Michael Shafer

Overall Rating
 5 of 5

Value Rating
 5 of 5

Used product for
3 Months to 1 year

Price Paid:  $0.00

Summary:
I met Bobby Palkovic in 1987 and have owned a pair of almost every speaker he has designed since then, so I have become familiar with what to expect when the latest upgrade arrives, but I was still unprepared for what I have experienced since receiving the new VSM-MXe speaker system with its lead-free SuperBAM. Rather than repeating what has already been written about these amazing speakers, I recommend that you also read the comprehensive review by Martin DeWulf in Bound for Sound which can be accessed through the Merlin web site.

What is most remarkable to me about this system is its absolute seamlessness. In fact, this is the first time I really understand what the word means. There is no longer any point in talking about individual characteristics of the sound because the elements are no longer individual in any way. What emerges from these speakers is a completely unified and natural presentation of music as it was recorded, without adulteration of any kind. Nothing stands out separately because everything stands out together as an indivisible whole. It actually takes a while to fully realize what you are hearing. The purity of the signal path in the MXe allows a level of resolution which I never imagined possible, and the resulting realism which this creates cannot be adequately described. You have to hear it for yourself. My entire music library is coming off the shelf again.

Strengths:
While I doubt that any system will ever allow recorded music to duplicate the experience of a live performance, the MXe makes recorded music seem real. There is no longer any veil whatsoever between the listener and the music, which seems with absolute credibility to be in the room with you. Moreover, increasing the volume does not result in the slightest bit of harshness or loss of resolution but simply increases the realism of the presentation. Every aspect of music reproduction has improved dramatically with these speakers.

Weaknesses:
While the bass resolution of the MXe is the best I have ever heard, and while the mass of the bass produced in my 24 X 13 foot living room is truly impressive and satisfying, there is no arguing that even these remarkable speakers cannot be expected to equal the output of a large-driver system in a suitable environment. Whether or not the compromises necessary to achieve bigger and deeper bass are worth the sacrifices required in all other areas of music reproduction must be a personal decision. I have made mine.

Similar Products Used:
Associated equipment includes VPI TNT-6 HR turntable with JMW 12.6 tonearm, Cardas Myrtle cartridge, Audio Aero Capitole Mark II CD player, Joule Electra LAP-100 preamplifier and VZN-100 Marquis amplifiers, Cardas Golden Reference interconnects and speaker cables, JPS power cords and Equitech balanced power conditioners.

DKL

Overall Rating
 5 of 5

Value Rating
 5 of 5

Used product for
3 Months to 1 year

Price Paid:  $0.00

Summary:
I took delivery of my new Merlin VSM-MXe speakers in mid-December, and though I wanted to review them almost immediately, I knew that I would kick myself for not allowing a proper break-in period. There’s no doubt in my mind now that they’re fully broken in, and I’m comfortable with both their sound and the knowledge that my comments will hold true for the long run....

After pairing the Merlins with several different amp/preamp/integrated amp combinations, I’ve settled on a solid state Belles 150A Reference amp, driven by a Bel Canto SEP2 single ended tube preamp. The preamp’s previous owner had it modified by Matt Cramer of Bel Canto to achieve maximum performance: "I was seeking a no-holds-barred purist 2 tube preamplifier (no phono ) WITHOUT the extra connections of an outboard DAC ( saves money as well as preserves the audio signal ). I also wanted the highest grade/purest parts in the signal path. I love digital displays, but I didn't want anything extra corrupting the purest of signal paths as well. Additional extras like custom feet/damping and tube rings were added, and all tubes were custom matched and numbered in terms of where they should be placed in the sockets themselves. Yes, fanatical, but that was me, and that was/is Matt Cramer at Bel Canto. The internals were modifed/upgraded to SEP1 standards by Matt himself to include the DAC2 factory hardwired inside, upgraded resistors (1% caddocks) and caps (Musicaps), an upgraded digital display (which can be taken out of the signal path with the push of a button on the remote) damping” etc., at a cost of around 1200.00 for parts and labor (not counting the DAC2 of course, which was around 1500.00). I only mention these details because I haven’t heard a stock SEP2 and don’t wish to misinform anyone on the performance level of a typical SEP2.

Needless to say, when I dropped the SEP2 preamp into my system, I breathed a collective sigh of relief in terms of not only the sound, but also the “eureka” of having finally found the missing piece to the “puzzle.” The puzzle had started with a BAT VK300x-SE integrated amp (great amp with my previous Tyler Linbrook Signatures, but it pushes the mids forward, causing a lack of perceived bass); followed by an Ayre AX-7e (brilliant sounding, but edgy and too dry for my tastes); then a YBA Integra (had the tape loop required to run the BAM for all sources, but again, the sound was not as natural as I knew these speakers were capable of sounding). Next was the Belles 150A Reference amp and a Cary SP-3 tube preamp. The Cary was not bad, but again lacked the final degree of smoothness and effortlessness that the lead-free Merlins can provide. The other pieces of the puzzle were already in place: Audience AU24 cabling (interconnects, speaker cables and power chord) and a McCormack UDP-1 Deluxe universal player. The UDP-1 Deluxe is the best sounding redbook player I’ve heard or owned, beating out my Rega Saturn, Audio Aero Prima Ref, and Naim CD5 players that preceded it. For good measure I recently added a PS Audio Quintessence, and the results were definitely noticeable. But enough about that…

