence, ultra top quality of components and finish, etc etc

Weaknesses?

This is the absolute VERY BEST speaker that I owned or listen to, end of affair.
My speaker is the Merlin VSM-Millenium "T" (tube version)with the Battery BAM. First of all I want to say that I am a long believer of "less is more" approach. I owned passive pre-amps (Audio Synthesis among them) and I have a purist approach to audio. I thought that a "strange box" in the signal path only could deteriorate the delicate audio signal. Well, the BAM is the exception. I only can say that I plug and unplugged the BAM a few times and the sound with the BAM is waaaay better, more spacious, relaxed, coherent and without any detail or transparency suffering that I could detect.
Another strong point of the Merlins is the quality of components and finish. This is REALLY a "no compromise design". I´m very familiar with megabucks audio gear and maybe this is the only speaker that follows the ultra esoteric Audionote Ongaku philosophy to put the rarest and costlier components available (VSM and BAM use Hovland Inductors and caps, Caddock, resistors, Scanspeak carbon woofer, Dynaudio Esotar tweeter, cardas, cabling and posts to not mention cabinet design and building)...but the Merlins of course doesn´t have the Ongaku price.
All of this means nothing if the sound is bad...but what a sound!!
This speaker has it all...Transparency, ultra detail, mids to die for, bass deep and unusually detailed, and the more extended soundstage (with a live recording) I experienced ever. But above all, this speaker is supremely NATURAL, all this is revealed in a coherent and unhifi way. I said unhifi cause this speaker is a strange mix of spectacular and delicate and intimate sound, spectacular if the CD is spectacular recorded and intimate or delicate if the CD is intimate or delicate recorded. All this means this speaker is absolutely faithful to the signal and neutral to the maximum. In my job I am very familiar with Studio monitors like Genelecs, Westlake, JBL, Yamaha etc and I think the VSM is the dream come true for the Sound Engineer with audiophile heart due to an absolutely neutral and hyperdetailed sound with all the emotion and naturalness of the very best audiophile designs.
BTW this speaker is one of the easiest loads to drive among conventional dynamic speakers manufactured today. They are a true 8 Ohm load (6,5 minimun) and 89-90 dB sensitivity. I use SET amps for the past 6 Years and now my Merlins are driven by 15 Watts of Cary SET power producing an absolutely relaxed and unrestrained sound plenty of magic.

I know this speaker is not cheap, but if You´re looking for the very best regardless of price, this is the end of your search...and It´s a SET lover too.

This is REALLY the greatest bargain in ultra hi-end audio based in dollar-sound ratio.

Similar Products Used:

ProAc Response 1SC, 1.5, 2.5, Many Spendor Models, Audionote AN/SP, Tannoy GRF Memory HE, etc and many ultra hi-end speakers tried along the past years (Martin Logan Statement 2, Rockport Merak, JM Lab Mezzo Utopia, Quad ESL989, Apogee Diva, Avalon Arcus, Osiris, Revel Studio, Sonus Faber Amati and Guarneri, etc etc)

I would like to share my recent experience of hearing some of the finest speakers manufactured in the entire world that were shown at the recent CES show in Las Vegas. I must tell you in advance that I went to the show as an owner of the Merlin VSM/SE/BAM speakers with Joule Electra tubed preamp and OTL amps.
I would like to feel that my comments regarding speakers are objective even thought I recognize that there is always a certain amount of subjectivity involved.

Over the years, owning Merlin speakers has been a truly rewarding experience. Until I owned my first Merlin speaker¹s, I always thought that McIntosh was the high end in audio. My original Merlin speakers¹ can still be found in my best friend¹s living room. There replacement is still being enjoyed by my son-in-law and his family. The Generation I, which was upgraded to the Generation III with RC network was last seen in the family room of my ex girl friend. No matter how good the speaker, I was always interested in having the newer models with the enhanced refinements. I have never been disappointed and continue to marvel at the real sound of music that I hear. Every upgrade has enhanced the quality of sound, richer, better depth, music that sounds lifelike and unsurpased for musical enjoyment.The VSM/SE/BAM is the culmination of many years of experimentation in making the reproduction of recorded music actually sound like real live music.

After spending three days listening to the many wonderful High End speakers¹ at the CES show, I came home to listen to my own system and was so appreciative to know that my own home was the Best of Show.

