What originally drew me to these speakers was the overwhelming response I was reading from user reviews along with the professional write-ups. I also have a trusted friend in the audio business who has always been dead on when helping with solutions for my system; when I asked him candidly what he thought of the Merlin’s his response was “I really like them”, that’s all I needed to hear. Of course I had a conversation with Bobby Palkovic (Bobby@Merlin) discussing my electronics in combination with his speakers, and he did explain in his own words how they would sound and differ from my present speakers, but honestly I had already made my decision by that time. As you can imagine I had mixed feelings about my purchase; on the one hand I had very high expectations, but on the other hand I was apprehensive about purchasing a pair of speakers I had never heard. My original purchase was based in large part on faith in others, and the truth would only be told when I actually hooked the Merlin’s to my speaker cables and they played music in my room. My original order was for a pair of VSM-M speakers with premium finish as the X version did not yet exist. I was fortunate to place my order in the midst of the X project, and I was able to upgrade and have my speakers delivered as the VSM-MX model. For a complete history of the VSM speaker and model distinctions see the Merlin Web site. The B.A.M. (Bass Augmentation Module) for my system is a special balanced unit wired with single ended inputs and outputs, and for this reason it arrived a week later than my speakers. My speakers were ordered in a beautiful metallic Champaign finish; if they had wheels and an engine I would enter them in an auto show, the paint work is outstanding. My Merlin VSM-MX speakers were delivered six weeks ago and were finally connected to my speaker cables, speculation was now pushed aside by actual listening and this product would now “speak” for itself. From the beginning I could tell these speakers might be special, but just how special remained to be seen. I probably spent eight hours that first day listening to music, and an embarrassing amount of time over the first week listening as well. Keep in mind I was doing all my listening the first week without the B.A.M. unit. Just when I thought I was starting to get a feel for the speakers and an idea of the amazing performance they seemed to be capable of the B.A.M. shows up at my door. I felt the bass was adequate in my system/room without the B.A.M., but with this unit installed it became deep and full. What I didn’t expect is the B.A.M. unit to have such an overall effect on the speaker. Bobby had explained that it was an integral part of the speaker system and even put a percentage on how much improvement he thought I might hear. I still wasn’t prepared for the changes the B.A.M. made in frequencies above the bass region, as well as imaging. After six weeks I have only become more aware of what an incredible job these speakers do in reproducing music, any kind of music. That’s one thing that truly impresses me, I’m listening to just about anything, I don’t have a huge collection of music, maybe 300 CD’s, but after six weeks I’m seriously beginning to run out of material, I’m grabbing everything of the shelf, even my wife’s CD’s. After all, this was supposed to be the goal, spend more time listening to music, and less time playing with equipment. That’s my biggest concern lately, what am I going to listen to and where am I going to get it. But what do they sound like? Well, they don’t sound like, Aerial Acoustics, Audio Physics, B&W, Dahlquist, Energy, Magnepan, McIntosh, Monitor Audio, ProAc, or Wisdom Audio; that’s about everything I’ve owned, had in my house, or heard in a show room worth noting. I’ll attempt to interpret what the Merlin VSM-MX sounds like in my system/room. They are very cohesive and extended; if there are any frequency bumps I can’t detect them, this gives them the ability to reproduce any musical instrument or voices in a uniform an accurate way. The sound is full; instruments and vocals have a depth I’ve never encountered before. They are delicate and revealing; details which were blurred or simply hidden are now unveiled. They are powerful; when pushed by even the most difficult passages they can produce the full weight of the music but yet have the ability to keep everything clearly separate. Imaging and staging is uncanny; precision, placement of instruments, and the feeling of space between them gives the sense you could stand up and walk amongst the band. They are smooth; not smoothed over, but meaning the music flows smoothly. They are nimble; having the ability to properly reproduce timing cues essential to music’s rhythm and tempo. They are transparent; I’ve been describing how these speakers sound, but from what I can tell, for a speaker, they don’t add much of their own signature. I thoroughly enjoy this hobby because there is so much to learn. I remember visiting an audio dealer near Chicago on two different occasions and listening to two completely different systems, which had been set up in the very same room, and both systems sounded incredible. It took me awhile to realize that maybe it wasn’t just the components; it was their careful matching and setup (especially the speakers), the dimensions of the room and thirty thousand dollars worth of room treatment. The Merlin VSM-MX speakers have taught me some lessons as well; that a speaker can be much more than the sum of its components, but as a product of hard work and refinement by its designer and builder it can become a work of art. I’m sure there is a substantial amount of science which went into the design of the VSM speaker, but what I feel makes them truly mature is the dedication to push the design to it’s envelope, a process which has been ongoing for over ten years, and has culminated in the VSM-MX model. Somebody loves these speakers a great deal and it shows in the quality of their construction, and most of all in their ability to reproduce music.

