Speakers to hang on to for LIFE

I have owned 3 speaker systems over the past 15 years including my present system. The reason? I couldn't get any to work right in my previous room. I have since moved things around and have been living with the Merlin VSM-M for about 1 year now. Along with major component upgrades to bring out their best, I now feel that the system is optimal minus the tweeking that never ends. I expect that 10 years from now I will still own these speakers, they just make me enjoy recorded music beyond anything I could imagine prior to purchasing them. I also like long marriages. Changing gear is a chore and expensive, would much rather listen to music and tell the world how much I love the music these speakers make :*)

Well I can't say for life but I can say I have owned the Merlin VSM-M longer than any other speaker I have owned dating back to the mid 1960's, I guess that "dates" me. To me what has kept me with this design is this question "What am I going to find that does what these speakers do so well (coherence, low level resolution, smooth high frequency extension, tonal balance) that is going to work in my room? Are they the best? NO are they a great compromise of virtues? ABSOLUTELY YES! What is remarkable about these speakers, some will disagree with me I'm sure, is their ability rise to the occasion. I have owned the speakers for 10 years and it hasn't always been a lovefest but I HAVE been patient, recognizing what they do well and sometimes how difficult it has been to realize their potential. Many have written them off as bright, lacking in bass and overrated. I can understand these criticisms as they might apply to any speaker and certainly with these as well. What is undeniable is that if one DOES have the patience and DOES listen to the designer and IS inclined towards long relationships vs. short romances, this speaker is going to work in any number of applications and rooms at a high level. Also a great value for the money for the music lover with room limitations but not lacking for want of great sound in a small package. I truly respect the designer of this product, it is a classic in the same vein of the Vandersteen 2 series.