The Merlin VSM and VSM-SE are the most engaging speakers I have ever heard. They present the life and spark and soul of the music,
giving real meaning and enjoyment to the occasion. For me, there
is nothing more important, all the audiophile-speak aside (which
in fact the Merlins pony up as well - soundstage, image, timbre,
layering, dynamics, pace, rhythm, etc, it's all there).

It was with trepidation that I traded my 1-year old VSM's (with
an added BAM) for new VSM-SE's recently. This because, as I told
Bobby Palkovic, the designer, I liked the VSM's too much to let
them go! Well, straight out of the box, the SE's are delivering
just as much and more. Which is surprising, as any speaker needs
a break-in period to reveal its best qualities. I'd expected to
have to wait to get back to VSM level. So, I relish the upcoming
evolution to hear the full ability of the SE's.

The Merlin speakers have stayed ahead of all electronics & front
end upgrades I could throw at them, fully complementing and
complimenting the best equipment.

On top of that is a great company whose principals, Bobby and Bill,
are always ready to discuss any questions about the speakers and
offer helpful suggestions for setup. I had a crossover upgrade
put into my previous VSM's, which Bobby arranged at very reasonable
cost. Since Merlin keeps researching ways to eke out that next
step of even better sound, an investment in these speakers will not
go out of date.

These wonderful speakers rate a 10 out of 5...

Transparency, accuracy and musical

Deepest bass notes.

Fwiw, I thought I would share my impressions of the new Merlin VSM-Millennium speakers. Bottom line is, you can add me to the long list (and growing) of positive reviews and recommendations. In a word, they are magnificent!

I have had two previous VSM models and was quite familiar and happy with their sound. The changes incorporated in the VSM-Ms provide an overall improvement that is substantial and very impressive considering how good the previous models were.

The ranges of improvements I hear are extensive. The speakers cast a substantially larger soundstage that also provides a more transparent window into the music. The speakers virtually disappear as sound sources. In addition, the overall sense of the soundstage size, images, sonics, etc. changes with every recording, faithfully recreating what is on the recording. Very transparent. Great recordings sound incredible and poor recordings sound like it, warts and all.

The midrange and treble is incredible in its transparency and lack of coloration. When listening to well recorded vocals such as Patricia Barber (the beat goes on), Diana Krall(peel me a grape) or Jane Monheit, there is a presence felt that is lush as well as complete with nuance. Its like the musicians are right there in the room. Quite background noises are more apparent to me. I hear numerous things in recordings that I didn’t realize where there before. The musical detail resolution seems to have improved without getting too analytical. The transient attacks are quick and clean without overhang or smearing, providing a real jump factor when the recording calls for it. The midrange-to-bass range articulation and weight also seams fuller.

I recall reading in other reviews that these speakers are optimized as much as any racing equipment to push the boundaries of what is possible with their components. They will really strut their stuff when given good upstream signals sources and reveal the warts of substandard gear. Garbage in, garbage out. I recall reading once that you shouldn’t be driving a Ferrari if you can’t afford to put tires on it. I can relate. I suffered through all this the past months until finally getting a sacd source in place. It made a incredible difference and I can really hear now the improvements that dsd/sacd are capable of. Beautiful music!

Imho, the new VSM-Millenniums have been very positive upgrade and a great revelation for me. I am now confident these speakers will never be a weak link in the chain of my music system and I will be content with them for a very long time. I can really sit back now and enjoy the music.

Kudos to Bobby! Excellent job!

Thanks,
Ken Mersereau

Similar Products Used:

VSM gen III's and Standards.

I have to say that it is a shame that most beginning audiophiles get all their info from Stereophile. The shame in that is, if it is not listed in Stereophile, then they think "it must not be that good"... Seasoned audiophiles know differently. I am not knocking Stereophile, per se. I have been a subscriber for years, and I continue to be.
My issue with them, is the fact that due to politics some manufacturers will not submit their far superior products for their review. In the end, it is the consumer who loses out. They make purchases based on a limited field.

