Anybody considerered Merlins?

I love my Merlin VSM-Ms run with a 300B SET amp (I listen to classical music at moderate levels). I don't use a BAM but rather run them full range with a Janis 12" sub (50w SS). I abandoned the single driver relatively high efficiency approach (with the same sub) for the very nicely balanced and integrated sound of the Merlins. I do miss the magical sound that came from cello recordings with the single driver but I also love the sound that I get from the Merlins which is more consistent accross all instruments (especially like piano). Merlins are definately worth considering.

...the high sensitivity speakers forum on audioasylum.com, there are plenty of ways to get bass and high sensitivity, high enough so that a few watts are all that's needed, pi speakers being a good example. well, you might have to add a tweeter to that 15 inch driver. and you'll need a larger space.
i have not heard these but am quite curious about them.
i have heard the merlins, refined sounding speakers, as far as they go, but lack the macro- and micro-dynamics of live music. for this you need high-sensitivity. cheers
tom

VSM's are great sounding speakers...which is the main reason lots of people use em in tade shows for demo's!...that and they're compact!
However, if you're into loud/hard rock, percussion, regae or home theater(especially), you should DEFINITELY cross em over with a home theater pre/pro for those purposes at 80hz, and let a good ACTIVE POWERED subwoofer handle bellow that! You'll then haver a superb, hard hitting, powerfull full range sounding speaker that will sound marvelous with those mediums! When you need ultimate clarity, refinement, etc, for other music, you can then run em full range on their own!
good luck

quackmacky
you better have a damn good home theatre pre to not hear the circuitry via the merlins. and i don't just mean when the x-over is active...

fwiw, i use merlin vsm's w/ entecs, using a passive x-over at 100hz. its seamless and dynamic as hell. the entecs are fast enough for the merlins...but i doubt anything else is (rel is not).
rhyno

Chazz

Like everything else, what you listen to, how you listen and what virtues are important in the reproduction of music are paramount in making a decision as to whether the Merlins are the right choice for long term enjoyment.

I've owned them for 2 years now. I echo everything Phild says. They are not headbangers but refined, fast, revealing and naturally balanced speakers. They are very room friendly but prefer small to medium sized rooms. If going in a large room, a sub should be considered. After attending the NYC audio show in May, I didn't hear a system that would encourage me to supplant them. Part of the reason is that it has taken me a while to get the refinement and enjoyment they give through systematic trial and error. The only component still around since I've owned the speakers is my trusty JVC 1050 Zn used as a CD transport.

They really are as good as the press says but like everything else in this hobby, won't make everyone happy. What does make an audiophile happy? A new toy for a short time and then what, another new toy? Whoa nelly, time to settle in and listen to some music. What is the point of components if not to serve the music? The Merlins do serve the music very well and I dig them for just that reason.

Virtually everyone that has listened to them in my home, casual listener to audiophile has commented on the "clarity" and "sounds real" aspect of the system. No, they don’t do micro dynamics quite as well as the best stats but certainly as well as any dynamic speaker I’ve listened to only to improve with what is upstream. If you consider them you may have to re-evaluate the rest of your system. While they work well with a wide variety of components, to realize their true capability will require patience and commitment. I’m not sure that I’ve found the limits of this design and that is one reason they are so amazing.

The mids are full, rich and there. The highs are as extended and clear as the recording and upstream components will permit. Soundstaging and imaging, which is not at the top of my priorities is, again as good as the recording and upstream components. On some recordings the speakers and walls will disappear. Off axis listening is a joy. The stage doesn't collapse away from the sweet spot as do many speakers. These speakers sound great in the next room. The bass is taunt, fast and natural if not having the bass energy of larger systems. The BAM in battery mode is enough for me most of the time except for those headbanger moments that are becoming more infrequent as I mature :^)

PS Stay tuned, the long awaited subwoofer to match with the VSM is just around the corner. I understand that Bobby is currently designing it.