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Speaker Asylum: REVIEW: Merlin Music Inc. VSM-MXe Speakers by rbwalt@verizon.net General speaker questions for audio and home theater. |
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72.83.180.136
Model: VSM-MXe Category: Speakers Suggested Retail Price: $10,500 Description: Two-way floorstanding speaker system Manufacturer URL: Merlin Music Inc. Model Picture: View
Review by rbwalt@verizon.net on January 28, 2008 at 17:25:13
IP Address: 72.83.180.136Add Your Review
for the VSM-MXe
This is a review of the Merlin Music VSM MXE loudspeaker. I have been a fan of Merlin Music's speakers for a long time. I have known Bobby Palkovic the designer for over 20 yrs and worked for him for 10 yrs. He is one of the few true gentleman in audio today.
This past summer i had my VSM MX's upgraded to the new MXE version( all lead free) along with a new Super BAM( also lead free). I loved my MX's. They were smooth sounding, offered very very good sound staging(depth,height and width). The resolution, detail and layering of music was simply tremendous.The mids were natural sounding. The highs were sweet and airy without any of that metallic sound that so many speakers have. The bottom end was extended sounding with very good definition and weight.The Mx's are a very well balanced sounding speaker.They are coherent, life like and complete sounding.That is why the speaker is a recommended component in stereophile( class A (RL).They simply play music!
What i got after my upgrade to the MXE version and Super BAM is nothing short of amazing.The MXE is now much more smoother sounding( Liquid sounding).There is a total lack of grunge or harshness. The sound stage now takes on a more life like presentation. voices are oh so natural with none of that chestyness or hollow sound that one hears from most speakers. The highs are even more refined. delicate with even a more airy sound. None of that bright brittle metallic sound here. You know the kind that makes your ears bleed!! The bottom end is much more weighted sounding with much better resolution and definition.The new Super BAM plays a important part in this also.On full Ac the new BAM sounds much better than the old did on batteries. When you switch to full batteries you will notice how things smooth out even more.
The MXE's are much more continuous,coherent, and life-like sounding. As a result the MXE's are a more complete speaker and because of this it sounds more expansive in its portrayal of music. A speaker that is all most beyond belief in its ability to play music in a seamless, natural nature. No phony sounding mids, bloated over ex agerated bottom end and artificial sounding highs. It may be the best speaker in the world as some had suggested. I leave that to the ones that already have them.
Thanks Bobby!!
Product Weakness: none Product Strengths: seamless sounding,fantastic tonal balance,fantastic mids and highs,fantastic resolving capabilities, strong bottom end.
Associated Equipment for this Review:
Amplifier: Music Reference RM9SE Preamplifier (or None if Integrated): Joule Electra LA-150MK2 Sources (CDP/Turntable): AudioAero Capitole Classic SE CDP Speakers: Merlin Music VSM MXE's Cables/Interconnects: Cardas Golden Reference. JPS AC+ power cords Music Used (Genre/Selections): NA Room Size (LxWxH): 19 x 13X x 12 Room Comments/Treatments: NA Time Period/Length of Audition: NA Other (Power Conditioner etc.): 2 Equi-Tech Balanced Power units Type of Audition/Review: Product Owner Your System (if other than home audition): na
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Topic - REVIEW: Merlin Music Inc. VSM-MXe Speakers - rbwalt@verizon.net 17:25:13 01/28/08 ( 107)
- RE: (strong)REVIEW: Merlin Music Inc. VSM-MXe Speakers(/strong) - rbwalt@verizon.net 11:42:55 02/3/08 ( 0)
It is really, really sad all the flames this review has gotten... - Toddd 16:00:33 02/1/08 ( 11)
