markrpeterson

Overall Rating
 5 of 5

Value Rating
 5 of 5

Used product for
1 to 3 months

Price Paid:  $0.00

Summary:
It has been a gradually increasing pleasure to listen to the TXM-MME speakers these past several months! Because there are so many previous reviews which address the soundstaging, imaging, and other properties of these modest but powerful monitors, I was determined in my review to focus as much as possible on the musical characteristics of the speakers.

In Seattle we are blessed with a wonderful symphony orchestra and a stupendous symphony hall. Listening to the Seattle Symphony live has never led me to expect or even aim for a close approximation in my home listening. The overall power, denseness of sound, and physical impact is simply at a scale that I cannot believe we will ever get that close to with our stereos,

But - a BIG but, I might add - there are several charcters of the TSM-MME that on a vastly smaller scale are striking and eminently musical. These include (1) the timbre of instruments, which are vastly clearer and therefore in my opinion more musical; (2) the reduction in distorition, which continues to capture my fancy; (3) the solidness of instruments, voices, and (4) the real dynamics as one hears a crescendo. When I was waiting on the arrival of the speakers, I mentioned to Bobby Palkovic that the most beautiful aspect of listening to the Seattle Symphony in Benaroya Hall is the magic of a massive momo image with natural "stereo" distribution of the instruments within the mono image. While we all have certain preferences, I have come to recognize that for my ears the most musical sound is one where there is denisity to the center image. Sooundstaging and discrete instrument placement come in very much a second or third place.

I have had some very good speakers over the past twenty years, including Hyperion monitors, the Von Schiekert VR-3, the Thiel 3.6, the Mission 782, and my favorite of them all - the Kef 104/2. The latter of very musical speakers, very easy to just enjoy. However, they have much more distorition and the stability of the image as well as its density is significantly weaker than the Merlin's. It's quite interesting how well Bobbyt knows his two "children," his description of what would be different with the TSM-MMEs compared to the KEF 104/2 was spot on.

I could be happy with the KEF's. I am very happy with the Merlin's. Although I know that there is much room to grow up from the ancillary equipment (Musical Fidelity pre and amp, California Audio Labs CL-15), I think I'll take a breather and enjoy the music for a while without following the upgrade pull. The cost of getting Bobby's recommended CD and amplifier, not to say the cables, is daunting. Perhaps if we had installment methods for high-cost equipment similar to automobiles....

It's of course of pleasure to support a fine father like Bobby Palkovic. His model is one very much worthy of our support (squeezing the maximum out of a limited number of items).

Witchdoc

Overall Rating
 5 of 5

Value Rating
 5 of 5

Used product for
1 to 3 months

Visitors rate this review
5.00 of 5, 1.00 votes

Price Paid:  $0.00

Summary:
This is my opinion and thoughts of the merlin TSM-MXe speakers.

I purchased them thru Rich Brkich of Signature Sound in late march of 2008 and took delivery July 10 2008.
The speakers arrived very well packaged in a single box. They were covered with masking tape which should be removed carefully.
I did notice a tiny chip in the finish of one of them. When I brought it to Bobby Palkovich of Merlin music's attention he suggested I send
them back to have them fixed professionally. As of yet I have not done so.

A rundown of equipment used, room dimension and listening distance.

I am using: Monster AVS 2000 and Monster HTS 5100 for voltage conditioning, Antique Sound lad Aq1003DT with Response audio mods,
Subwoofer-Valodyne SPL800-R, NAD 541i CD/HDCD player, SONOS music system with Rhapsody, and a Parasound Ultra 2000 DAC.
My speaker cables are 45' of Belden 5000 series Cable from Blue jeans and 45'of Blue Jeans Cable LC-1 for the sub.
Interconnects are VDH 102 MK III Hybrid. ATS Acoustic panels .

The listening Room is my living room and Dining room 33'LX13'WX8 1/2'H.

The Speakers are sitting on a 10"W X 14"L X 1 1/4" thick butcher block.
The butcher block is mounted to a flat panel cantilever mount. This
cantilever mount is secured to the wall beams and are positioned 8' apart.
I custom made this stand because it allows me to retract the speakers up
against the wall. When I am doing some serious listening I extend the
cantilever mounts holding the speakers up to 28" off the back wall which
improves the sound all around . The center of the speakers are 48" off the
floor so I adjusted the height of my chair to bring me back into the sweet spot.
My listening distance is 6'to 7' from the face of the speakers.

