Tyler Signature System versus Merlin VSM-MM


For those who have compared these systems, I would be interested in comments.

Use is two channel, but surround speakers may be added using these as fronts for HT.

Room is 19x33. Listening positon is about 11-13 feet from 19ft wide wall. Total room volume is about 5000 cubic feet.

The room can eat low frequencies (basement with carpet, insulated walls and acoustic ceiling). If I do the HT, I definitely will be looking at a 15" or larger sub.

I have a pair to Tyler Taylo Reference Monitors in a small A/V setup and I like the sound for that purpose. They would be far short of the weight needed in the bigger room and lack the lower bottom end.

Amp is a Plinius 8200p (175 watts) and preamp is 20-year-old PS Audio which will be replaced. Arcam CD.

In the used market, the Merlins are slightly more expensive (roughly 4k vs 3K+). I tend to keep equipment a long time, so the price difference is not important.

I would be interested in comparisons. I'm in the Denver area and can't demo either system. My guess is that I would have to integrate a sub with Merlins based on what I have read.

The system will be on at all times since the the TV sound is run though it.

Thanks in advance.

Jerry
jerrym303

Showing 3 responses by evita

But more importantly with the Seas, vocals sound as realistic as if you are at a live show.
Every live show uses the same type of speakers: horns. SEAS drivers, albeit musical, do not sound remotely like horns.
Dave put it perfectly. And Bobby, well, his words are nothing but golden if you ask me. Did anyone ask me?

To my ear, the Merlins are more refined sounding than the Tylers, with a masterful presentation of the music. However, they will not fill your room as well.

Some other options in your price range:
Silverline Sonata II (used about $2600), and they use the SEAS drivers like the Tylers
Von Schweikert VR4 GenIII SE (used about $3800). They go real low, have an adjustable tweeter, and are phenomenal speakers.

Best of luck.
I have actually heard the Tylers (the Woodmere's, in fact), and have heard five different VS speakers, as well as four different Silverline speakers. Oh yes, and the Merlins as well. The Merlins are a more refined sounding speaker than the Tylers. Does that mean they are better? Nope. It means they sound as though they have more mastery over the reproduction. Tylers are excellent speakers, and as others here and elsewhere have said, they are warm sounding. This is exactly what many people want, and it might even make Jerry happy for the next 10 years. is it a perfect reproduction of the original? Nope. No speaker is. Is it a neutral sounding speaker? Not if they are warm, and indeed, they are.