Are Merlin TSM speakers buried with their owners?

Never owned the TSM, but I'll never let go of my VSM-MM,  no longer in my main system but they'll stay to the end. Only issue with Merlins is lower bass even with BAM 6.5" driver can only move so much air. Never could get a coherent lower bass with the subs I tried. Reportedly Bobby had long worked on developing his own subs for TSM and VSM, could never get the coherence he required. And coherence is what drew me to the Merlins in the first place, these two ways played as a single driver speaker.  The quality of the drivers and crossovers was top notch as well, good speakers don't become obsolete just because they're no longer produced.

Merlins only became bench sitters when I came into possession of some Klipschorns I initially planned to flip. Khorns only really became viable replacements after much modification, only bass bins remain stock. Big issues were lack of coherence and timbre, Merlins will spoil you here, especially with the Duelund VSF caps installed.

As for the bass issues with Merlins, I'd suggest two REL subs would provide the deep bass and necessary coherence to provide full frequency presentation. REL's differ in that they use high level connection vs low level witth other subs. Haven't tried them with my VSM but I'm getting great coherence with the Khorns.

Merlins with coherent deep bass would be keepers in my book, a great speaker is a great speaker, time doesn't change that.

Not always. I recall several former owners praising the amazing staging and imaging capabilities but complaining that in the end they were too treble-centric, and it became fatiguing.

Any Merlin with Hovland caps less natural than those with the Duelunds. With Duelund more natural timbre, makes all the difference. Also, tubes superior to SS with these, Bobby voiced it for this. EL 34  for push pull, 845 SET best match in my experience.

At some point I’d try a used pair of original JA Pulsars for $3500 - $4000.  I’d bet they’ll beat your TSMs as good as they are, but if they don’t you can just resell them for little/no loss so not much risk to try.  As a bonus the Pulsars look just a little better than the TSMs. 😉  Just something to keep in mind. 

Ever hear of Ruby Heart Red coffins?

More than ten years ago but I moved on from a pair of Merlin TSMs after trying a pair of Devore 8 speakers while the TSMs were away for the replacement of a woofer that failed. After a week or so of swapping between the two brands with a variety of music I kept the Devores. I thought they were better than the Merlins in every way that mattered to me.

Never had the pleasure of hearing the TSM or VSM, but have had the older model 2B, 3B+, and 4B. My son still runs 3B+ with his B&K amp.

There won't be any new ones....even if you move on to something else, I'd still hold on to them.

Merlin TSM BME with master Zoebel boxed for now.  They are wonderful, but moved onto ATC active to move air like I wanted to.  Within their parameters of price, physical size and performance with reasonably priced kit driving them, they are gamers.

Anyone like Spendor or B&W 805?

I've never gotten to listen to the Merlin stand mounts, but was told that played within their limits they were hard to beat.

R.I.P. Bobby...miss you.  It will be 10 years this summer...

R.I.P. Bobby...miss you.  It will be 10 years this summer...

Same here.  I was extremely sad to hear he was gone.  He was a very bright, charismatic, and passionate guy. 

@troutbum 

Bottom line, there are better performing speakers but obviously at a cost.  Also it's best to demo for yourself to decide which ones "resonate" with you.

Kenny...throw out a few suggestions...$2-$3k....used is fine.

A fine speaker.

Been a while since I've heard them though.

I just searched HiFi Shark and there are 5 or 6 pair for sake. So obviously people do move on.

There's life after Merlin. Good as they are, sometimes you just need a change. I had a pair of VSM MXe a few years back and moved on to a pair of Dunlavy SC-III, which I found similar in presentation to the Merlins, but even more coherrent, with better integration between frequencies. The Dunlavy's put out an even more believable soundstage in terms depth and layering, but a tad less extened on the bottom end. (They're quite a bit taller and more imposing, though their footprint is about the same).

I've had two pairs of the TSM BME also, and enjoyed them a lot. In fact I just sold the last pair before the holidays. I replaced the TSM in a second system with a pair of Voxativ Zeth, which are more expensive but definately a couple steps up the ladder.

I ran an older ARS Sonum Filarmonia with the TSMs, but if you can find a good 45 SET amp with the Merlins then they really do shine. The Audio Mirror SET45 is a great partner with the TSM.

Just my 2p worth,

Notable standpoints:

0.5 Fosi - sonic bargain 

0.6 Vanatoo Transparent One

1.0 Chesky LC1

1.6 Genelec G Three

2.8 Revival Atalante 3 - bargain 

Harbeth

Any thoughts on Spendor 4/5?