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Tyler Signature System versus Merlin VSM-MM

For those who have compared these systems, I would be interested in comments.

Use is two channel, but surround speakers may be added using these as fronts for HT.

Room is 19x33. Listening positon is about 11-13 feet from 19ft wide wall. Total room volume is about 5000 cubic feet.

The room can eat low frequencies (basement with carpet, insulated walls and acoustic ceiling). If I do the HT, I definitely will be looking at a 15" or larger sub.

I have a pair to Tyler Taylo Reference Monitors in a small A/V setup and I like the sound for that purpose. They would be far short of the weight needed in the bigger room and lack the lower bottom end.

Amp is a Plinius 8200p (175 watts) and preamp is 20-year-old PS Audio which will be replaced. Arcam CD.

In the used market, the Merlins are slightly more expensive (roughly 4k vs 3K+). I tend to keep equipment a long time, so the price difference is not important.

I would be interested in comparisons. I'm in the Denver area and can't demo either system. My guess is that I would have to integrate a sub with Merlins based on what I have read.

The system will be on at all times since the the TV sound is run though it.

Thanks in advance.

Jerry
jerrym303

Showing 3 responses by bartokfan

bartokfan
664 posts
 
The Ty Signature, with the dual 7's and dual 8's, correct?
You'll have all the punch you'll need.
Just my Thors with dual 7's can fill my cathedral room with all the bass I need. I was not aware of the bass of these speakers until my wife played a jazz cd the other day.
I only listen to classical and was not aware of the bass dynamics of the dual 7's. So I'd imagine adding dual 8's will have your room pounding.
What type/how many drivers in the Merlin?

Paul
bartokfan
664 posts
 
"Merlin's more refined sound"
Exactly how do you define "refined"?
Cuase the Seas' speakers I have sound quite refined(fidelity=true to the exact image placed on the original medium of recording.)
The B&W's I had were "grainy, rough, smoky, fatiguing and voices barked" in comparison. But more importantly with the Seas, vocals sound as realistic as if you are at a live show.
Just what Jerry says he's after.
If Merlin manufacture wishes to challenge my beliefs, they have the opportunity to ship me the speakers and I'll be glad to conduct a fair comapre with the Seas.
I'll even meet them on half ship costs.
Any takers?
In fact I'll pay half ship for any speakers that wish me to make a compare to the Seas.
Any takers?
I'm planning a visit to a Tyler ower in Jackson Mississippi in mAy to hear his System's 2, a Seas T25/W18/W22.
At which point I can make a few comments on Ty's work.
Maybe in the summer I'll make a visit to Ty's studio in Kentucky. I want to hear the 3 way with the W26. But not sure why Ty's uses the inferior Scan Speak tweet in that speaker.

Paul
bartokfan
664 posts
 
Evita:"the Seas are a excellent speaker but not as good as the Merlin"....If there was a Merlin dealer here in Baton Rouge I'd take my stereo over to his show room.
Of course the dealer would never admit the Seas sound better. "just different, but not any better" Same as you are saying.
We must have some truth somewhere here. Or should we wait another 10 yrs to begin the search for truth?
I'm willing to drive 250 miles to Jackson, Miss. and hear the Tylers.
I'm also willing to pay anyone half the ship fees to hear the Merlin's.

Paul
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