I own the Merlin VSM-Ms (upgraded from the SE version last year) and I love them. All speakers and tastes are different, but I would highly recommend considering them if they're in your price range. They are basically floorstanding monitors with bass down to 35-40hz. They're probably not the ideal speaker for huge rooms, extrememly loud listening, or bass freaks, but anyone interested in an extrememly musical, detailed, and transparent speaker should check them out. I've read that they don't perform as well with multi-hundred watt SS amps, but that was the old version... I *think* the different "T" and "S" harnesses in the "M" version take care of that issue. Bobby at Merlin is very helpful if you have any questions about amplifier compatability.
Each speaker weighs about 90lbs and they were designed with the intention of making them as independent of their environment as possible. They really are pretty flexible as far as placement goes, but the soundstage improves greatly when they are placed according to Merlin's or Cardas' recommendations. When all is well, the speakers vanish and the music sounds like it's coming from the wall...5 feet behind the speakers, and the stage is as wide as my room (maybe 10 feet??). I loved the Merlin VSM-SEs, but I do think the "M" design is an improvement. The old design had enough bass for my taste, but the "M" design improves the bass and adds more body to the mids. It's a fuller, richer, more palpable sound and I doubt there are many people who would prefer the "SE" version to the "M" version.
Each speaker weighs about 90lbs and they were designed with the intention of making them as independent of their environment as possible. They really are pretty flexible as far as placement goes, but the soundstage improves greatly when they are placed according to Merlin's or Cardas' recommendations. When all is well, the speakers vanish and the music sounds like it's coming from the wall...5 feet behind the speakers, and the stage is as wide as my room (maybe 10 feet??). I loved the Merlin VSM-SEs, but I do think the "M" design is an improvement. The old design had enough bass for my taste, but the "M" design improves the bass and adds more body to the mids. It's a fuller, richer, more palpable sound and I doubt there are many people who would prefer the "SE" version to the "M" version.