Beautiful, rich sound, incredibly smooth, resolved highs, deep, defined bass, microdynamic instrument decay, macrodynamics, imaging, soundstage...basically everything

I honestly can't think of anything

I was re-reading my review and wanted to make a clarification. When I said, "The Merlins are incredibly beautiful and revealing speakers, and any weak links in the component chain become painfully obvious," I should have avoided the word "painfully," as it can suggest a meaning completely other than what I intended to convey. My original statement should have been more in the line that any weak component or source recording becomes apparent when played through the beautiful and revealing VSM-MMs. Sonically flawed components and poor recordings(I've hooked many of these up to my speakers just for kicks) reveal themselves and contrast with the seemingly perfect sound these speakers are capable of. Even with the flaws of a noticably weak link the merlins are capable of a beautiful sound that greatly outperforms my PSB Gold i's. The silky smooth tweeter and 6.5" driver remain cool under the less than optimal conditions of a poor source component, never becoming harsh or piercing, though flaws can be heard. I should have mentioned this in my original post and stated that the merlins reveal flawed recordings/components, contrasting with the sound they are capable of, though they manage to avoid piercing, harsh, fatiguing or otherwise unpleasent or uncomfortable sound by virtue of the quality of their construction and drivers along with their beautiful rich, smooth sound.

Similar Products Used:

PSB Stratus Gold i's, B&W 801s, 802s, 805s, NHT 3.3, Paradigm Reference 100

Other Thoughts: The Merlins are incredibly beautiful and revealing speakers, and any weak links in the component chain become painfully obvious. Care must be taken to ensure compatible component selections are made. This is not to say that only expensive equipment is adequate. On the contrary, Bobby is eager to help a potential buyer or owner select high quality, relatively inexpensive components to maximize the Merlin experience. Anyone, regardless of musical tastes or budget, considering purchasing the Merlins or any owner who has never spoken to Bobby really owes it to his/her self to call him. Bobby is incredibly helpful in making component, placement, and setup suggestions to get the last ounce of enjoyment out of the speakers. I view these speakers to be one of the best purchases I have made, ever. They provide a level of realism I never knew was possible in a speaker. I have seriously auditioned most NHT models, the Paradigm reference series, the B&W nautilus series, and have spent several hours with the B&w 801s. None of these speakers made me want to upgrade my PSB Gold i's, as the golds either simply out performed them, or, in the case of the 801s, the PSBs were competitive sounding despite the fact the 801s would cost me over 6x(!) what I paid for the Gold i's. In the first 15 seconds with the merlins, I found what I spent hours trying and hoping to find in the various other speaker brands, including the 801s. In the 45 minutes I spent talking to Bobby and the first 15 seconds I spent listening to his speakers, I have become a customer for life. This says more than this review ever could. Honestly, the sound of these speakers is so beautiful. The highs are so smooth and airy and bass so tuneful and defined while the soundstage is massive and imaging precise; these are almost unreal speakers.

The merlins are extremely revealing and accurate; poor recordings or equipment are revealed for what they are. With quality equipment, I honestly can't think of any flaws.