- RE: It is really, really sad all the flames this review has gotten... - rbwalt@verizon.net 11:19:50 02/3/08 ( 0)
RE: It is really, really sad all the flames this review has gotten... - Bobby Palkovic 17:18:56 02/1/08 ( 2)
- RE: It is really, really sad all the flames this review has gotten... - Toddd 18:51:28 02/1/08 ( 1)
- RE: It is really, really sad all the flames this review has gotten... - Bobby Palkovic 19:15:04 02/1/08 ( 0)
It's quite normal and "par for the course" at AA - Ian Mackenzie 16:04:53 02/1/08 ( 6)
- RE: It's quite normal and "par for the course" at AA - Toddd 18:48:33 02/1/08 ( 5)
- RE: It's quite normal and "par for the course" at AA - The Groovy Guru 21:36:14 02/1/08 ( 4)
- RE: It's quite normal and "par for the course" at AA - rbwalt@verizon.net 11:29:27 02/3/08 ( 0)
- How are yours setup? - Toddd 07:01:27 02/2/08 ( 2)
- RE: How are yours setup? - The Groovy Guru 10:20:40 02/2/08 ( 0)
- toddd... - Bobby Palkovic 08:20:07 02/2/08 ( 0)
My take... - SBurton 17:06:14 01/31/08 ( 2)
- RE: My take... - rbwalt@verizon.net 11:46:31 02/3/08 ( 1)
- RE: My take... - Plaxico 07:01:26 02/5/08 ( 0)
was the review vs the original... - Magpie 18:27:39 01/29/08 ( 2)
- RE: was the review vs the original... - rob132 12:17:44 02/1/08 ( 0)
RE: was the review vs the original... - rbwalt@verizon.net 09:37:18 01/30/08 ( 0)
Yes I agree these are very nice sounding speakers, but there are a number of substitutes - Frihed89 02:56:30 01/29/08 ( 41)
- I don't think you are allowed to say that. nt - rob132 10:52:04 02/1/08 ( 0)
RE: Yes I agree these are very nice sounding speakers, but there are a no substitutes - Rich Brkich 08:36:35 01/29/08 ( 38)
- RE: Yes I agree these are very nice sounding speakers, but there are a no substitutes - Bob Neill 06:05:30 01/31/08 ( 24)
- RE: Yes I agree these are very nice sounding speakers, but there are a no substitutes - Bobby Palkovic 06:17:27 01/31/08 ( 23)
- RE: Yes I agree these are very nice sounding speakers, but there are a no substitutes - Bob Neill 07:15:32 01/31/08 ( 22)
- ok, i'll add a little... - Bobby Palkovic 07:31:51 01/31/08 ( 21)
- RE: ok, i'll add a little... - Bob Neill 07:56:56 01/31/08 ( 20)
- RE: ok, i'll add a little more... - Bobby Palkovic 09:09:50 01/31/08 ( 19)
- RE: ok, i'll add a little more... - Bob Neill 11:52:12 01/31/08 ( 18)
- RE: ok, i'll add a little more... - rob132 11:16:46 02/1/08 ( 5)
- RE: ok, i'll add a little more... - Bobby Palkovic 12:37:58 02/1/08 ( 4)
- Whoa... - Bob Neill 13:44:19 02/1/08 ( 1)
- bob, i was in this discussion almost two days ... - Bobby Palkovic 14:00:00 02/1/08 ( 0)
- You are just proving my point. - rob132 12:57:26 02/1/08 ( 1)
- RE: You are just proving my point. - Bobby Palkovic 13:14:36 02/1/08 ( 0)
- RE: ok, i'll add a little more... - jbcortes 12:19:19 01/31/08 ( 0)
- one pro's opinion - DKL 12:07:44 01/31/08 ( 10)
- RE: one pro's opinion - Bob Neill 12:47:53 01/31/08 ( 5)
- RE: one pro's opinion - DKL 13:33:50 01/31/08 ( 4)
- RE: one pro's opinion - Bob Neill 13:46:56 01/31/08 ( 3)
- RE: one pro's opinion - DKL 13:53:22 01/31/08 ( 2)
- RE: one pro's opinion - Bob Neill 14:18:20 01/31/08 ( 1)
- a suitable ending... - Bobby Palkovic 14:29:13 01/31/08 ( 0)
- RE: one pro's opinion - Bob Neill 12:46:38 01/31/08 ( 3)
- bob,.. - Bobby Palkovic 13:04:46 01/31/08 ( 2)
- RE: bob,.. - Bob Neill 14:33:30 01/31/08 ( 1)
- RE: bob,.. - Bobby Palkovic 14:42:20 01/31/08 ( 0)
RE: Yes I agree these are very nice sounding speakers, but there are a no substitutes - rbwalt@verizon.net 16:32:40 01/30/08 ( 0)
They are substitiutes for me, but not for everyone - Frihed89 13:40:53 01/29/08 ( 6)
- i am glad that you... - Bobby Palkovic 13:50:55 01/29/08 ( 5)
- Exactly, and because of the price difference it works for me - Frihed89 10:13:52 01/30/08 ( 0)
- RE: i am glad that you... - doak 18:02:46 01/29/08 ( 3)
- RE: i am glad that you... - Bobby Palkovic 06:30:35 01/30/08 ( 1)
- RE: i am glad that you... - doak 09:05:41 01/30/08 ( 0)