Listening straight out of the box the music coming out of these speakers blew away the pair of B&W SCMS wall speakers I was using.
I compared them to a pair of Vienna Acoustic Mozart's that I am using for home theater and I found them to be as clear but tight.
The first few nights my wife and I spent at least 2 to 3 hours choosing music and listening to the wonderful detail and clarity.
We toe-tapped and danced around to music from bands like The Talking heads "The Great Curve", Thievery Corporation "Liberation front",
Delirium "Terra Firma", Gypsy Kings, Rusted Root, Steely Dan, Allman Brothers, Cash and many others.

Its been now well over two months and I must have well over 700 hours playing time. They have opened up dramatically and disappear.
The music and sound seems to come from a larger area in front of me rather than 2 speakers. Listening to Dire Straits -brothers in
arms CD Track "Ride across the River" gives me goosebumps and made my scalp tingle. The separation in the instruments finally gave the
music a 3D effect I've been reading about but, not truly ever experienced. Now I know what is meant by audiophile review terms like "Air
between instruments", "Depth", "wide sound stage". I truly love these speakers!

I am amazed by the rich and full sound coming out from these 2-way monitors and adding the Valodyne SLP800-R Sub improved the low bass.
The music seems to extending into the room. It's dynamic,lush and deep.

The Merlin TSM-MXe's are in my opinion Fantastic speakers. I know I have a great foundation to build upon


I have improved on my system by re-tubing my amp with Mullard CV4003 and Cyro SED winged C EL34's. Next may be a better DAC.

Strengths:
Once they have broken in I noticed a clean clear 3 D sound like never before in my home.

Weaknesses:
None as of yet

Similar Products Used:
Vienna Acoustics Motzart's , B&W SCSM wall speakers,

Rapha?l F.

Overall Rating
 5 of 5

Value Rating
 5 of 5

Used product for
1 to 3 months

Visitors rate this review
5.00 of 5, 1.00 votes

Price Paid:  $0.00

Summary:
TSM-MXe Premium high-gloss finish: piano black (bought in 2008)

Need a little time to find the best placement in the listening room. When found, it's amazing how the TSM simply disappear and let the music play around and mostly behind them. Great stage, very precise, right, balanced and most neutral speaker ever heard.
Lot of energy even with a low powered (but good) amplifier like the Stingray (Manley). In my small room (15m²), the TSM and the triode mode (20w) is a killer combination.
I feel no need for extra bass with these speakers.
Bass are very detailed, defined, precise and responding.
Great speaker for classical music, jazz (great swing) and other musics, I gess.
Incredible performance on voices and acoustic music, in general.

Some very emotional experiences with the TSM:
Cello concertos Shostakovitch, Andrea Schiff (Philips)
Night Club Patricia Barber
Ligeti Cello Sonata Emmanuelle Bertrand (Harmonia Mundi)
Schubert last sonatas Leif OveAndsnes (EMI)
Mozart Violin Sonatas Hilary Hahn Natalie Zhu (DGG)
Cantata BWV 106 Gustav Leonhardt (TELDEC)
Johnny Cash American recordings Vol III Solitary Man

Strengths:
Absolutely neutral, this speaker talk about music, not sound.

Very honest and trustable bass, highs & medium "to die for", easy to drive but need a careful placement.
Gorgeous presentation (top rating WAF)

Weaknesses:
addiction ?

Similar Products Used:
Many small to medium size speakers, from Tannoy Stirling TW to DIY 3 ways floorstanding, bookshelf, etc...

mkletecka

Overall Rating
 5 of 5

Value Rating
 5 of 5

Used product for
Less than 1 month

Price Paid:  $0.00 from dealer

Summary:
For reference and comparison, over the years I have owned SF Concerto’s & Guarneri’s (not the new memento version), Magneplanar 3.6, Spendor, JMR, and Vienna Acoustics. Also, if I had to choose which I liked best, it would be the Mag. 3.6’s, Guarneri’s and Vienna’s, which I preferred equally for different reasons and only sold them due to various relocations/space issues.

