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Couple of questions on the Merlin VSM speakers...

I'm interested in these speakers. I thought there used to be a dealer in the SF Bay area, but none is listed on the Merlin web site; I'll check to confirm this, but I'm asking these questions because I may not be able to demo them. They will be located in our living room and serve double duty as serious listening and casual listening. Most of these questions are in regards to casual listening. Our room is about 24x14x9. Side reflections are not an issue.

How do they sound at low volume?

How do they sound off axis?

How do they sound placed close (10-18") to the wall behind them (we can pull them out for more serious listening)?

For more serious listening, how much of a difference does the BAM make? We'd like to avoid the clutter of extra boxes.

Finally, just how red is the Ruby Red color???

Thanks.
budrew

Showing 5 responses by bobbyapalkovic

bobbyapalkovic
729 posts
 
I think you have a fine system and would be a solid candidate for the VSM M. Let me know when you are looking for speakers because I may be able to find you a second hand pair at a great price that has the latest technology.
I MX is very new and will not be out for 3 months. It will not replace the Millennium but be available in addition to it. It retails for $10,000 and has some additional proprietery technology that makes it even better but only if you have the finest of systems.
Regards,
Bobby@merlin
bobbyapalkovic
729 posts
 
I would like to add a point or two.
First, Ruby Heart looks like the Oxblood leather color. We use two coats of black under coat and then spray on the red color and clear. This gives the finish a sense of dimension/depth and richness. A Burgundy wine color or black red is a great description.
The BAM is a very small box that can be hidden easily. It enables the speaker to respond in a manner that belies their size. It also gets rid of ultrasonic noise (which is a must in cities) and out of band low frequency energy (which increases distortion and drains the amp of its power). The BAM is part of the system and not an add on. The speakers would not be optimised without it and their absolute potential would be compromised. One listen and you would never take it out of the system.
Regards,
Bobby
bobbyapalkovic
729 posts
 
Your room size is not an issue but could you describe you other components?
bobbyapalkovic
729 posts
 
Which Audio Note Dac do you have?
Bobby@merlin
bobbyapalkovic
729 posts
 
budrew,
one thing you may want to consider is a diagonal setup in a room nearly square and this size. it will give you much more space behind the speakers (down the center) and allow you to sit farther away and propagate a longer bass wavelength than any other possible set up in this room. room reflection will be handled naturally as the walls run away at obtuse angles. a true win win situation that looks a little odd at first but sounds amazingly good.
remember too that the vsm is unigue in that the bam filters out of band energy below the woofer's fs making them a wonderful small room speaker.
845s will be superb on the speaker and the new mm or mx will provide you with everything you need.
b
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