This review is for the current version of the VSM series, the VSM-MM. I have to start off by saying that Bobby Palkovic(owner and designer of the merlins) is one of the nicest salespersons I have encountered; he displays an amazing willingness to answer any questions and help any owner or inquiring customer get the best from his speakers. I’ve had a pair of PSB Stratus Gold i’s for 2 years and began noticing some sonic flaws in them. After much research, I decided to purchase a pair of Merlin VSM-MMs directly from Bobby due to his wonderful attitude and service. The speakers/b-bam arrived in two boxes, very well packaged. After unpacking them, I installed each with the 3 spike configuration, single RC network, and set the bam to full AC power, as I had not had a chance to charge its battery. I put in the CD “Randy Travis Live at Last.” While not an audiophile recording, it is a good one, and I thoroughly enjoy Randy’s voice. Within the first 15 seconds, my jaw LITERALLY dropped. My immediate observation was the unbelieveable imaging produced by the VSM-MMs. The image, soundstage, and sense of air made the PSB Gold i’s sound almost like a boombox. While I may be exaggerating somewhat, there is NO comparison between the two. I instantly heard things in the recording I had never heard before. The Merlins are as transparent a speaker as I have ever heard and seem to completely disappear; the music seems to come magically from the air rather than the speaker boxes. Sound: Invariably in any discussion of the Merlin VSM series, concerns of the Merlins being bright and/or lacking bass are raised by those who have never heard them, heard them only briefly, or heard them improperly setup and/or using poor equipment/recordings. I strongly feel that neither of these concerns are justified when the Merlins are properly set up using compatible components and good recordings. Without a doubt, the Esotar tweeter is a work of art. The highs on the Merlin are smooth as silk, displaying absolutely no trace of grain or harshness. An instrument’s natural decay is carried into infinity giving an unparalleled sense of realism. Even at uncomfortably high volumes, no sense of distortion or breaking up is apparent. Poorly recorded sources will sound poor when played through any semi competent system, even so, the Esotar tweeter is incredibly non fatiguing to listen to, completely lacking in the mechanical harshess that so often plagues metal dome tweeters. It almost doesn’t bear mentioning that decent quality source recordings through the Merlins’ tweeters displays a sense of realism, air, and resolution that is completely non fatiguing, lacking all harshness, and utterly addictive. Bass wise, the VSM-MMs produce an amount of bass that seems impossible for the 6.5” woofer. With the battery bam (all serious listening done in battery only mode), bass output is taut and exquisitely layered. The Merlins reproduce the amount of bass present in the source recording without adding a layer of coloration. Bass shy recordings are quickly revealed for what they are. With proper setup (Bobby P. is always ready to help with this aspect) and quality recordings, the Merlins produce deep (down to the bottom of the 30Hz-ish range) bass that is cleaner than any I have ever heard and lightning fast. Imaging/Soundstage. The first quality of the Merlins that grabbed my attention was their pinpoint imaging along with massive soundstage. Instruments and vocals are clearly separated and defined in a soundstage that projects slightly forward and far behind the speakers as well as beyond their borders. The end result is that the Merlins completely disappear in the soundstage, a truly beautiful experience. I had a non audiophile friend listen to the beginning of a rendition of Carmen’s Toreador Song, which features a broad array of vocals at nearly every conceivable place in the soundstage, some in motion and some remaining still. With the VSM-MMs, the vocals were precisely placed within the enormous soundstage, far better than my PSB Stratus Gold i’s, and even considerably better than the B&W 801s. After listening, my friend asked me to play it with my center channel, and whatever other hidden speakers I was using, off. Using test track 4 of Stereophile’s test CD 2, the acoustic guitar solo, I asked a friend and guitar player to listen with the lights off. He remarked that he could be convinced that a real guitar was being played in the room. When I asked him to point to the speaker or speakers playing the music, he promptly pointed to the image and said the center channel speaker was the only one playing, and even after repeating the track, he did not believe the merlins were source. Only after putting his ear to the Merlins to verify they were playing without the center channel's help, did he express his amazement that the Merlins produce such a precise image and realistic sound, while themselves seeming to be completely invisible.

Similar Products Used:

PSB Stratus Gold i's (great), Paradigm Reference 100s, NHT 3.3, B&W Nautilus 801, 802, 805.

Speed, coherence, lack of coloration, and just plain presenting the music that is in the recording

None for me

I purchased these speakers site unseen since there is no local dealer in my area. It was a leap of faith so to speak, however, with the internet, trade publications, and the inimitable Bobby Palkovic available as resources it was a real no brainer. This is the first pair of speakers I have ever bought without at least a dealer demo, but they are the best I have heard in this price range and have no regrets in my decision. When your system is assembled carefully(especially with Bobby P's help), there can be no denying the magic that these speakers can impart to your listening pleasure!