When deciding on replacement speakers and integrated amplifier this go around, a sincere “cost conscious, get the best I can” approach was utilized to address my smaller 1000 sq. ft. living environment (which is not much space to work with). After a year’s worth of research, I finally decided on the Merlin’s TSM MXE’s based on having listened to them a couple of years ago, combined with the many favorable reviews from both professional and hobbyist reviewers who have had/used similar speakers/equipment that I was familiar with.

THE SOUND: After approximately 120+ hours of usage, I find the TSM’s are one of the best, if not thee best that I have owned thus far, because they just do everything “right” in a perfectly manner, allowing me to totally enjoy and explore the proper placement & size of various instruments, hear the lead singer, back up and/or chorus in a life sized 3D presentation, along with the emotion, color & texture that the music being played has to offer. Because of this, I just forget about them and embrace the musical presentation (something, even my above three favorites lacked in some degree or another). Also, the TSM’s are very “revealing”, but to me are no way harsh and can be listened to 24/7. In addition, the TSM’s have no boundaries of H, W, D and provide a virtual wall of sound, if the music dictates) and I can almost sit/stand anywhere in the room and not be out of their sweet spot. Some have said that the TSM’s bass can fall short; however, because I find the TSM’s to be perfectly balanced, they don’t miss capturing the essence of the lower octaves (a subwoofer might be in the future for me, but I don’t find myself thinking or missing it when the music is playing, if ya know what I mean).

LOOKS/FINISH: Let’s face it, for most of us this is a factor, particularly if being placed in one’s everyday living environment. With this in mind, I find the TSM MXE’s in “Black Ice Blue” (one of their five standard colors, or for a bit extra one can order any color they like) are visually stunning and possess a timeless, handmade craftsmanship, heirloom quality about them, which visually complement and not overtake my living environment. Because of this, I rather prefer the looks of the TSM MXE’s on an everyday/live with em basis compared to the more elegant, visually stunning, work of art, Italian themed, can’t stop looking at them Guarneri’s.

In closing, I highly recommend to anyone who is looking for speakers in this price range to try to take a listen to the TSM’s, for me anyway they have proven to be “one” of the few, far and between “best” all-time purchases I have made in this hobby of ours.

Strengths:
Sonically right, balanced, neutral and seamless

Weaknesses:
None to my ears, however during 0 to 5 Hrs of break in the TSM’s were dry/thin/lifeless, then begin to show their stuff around 20+ hrs. & fully blossom at around100 hrs. Although not a problem for me, the color “Black Ice Blue” almost appears gloss black in low/ambient light conditions (unlike the flash photo sample on Merlin’s website) and to achieve that color, naturally bright light rooms/dedicated track lighting/or other lighting options are required.

Similar Products Used:
As mentioned in my review

GraveTones

Overall Rating
 5 of 5

Value Rating
 5 of 5

Used product for
Less than 1 month

Price Paid:  $0.00 from direct

Summary:
These are one of thje most refined, natural and realistic speakers around. Their ability to resolve detailand yet remain musical is what sets them apart.

The midrange is full and clear, High frequencies are realistic and the bass is natural and articulate with no no artificial mid-bass hump . They take a min of 25-30 hours of break-in to start sounding good and opening up (they can be very closed and scarily lean initialy !), with subtle improvements after that.
. The resolving ability of the MMe's is good at low listening levels as well as at higher listening levels. They can play loud enough to impair your hearing if you're not carefull. .
One word of the "creator"- Bobby Palkovic has created a quality product; and is very helpful with questions regarding his products and how they perform with gear from other manufacturers. the very thought of one man so committed ti his product that he can spend more than 12 years to iron out any wrinkle in order to bring it to perfection is perhaps what finally sold me to it. so unlike other manufacturers who keep changing their models every 2 -3 years making the earlier one redundant and its owners a bit insecure !

Strengths:
1 Easy to drive
2 very non fatiguing and clear
3 the high quality of the drivers, the cabinet, the binding posts and even the speaker grill really stands out.
4 one of the most tuneful and articulate bass i have found in a standmount.

Weaknesses:
1. Henry fords you can take any colour as long as it is black :) wish there were color options in the MMe
2. binding posts do not take Banana pins

Similar Products Used:
have auditioned many in that range