Speaker Asylum: REVIEW: Merlin Music Inc. VSM-M Speakers by DKL

Model:	VSM-M
Category:	Speakers
Suggested Retail Price:	$7050
Description:	VSM-Millenniums
Manufacturer URL:	Merlin Music Inc.
Manufacturer URL:	Merlin Music Inc.

Review by DKL on October 01, 2004 at 20:57:11
IP Address: 68.205.83.229

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for the VSM-M

Bobby P., I hope you're doing well, as I've not communicated with you for some time (a year or more?). I know you scour this website though, so I trust you'll read this review knowing it has a happy ending :)
I was bitten by the "upgrade" bug around the time I started browsing eBay and Audiogon a few years back. I had kept the same system intact for over 10 years, with the exception of an amp upgrade in 1995. I had Acoustat Spectra 1100 electrostats, powered by a Muse 160 power amp and a Conrad-Johnson PV-11 tubed preamp, sourced with a Sonographe CD player. I loved it. One one hand, I wish I would have kept it all because I would have saved thousands of dollars and much time vascillating over what to buy, what amp complemented which speakers, etc. On the other hand, had I kept that system, I never would have experienced Merlin speakers, nor met Bobby Palkovic.
Maybe it goes with moving into your 40's (mid-40's now), but I began swapping components like a mad man - everything from a set of Rogue tube gear to an Electrocompaniet IC-3 integrated, to a PS Audio HCA digital amp, Naim CD-5, JPS and Cardas cabling, Soundlab Dynastats - but, and here's the funny part - NONE of those combinations were as good as the system I sold (the speakers went to a fellow in Spain who paid more for shipping than the speakers). Then I bought a pair of Merlin TSM-SEs. Stunning. My daughter dropped one on our tile floor which Bobby basically fixed for *free* (after I made an ass of myself by constantly calling him for a status update). But the upgrade bug continued...on to JM Reynaud Trentes, Triangle Zays, Gershman Avant Guarde 20's, etc. None of these speakers matched the TSM-SEs (which I had Bobby upgrade to Millenium level) in terms of sheer music making ability. So then I found a pair of VSM-SEs on eBay for around 2400.00 including shipping. Since I was moving to another home, I sent them on to Bobby to upgrade to VSM-M status. After moving and getting the speakers back in short order, I set them up in the new living room area (3 small kids, so no "listening room" for me). I knew they were special from the very beginning - the sound was passing through more detail than ANY speaker I had ever heard before. But - and this is ironic/funny, the song that made me slack-jawed and thrown back in my seat was....the theme from How the Grinch Stole Chrismas! My God - Boris Karloff's voice jumped from the Merlins, resounding and sure of itself, as if Boris was in the room singing to my kids. This lower midrange revelation really caught me off guard - I knew the Merlins had supreme treble, transparency, soundstaging, and solid bass (I used the BAM), but hearing a song I had heard since I was probably 6 years old suddenly transformed like that was amazing. There was no "chestiness" or barrel echoing, or realism-reducing vibrations at all - none.
I enjoyed these speakers for many months, until I encountered a job loss at the company where I worked for nearly 15 years. Unfortunately, the job market and other factors caused me to take a 15k paycut, and I wound up selling the VSM-Ms. That was followed recently by filing for bankruptcy (and I sold my Plinius 9100 amp to pay the attorney fees!). Not to complain of course, because thousands of folks are handling hard times right now, and I was lucky enough to land steady employment. The bottom line is that my system now consists of a pair of Joseph Audio RM25 II speakers, an Audio Refinement Complete integrated amp, and a Philips 963SA DVD-SACD player with DH Labs cables. I feel VERY fortunate to have been able to keep this equipment, in light of the financial problems, but I have to say (and this is no slam against Joseph Audio), that the Merlin VSM-Ms and the TSM-Ms both bring much more magic to the table than the RM25s. Let's face it - the only way to get married or to make decisions on audio equipment is to first LIVE with the spouse to be or the audio gear in question. In both my real marriage and my high-end audio marriage, I can honestly say that I feel at peace knowing now that I've experienced the best. The only speaker upgrade I'll be seeking again will be the finish on the new pair of Merlins. No marriage upgrade though :) After all, my wife had to endure this middle-aged audio frenzie with me. As soon as the savings account allows, I'll finally be able to go back to the VSM-Ms and get off this speakers merry-go-round forever... of course, there's always amps and CD players :)

Product Weakness: The VSM-Ms may not "wow" your friends with their appearance, if you go with the textured finish. So just work out more and wow your friends with your appearance.
Product Strengths: Music making machine. Best owner and customer support in the business. Small footprint - huge sound.

Associated Equipment for this Review:
Amplifier:	ECI-3, Moon I-5, Puccini SE, many others
Preamplifier (or None if Integrated):	Electrocompaniet 4.7
Sources (CDP/Turntable):	Naim CD-5
Speakers:	Merlin VSM-M
Cables/Interconnects:	JPS Labs Superconductors and Cardas Neutral Reference Biwire
Music Used (Genre/Selections):	Everything but headbanger rock and opera
Room Size (LxWxH):	22 x 15 x 15
Room Comments/Treatments:	carpeted floor, leather furniture
Time Period/Length of Audition:	nine months
Type of Audition/Review:	Product Owner

Product Weakness:	The VSM-Ms may not "wow" your friends with their appearance, if you go with the textured finish. So just work out more and wow your friends with your appearance.
Product Strengths:	Music making machine. Best owner and customer support in the business. Small footprint - huge sound.