Similar Products Used:

B&W 805/803/802; Revel Studios; Hales Rev 3's

Sound Clarity Defintion Accuracy

None

i just got an upgrade on my Merlin VSM-M with balanced BAM and went now to the new VSM-MX. The upgrade is incredible!! First of all, the VSM-M, is an incredible speaker to begin with---- But the upgrade to VSM-MX takes it to a new level. Again, the definition, and, i emphasize, the DEFINITION, is fabulous. It pulls sounds out of the mix i have never heard before. It brings to life other aspects of the music never fully appreciated -the songs are new and alive. It's like listening to a cd you've heard many times before, but behold- it's much different----with a new clarity and perspective never fully revealed on other systems. It brings the mix to life. I find myself listening to music even more and more now. Music, i have known from top to bottom for years, show me new sounds and new aspects. The bass is definitely fuller than the original -the sound fills the room- - - and i have a fairly large room-14 feet by 26 feet (W X L). This upgrade is not a small upgrade like buying a new power cord, speaker cable, processor even, etc. This is a HUGE upgrade - - - it is a must have!! A MUST HAVE-no question here!!! I will now upgrade my Rear and center Channels of merlin to the VSM-MX level. And like said before-this speaker ruled before-but now it is even BETTER. Again, i mention the definition, clarity, and accuracy of the mix-- it is as it should be-you hear it as it sounds!!! It handles various types of music-i listen to a plethora of music---synth-rock-world-jazz-techno-new age and it brings them all to life and excels to new aspects of the music. I have the original Black finish but can only imagine how it would be in the reportedly even better premium finish. Also, to mention, this company treats you like a person- not a number-they are available and care about you and work with you and your system-which is alot to be said. Look at the reviews of this speaker before and now explode it to new levels- it is a new beast!!

Similar Products Used:

VSM-M older version

Comparisons Granted, some of the system performance I hear must be due to the matching with components that many consider close to ideal complements to the Merlins. I’ve only used all the associated electronics with one other speaker system, the Quad ESL63USA. It isn’t really a fair comparison, as the Quads are limited in their dynamic abilities and somewhat rolled off at both ends. However, the Quad midrange and imaging have been an industry references for 20 years. In my room, the Merlins out-perform them in most every respect. They manage to portray vocals, piano and horns with the same speed that usually make electrostatics a superior choice for fans of small jazz combos and acoustic folk/rock. In terms of other speakers I have owned, the Merlins provide many sonic similarities to the $14k Avalon Acoustics Radian HCs that I ran with Spectral & MIT components, and was written up as the “2C3D” system in Stereophile a number of years ago. That system excelled in portraying a dynamic whirlwind of sound in a huge 3D space. It’s downside was it caused great fatigue for me, where my mind wandered away from the music, and I was often less than relaxed after listening sessions that usually ended quicker than they should have. This led me in a different direction, a return to tubes via Quads, Cary Rocket 88 and SLP-2002. This setup, had the PRAT and silky midrange that I longed for, but details were amiss, relatively speaking. With all the errors being ones of omission, it was musical, just a bit lacking. The Merlins, accompanied by the Merlin/Joule combo, bring the best elements of both these systems; the dynamics, transparency, fast bass and spatial pyrotechnics of the Avalon/Spectral with the rhythmic timing, natural midrange and low volume coherency of the Quad/Cary system. Compared to the VSM-M, Merlin claims the new version are more dynamic. I clearly hear no limitations; they play loudly and cleanly more than I’d ever need. With my 70 watt Berning, I still can’t get the volume past 12 o’clock. Musical Examples One of my favorite demo pieces is “I’m Losing You” from Kate & Anna McGarrigle’s Heartbeats Accelerating CD. This song portrays a wide and deep stage of featuring a violin prominently in front of the outside edge of the R speaker, while an acoustic guitar plucks rhythmically far to the back left corner of the stage. The lead vocals are miked mid left center, with Rufus Wainwright’s harmony vocal close enough to make me wonder if they are sharing the microphone. Nonetheless, the voices emanate distinctly, full-bodied, even as they sing pensively with much restraint. The 3rd harmony voice further right and back calls little attention to itself, but complements the other two nicely. Piano notes linger with the pedal work, contrasting the quick decay of the banjo pickings. Many speakers fail to portray all the spatial cues on this recording, smear the lead and harmony vocals, and/or bury many of the instrumental details. The VSM-MXs get it right. All the emotion is there; the beauty of the song shines through. A fun jazz tune that’s captured my attention lately is Charles Mingus’ “Wednesday Night Prayer Meeting”, included on Mingus at Antibes and Best of Mingus. On my LP, the Merlins place the tenor sax solo right front stage, clearly well right of the loudspeaker. Meanwhile two sets of hand claps pace the solo from mid-stage outside the left speaker and the right, just behind the soloist. All the action takes place in front of altos and trombones clearly delineated from the rear center of the stage. I could go on and on, but the point is simple; upbeat tunes like this draw me into the music, and the Merlins convey the excitement of the recording in a natural way that makes me smile. Conclusion With them here just four weeks to date, I clearly haven’t learned all I can about the VSM-MX. What I can say for sure is that it has bettered anything I’ve had in my home and almost everything I’ve heard elsewhere. That covers every aspect of musical reproduction. What has been competitive, to my ears, comes with a $20,000+ price tag. The Merlins allow me to hear subtle changes with minor tweaks, and have the resolution that will allow me to justify further upgrades in source components down the road. For it’s price, the Merlins are a great value and a product to build your system around. A world class product, with no significant shortcomings. There must be some speakers that will outperform it in one aspect or another, probably mostly in very large rooms. But, in an average sized space, the Merlins are exceptionally easy to optimize in placement. They are tube-friendly and efficient. They come from a long-standing company with a fanatical dedication to customer satisfaction and upgradeability. What more can I ask for? So far, nothing.

