GMA Callisto VS. Merlin TSM

This post might be too late for Minbean now but I thought that I'd post it anyway - I visited the Green Mountain Audio factory in CO & heard the Callistos mounted on Skylan 24" sand-filled stands. The source was a Sony CDR (forget the model #), the DAC+pre was a modified Birdland Odeon-Lite, the power amp was a $2500 stereo Edge & all cabling was Virtual Dynamics Master series.

I can tell you that the Callisto stands up to all the hype that I have read about that speaker! The sound thru this system (modest by many of us' means) was simply superb! The factory listening room was nothing to to write home about but it was treated in the critical areas (ASC tube trap between the speakers + along the 1st reflection points, absorbers behind the speaker) but still the sound was extremely dynamic, transparent, clear & most of all the music had soul to it. Such good sound in such modest settings - to me, it felt that the speaker had removed the speaker-room equation. Common sense prevailed in setting up the speaker (proper separation, correct height, not too close to the back+ side walls & 100 hrs of burn-in) & not much more.
We played a variety of music & the speaker's characteristics did not change, the image remained locked at ear-eye level.
One of the most fascinating things was how much bass that little 6.5" woofer put out! On several notes I could hear it resonate in my chest! Totally unprepared for that! There is a dual down-firing port that is partially responsible for this bass + of course, the speaker engineering. The bass was distinctly ported (vs. sealed) but I'm happy to report that there was no overhang (something I was very antsy about before I heard the speaker).
Even if it is for grins, Minbean, do listen to the Callistos. They just sound right all the way & with any music. A speaker for all seasons!

try a fine stranded copper like audience au24s.
you'll love them.
b

"Such good sound in such modest settings - to me, it felt that the speaker had removed the speaker-room equation"
It has been minimized via physics. One of the great things about GMA speakers is that they sound good with most any amplifier. I agree with Bombaywalla, at least LISTEN to the Callisto in your room. It will take a few days to get used to the time/phase coherence of the product (after all, you've spent a lifetime hearing non time/phase aligned speakers) but once you do, you'll likely never go back to high order speakers again. I never dreamed that the crossover was screwing up so much in speakers I had previously owned and listened to. Minbean you should read the design concepts pages on the GMA website. VERY informative even if your NOT buying GMA speakers, you'll learn plenty about design. Might help you in your future purchases. Good luck.

"REMARKS : It is extremely transparent/sensitive and very picky for recording. I am going to try different phono stages and cables to make it more forgiving for some situations I have to play lower-fi recordings"
Minbeam, those words you wrote struck a nerve. The ability to play and enjoy ANY recording is one of the primary advantages of time/phase aligned speakers. I no longer have un-listenable or un-enjoyable recordings in my collection since purchasing the GMA speakers.

The ability to play and enjoy ANY recording is one of the primary advantages of time/phase aligned speakers. I no longer have un-listenable or un-enjoyable recordings in my collection since purchasing the GMA speakers.

Exactly.