Merlin VSM-M or VSM-MX vs. Kharma CRM3.2 series

Bobby.... I hope to hear the Merlins sometime in the future. There are no dealers in my area, just like the Kharma's. The other Kharma I would like to own has gone off the radar screen (up 30%) for now thanks to the really weak dollar. LOL!

Your input into this thread shows what a real gentleman you are. Thanks for the informative posts.

Michael

Michael,
You are most welcome and if you have a chance to listen to the MX in particular, let me know. I would just like to know what is in the system to see whether you'll get a good indication of what they can do. But for the most part, I will be watching the product association very closely in the beginning and not selling any to individuals that may have problems so you should be okay.
Thanks again,
Bobby@merlin

Bobby, do you happen to recall the title of the Chesky cd? Thanks.

I think it was Bob Mintzer. I have it at work.
B@merlin

Yes, it is Bob Mintzer and the disc is called The Body Acoustic, Chesky JD274.
Bobby

Thanks Bobby. Always on the lookout for new tunes!

First of all, I just want to say that music is music. If it sounds good it sounds good. I play the saxophone. During my final highschool concert, I had a long solo so I played some multiphonics and fiddled around in the altissimo register. Saxophonists in the lower grade loved it cause they thought it was hip and cool. My girlfriend and her friend that I invited to the concert covered their ears and thought "what the hell was that?"

Naturally I've spent a lot of time sitting in front of trumpets and trombones. When they're playing ballads they absolutely sound wonderful! Nice and warm. When they're blasting away? It was fatiguing. Was it live? Yes. Was it amplified? No. But damn I wanted to cover my ears.

I also play the flute so I've spent quite a bit of time sitting next (to the right even!) to a piccolo. Like trumpets at full blast in the upper octaves, it's going to pierce your ears. It doesn't matter if it's natural sounding.

The Kharmas are great speakers. I've heard them and I own a pair. They are amazing speakers indeed. I have never heard the Merlins but do have a friend who owns a pair and he has only good things to say about the Merlins. I also trust a lot of people when it comes to audio. I trust Jtinn's ears. I very much like the fact that he'll give you his honest opinion. He'll be straight with you and some people like that and some people don't. For me, I love Jonathan and I consider him a friend even though I have never met him. I just know that he'll try his best to help me whenever I need it.

Back to the original post. I think you can't go wrong with the Kharmas. My preference for listening to trios besides the music is the little things that each musican does. Resolution and detail thus becomes pretty critical in adding that last bit of enjoyment. The Kharmas will give you the resolution you need. The drum kit and cymbals just sounds so real.

I am a current owner of the latest version of the VSM-M and have had many pleasurable hours of listening to them in my system. I heard the "X" version at CES this year and feel after listening to the new version there is about a 30% improvement which kept me coming back to the room for more. The "X" version is more dymanic and the bass seems to be tighter and more defined. The richness and clarity of sound struck me as well.

There always were subtle, but audible changes that Bobby did to improve the sound, but IMHO with the "X" version he has taken the speaker to the next level of refinement which I did not think was possible until I heard it. I will be taking mine to the Merlin factory for the upgrade ASAP.

Hanson, what equipment are you using to run the Merlins at home? Thx.

Jim2,

I am running a Metromome CD-2V Signature direct into a Berning ZH270 with Harmonic Technology Pro Silway MkII interconnects and Analysis Plus Bi-Oval 9 speaker cables. I hope to upgrade to an Audio Aero Capitole in the near future as well as Cardas cables.

You guys are like the upper class of the high end. Very discriminating and very demanding. That's great. I'm glad you exist. I've learned a lot by just sitting back in the wings. I've never heard the Karma/Tenor or Merlin/Joule combo. So, I don't know shit about the differences. But I do own the VSM-M with BAM being driven by the latest and greatest Allan Bhagan-tweaked version of David Berning's ZH270. Man-O-Man! To my ears and my pocket book, I've got the best thing going. All thanks go to Bobby Palkovic.

Hi David,
Nice to hear from you again and really glad you are having fun. By the way, the Ellington Jazz Party sounded goofy good on the VPI TNT VI in Vegas.
Thanks again.
B@m