Merlin vsm question

Indeed the Merlins are intended for tubes. So much so that at one point Bobby had a "tube" version and and "ss" version of the speaker. To me, the Merlins are unforgiving in the sense that they will let you hear your amp and it doesn't candy-coat (maybe to strong a word), put a great tube amp in front of the Merlin and you will get balanced sound. SS has always been a bit problematic for some listeners. Besides the impedance issues with SS versus tubes, the Merlin speakers do not need very much dampening from an amplifier, again, ideally suited for tube amplifiers that most users will us with the Merlins. Love ProAcs too. But that's why there are different products on the market. For me the Merlin is the speaker of choice for two-way speakers and the coherency of that, with enough bass to feel like you are getting a three-way level of bass for most music.

stereo, imho the vsm mme/sbam is much more room filling and dynamic than the m version. imo, they sound very good with solid state and better with a good quality tube amp.
these speakers like amplifiers with less damping and feedback because they are filtered from playing out of band energy below 28 hz. this keeps the woofer in linear drive much more of the time and at a louder levels. the m was more of a single ended tube speaker because that was my reference at the time, the synergy was right.
now i use different amplifiers in r+d so the speakers exhibit a fuller tonal picture. i do understand your lean comment.
best, b

I started with the VSM-MM and a solid state amp. I upgraded to the “e” version (lead free) and the super BAM. After these upgrades I went to the tubed Filarmonia int amp. Each of these upgrades resulted in a noticeably fuller and more relaxed presentation. The bass became more pronounced and better balanced. In the beginning I thought the speakers were a little “lean” and sterile but now I am very happy with them. The speakers are very detailed and are sensitive to any changes in the chain. I have not heard the VR3. Try to start at highest point in the Merlin chain with the super Bam and “e” version.
Good listening