Zu Definition 1.5 vs Merlin VSM-MXe


Hi,

My first post...i am looking for what may be my last speaker purchase for a while.

I wonder if someone has been able to compare the sound of these speakers?

I know the Merlin VSM-MM sound and have heard it with the Berning Otl..i like it a lot but wondered about the Zu and like its design.

Any comments would be greatly appreciated!

Patrick
patrick_321
hi patrick,
it would be helpful to inform the group what sized room you would be listening to the speakers in as they would sound their best in different volumes. it appears that you are willing to try different amps to better suit the speakers you choose which is a very good thing. they will both sound their best with very different ancillaries because of their particular design concept.
thank you,
bobby at merlin
I don'tthink the Zus are as good with classical,but blues/rock is fine.
Tpsonic (System | Threads | Answers)

How did you come by this information? I also own Definition Pros and I would dispute your assertion. In my experience, they aren't limited in any way.

Speakers are transducers, just like microphones and phono cartridges. All they do is convert energy from one form to another. None of these devices distinguishes one kind of music from another. They don't even differentiate between music and other noises, like rap.

By the way, the Definition 1.5 that you asked about is basically the same design as the Definition Pro. The principle difference between the two models is the 1.5 has powered woofers and the Pro is set up for biamplification and equalized bass response. The cabinet and driver configuration are indentical.
Macro,
Conspicuous by its' absence is Tpsonics' response to the questions I asked. I also sent a private email and received nothing.
Hmm.. Well this is interesting.. I do have to go on record, you can call me nuts, but if in anyway the Zu's with a total of 12, 10" drivers cannot reproduce the explosive transients of a classical recording with ease, over a sytem with a total of 2, 6.5" drivers than there are serious problems here. Anyhow, fact is the Definition's soundstage suffers due to the super stiff drivers for the first 300 hours.. Okay maybe 200 hours. This is the only reason anyone would think they don't grasp the sound or something is funny in the begining. They sound a bit compressed and disconnected, virtually like if you were to hook a standard dynamic drive speaker like the merlin up out of phase on accident. There is nothing to get use to in the Zu's sound, they do no miracles they sound just like any speaker and mostly better once they open up and are matched correctly to the right front end.

Beyond that I agree with the above that you could not pick a more different design, but not necessarily a more different sounding speaker.. Only thing they have in common is the price point. Which one represents better value and realistic sound? Well that will be up to you to get a hold of a pair of each. You say that you have heard the merlins lower tier, well my suggestion is take advantage of Zu's 90 day trial, cause you are spending a lot of money, and if you feel they are a step in the right direction over what you remember in the merlins, than make a decision based on your likes and dislikes.. Bottom line they will not totally open up without a good 2 weeks of at least 8 hours a day of music signal. Just run them at a normal level while your out to work or something, this is the only advise I can give.