Speaker Asylum: REVIEW: Merlin Music Inc. TSM-M Speakers by davehg

Model:	TSM-M
Category:	Speakers
Suggested Retail Price:	$3200
Description:	Merlin Music TSM-M
Manufacturer URL:	Merlin Music Inc.
Model Picture:	View

Review by davehg ( A ) on December 28, 2002 at 19:35:49
IP Address: 209.206.249.53

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for the TSM-M

After a year of living with my Totem Model 1's, I decided they really were not a great match with my 35 wpc integrated tube amp. Plus, for my ears, metal dome tweeters still leave a high frequency ring that can color the sound unduly if the right gear is not used. I had heard great things on the Asylum about the Merlins but dealers are limited, especially in the Pacific NW. So, as with the Totems, I bought them sound unheard from Audiogon.

Unpacking them, first impressions were muted. The Totems have a stunning wood veneer that complements any environment, while the standard Merlin finish is...well...industrial (picture a black studio monitor like used in professional touring gear). They were bigger than I expected, but I did notice the cabinets were quite solid and heavy (a good sign with any gear) and had terrific quality binding posts. The included caps/resistors/jumpers (see below) were also of high quality.

I placed them on Target RS4 stands, about 24", and sat down to review the well-written manual. Since I was single-wiring them, Merlin recommends using their jumpers and placing an included "RC Network" (basically, a length of wire with a Hovland capacitor and a Caddock resistor) across the tweeter speaker + and - inputs. (If you biwire, you place another RC Network on the woofer inputs). This was new to me, and I experimented with and without the RC Network. Basically, if your amp has a "Zobel network" in ints circuit (few do) you should refrain from using the RC Network.

Setup was interesting. Whereas the Totem's wanted to be pointed straight ahead with no toe-in, the Merlin's wanted to be on the outside of a slight arc, toed in and pointing at the listening chair. I started in another room with the speakers slightly toed in and close to the rear walls, but the soundstage was thin and not at all what I had read about. I ended up in another room with the front baffle about 4 feet off the rear walls and 2 feet from the side walls, and about 6 feet apart (measured from the drivers), toed in considerably. Thankfully, Merlin supplies a alignment tool (basically, a wood triangle) to help with the setup.

First impressions were good. Merlin TSM-M's are way easier to power than the Totem's (same 87 db sensitivity, but the Totems are 4 ohms and dip lower whereas the Merlins rarely dip into 6 ohm territory). Consequently, where my Totems felt thin with the meager 35 wpc tube integrated, the Merlin's were just fine. Merlin recommends at least 40 watts (not sure if that rating applies to all amps or just solid state).

Once I completed the setup in the second room. the Merlins through a nice deep soundstage, with vocals fixed firmly about 4-5 feet behind the speaker. Top end was warm and smooth, to be expected with a silk dome tweeter, but I was not prepared for the resolution of fine detail. I heard all kindsa things in recordings I had not heard before, and the timbre of instruments was, well, just right. Listeing to a nice recording like Chris Isaak's Baja Sessions, you hear the warm rich sound of the Hammond B3, the proper twang of his guitar, and it just sounded right. I tried all kinds of vocals, especially liking Mary Stallings "Fine and Mellow" rendition of the Billie Holiday classic. Lots of nice detail, especially on the brush cymbals. I tried a DVD-A sampler, and was bowled over by the detail. It did not come at the expense of warmth, unlike the Totems.

The Merlins didn't play down too low, and the soundstage and top end really opened up when mated with my REL Strata III. In fact, I would not recommend using these speakers without a REL(or perhaps an ACI Titan), since they sound kind of thinner without a sub. The Totems have this bass hump around 50 hz that makes them seem like they are playing really low; it's weird to hear that much bass from the little Totem boxes. Merlins do not pretend to play any lower than they can.

It wasn't until my last critical listening session that I realized my Art DI/O was not turned on; I had been using the output of the Technics DVD-A. The Technics is great with DVD-A and a helluva transport, but not as musical on redbook compared to the DI/O. I've thought the sound of the Technics direct was always uninspiring. But here I had been tapping my feet and hearing all the right things, and no DI/O. So I immediately ordered the DI/O upgrade from Boldercable. Hey, if the stock DI/O sounded more musical, I gotta believe that the modded DI/O playing through the Merlins would knock me out!!

Okay back to the Merlins. Nits? I wouldn't describe them as dynamic (a word I would reserve for say, Wilson Audio speakers or full range B&W's). As set up in my system, they don't have the incredible imaging that the Totems (and maybe the Thiel 1.6's) have. Also, while I heard lots of depth behind the speakers, I can't say I heard stuff to the outside of the Merlins. And the precision of instrument placement isn't the ultimate (though I really suspect my meager 35 wpc tube integrated to be the culprit). But the Merlins remind me of really good musical gear, like when I first heard a Conrad Johnson PV9 preamp in my system in the 80's. The preamp was not really accurate or detailed as other gear, but damm!! it sounded so nice I fell in love. The Merlins really do sound this way, but with scads more detail. If they only could look as gorgeous as they sound. I hear they have an upgraded metallic finish that while unique, is much more striking.

So, I highly recommend these speakers, even recommend you buy them sound unheard. They just don't do anything wrong and they do nearly everything right. And if you have a good tube amp with more power than mine, you may hear even more.

Product Weakness: Finicky setup, standard finish is not exactly beautiful, speaker grills kinda ugly
Product Strengths: Musical and warm sound, mates well with low powered tube amps

Associated Equipment for this Review:
Amplifier:	Passion A11i Integrated tube
Preamplifier (or None if Integrated):	None
Sources (CDP/Turntable):	Technics DVD A10 & Art DI/O
Speakers:	Totem Model 1 & REL STRATA 3
Cables/Interconnects:	MIT MI330 & Boldercable Type 1
Music Used (Genre/Selections):	Rock, vocal, jazz
Room Size (LxWxH):	12 x 16 x
Other (Power Conditioner etc.):	JR Filter (DIY Cable)
Type of Audition/Review:	Product Owner

Product Weakness:	Finicky setup, standard finish is not exactly beautiful, speaker grills kinda ugly
Product Strengths:	Musical and warm sound, mates well with low powered tube amps