Here are some of the reasons why I ordered a pair of Merlin TSM-XMr's from Bobby at Merlin:
1) Because I wanted a speaker that was superior to the higher end Focals, Magnepan 1.6 QR (which I owned), and yes....the very sweet Totem Ones. I heard the One's with much higher end associated gear VS. the TSM-MM's, and we still knew right away that the Merlin was better. The Ones were mated to Rega Saturn and CJ amp/pre. The Merlin sounded better and imaged the pants off of anything I've heard and that was with a fairly old Creek integrated amp!
2) Because I've rarely heard a speaker as tonally correct as the Merlin. Few speakers can touch the Merlins in that respect, but it's also important to note that few people can hear correct tone anyway. They become adept to hearing cohesive sound, detail and imaging, but few folks can tell when a speaker gets a piano "wrong." And it happens with MOST speakers. There are plenty of very good speakers (like the Ones) which are beautiful, yet tonally inferior to the Merlins. It's great to read Samac's comments reflect this so clearly.
3) The newer versions of the Merlins appear to be happy with a wider range of associated gear. When my Merlins arive I will test them with a Manley Stingray II, Emotiva XPA, Odyssey Stratos/Rogue Metis and a Denon receiver for good measure!
9rw absolutely "sounds" like he has an axe to grind in yet ANOTHER thread. Bobby upgrades his speakers and tweaks them. So what? The "old" versions sound FANTASTIC, so what's the issue? I also don't tantrum over associated gear. I use what I have and expand and experiment when I can. I'm looking forward to Halloween I guess, but I'm not so insecure as to be threatened if he builds a better speaker. I bought them to play music. When the XM-SE-LLAPD is released they'll STILL play music.
Samac, that was a solid review and it reflects in real world terms why the Merlins are so highly regarded. One guy chanting nonsense is not going to effect what essentially amounts to universal accolades for the TSM, but he can have fun trying.
PS: I dig the Ones. It's a solid design and some folks may prefer it over this or that. I find the Merlins to be superior in a very obvious way (for me), but I'm not going to bash Totem because they make a great product which appeals to different tastes.
Rob
1) Because I wanted a speaker that was superior to the higher end Focals, Magnepan 1.6 QR (which I owned), and yes....the very sweet Totem Ones. I heard the One's with much higher end associated gear VS. the TSM-MM's, and we still knew right away that the Merlin was better. The Ones were mated to Rega Saturn and CJ amp/pre. The Merlin sounded better and imaged the pants off of anything I've heard and that was with a fairly old Creek integrated amp!
2) Because I've rarely heard a speaker as tonally correct as the Merlin. Few speakers can touch the Merlins in that respect, but it's also important to note that few people can hear correct tone anyway. They become adept to hearing cohesive sound, detail and imaging, but few folks can tell when a speaker gets a piano "wrong." And it happens with MOST speakers. There are plenty of very good speakers (like the Ones) which are beautiful, yet tonally inferior to the Merlins. It's great to read Samac's comments reflect this so clearly.
3) The newer versions of the Merlins appear to be happy with a wider range of associated gear. When my Merlins arive I will test them with a Manley Stingray II, Emotiva XPA, Odyssey Stratos/Rogue Metis and a Denon receiver for good measure!
9rw absolutely "sounds" like he has an axe to grind in yet ANOTHER thread. Bobby upgrades his speakers and tweaks them. So what? The "old" versions sound FANTASTIC, so what's the issue? I also don't tantrum over associated gear. I use what I have and expand and experiment when I can. I'm looking forward to Halloween I guess, but I'm not so insecure as to be threatened if he builds a better speaker. I bought them to play music. When the XM-SE-LLAPD is released they'll STILL play music.
Samac, that was a solid review and it reflects in real world terms why the Merlins are so highly regarded. One guy chanting nonsense is not going to effect what essentially amounts to universal accolades for the TSM, but he can have fun trying.
PS: I dig the Ones. It's a solid design and some folks may prefer it over this or that. I find the Merlins to be superior in a very obvious way (for me), but I'm not going to bash Totem because they make a great product which appeals to different tastes.
Rob