Downsides/Caveats Critics of Merlins have previously described their products as being “ruthlessly revealing” and “too forward”. I can imagine that with associated gear that leans in this direction the VSM-MX might exaggerate the problem. A serious commitment to matching with the right gear is a requirement here; probably more so than with some other speakers. My old Vandersteen 2CI’s blended easily with anything I threw at them. I suspect that wouldn’t be the case here. However, if you match them with the right stuff, the rewards will easily outweigh the effort. If big bottom bass is your thing, the Merlins don’t go all the way. The BAM filters out all the low frequency noise, and the speakers drop off to close to nothing around 28-30hz. Merlin is going to eventually put out a subwoofer to mate with the VSM series. For me, even low organ notes are reproduced with aplomb, but if bass you can feel, in a “home theater sense” is a top requirement, this speaker probably won’t be your top choice.

Merlin VSM-MX Review It is my pleasure to review the new VSM-MX, the latest version of Merlin Music Systems’ acclaimed VSM loudspeaker. Setup, Room Etc. Unpacking and setup of the VSM-MX and the battery BAM bass augmentation module was straightforward. The unpacking instructions were safely mounted on the box exterior; inside, the speakers themselves were in custom foam packing and also wrapped extensively with a special masking type tape that protected the clearcoat finish and eliminated all lint, etc. from adhering to the speaker. Sizewise, the VSM-MX appears the same as the prior generation VSMs. My pair are finished in a beautiful, dark, shiny Moss Green, reminiscent of the British racing green seen on many Jaguars, Minis, etc. A small wooden triangle and associated directions made it a snap to properly align toe-in. The easy to install adjustable Z feet were very sharp, and easily coupled to my carpeted floor. The small level provided assistance, as I adjusted the feet to compensate for the floors’ imperfections. The RC networks(see Merlin’s website for an explanation) quickly slide onto the ingenious Cardas binding posts(the easiest I’ve used), and in my case, the jumpers for single wired speakers were also simple to connect. The battery BAM unit can be inserted into the signal chain either between amp and preamp or in a tape loop. I tried both(more on that, later). It can be used 100%AC, 50/50, or 100% battery which will last about 12 hours. A rear switch dictates full AC or 50/50; just unplug it for 100% battery. The room in use is a rectangle 14’w across front and rear walls, 17’long sidewalls, with 4’ wide openings at the rear of the right wall and the left edge of the back wall. Ceilings are 9’ drywall. A stone fireplace with slate hearth takes up most of the front wall from floor to ceiling flanked by standard windows on each side. The left sidewall also has three windows. All windows are covered with 2” solid wood blinds, which remain closed for all serious listening. Books and records provide diffusion along the right wall. Initially, the speakers were setup using the basic instructions, residing approximately 5’ from the front wall, 3.5’ from side walls, 7’ between speakers, and the listening chair approximately 8’ from the speakers front edges. The chair is about 3’ from the rear wall. So far, the room doesn’t have any acoustic treatments. After tweaking placement as described below, I was able to use a Radio Shack meter and a test CD to measure almost flat response down to 30hz, with only mild peaks at 600 & 1250 Hz. This significantly betters the measurements of prior speakers in the same location. Although these measurements are far from perfect, they