- RE: i am glad that you... - jbcortes 05:23:47 01/30/08 ( 0)
RE: Yes I agree these are very nice sounding speakers, but there are a no substitutes - jazz1 09:17:31 01/29/08 ( 4)
- RE: Yes I agree these are very nice sounding speakers, but there are a no substitutes - Duke 16:16:29 01/29/08 ( 0)
RE: Yes I agree these are very nice sounding speakers, but there are a no substitutes - jbcortes 15:13:01 01/29/08 ( 0)
RE: Yes I agree these are very nice sounding speakers, but there are a no substitutes - Rich Brkich 09:42:23 01/29/08 ( 0)
RE: Yes I agree these are very nice sounding speakers, but there are a no substitutes - DKL 09:32:37 01/29/08 ( 0)
RE: Yes I agree these are very nice sounding speakers, but there are a number of substitutes - DKL 08:10:30 01/29/08 ( 0)
RE: REVIEW: Merlin Music Inc. VSM-MXe Speakers - doak 19:31:57 01/28/08 ( 5)
- RE: REVIEW: Merlin Music Inc. VSM-MXe Speakers - rbwalt@verizon.net 16:49:58 01/30/08 ( 0)
Pick your $11,5000 poison? - J.Mac 02:04:51 01/29/08 ( 1)
- RE: Pick your $11,5000 poison? - Bobby Palkovic 08:34:20 01/29/08 ( 0)
actually... - DKL 21:57:54 01/28/08 ( 1)
- RE: actually... - doak 17:53:04 01/29/08 ( 0)
RE: REVIEW: Merlin Music Inc. VSM-MXe Speakers - OpenBaffle 17:39:52 01/28/08 ( 39)
- I tend to ignore reviews - E-Stat 10:48:10 01/29/08 ( 38)
- I tend to do the same except... - jbcortes 05:20:50 01/31/08 ( 2)
- To each his own - E-Stat 06:18:31 01/31/08 ( 1)
- RE: To each his own - jbcortes 06:50:09 01/31/08 ( 0)
- Attn: Poster who deleted their response - E-Stat 15:24:16 01/29/08 ( 0)
for the money - jdouglas51 12:28:55 01/29/08 ( 2)
- RE: for the money - Bobby Palkovic 12:47:37 01/29/08 ( 1)
- RE: for the money - jdouglas51 15:46:25 01/29/08 ( 0)
Astute observation-I agree-- NT - lancelot 11:49:09 01/29/08 ( 0)
maybe so - - DKL 11:23:57 01/29/08 ( 29)
- You just made my point - E-Stat 11:33:35 01/29/08 ( 28)
- YAWN - Ian Mackenzie 05:53:10 01/31/08 ( 0)
- RE: You just made my point - DKL 11:59:27 01/29/08 ( 26)
- Apparently - E-Stat 13:51:46 01/29/08 ( 25)
- RE: Apparently - DKL 14:13:12 01/29/08 ( 24)
- If as you say... - E-Stat 14:30:47 01/29/08 ( 23)
- wow - DKL 18:11:11 01/29/08 ( 22)
- No, that conclusion doesn't follow logic at all - E-Stat 18:19:27 01/29/08 ( 21)
- RE: No, that conclusion doesn't follow logic at all - Bobby Palkovic 07:07:54 01/30/08 ( 19)
- Primarily - E-Stat 07:29:08 01/30/08 ( 18)
- RE: Primarily - Bobby Palkovic 10:32:28 01/30/08 ( 17)
- Do you think this reflects well on your product? - E-Stat 11:20:20 01/30/08 ( 16)
- Boy, this thread has taken on a life of it's own - combined response - E-Stat 12:31:52 01/30/08 ( 12)
- RE: Boy, this thread has taken on a life of it's own - combined response - Bobby Palkovic 13:06:47 01/30/08 ( 10)
- Mikey also mentioned Vandersteen, Wilson, and Rockport -nt - E-Stat 14:20:52 01/30/08 ( 9)
- RE: Mikey also mentioned Vandersteen, Wilson, and Rockport -nt - DKL 14:36:39 01/30/08 ( 8)
- RE: Mikey also mentioned Vandersteen, Wilson, and Rockport -nt - Bobby Palkovic 16:24:46 01/30/08 ( 1)
- RE: Mikey also mentioned Vandersteen, Wilson, and Rockport -nt - DKL 17:13:04 01/30/08 ( 0)
- No comparison? - E-Stat 14:59:57 01/30/08 ( 5)
- RE: No comparison? - DKL 17:01:23 01/30/08 ( 4)
- $3,350 later the book remains open. - GEO 18:29:53 01/30/08 ( 3)
- RE: $3,350 later the book remains open. - Bobby Palkovic 06:38:31 01/31/08 ( 2)
- RE: $3,350 later the book remains open. - GEO 07:12:48 01/31/08 ( 1)
- RE: $3,350 later the book remains open. - Bobby Palkovic 07:51:52 01/31/08 ( 0)
- RE: Boy, this thread has taken on a life of it's own - combined response - Bobby Palkovic 13:05:39 01/30/08 ( 0)
- RE: Do you think this reflects well on your product? - DKL 11:49:54 01/30/08 ( 0)
- RE: Do you think this reflects well on your product? - Ozzy 11:46:13 01/30/08 ( 0)
- RE: Do you think this reflects well on you? - Bobby Palkovic 11:39:24 01/30/08 ( 0)
- RE: No, that conclusion doesn't follow logic at all - DKL 18:43:36 01/29/08 ( 0)