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Tyler Signature System versus Merlin VSM-MM

For those who have compared these systems, I would be interested in comments.

Use is two channel, but surround speakers may be added using these as fronts for HT.

Room is 19x33. Listening positon is about 11-13 feet from 19ft wide wall. Total room volume is about 5000 cubic feet.

The room can eat low frequencies (basement with carpet, insulated walls and acoustic ceiling). If I do the HT, I definitely will be looking at a 15" or larger sub.

I have a pair to Tyler Taylo Reference Monitors in a small A/V setup and I like the sound for that purpose. They would be far short of the weight needed in the bigger room and lack the lower bottom end.

Amp is a Plinius 8200p (175 watts) and preamp is 20-year-old PS Audio which will be replaced. Arcam CD.

In the used market, the Merlins are slightly more expensive (roughly 4k vs 3K+). I tend to keep equipment a long time, so the price difference is not important.

I would be interested in comparisons. I'm in the Denver area and can't demo either system. My guess is that I would have to integrate a sub with Merlins based on what I have read.

The system will be on at all times since the the TV sound is run though it.

Thanks in advance.

Jerry
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bobbyapalkovic
729 posts
 
hi jerry,
and thank you for considering the vsm mm. your assumption is imho, correct. the volume of your room is a little on the large size and when you couple that with your listed ancillaries i think the tonal balance would be a on the light side for you. with less damped sounding electronics and cables you would definitely have a chance as my old demo room at the ces in vegas had 5280 cubic feet and there was plenty of bass extention and punch imho. a sub with second or fourth order slope potential is advised.
good luck,
bobby at merlin
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jerrym303 OP
54 posts
 
Dave,

Thanks for your extensive observations. I was hoping that someone had heard both.

The easy thing is to go with what is familiar, the Tylers, but I want to make the right choice. I tend to keep key equipment for ten years or more.

If I were not already planning on a sub or two, the Tylers would be the choice since Merlins + sub(s) would cost quite bit more. But, I already planned on a sub for HT purposes, so is not such a big cost difference.

Bobby, I was thinking about a tube preamp to replace the PS Audio if I can get comfortable with the tube replacement cost since the sytem would be on all of the time. Is the Plinius a bad choice with a tube preamp and the Merlins?

Thanks,

Jerry
cruz123
585 posts
 
Dave, just curious - approximately how small was the "smallish room" you reference?

Thanks
evita
112 posts
 
Dave put it perfectly. And Bobby, well, his words are nothing but golden if you ask me. Did anyone ask me?

To my ear, the Merlins are more refined sounding than the Tylers, with a masterful presentation of the music. However, they will not fill your room as well.

Some other options in your price range:
Silverline Sonata II (used about $2600), and they use the SEAS drivers like the Tylers
Von Schweikert VR4 GenIII SE (used about $3800). They go real low, have an adjustable tweeter, and are phenomenal speakers.

Best of luck.
bartokfan
664 posts
 
"Merlin's more refined sound"
Exactly how do you define "refined"?
Cuase the Seas' speakers I have sound quite refined(fidelity=true to the exact image placed on the original medium of recording.)
The B&W's I had were "grainy, rough, smoky, fatiguing and voices barked" in comparison. But more importantly with the Seas, vocals sound as realistic as if you are at a live show.
Just what Jerry says he's after.
If Merlin manufacture wishes to challenge my beliefs, they have the opportunity to ship me the speakers and I'll be glad to conduct a fair comapre with the Seas.
I'll even meet them on half ship costs.
Any takers?
In fact I'll pay half ship for any speakers that wish me to make a compare to the Seas.
Any takers?
I'm planning a visit to a Tyler ower in Jackson Mississippi in mAy to hear his System's 2, a Seas T25/W18/W22.
At which point I can make a few comments on Ty's work.
Maybe in the summer I'll make a visit to Ty's studio in Kentucky. I want to hear the 3 way with the W26. But not sure why Ty's uses the inferior Scan Speak tweet in that speaker.

Paul
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