All Merlin family members.

kyyuan, I think 8' is too wide. I used to think 8' was great - great width, depth,..... but I then moved them to 6' width, and moved my listening chair to 10' back with the alignment to the ears via the alignment gig/tool; wow........ The stage increased all around, width, depth, height, - in fact the soundstage is the widest it has ever been (depending on the recording - say a good symphony, let alone Miles KOB, a 13'-15' wide stage is regular here). With the older SE's no less (not MX's). the air of the soundstage engulfs me as well (not like a wall of sound you are seperate from, but rather included in). Better bass this way too, with centerfill, palpable players well outside the speakers, great rear corner depth(with the seating position moved back to 10') Now, I use a Joule Pre and Blue Circle amps, both through huge soundstages as well (in addition the Merlins setup well and room treated with RoomTunes). I couldn't believe it, but what the Merlins seem to do is throw a circular sound bubble - 6' apart with your seat 8-10' back, allows the stage to come together in a more complete manner, walls dissappear, as well as allows the sound to become more full/complete as well. They are not nearfield small room speakers imho.

Bobby told me that VSMs should ideally be 7.5' or more apart and at least 9.5' from the listening position. I have tried them in other positions and conclude that in my room, pinpoint imaging is still possible and embodiment is improved when the speakers are 8' apart. My room is 16'x16'x8'H; I believe this is about the smallest room that allows you to adhere to the above guidelines, while bringing the speakers out from the front wall as needed to produce a reasonably deep soundstage. But I'm sure the VSMs sound good in smaller rooms as well.

Dave

Maybe different rules for different room size.

hi gentlemen,
i prefer the speakers at 6 to 6.5 feet apart and listened to at 9 1/2 feet or more. you can listen wider apart or closer to them but they respond best not too far apart and listened to further away. they are designed with their power response, not nearfield on axis. dave is getting away with a farther distance apart because of his electronic's perspective and silver cabling. if he wants more depth the perceived width must equal the perceived depth and that won't happen at 8 feet. i like drapes on the wall behind them but that is my taste. corner tunes and damping the immediate and primary reflection points for a smallish room too.
regards,
bobby@merlin

Thanks Bobby...that answered all of my questions.