Merlin VSM-MX

Category: Speakers

My name is Roy Kristoffersen.

Im 30 years old and i listen to everything. Black metal, follsongs, pop, rock, jazz, hip hop, electronica you name it. So i needed a speaker which can play it all. Ane that is excactly what the Merlin VSM-MX does.

I bought this speaker used of Audiogon. I bought it in France - Europe. And i live in Norway - Europe. I have been an audio enthusiast for over 14 years and i have listened to a lot of speakers. My english grammar might not be that good so please be forgiving. 

There`s the intro for you, so let`s get to the review:

This is one amazing speaker! I fell in love with this speaker on my second listening round with them. I just could`nt believe that this speaker were so good. It just has it all! I have not heard any other speaker which can even resemble what the Merlin WSM MX can do. I have heard speakers so big and so expencive and many of them costing 3, 4 and even 5 times the amount of cash that Bobby at Merlin charges for his speaker. And non of them are that good in comparison.

The Merlin VSM MX is a small speaker in Hi-Fi terms, It is absolutely beautiful to look at. My pair comes in a grand piano black finish. The finish reflects the surroundings in the same way which as the music just flows right through it.

The biggest thing about the Merlins is that they do everything right. And that is over the entire spectrum in which it works in. They are so continuos over the entire frequency band its a bliss to listen to. One does not focus on treble, midrange ore bass. Non of that gets your attention. The music does! All the details are there, they are just not trown in your face. Its all natural and very listenable.

It has the smothest highs i have ever heard. It never gets bright or edgy,. It is just silky smooth, no grain or any other artifacts which a lot of us are accustomed to, with bad tweeters. It has great dynamics both in macro and micro terms.

The midrange is to die for! It is open and vivid. Varm and inviting. Presenting the music in an effortless way. It flows and is very natural. I do not think when i hear music through the Merlins I feel. I feel the soul of the music and the Merlins take you there. One of its finest qualities is that I forget about the system and just listen to the music.

The bass is incredible. Its smacks a a mighty punch for a 6 inch woofer. It is very tuneful. And it procesess rythm like you would never believe.

It also plays incredible loud without breaking up and becoming agressive. It just gets louder. And of cource more fun.

Is it the best speaker in the world? I don`t know cause i haven`t heard them all. But it is among the finest speakers that is out there! And why it is not more popular than it is, is a shame cause it is simply marvelous!

Strengths
Plays music like you wouldn`t believe it
Imaging
3D precence
Very relaxed
Natural
Very continuos

Weaknesses
Might lack the latest slam for those who are craving bass freaks

Similar Products Used
Audio Physic Virgo 3, Not used but listened to. Used to work in hifi shop. Audio Physic Avanti, Burmester 909, Martin logan, Wilson, Proac, B&W + many others

Customer Service
Bobby is one of the people in the world which i truly admire as a person, a salesman and as a designer of one of the most remarkeble speakers in the world.
He must have the greatest customer support there ever is. I have talked to him severeal times on the phone through email, and he has always been helpful with tips and recommendations. The support is unrivaled.