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Couple of questions on the Merlin VSM speakers...

I'm interested in these speakers. I thought there used to be a dealer in the SF Bay area, but none is listed on the Merlin web site; I'll check to confirm this, but I'm asking these questions because I may not be able to demo them. They will be located in our living room and serve double duty as serious listening and casual listening. Most of these questions are in regards to casual listening. Our room is about 24x14x9. Side reflections are not an issue.

How do they sound at low volume?

How do they sound off axis?

How do they sound placed close (10-18") to the wall behind them (we can pull them out for more serious listening)?

For more serious listening, how much of a difference does the BAM make? We'd like to avoid the clutter of extra boxes.

Finally, just how red is the Ruby Red color???

Thanks.
budrew
budrew OP
467 posts
 
OK, I'm back with another question on the Merlins : ) What size room is too small? Is a fairly nearfield setup with the speakers about 6 feet apart and about 7 feet from the listening position too small for the VSM? The room is perhaps 13 x 11 but the system is in only part of that space. I'm looking for a speaker for the deHavilland Ios 845 SET amp (20-25 watts depending on breed of 845 tube). Would prefer a floorstanding if I can find one that does OK in the small room. Merlins were recommended, along with several other brands along the same vein of a tall, thin floorstander. I'm looking for a bit more bass extension and transparency (musical transparency rather than analytical transparency) than my JMR Trentes provide. Thanks again!
sbank's avatar
sbank
3,378 posts
 
Budrew,
6 feet apart should not be a problem at all. In fact, ideal is only 7ft. apart. 7ft. speakers-to-chair is a little tight, but it should work okay. 9ft. would be much better.
Most good speakers will require as much room. Thus I don't know how high I'd put this criteria vs. other aspects. You can always treat the room w/some roomtune panels, etc. to help offset the small space, and tame some of the reflections. Cheers,
Spencer
jwells
60 posts
 
Budrew, don't worry about 7 feet. I've had to listen to mine fairly close at times, and they sound just fine...incredible really.

J
bobbyapalkovic
729 posts
 
budrew,
one thing you may want to consider is a diagonal setup in a room nearly square and this size. it will give you much more space behind the speakers (down the center) and allow you to sit farther away and propagate a longer bass wavelength than any other possible set up in this room. room reflection will be handled naturally as the walls run away at obtuse angles. a true win win situation that looks a little odd at first but sounds amazingly good.
remember too that the vsm is unigue in that the bam filters out of band energy below the woofer's fs making them a wonderful small room speaker.
845s will be superb on the speaker and the new mm or mx will provide you with everything you need.
b
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