For instance, I noticed the Audio Physic Virgo getting a class A rating in Stereophile. I took a listen to them, before I made my latest speaker purchase. I was comparing them to the Merlin VSM SE w/BAM (www.merlinmusic.com). The Virgos sound like an uncompleted, rushed to market compared to the refinement of the Merlins... and they are in similar price range. The Merlins are not mass market.. they are 'class' without 'mass'. There are many reviews and many 'best of show' awards that go along with this speaker... and you owe it to yourself to seek out the nearest dealer.... committ to three listening sessions.... each time listening to other gear in between... why three?.. because these speakers are so incredible, you may not 'get it' at first.... and even if you do, by the third session, you will no longer be able to tolerate your present speaker system.... If you listen to tubes, then the purchase is a no brainer. I kinda like owning speakers that many have never heard of.... but in the end, it is a shame. I just feel lucky I was pointed in the right direction, when John Rocke of Audio Odyssey, In Highland Park, NJ recommended them to me.... he has a small exclusive operation... with the finest gear..... If you can't swing for the VSM se's, then check out the TSM SE's... they are smaller... less expensive, but every bit a Merlin..... I don't want the whole world to flood Merlin Music with phone calls, but if you do, you speak to the creator Bobby P.

I have had several pairs of Merlin VSM's. I played with Magnepans, including the 3.6's with baimp configuration and solid state. I just bought another pair of VSM SE's and got rid of the Maggies. They did some things very well, but what I hear right now with the VSM's is the best I have heard. I have the battery version of the BAM. We measured bass down to 28hz in my room. I am being drawn into the music in ways that I have not experienced before. Lush, detailed, transparent, solid, are all adjectives that describe the Merlin's. They also just completely disappear. The Magnepans were so big, and the way they work I was always aware that I was listening to a speaker. Once the Merlin's are set up correctly, and it does take time and effort to do, they seem not to be there at all.

I have dealt with Bobby for many years, and he is as good as it gets. He continues to refine and makes refinements affordable and available to his customers. you do need to be careful what you put in front of the VSM's. I made the mistake of buying a solid state amp and preamp, which is why I moved to the Magnepans. I now have a Joule-Electra amp and preamp that works magic with the Merlins.

I have lived with this product and company for 5 years, and I cannot recommend the experience highly enough.

I just got these recently and am really happy with them. They were new but sounded good right out of the box and noticably better after a few days. I have owned
Theil, Vandersteen, and B&W. They were all a nice listen. The Merlins are clearer and yet still very musical. When I read the reviews here, I saw almost all "fives" and then a "two"? His problem was they were to detailed. I dont think thats a problem as long as the details are musical. The more details, the more realistic it sounds. You just dont want them in your face assaulting you. I would bet it was more his front end or maybe he is a competitor messing up a perfect 5 rating. They will show whatever you throw at them. They win best of show or gather near top votes at shows voted by people like you and me.(no politics). I own a tube and solid state amp, both Stereophile rated class A, and they both sound great on the Merlins. So far, I like the SS a little more. You definitely should give these a listen. I highly recommend them.

Design, finish, well balanced, magical sound. Fantastic quality bass

None

This review is for three separate versions of the VSM. First, the VSM-SE with AC Bam; next the VSM Millenium with no BAM; and finally the VSM Millenium with Battery Bam. Since this is a product review, I think it would be appropriate to include some information concerning the company - Merlin Music Systems.


1. Merlin limits production to approximately 250 speakers per year. The company could theoretically increase production, and sell the additional speakers through aggressive advertising (Stereophile etc..), however this would involve transforming a small 2-3 person craftsman shop into a factory with increased risk of degrading product quality. As it stands, when you buy a Merlin speaker, you become part of a very exclusive club. I

2. The company only offers 2 models - The appearance of each model (VSM and TSM), remains the same through the years (Saab philsophy) and the designer continually researches and tests new parts and methods to improve the sound. When research results in tangible improvements, the customer is offered the opportunity to upgrade. Compare this philosophy to other speaker manufacturers who introduce several new models each year, with no opportunity to upgrade.

3. Craftsman Experience - Bobby Palkovic and his cabinetmaker have been together since the establishment of the company. When you buy a Merlin speaker, you are getting a product that was handcrafted and inspected by either or both of these two individuals. When I visited Merlin to get my upgrade, I was surprised to find there were only 3 individuals working there (Bobby, his Cabinetmaker Bill, and an assistant).

