Merlin VSMs are great speakers, but they'll sound different when placed <2ft from the wall. Bass will be elevated (actually a positive for older VSMS, IME), but the imaging won't be as good as you'll get in free space.
If your typical listening spls aren't "head banging" and your room isn't huge, you might want to think about Ohms (either MicroTall @app $1K or 100s @app $1.8k) which are designed for such placement. I use 100s with subs, and 60W of tube power generates pretty loud levels in my largish (23w X 18h X 14d, open space behind the listener) room.
The Merlins will be more dynamic, but the Ohms should image better in your near wall set up. Both VSMs and 100s are pretty neutral tonally and offer very good bass extention (paricularly near wall) - but the Ohms with a sub will go deeper with real power.
Good Luck.
Marty
PS Ohm 100s are $1800 new, and very fine SVS subs start at $600 new. Both are direct with money back in-home offers.
Later on, another $600 can get you a Velodyne SMS-1 which allows you to optimize the crossover and equalize for smoothest bass in your room. I currently use this combo (except my subs are 2 less impressive Velodyne SPLR 8s)and -at the moment- I'm using it instead of my VSMs. In a different room, I might prefer the VSMs, but this room has some issues and the SMS-1 is the difference maker for me.
Marty
If your typical listening spls aren't "head banging" and your room isn't huge, you might want to think about Ohms (either MicroTall @app $1K or 100s @app $1.8k) which are designed for such placement. I use 100s with subs, and 60W of tube power generates pretty loud levels in my largish (23w X 18h X 14d, open space behind the listener) room.
The Merlins will be more dynamic, but the Ohms should image better in your near wall set up. Both VSMs and 100s are pretty neutral tonally and offer very good bass extention (paricularly near wall) - but the Ohms with a sub will go deeper with real power.
Good Luck.
Marty
PS Ohm 100s are $1800 new, and very fine SVS subs start at $600 new. Both are direct with money back in-home offers.
Later on, another $600 can get you a Velodyne SMS-1 which allows you to optimize the crossover and equalize for smoothest bass in your room. I currently use this combo (except my subs are 2 less impressive Velodyne SPLR 8s)and -at the moment- I'm using it instead of my VSMs. In a different room, I might prefer the VSMs, but this room has some issues and the SMS-1 is the difference maker for me.
Marty