In 1979, I heard a pair of Snell Type A speakers at a friend’s home in Daytona Beach (his father owned the hi-fi store in that area). They were by far the best speakers I heard in the 70’s. In 1989, I heard an Infinity Reference system at an audio store in Orlando driven by the top Krell gear available. They were the best speakers I heard in the 80’s. In 1991, I heard and purchased a pair of Acoustat Spectra 1100s. I kept these speakers for over 10 years, and to my ears, they were certainly among the best speakers from the 90’s. In 2001, I stumbled upon Merlin speakers – first the TSM-SEs and then the VSM-Ms. I loved them, but life events and curiousness about other speakers kept me churning through a maze of speakers, from Sound Lab Dynastats, to Gershman Avant Guarde 20s, to Triangle Zays, Maggie 1.6s, Joseph Audio RM25 MkIIs, and the entire line of Tyler Acoustics (from the Taylo, to the Linbrook monitors, the Ref 3 two piece and finally the Linbrook Signature). All very good speakers in one or more areas, but I actually wished I had kept the Acoustats….until now.

Bobby Palkovic of Merlin Music calls it “continuousness.” I’ve read other reviews of various speakers that use phraseology such as “cut from the same sonic cloth” or “single point source” or “speaks with one voice” – all apt descriptors that seek to describe a speaker’s ability to harness and translate the complete musical signal from top to bottom, with no sonic evidence or signature (if you will) of a loudspeaker even being in your presence! This sounds impossible, or at least improbable, until you hear the newest lead-free Merlin VSM-MXe. Bobby has refined this speaker to the point where it isn’t fair (or true) to even describe it as a typical loudspeaker. It is much more of a personal “music interface” where the listener becomes so engaged in the music that there are absolutely no loudspeaker-related distractions to intervene and disrupt the listening experience. You can certainly put checkmarks next to the usual list of speaker superlatives, such as utterly pure and natural highs, effortless and natural mids that span the width of your room, and supremely accurate and natural bass (down to the mid 30’s). Of course the word “natural” was used to describe each frequency range for literary effect. But in all honesty, it’s the best and highest form of praise you can offer to a loudspeaker, or any other component.

I listen to a wide variety of music, from Sade to the Dixie Chicks, Lee Ritenour to Eddie Van Halen, Manheim Steamroller and the Trans-Siberian Orchestra to Flim and the BBs, Sheryl Crow to Dianna Krall. In a moderately sized room, there is literally NOTHING this speaker cannot reproduce with all the verve, vitality, emotion, pace, rhythm, and gestalt of the original performance (ok, so maybe the cannon shots from 1812 Overture are sub-dependent). The sheer depth and amount of articulate bass coming from the BAM-controlled 6.5 inch woofer is amazing. How Bobby was able to sync up these two drivers to faithfully reproduce nearly the entire audio range is truly remarkable.

“Maybe I’m Amazed?” Yes I am.

Strengths:
Lifelike, totally natural sound from top to bottom.
Small footprint.
An instant cure for further upgrading - no need to look any further!

Weaknesses:
The spikes are very sharp - be careful.

Similar Products Used:
Tyler Acoustics (Taylo, Linbrook Monitors, Ref 3, and Linbrook Signatures, Joseph Audio RM25 Mk2, Magnepan 1.6, Gershman Avante Garde 20, Soundlab Dynastat, Triangle Zays, Acoustat Spectra 1100, Merlin TSM-M, Merlin VSM-M, and several lesser speakers in the past 30 years.

rbwalt

Overall Rating
 5 of 5

Value Rating
 5 of 5

Used product for
3 Months to 1 year

Price Paid:  $0.00 from merlin music

Summary:
This is a review of the Merlin Music VSM MXE loudspeaker. I have been a fan of Merlin Music's speakers for a long time. I have known Bobby Palkovic the designer for over 20 yrs and worked for him for 10 yrs. He is one of the few true gentleman in audio today.

This past summer i had my VSM MX's upgraded to the new MXE version( all lead free) along with a new Super BAM( also lead free). I loved my MX's. They were smooth sounding, offered very very good sound staging(depth,height and width). The resolution, detail and layering of music was simply tremendous.The mids were natural sounding. The highs were sweet and airy without any of that metallic sound that so many speakers have. The bottom end was extended sounding with very good definition and weight.The Mx's are a very well balanced sounding speaker.They are coherent, life like and complete sounding.That is why the speaker is a recommended component in stereophile( class A (RL).They simply play music!

What i got after my upgrade to the MXE version and Super BAM is nothing short of amazing.The MXE is now much more smoother sounding( Liquid sounding).There is a total lack of grunge or harshness. The sound stage now takes on a more life like presentation. voices are oh so natural with none of that chestyness or hollow sound that one hears from most speakers. The highs are even more refined. delicate with even a more airy sound. None of that bright brittle metallic sound here. You know the kind that makes your ears bleed!! The bottom end is much more weighted sounding with much better resolution and definition.The new Super BAM plays a important part in this also.On full Ac the new BAM sounds much better than the old did on batteries. When you switch to full batteries you will notice how things smooth out even more.


