Merlin TSM-MM vs. Tyler Reference Monitor

Cruz123,

Very nice system. I own a Cary SLI-80 Sig as well. I used to own the Tyler Taylo Reference Monitors and they took about all the SLI-80 would muster in the Triode Mode which is what I prefer to listen to. The speakers did not seem as efficient as they were rated.

Needless to say. I sold them. If I am correct, the Merlins are around 87dB as well. I would email Bobby at Merlin and ask his advice. I would also suggest you look at some other speakers in the 89-90dB range if you plan on running your amp in triode mode as I do.

My 2 cents would be that you check out the Reference 3A monitors, the Sonus Faber Cremona Auditor, or even one of JM Labs higer serious monitors.

Good Luck!

Chris

Cruz123,

You are very welcome. My listening room is about the same size as yours. I would trust Bobby's advice 100% if he said it will be fine. I think the Merlin Speakers will be heads above the Tylers. As they cost more.

Like I mentioned, I don't think the Tylers are rated accurately. I was in our old house which I had a smaller listening room at the time and they just ate the SLI-80 up in triode mode. I would say they are closer to 84dB than the 87dB they are rated.

Enough so that I sold them. I now run a pair of Sonus Faber Grand Pianos which the Cary Powers effortlessly. You might also want to look at the Totem Model 1 Signatures. They sound amazing and would work well in your size room.

I have also owned both Sonus Faber Concertino and Concerto home monitors and really liked the Concertino. I wanted more bass so I upgraded to the Concerto but could never get the "magic" I got out of the smaller Concertino. The Concertinos with SLI-80 really sound nice. They will just be a little shy in the bass department but so will the Merlins.

If you want to email me and tell me what you really want to spend, I will be happy to give this more thought. I use to run a high end store when I was younger and have heard about everything out there. Well, almost everything. Good Luck!

Cruz123,

BTW: I really like your setup. I just upgraded from a Cary 308 CD player to a SONY SCDXA777ES. I was looking for a 308T but could not find one in my price point when it was time to buy. However, no regrets with the Sony.

Chris

Drseid,

That is great that you are getting better results with the Tylers. Thanks for the Kudos on my speakers as well. I think I have read some of your posts. I started with great results with my Taylos as I had an Electrocompaniet ECI-3 integrated amp (70WPC). Then upgrading to the SLI-80 just did not do the trick with Tylers where I thought it would.

The 40WPC of the Cary was just not enough. I listen at medium to medium loud volumes, not terribly loud. I do turn it up on occasion when the mood strikes me but you would just tell it did have enough juice. Well, being the Audio/Music Addict I am, I sold them and went back to the Sonus Faber and have not looked back.

The Tylers are nice speakers and Ty is certainly a gentleman. However, with the SLI-80, I would suggest going another route speaker wise.

Chris

Plinko,

Sorry if I made the point that the Merlins were better because they cost more as that was not my intention. I was just stating that they were more expensive for his budgetary concerns.

The Taylos are wonderful speakers in the right application. I would personally prefer the Merlins if given the choice between the two. I have owned a pair of Taylos and did enjoy my short time with them.

Respectfully,

Chris