Speaker Asylum: REVIEW: Merlin Music Inc. VSM-MM Speakers by photomensch

Model:	VSM-MM
Category:	Speakers
Suggested Retail Price:	$7700
Description:	Two way floorstanding speaker with Battery-Bam
Manufacturer URL:	Merlin Music Inc.
Model Picture:	View

Review by photomensch ( A ) on October 29, 2005 at 06:33:19
IP Address: 141.153.156.29

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for the VSM-MM

This updates my September 2005 review of the VSM-MM speakers, which I feel I wrote too soon.
After nearly two more months of extended listening to a large cross-section of music, I can say that these speakers have truly exceeded my expectations. Don't know if it was a matter of the speakers breaking in, or because I installed a fresh set of tubes in my preamp, or that the Super BAM is really super, or that I tweaked the speaker positioning just a little. Whatever the reason, the Merlin VSM-MMs deliver an uncanny natural, detailed and transparent presentation. It will make you wonder how anyone could acheive such great performance from "only" a two-way system. Keep in mind, even the low-end response and slam of the MM bass trumps the M by a wide margin.
The VSM-MM speakers are likely not the only speakers around that inmates will find satisfying. Consider Sue Kraft's recent TAS review of the B&W 801D, which are priced at $20,000, and which she recommends driving with high-powered amps like her monster Krell. By comparison, the combined list price of my Belles 21A preamp and AES/Cary Six Pacs is less than $5,000, and delivers a very high level of satisfaction.
Not much else to add. Maybe in two more months I'll write another update.

Product Weakness: None for the money
Product Strengths: Extremely natural presentation.

Associated Equipment for this Review:
Amplifier:	AES/Cary Six Pacs
Preamplifier (or None if Integrated):	Belles 21A
Sources (CDP/Turntable):	Sony DVP-S9000ES/Rega Planar 3
Speakers:	Merlin VSM-MM
Cables/Interconnects:	JPS/DH Labs
Music Used (Genre/Selections):	Jazz/Classical/Female Vocalists
Room Size (LxWxH):	18 x 12 x 12
Room Comments/Treatments:	Carpeted
Time Period/Length of Audition:	Three months
Other (Power Conditioner etc.):	Walker Discs
Type of Audition/Review:	Product Owner

Product Weakness:	None for the money
Product Strengths:	Extremely natural presentation.