B&W Sig. 805 and Merlin TSM

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

I haven't heard the Sig 805, but for the most part am not a fan of the B&W house sound (I've owned several of their speakers over the years).

I have been using Merlin TSM-MX's in my HT with phantom center and ACI Titan II subs. As someone said earlier, the midrange reproduction and coherance is simply outstanding. It becomes immediately obvious when you hear dialogue and hand clapping on them vs. most others, in my case various Paradigm Reference, Reimer, and Odyssey's. It just sounds more real on the TSM's. I also found we enjoy them from most any reasonable listening position, which is very important in HT application.

I am using somewhat modest components and cables (Arcam AVP700/P1000, Straightwire/Better Cables)in this rig vs. my 2-channel and found that the midrange and overall tonal rightness is still there. Putting Cardas power cords on them helped alot with this. The TSM's will also make the most of whatever great associated gear give you choose to dish out, but bad gear isn't smoothed over by them either.

For whatever reason, for cabling, copper/litz flavors work much better than silver/solids, keeping the tonal balance more intact. Bobby can tell you what works and what doesn't very quickly, mainly because he's heard so many combo's and is so interactive with his customer base.