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Getting the itch (why does this always happen?) Anyone move on from Merlins and glad they did? If so, share your search and what you settled on?
Follow Ups:
Has anyone experienced speakers from this manufacturer?
Only in my car, and they were outstanding...(I own Merlin VSM-MXe's by the way and have not had a desire to upgrade since 2007).
... if you can make the space for Electrostats and stop compromising with the usual dynamics that everyone else here might recommend.
get some recs for different brands, and go hear some first, and decide on the comparison.
NO REGRETS then
after a decent interval. This includes stereo equipment, cars, homes, where you live, hobbies, boats you may own, in short any material good.
One might also consider moving on from lovers and friends who have outlived their usefulness. Don't be scared, just do it. I know, I know, change is hard. Life is hard ...
Lack of skill dictates economy of style. - Joey Ramone
nt
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Point proven.
You could upgrade the cross over in them. Danny at GR Research has an upgrade kit for them that fixes several problems the speakers have. Just an idea. Also, look at the kit offerings on the site. You'll get a lot more speaker if you build it from a kit.
Good Luck,
JCarney
Way back when I was in the biz, I knew Judd Barber who often shared a room with Bobby/Merlin. At one show Judd asked me what I thought of the Merlins because people who heard them with his glorious tube amps weren't impressed. IMO, excellent cabinetry but mediocre sound
Im a huge open baffle guy having owned Accoustat 2 +2s, MAGNEPAN 3.5Rs (tried everything but couldn't get past the discontinuity between ribbons and bass panels), and for some 5 years now my all time favorite Emerald Physics 3.4s, which play everything extremely well and although rated at ~94 dB I use a Ric Schultz 1200 dual mono amp with Ice Power AS 1200 modules
.... my Merlins are sitting on the lower level of a bookshelf (just above cabinets below). This suits out a good 20 inches from the bookshelves above. IE there is plenty of "air" behind them. Just wanted to add this as some mentors only work great when placed on stands a few feet from a wall.
Yes, I moved on and was glad I did. I got VSM-Ms when I moved to a smaller house for a year (I previously had Genesis 300s, which smoked the Merlins, but were impractical for the new house). Moved into a bigger house and got Avalon Eidolons. They were better in every single performance parameter, including those that the Merlin's are best at (soundstaging / disappearing.)
Edits: 01/15/25
for about 17 years. I get the itch on occasion, but stick with the Merlins. I've owned Thiel, Linn, Vandersteen, and PSB in the past. For me, the Merlins have been the most satisfying over a broad range of music over the long haul. They play everything well, all types of music, all types of instruments. I never think that something isn't quite right or something's lacking. Hence, I would be worried about getting rid of them.That said, I wouldn't sell the Merlins, but I might get something like a small pair of Magnepans just to have some fun. But fun lasts about 3 months until the shortcomings of a new speaker start to bother you.
Edits: 01/15/25
My 35+ year old ProAcs aren't going anywhere, but I did buy some LRS to "scratch the itch" for something different.
Gsquared
can't imagine not using them at this point in my life.
So I won't not use them. Hopefully... indefinitely...
Never did try the TSMs although at one point gave it serious thought.
"Once this was all Black Plasma and Imagination" -Michael McClure
I thought you listened to Reynauds all the time.
Cheers
Bill
AFTER using Twins for years.
The Trente ran their course and are in storage for now. They need reconditioning and TLC.
Reynaud spanned about 20 years here.
REALLY digging the DeCapo, a little more of everything I need these days.
This could last many years...
"Once this was all Black Plasma and Imagination" -Michael McClure
Active studio monitors from JBL are on sale at B&H Photo305P MKII $178/pair, shipped
308P MKII is $288 pair, shipped
Edits: 01/15/25
Most of your system seems a little long in the tooth so it's no wonder you get "the itch". My only encounter with a Merlin speaker was the TSM a few years ago. I thought it was ok, but nothing earth shattering.
Might I recommend the speakers below. I have a pair and they are fantastic. Hard to believe they wouldn't best the Merlins by a good bit.
Don't worry about avoiding temptation. As you grow older, it will avoid you.
- Winston Churchill
A few years ago I had a pair of Merlins and the woofer in one became very noisy. Sent the speaker to Merlin for a replacement and it took nine months for it to be returned. By the time it was received I'd bought a pair of Nola Boxers. Compared the two over a few days of listening and sold the Merlins.
Try Magnepan speakers. A friend recommended the Mini Maggie speakers to me and I bought them about a year-and-a-half ago. I set them up in an ultra near-field configuration and they sound exceptional. Previously, I had been listening to Thiel CS3.7 speakers, which are also exceptional speakers. I still have the Thiel's packed away in my garage, but I'm having a lot of fun with the Mini Maggies. They have the most holographic soundstage of any speakers I've owned.
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So have linear impedance and are otherwise easy to drive although they like a bit of power. Most amps other than SETs can drive them easily.
So what amps are you using with them? If OTLs I can make some suggestions. Regardless of the amps if you plan to keep them we need to know what they are.
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any way to easily move this to speaker asylum?
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