Merlin TSM comparisons

It's just a type of crossover, I'm sure Fritz can explain that better than I can. Lots of info if you search 'series crossover' on Google too.

Hi Rebbi.

You gotta tell us what aspect of the sound you think you are missing still or can do better with that attracts you towards the Merlins?

I am off the opinion still that no mini monitor can do it all at a realistic scale. Add a good sub, then perhaps, and the choice of viable monitors goes way up depending on preference.

04-24-10: Rebbi
I think that the LSA1 Statement deserves a serious look by anybody looking at monitors in the under $3K range. Very, very musical, detailed yet non fatiguing, sweet top end from that ribbon tweeter, precise imaging, huge soundstage and remarkable bass extension. Mine are not nearly broken in yet, but I'm loving them! :-)

Posted by rebbi (A) on May 09, 2010 at 11:55:58
Hi,
On the strength of everything I've read about the Merlin TSM mini-monitor, I ordered a pair last week. I've read extensively here from a number of Merlin threads, but was wondering if any of you have heard the latest iteration, the TSM-mmi? No local dealers in Texas, so mine are on order from Merlin, and I should have them in about 5 weeks. Can't wait!

What happened to the LSA1 Statement love affair?

Rebbi, if it's any consolation, Vegas was only giving you small odds of sticking with the long shot LSAs.

Vegas odds on you are running significantly higher regarding the Merlins! These seem to be a big hit with many!

I'm going to clarify why I sold my LSA1 Statements -- if only because people making equipment choices use these threads to help figure things out, and I don't want them to draw the false conclusion that I was unhappy with the Statements.

I really do love the LSA1 Statements, and continue to think that they're wonderful (for all the reasons I've already posted) and really quite a steal at the current street price. They sounded better at 50 hours than they had out of the box and no doubt would have sounded even better at 200 hours, as LSA suggests. I got a lot of pleasure from them -- to my ears, they're the best sounding speakers, for my tastes and listening room, that I've ever owned. And I'd have kept them long term, all things being equal. The experience also convinced me that my heart and brain prefer the "conventional" imaging and presentation of a forward firing speaker to the pseudo-omni presentation of speakers like my old Ohms, as striking as it can be.

Anyway,I'd read a lot about the Merlin TSM's as I was considering what monitor to buy, and was quite interested in them, but at their list price, they were out of my league. However, I lucked into a great deal on a pair, and decided to take a gamble on them. Will I like them more than the LSA's? Dunno! I may be looking back here for a used pair of LSA's in 6 months if it doesn't work out. ;-)

But I'm determined to give the Merlins all the time they need to break in, and if they're as stellar as the pro and amateur reviews suggest, I'm in for a treat.

By the way, it occurs to me that there's somewhat of a similarity between Merlin and Ohm. Both are made in the USA by small companies, and both reflect the vision of a single designer, refined repeatedly over an extended period of time.

In any case, my hope is to be done with the speaker merry-go-round for quite a while. It's making me crazy, and I'm embarrassed to be on a first name basis with the guys at the UPS store. ;-)

Peace...