are indicative of what I hear. Sonics As this pair is a demo pair, break in wasn’t an issue. Right out of the chute, the VSM-MXs grabbed my attention and pulled me into the music. Given that I’d been recently using Quad ESL 63 USA’s, I expected more bottom end punch and better dynamics, but I had no idea how much better. The surprising thing about my initial impressions was that the biggest improvement was in the highs. Cymbals, brass and tambourines exhibited a shimmer that was previously smeared by comparison. Hi hats had more speed; I could sense the air as they rose and fell. The midrange was natural, without any sibilance on vocals. Transparency was uncanny. Bass was tight, but a tad on the lean side. This is not a bass heavy speaker. It portrayed acoustic bass with the natural tone that I associate with live jazz; not an over-emphasized bass that makes rock sound dramatic at the expensive of other more subtle music. Spatially, the soundstage was very wide, almost as deep, but was located initially from a point forward of center by a couple of feet to just at the rear wall. A little more forward than I would have preferred. These initial impressions were with the BAM inserted between amp and preamp, with the speakers 5’ from the front wall, 8’ from the listening chair, and with JPS Superconductor connecting the LA150 to the ZH-270. All other cabling at this point was AU24. After calling BobbyP(Merlin founder) for some further setup advice(from what I’ve heard, everybody calls him!), I did what I could to further tweak the sound to my ideal. I replaced the JPS with Cardas Golden Reference between preamp & amp. I also replaced one setup of the AU24 with Golden Reference between the phono stage and the preamp(vinyl is job1 for me). This is all the Cardas I can afford for now; hopefully sometime soon I will try their speaker cables. Next, I moved the BAM to a preamp tape loop, which Bobby stated would provide a “juicier” presentation, rather than the “cleaner” sound when the BAM is between the amp and preamp. Last but not least, I moved the speakers back one foot closer to the front wall, now allowing a full 9’ from speaker to chair, and then readjusted toe-in. The resulting changes in sound were significant. The soundstage now had a more laid back perspective with most instruments emanating from a plane along or behind the speakers. Additional depth made rear staged instruments appear to come from far behind the front wall. On the occasional song that included it, musicians front stage reached far into the room towards me. Basically, the front third of the room became a stage, wall-to-wall-and-through-the-back. I was concerned that with the speakers a foot closer to the front wall, that bass would get muddier, but the concern was unfounded. Tonal balance was natural, allowing the music to maintain a relaxed vibe that keeps my mind on the music, not the sound. Details and transparency are exemplary. I can focus on any instrument and single it out clearly, just as I might watching live musicians; regardless of the placement in the soundstage or the dynamic shadings of the instrument it is easy to follow the player of choice (e.g. a quiet oboe beneath a loud brass section). Yet, none of the detail is accompanied by the hard, etched leading edges of notes that I often associate with speakers that retrieve this level of nuance. Finally, I don’t have to choose between hearing it all, and hearing a PRAT-filled presentation that comes across with the unforced feel of live acoustic instruments. The borderline-harsh harmonics of a trumpet and the off-note sounds of hard pressed fingers sliding down a guitar string portray a sense of realism that’s spooky.

