Merlin TSM-MM vs. Tyler Reference Monitor

Cruz123,

BTW: I really like your setup. I just upgraded from a Cary 308 CD player to a SONY SCDXA777ES. I was looking for a 308T but could not find one in my price point when it was time to buy. However, no regrets with the Sony.

Chris

Chris' comments on the Taylos sensitivity ratings are rather interesting... I have a room of similar volume (14X16), and when I was running them as my fronts they could easily be powered by even a Sonic Impact T-amp that puts out about 10 watts into 8 ohms... I guess it depends on how loud you play the music (in my case about 85db)... I would say the claimed 88db efficiency rating by Tyler was spot-on accurate, and that the Taylos are about an average speaker load to drive. Just a differing opinion for what it is worth...

As for how Merlins compare against the Taylos... I would say it is a difficult call... I love them both, and would be quite happy with either (so it would probably come down to cost and looks). It really is a matter of personal taste... I would recommend you audition them both and make your own decision... As an aside, now that Tyler has home auitions, it is a lot easier to give their speakers a try before commiting to purchase.

BTW: Loved the sound of those GPHs when I heard them recently Chris... Very nice indeed. :-)

---Dave

There was a thread at one point here about the Tylos' bass being "missing in action", you might want to search. Many sing the praises of the Tylers, but for whatever reason, I never got them to work well in my system. Totem Model Ones sounded much nicer in my room, I could never quite get away from the alloy cone sound signature from the Tylers. (At least thats what I thought I was hearing.) This is just my experience and as you know lots of listeners love the Tylers so take it with the prerequisite grain of salt. As for the Totems which I really love, although I found they wanted lots of power my friend who has them now gets great results with his Bedini 25x25.
Good luck Cruz.

Drseid,

That is great that you are getting better results with the Tylers. Thanks for the Kudos on my speakers as well. I think I have read some of your posts. I started with great results with my Taylos as I had an Electrocompaniet ECI-3 integrated amp (70WPC). Then upgrading to the SLI-80 just did not do the trick with Tylers where I thought it would.

The 40WPC of the Cary was just not enough. I listen at medium to medium loud volumes, not terribly loud. I do turn it up on occasion when the mood strikes me but you would just tell it did have enough juice. Well, being the Audio/Music Addict I am, I sold them and went back to the Sonus Faber and have not looked back.

The Tylers are nice speakers and Ty is certainly a gentleman. However, with the SLI-80, I would suggest going another route speaker wise.

Chris

Cruz123, I have Taylo Refs on the way that will be used with a 40W Primaluna. I'll post comments and room dimensions/info if you would like. The speakers on the way are used and broken in. I do not believe the idea that any speaker must be better because it costs more is sound advice but maybe I am wrong.