The MXE's are much more continuous,coherent, and life-like sounding. As a result the MXE's are a more complete speaker and because of this it sounds more expansive in its portrayal of music. A speaker that is all most beyond belief in its ability to play music in a seamless, natural nature. No phony sounding mids, bloated over ex agerated bottom end and artificial sounding highs. It may be the best speaker in the world as some had suggested. I leave that to the ones that already have them.

Thanks Bobby!!

Strengths:
Fantastic tonal balance (very neutral).
Seamless sounding.
Oh so smooth.
Fantastic sound staging.
Fantastic mids and highs.
Strong well controlled bottom end.
Fantastic resolving capabilities.

Weaknesses:
NONE!

Similar Products Used:
All previous VSM models.

System gear:

Merlin Music VSM MXE speakers.
Music Reference RM9SE power amp.
Joule Electra LA-150MK2 Line stage.
Audio Aero Capitole Classic SE CDP.
Equi-Tech Balanced Power units (2).
Cardas Golden Reference interconnects, power cords, and speaker cables.
JPS AC+ power cords.

room size: 19x13x12.

Skooks

Overall Rating
 5 of 5

Value Rating
 5 of 5

Used product for
Less than 1 month

Price Paid:  $0.00 from Merlin Music

Summary:
Merlin VSM-MXe Speakers — "Wow!!!" That's what I said after setting up these wonderful and beautiful speakers and listening for about one minute to a very familiar CD. I mean straight out of the box with only about 8 hours of playing time at the factory they simply overwhelmed me! Where have they been all my audiophile life? Why did I not find Bobby Palkovic's masterpiece before now?

How could he make this kind of music with two drivers in not so big, but absolutely drop-dead gorgeous piano black lacquered, cabinets, and an electronic box called a 'Super BAM'? I don't know! Wow!!! In my 50 years of putting systems together... including such speakers as double KLH-9 and Martin-Logan electrostatics... Fulton Premiers... the biggest of the Magneplaner speakers with the four bass panels... Wilson Watt Puppies with the Whow... and, on and on. Merlin VSM-MXe's are the BEST!

I've had them breaking in for 10 days now, and they have compelled me to listen to one favorite CD after another into the wee hours of the night. They are so musical! They have just the right texture... female vocals have that "slobber" factor... strings twang with all the nuances. They are coherent and transparent... and, oh so dynamic! The soundstage is deep and wide with the right height. And, when you close your eyes they simply disappear, leaving you with the people and the instruments performing right there in your living room. They make music!

Folks, don't ever listen to these speakers if you can't buy them... you will be sick until you can. Bobby, you did it!

I first purchased the Merlin TSM-MMe Monitors about one year ago after a respected dealer told me I should try them. I was totally satisfied with the sound, even though I was missing a little on the bottom end. They are the best monitor speakers I've ever had. But, I kept thinking, "If the TSM's are this good, how could the VSM's be so much better?" So, I just had to see... you know... the audiophile thing.

If you have never had Merlin speakers, the TSM's are a good place to start, and they will wet your appetite. But, just know that one day, as I was compelled to do, you will have to step up and get the big ones. They are complete! You will instantly hear what you have been missing in other speaker systems.

Now, I can sit back, relax, and enjoy the music. It's all there!

Strengths:
The best of sound... you hear it all. So romantic and musical. The cabinet work is beautiful. They set up easy and take up very little space. And, they are easy to drive with a good low to moderate powered tube amp. Last, but not least, you can talk to Bobby Palkovic and become acquainted with the inner workings of his creation. He is most enjoyable and informative.

Weaknesses:
I don't know of any weaknesses.

Similar Products Used:
I've mentioned some of them in the summary... but, really, too many to count.

Donaudio

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:
Finally Found Audio Nirvana: I have been an audiophile and music lover for about 60 years. The # of systems that I have had are too numerous to count, plus I go to the CES to hear all the high end systems. Live music concerts both classical and jazz are frequently attended. I discoverd Merlin speakers over 15 years ago and found their speakers to be extremely musical. I started with the 4B, then the Excaliburs then multiple iterations of the VSM. The latest, the VSM-MXe has surpassed all muy expectation of a speaker and I don't think I'll be looking for a new one for a long, long time. The other night I went to a concert for the 20 year memorium to Jaco Pastorius. The next day I played a couple of CD's of Jaco that I had picked up at the concert. It was the first time I had gone to a live concert and then wasn't disappointed listening to the CD's.
Associated equipment. Audio Aero Prima CDP, Joule Electra LAP 150 MKII preamp and Grand Marquis amps. Cardas Golden Reference cables. WTT with Benz cartridge.
Usual disclaimer: I have no connection to any audio manufacturer.

Strengths:
I am finally happy with my stereo system

Weaknesses:
None

Similar Products Used:
Many