Similar Products Used:

Background/System With over 20 years as an audio hobbyist and music lover, I’ve lived with all kinds of gear in all kinds of rooms. My ever evolving system began humbly with NAD electronics and Mission 70s, and has steadily evolved to the system used here: Berning DH-270 amplifier, Joule Electra LA-150 preamp, Nottingham Analogue Spacedeck/Spacearm fitted with Shelter 501II cartridge, Metronome Technologies CD2V Signature tubed upsampling CD player, Pentagon PH-3 phono stage, Blue Circle Music Ring 800 power conditioner, Audience AU24 speaker cables, Audience AU24, Cardas Golden Reference and JPS Superconductor interconnects. Accessories used include: VPI 16.5 record cleaning machine, Billy Bags rack, Neuance shelf, Walker Audio puck, DH Labs Golden Sound cones, ERS sheets, chocolate chip cookies (makes any system sound better). In the past, I have owned components including BAT, Air Tight, Spectral, Air Tight, Krell, Sunfire, Bryston amps; BAT, Spectral, Audio Research, Sonic Frontiers, Classe, B&K preamps; Vandersteen, Thiel, Alon, Von Schweikert, Chario, Aerial, Mission speakers; too many sources & cables to mention.

tone; speed; resolution; size; voice

a little lite on big symphonic tracks. which I feel must be played loudly to give you a more realistic feel. This is not my cup of tea...but a pair of subs would cure this (or so I have read).

Everyone has done a great job of describing these speakers. There are only a few things I would like to add from my experiences. I listen to world class chamber music 8-10 times per year. I am within 20 feet of the performers. I listen to live jazz more often with in the same settings. I use this to base my opinions on the speakers. The tonality of these speakers is right on the money (using good recordings). So in the quest of recreating live music; the merlins can be a corner stone to your system. They are with mine. My ears; room; and equipment are different; my taste in music may be different. But listening to the toyko string cortet live and hearing the same tonality back in my listening room is a joy. To me it is hard to put a price on that. There are a lot of wonderful speakers out there. I have enjoyed listening to a lot of them. Regretfully few that I think come close to getting it right. (some of the colorations may have been due to system componets etc...but I can only give you my experiences). I do not think it will ever be possible to recreate live music with any rig. Please take note that the merlins sound good on all gear....but get great when matched with certian gear. (losts of posts on this) For those who do not have the newest spike config. Get it....it is a huge improvement (and cheap). If you can afford them. BUY THEM! hope I have added something to the other fine posts. Wheres the spell check on this site?

Similar Products Used:

I belong to an audio club that allows me to listen to a host of great gear optimized for their room: sound labs a-1; b&w various; kholoros talon; maggies various; avagarde duos; martin logan various; watt pup 6; and a host of others.

Balanced non-fatiguing sound, with outstanding dynamic range, transient response and detail.

Included spikes hard to adjust for a klutz like me. Delivered container weighs over 200 pounds.

Summary If you don’t have a lot of time to read equipment reviews, here’s the bottom line: the Merlin VSM-M speaker system is the best I’ve heard within a price range of from $6,000 to $8,000, and even higher. Comments Before making a decision to buy Merlin VSM-M speakers, I listened to comparably and higher priced models from Audio Physic, B&W, Focal.JMLabs, Meadowlark Audio and Revel. I even asked myself, "Could a two-way system be worth over $7000?” And “Could putting an active device in the signal path be wise?” Well, the answer to both questions is “yes” if the speaker designer happens to be Bobby Palkovic at Merlin. The superior sonic clarity of VSM speakers is unmistakable. It’s like comparing the higher resolution of film with the mediocre resolution of video. Gone is the low frequency noise that used to make my forehead resonate. Absent are the high frequency peaks that used to make me cringe. Present is very balanced non-fatiguing sound, with outstanding dynamic range, transient response and detail. These are just some characteristics that distinguish the VSM-M system from other speakers I’ve heard. Important VSM fringe benefits include outstanding workmanship; a compact footprint that simplifies placement and setup; just 50 watts per channel of tube power drives them nicely; and high wife acceptance factor (WAF). In fact, after having been subjected to B&W 801s a few years ago, my wife actually asked me where the rest of the speakers were when she saw the VSMs for the first time. The included Bass Augmentation Module (BAM) is an active device that can be powered from its rechargeable battery or a combination of battery and AC. The unit serves to diminish low frequency noise while boosting low frequency musical content. Although I’ve been listening for just a short time, the BAM seems to be doing its job extremely well with no ill side-effects, especially when operating in the battery-only mode. Other gear included with the VSM system is intended to reduce RFI. However, I’ve yet to rigorously evaluate their effects. It’s important to mention that, while Merlin recommends pricey Cardas Golden Cross speaker cable, I’ve been getting excellent results with more affordable DH Labs Q-10, used in conjunction with the Merlin-supplied Cardas jumpers. One cautionary note – these speakers will reveal the best and the worst of your favorite recordings. Conclusion As an audio fanatic on a budget, I’ve always tried to make my buying decisions based on maximizing satisfaction and minimizing component turnover. I’m very confident that becoming a Merlin VSM system owner is a decision I’ll be delighted with for many years to come. My only regret is that I didn’t discover these great sounding speakers sooner.