Merlin VSM-SE with AC Bam. I purchased this model on the used market from a manufacturer. It came with the Dark Blue Ice finish which actually looks like Piano black, except in a very brightly lit room where it appears dark blue with tiny specks. In my opinion, this speaker, in this color, is the best looking speaker I have ever seen. The design is very classic looking (kind of art deco), with the 3 brass rods offsetting the elegant (piano black looking finish). In my first few listening sessions, the sound was lacking in bass, and the voices and instruments could clearly be identified as coming from either the left or right speaker. However, after a little break in, things snapped into focus. The bass energy and depth increased considerably to the point where it outperformed my old setup, which included a Sunfire True Subwoofer. In summary, the sound was very well balanced, crystal clear, and musical, with all the bass a bass lover could ever ask for. I have been an audiophile for 30 years and this speaker produced the most magical moments per listening sessions of any speaker I had ever listened to. At this point, I thought I had the perfect speaker. I was very content, but wanted to get some recommendations for the proper polish and warranty transfer information, so I phoned the manufacturer. Somehow, (I can't remember the details), I was talked into getting the Millenium upgrade and the battery bam. Bobby from Merlin assured me the upgrades would result in a tremendous improvement over what I had. I have to admit, I had my doubts, but I really wanted to have the designer check out my speaker (since I purchased it used) , to verify it was in proper working order. So, I agreed to have both upgrades done. One more thing I should mention. The upgrade is offered in a "T" or "S" harness. T for tubes, and S for solid state. I had the tube upgrade, even though my amplifier is solid state. Bobby recommended that I get the T upgrade since my amplifier (The Musical Fidelity A1000), is designed to sound like tubes.

Merlin VSM Millenium without BAM - After receiving the upgrade, I had to wait approximately six weeks before receiving my modified Bam with the Battery, so I thought I would comment on how the Millenium model sounded without the BAM. In the first three or four listening sessions the upgraded VSM did not impress me. Voices sounded unnatural and chesty, and high notes, especially the sound of piano's, hurt my ears. On around the fifth session, voices cleared up, speed and dynamics increased noticeably, and the bass energy increased dramatically to the point where it sounded as if I had the BAM. After further listening, everything I liked about the VSM-SE's returned, but with increased body and richness. In addition, voices clearly seemed to recede from in front of the speakers to the back. Once again, I had the best speakers I had ever heard. However, I still needed to see how the speakers sounded with the Battery Bam back in the the system.

Merlin VSM Millenium with Battery Bam - After installing the Battery Bam in my system, the bass sounded deeper, and the sound seemed more relaxed and clear. With everything in place, I would have to admit, this is a completely new speaker, clearly preferable to my old
VSM-SE's. I really have to emphasize how phenomenal the bass sound on these Monster's. I don't think I have ever heard real quality bass before hearing these speakers. Okay, I am getting tired of saying this, but one again, I had the best speakers I had ever heard. However, I must admit, I did not realize just how good these speakers could sound until I took the next step. I purchased the new Sony DVP-S9000ES and listened to the Super Audio CD sampler. WOW!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

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Magnepan SMG, Acousta, Apogee Slant Six, TDL Studio One,
Dynaudio Audience 40, Totem Model One Signature

After trying to decide how to spread the gospel of the Merlin VSM-SE with BBAM for the past few days I’ve decided it’s probably best to keep it short and sweet.

So, here are some of the speaker systems I’ve “owned” along with some of the associated equipment:

Dalquest DQ-10’s
Carver Amazing loudspeakers with an Aragon 4004 amp and Audio Research SP-6B preamp.
Apogee Mini Grands with Aragon 4004 (later White Audio Labs B2) and Audio Research SP-6B.
Quad ESL 63 on Arcici stands with Quicksilver Silver Mono’s, SP-6B and later Quicksilver Pre.
Gallo Nucleus Reference with CAT reference pre.
Martin Logan CLSIIz with CAT reference pre and Cary CAD-211M’s
Dunlavy SC-IVa with CAT signature MKIII and Cary CAD-211M’s
Silverline Audio Sonitina’s with CAT signature and CARY CAD-211M’s
Aerial Model 8’s with CAT signature MKIII and CAD-211M’s

If I were to list all the equipment I’ve had home for audition this would turn into a 2 pager.

I’ve always liked things like the Quad, CLS, and Carvers. Something about the planer sound has always “tripped my trigger”.

On the other hand, every time I’ve owned a planer (as much as I like them) something always seemed to be missing. That something of course is SLAM. Planers always had the air and ambiance I loved but somehow couldn’t convey the raw emotion of the music. Nice? Yes. Polite? YES!

In came the Merlin VSM-SE’s w/BBAM. KILLER!

