Upgrade from Merlin VSM-M to What?

the speakers will give plenty of bass if you use them the way they were designed to be used. they are also very indicative of the gear that precedes them so if the amp sounds less full then that is the way they will sound. the same can be said for the wires and sources. i have not heard your amp but certainly an mm speaker mod and super bam mod would do a lot to help you go in the direction you want to go in.
bobby@merlin

this amp has a very high damping factor that may be over kill for the speaker which has considerable damping of its own. this is why i asked. what cables are you using and source electronics? are the cables shotgun? are you using my jumpers?
it is not a question of extension in the bass but of tonal balance that leaves you wanting more. i feel that the set up may also be suspect. you really should consider giving me a call at 585 367 2390 during business hours. i am on the east coast and get in around 10 am.
i will do my best to help you and this could save you a lot of money in the end.
regards,
bobby@merlin

stereo,
i'll just bet that if you get the merlin/cardas jumpers for that speaker, you will have way better sound and a richer tonal balance. i will explain better when you call but if the jumpers you made use bigger than 15 gauge wire, the dc resistance will be too low going to the tweeter and it will play too loudly. this will shift the spectral balance point up. lighter bass will be the result.
give me a call and i'll get this a lot better for you after you answer a few questions.
regards,
bobby at merlin

howard,
agreed as this string keeps coming up and going in a different direction. perhaps stereo should have considered getting another amp which would have allowed him to utilize the vsm's potential in the areas where they shine and the subs too for that matter. it would have been a remarkle system.
even having the vsm m upgraded to the mm or mme superbam may have put him right where he wanted to be as far as room filling qualities are concerned.
bobby

stereo,
when the tweeter plays to loudly it sounds nasal and smooth and is too full in the lower treble. the spectral balance will shift up towards the tweeter and this is going to alter the tonal balance.
i still suggest that you give me a call because i want to ask you some questions about your set up and future plans.
bobby@merlin

when you have a cjance get that bam back to me so it can be fixed my friend...i am really sorry for the problems!!!
bobby

the jumpers that come with the speakers are cardas radially wound crossfield copper litz and the correct gauge/dc to make the balance of the tweeter and woofer, right. by going to a bigger gauge you will decrease the dc resistance and allow the tweeter to play louder which is the opposite to what stereo wants. he wants a fuller tone and what you suggest will make them sound lighter in tone.
my jumpers are a copper crossfield litz made by cardas with copper tinned o ring connectors. if you judge things by looks i get your point but they are very sophisticated and exactly what the speaker needs to make it function correctly. now if stereo wants a fuller tone he should get a lead free power cord for his super bam, new 230 mah cells for the bam and lead free jumpers. all this is very inexpensive and works like a charm.
bobby at merlin

p and t,
just consider that the unit uses cryoed hovlands (along with a cardas pc and terminals) like your speakers! then think about its sound potential with its design in regards to the vsm's needs.
this is not for everyone, certainly.
but it is remarkably good and uncomplicated sounding on merlins.
b