Similar Products Used:

Meadowlark Audio Herons, B&W 801s.

Great presence, accuracy, extraordinary detail.

Heavy. Both speakers come in one box, and it weighs about 250 pounds.

This is a review of the Merlin VSM-M's, with battery BAM and tube harness, which I bought on Audigon about a month ago. I am building a new 2-channel system around them, with a Berning ZH-270 and a Joule Electra LA150 on order, but for the time being I have hooked them up to a HT system consisting of EAD Signature surround preamp, Theta Carmen, and Clayton M-100's (plus two Hsu 1220's). My first impression is: glorious! They are everything that has been described here - lots of presence, great inner detail, very musical, very balanced. I played Norah Jones' new album on them recently and was completely taken in by the experience. My HT has Aerial 10T's at the L/R positions, and the 10T's are wonderful speakers - not too much different than the Merlins in many respects. The Merlins, even though being driven by transistors, had a slight edge on vocals; that sense of having the singer in the room with you was palpable. The 10T's had a slightly fuller mid-base and a bit more low base. Neither one shamed the other. However, I can see how the Merlins have made such a reputation. I'm really looking forward to mating them to the Berning and Joule Electra. The Merlins are as good as their reputation, and I'm glad, because I made the decision to get them without ever having heard them. It bears mentioning that Bobby Palkovich, Merlin's owner, is an incredibly open, available, and helpful guy. He responded to my inquiries about matching electronics and cables and has been surprisingly forthcoming and attentive. Having this kind of accessibility to the manufacturer is yet another reason why this company is doing well and why the Merlins carry so much value.

Similar Products Used:

Aerial 10 T's, ACI Sapphire IIILE's

see above

none that I can hear

I bought the Merlin VSM's with tube harness and battery bam last month and have never been happier with a product of any kind. I have never posted a review on-line before, but I am so pleased with the speakers that I felt obligated to post this one. I replaced Harbeth Monitor 30's with the VSM's and there is simply no comparison (I guess there shouldnt be given that the VSM's cost more than twice as much). Although I have not had extensive experince with lots of speakers, the Merlins are the most musical and natural sounding speakers I have heard by far. The detail is amazing and the music from LP's and even CD's is as close to the real thing as I have heard. I have never understood how speakers can be said to be good if they lack detail since nuance and minute differences are so crucial to making and listening to live music. Reproducing detail is a necessary if not a sufficient condition for superior audio playback: the Merlin's are natural sounding, pleasing as well as detailed. Violins played on the Merlins sound as more like violins than I imagined they could on a stereo. I look forward to listening to the speakers each evening and have been staying up much too late listening since I got the VSM's. I am more of a music nut (approx. 4000 LPs and 2500 CD's) than an audiophile and so I have not listened to scores of speakers, but the VSM's are so good that I feel no need to spend precious listening time reading more audio reviews or haunting audio stores to try to improve upon them. Rest of system includes VPI Aries with Benz cartridge, Sony SCD-1, Berning ZH270.

Similar Products Used:

Harbeth, Spendor, Proac