Gallo Stradas vs. Merlin TSM-MXRs

Would appreciate comments on which of these speakers will sound best in a highly reflective room. Or, maybe I'm barking up the wrong tree with these speakers. I just saw a pair of Nuforce Reference S-9s on A'gon that also look interesting, although they are a bit more expensive than the Merlins.

Thanks, Dopogue. Also wondering if anyone has tried the Mapleshade floor mounts for the Stradas? They are supposed to be fantastic, but I have a hard time imagining how they would sound that low and whether they would be blocked by other furniture in the room.

@Martykl - That's very helpful - thanks! Note, though, that I will be using a small subwoofer. Does that change your opinion at all? I am also worried about the wide dispersion of the Stradas reflecting too much in my room.

I already have a Bel Canto amp and Wadia DAC that I'm quite happy with, but thanks for the suggestion.

I haven't been on the forum for ages, but I thought I'd bump my own thread to let everyone know how this played out (I appreciate when people do that). As it turned out, I went in a completely different direction. While I was debating between the Merlins and the Gallos, I noticed a ridiculously good deal on a pair of Linn Majik 140 floor standing speakers. These weren't at all what I was looking for originally, but the price was too good to pass up, and they were located driving distance from my house, so I thought I'd check them out. As a bonus, they have a glossy white finish, which happens to perfectly match the very modern furniture in my office. They are a lot bigger speaker than I was planning on getting, but in the white finish, they almost vanish into the white wall behind them (why aren't there more white speakers? They look great IMHO and are much less obtrusive). Anyway, for the price, I figured I'd try them out and see how I liked them. I figured I'd have no problem unloading them for the same price if they didn't work for me.

As it turned out, I love them. They are very neutral and clear, but warm enough not to be clinical. The bass is authoritative but not at all boomy, and the drivers are perfectly integrated.

I still want to try the Merlins one day. I will probably get a pair of TSMs for my home system one day.

Thanks, Bobby. I'll check it out. I love how you stay on top of these threads and are accessible. Just another reason I'll probably get a pair of Merlins some time soon. Maybe even in white! or fire engine red ; )