B&W Sig. 805 and Merlin TSM

Yes,the Signatures are much better than the CDM1NTs.The new 805S are better than the Nautilus 805,but not as good as the Signatures.The 705 beats the old Nautilus 805...and so on and so forth.

S7horton,hearing the Merlins is nothing,"living" with them,is what is special.I know,I listen to them every day ...

James is thinking in the right direction.Although, I would think stereo,instead of 5.1,but thats my opinion,only.

I have listened to the new 805S 's for close to two hours. The Merlin TSM-MX's are better in nearly all respects. I have not listened, yet, to 805 Signatures, but I'm told the 805S's are a poor man's 805 Sig, and that the sound is the same or close, but that the Sig has the better finish. If so, the Merlins are better.

Most versions of 805 I have heard and the Merlins cut off bass extension at similar levels. I've heard 805's image well, although Merlins are better here. Niether have a decisive edge in dynamics. But where the Merlin TSM's really pull away from the 805's is in the accuracy of midrange reproduction. (Also the coherency of the midrange and the highs.)

I compared the VSM-MMs and the Nautilus 801s...With the exception of absolute bass extension, the merlins were truly in another league. There was nothing, with the exception of low end extension that the N801s did better, or even nearly as good as, the merlins. Low end extension aside, the VSM-MMs bass was MUCH more articulate and detailed.

I also compared the merlins to the N805s, and I found the N805s unlistenable in comparision. I haven't heard the Sig 805s or the TSM series of merlins, but based on my observation and experience with the VSM-MMs and the N801s, I wouldn't hesitate to go with the Merlins over the Sig805s.

Bobby,

Wow, the man himself responding to my thread! I have a meridian 568 pre/pro and am moving up from a rotel amp to a cary cinema 5 as we speak. My cables for L,C,and R are audioquest as are my interconnects. For my rears I use copper that I can run under carpet.

JWH

hi jwh,
i think you are moving in the right direction but i think it would be best if you call me at 585 367 2390 during business hours (9 to 5, est) or e-mail me a bobby@merlinmusic.com to discuss cabling and set up to a greater degree. if you make the change, i just want you to be happy.
regards,
bobby@merlin