Audfile74
I don't have Merlins (I have Selah Incredarray line arrays) but have used the VBT Magellan VIII (~same as TBI) and also use a Tact 2.2x.
The VBTs are really tuneful, agile and quick and blend easily and well with everything I've paired them with. Their only weakness is they don't move a lot of air compared to subs with larger drivers. If your room isn't too big and you mostly listen to jazz, chamber, etc. they may be the best choice around (though I'm not sure a ML 33H is necessary to drive them).
I wanted more 'oomph' in my 24x16x10 room, and I decided to cross the subs higher than my VBTs were comfortable with (though there's a newer version that goes higher in Hz) so I ended up with a pair of RBH 1010s that fit the bill nicely, giving up just a touch in speed and articulation but compensating nicely in air and power.
But I'm now going for broke to try to get the best of both worlds and am assembling a quartet of Linkwitz Dipole woofer cabinets using four 12" Peerless 830500s per side--see bottom of page here if interested:
http://www.linkwitzlab.com/woofer3.htm
I've heard these at a friend's and was really impressed. I used to have Genesis speakers with dipole subs and I really like the way dipoles load the room. Never had as good a bass again--until I got the Tact, which does an amazing job with the bass. Most people don't realize the extent to which the ragged bass humps and dips the room is generating can mess up the sound (esp the mids).
Good luck and let us know what you end up with.
I don't have Merlins (I have Selah Incredarray line arrays) but have used the VBT Magellan VIII (~same as TBI) and also use a Tact 2.2x.
The VBTs are really tuneful, agile and quick and blend easily and well with everything I've paired them with. Their only weakness is they don't move a lot of air compared to subs with larger drivers. If your room isn't too big and you mostly listen to jazz, chamber, etc. they may be the best choice around (though I'm not sure a ML 33H is necessary to drive them).
I wanted more 'oomph' in my 24x16x10 room, and I decided to cross the subs higher than my VBTs were comfortable with (though there's a newer version that goes higher in Hz) so I ended up with a pair of RBH 1010s that fit the bill nicely, giving up just a touch in speed and articulation but compensating nicely in air and power.
But I'm now going for broke to try to get the best of both worlds and am assembling a quartet of Linkwitz Dipole woofer cabinets using four 12" Peerless 830500s per side--see bottom of page here if interested:
http://www.linkwitzlab.com/woofer3.htm
I've heard these at a friend's and was really impressed. I used to have Genesis speakers with dipole subs and I really like the way dipoles load the room. Never had as good a bass again--until I got the Tact, which does an amazing job with the bass. Most people don't realize the extent to which the ragged bass humps and dips the room is generating can mess up the sound (esp the mids).
Good luck and let us know what you end up with.