I never thought I’d like a speaker as much as I do the Merlins. In MY listening room they are incredible. For the first time in years I can clearly hear the valves of a trumpet and the slide of a trombone. The sonic signature of instruments is chilling. Strings are weighty. Violins, violas, cellos and basses have the buzz and body that one rarely hears in the home. Woodwinds growl in one instant and soar the next. This sound is tactile. You can reach out and touch it.

Mostly though they draw me into the music in a way that must be experienced to be appreciated. Their “your are there” presentation is absolutely top shelf. I thank Todd Warnke for his review on SoundStage. It was my familiarity with Todd and his review that led me to these speakers in the first place.

When listening to rock I want to sing along. When listening to classical I want to conduct! Big Bands? … I think I’ll drive!

I have to comment on the setup of the speakers which is IMO sorely missing from most of the reviews I’ve read. I have the speakers in a 20x26 room and positioned against the short wall. I have acoustic treatment in my room (it’s dedicated). They love being away from walls, the back wall in particular. Try to move the speakers out into the room as far as SWMBO will allow; then work with the spacing between the speakers.

When technological miracles grace the pages of USA Today on a weekly basis it is easy to become numb, and consequentially lose the real miracle. The MUSIC.

Wanna live? Buy the Merlin VSM-SE’s w/BBAM and you’ll be jumpin’, jivin’, and grinnin’.

If I could give it 10 stars I would. If it cost 10 grand I just might pay it.

What price glory? In this case about $7000.

Highly recommended.

Musicality, versatility (can play any music well), balance (no real weaknesses), revealing (discriminating between good and bad recordings), emotion-evoking (make you cry with joy)

Quantity in bass (but makes up for it in quality of bass you get)

First of all, let me say that the Millennium is the third generation of VSM I have owned. I had the VSM Gen 3, then bought the SE, and just now got my SE upgraded to Millennium. I had auditioned and owned many, many speakers before making the VSM the center of my system. The rest of my system, to put in context, includes: Transcendent Sound OTL, Jeff Rowland Coherence One preamp, Michell Gyrodec with Origin Live-modded Rega arm and Grado Reference Sonata, Musical Fidelity E-624 CD player, and a combination of Analysis Plus Oval 12 and Millersound cables. My music taste is very eclectic, from Bach to Bela Fleck to Belafonte. So I want speakers that can work well with any music. Having owned the VSM-SE for almost two years and very happy with the sound, I never thought I'd need yet another upgrade. Well, after reading several posts on audioreview.com from people who did the upgrade, I decided to explore it. Bobby of Merlin was most helpful in this regard in explaining the what, the why, and the how. He even agreed to accommodate my plan to drive 6 hours to the Merlin factory in Hemlock, NY to have the upgrade done and pick it up the next day. What personal service by Bobby and the staff at Merlin (thank you Bill and Debbie!!)
Anyway, how was the upgrade, you ask.
In a word, astounding! The first notes came out and my wife's and my jaws dropped in amazement. The music just flowed effortlessly as we never experienced before. The piano sounded crystaline, down to the sound of the pedals being released. We could hear the guitar strings plucked, the saxophone brass body vibrating in the low
registers, and the cymbal sound just hung in the air for a fraction longer for an airy effect never heard by us before. The bass was fuller, the soundstage deepened, and the background was eerily silent. What was even more amazing is that we felt the performers communicated with us more, with all the nuances in their phrasing and deliberation. Simply put, they connected with us at a cerebral and spiritual level!!! We sat there trying discs after discs, and got the same feeling one CD after another. As Bobby correctly predicted, the experience put a smile on our faces while at the same time made us want to cry, touched by the sheer beauty of the music. Isn't that what it's all about???
All this change without the back-ordered Z-feet and the Battery BAM that Bobby promised to deliver even more impact. I can't wait to report to you the difference they would make.
Since that first day after the upgrade, I have had two of my audiophile friends over and their jaws are still on my floor.
If you have the VSM-SE, do the upgrade. If you don't have the VSM-SE, get them and do the upgrade. Or better yet, get the Millennium new. You won't be sorry.
One last word, Bobby sells the upgrade kit but having seen what is involved, send it to Merlin and have it done right by the master (Yes Bobby does most of the work himself, meticulously).

Feel free to write me (vtvu@att.net)if you have any questions.
Vinh Vu

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Vandersteen, Totem, Castle, Snell