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Upgrade from Merlin VSM-M to What?

I have a wonderfull pair of Merlin VSM-M speakers, but I want fuller range. I have the balanced/single ended battery bam and it does extend the bass, but not as low as some other full range speakers. I have been lead to believe that my Karan KA-i180 integrated amp could sound even better with fuller range speakers. I don't want to spend a bundle of money. I just purchased a Pioneer 5060HD plasma and my budget for speakers are $1000.00 more then I will get for my VSM-M's. So my hope is for used speakers costing between $4,000.00 - $4,500.00. My thoughts are toward Dunlavy or Eggleston. Shipping these speakers must be taken into account. I do have sub woofers, but don't use them. They are Velodyne servo 1200's. My integrated does not have preamp outs and I think using the subs x-overs in the speaker line would harm the sound.
stereo
bobbyapalkovic
729 posts
 
stereo,
i'll just bet that if you get the merlin/cardas jumpers for that speaker, you will have way better sound and a richer tonal balance. i will explain better when you call but if the jumpers you made use bigger than 15 gauge wire, the dc resistance will be too low going to the tweeter and it will play too loudly. this will shift the spectral balance point up. lighter bass will be the result.
give me a call and i'll get this a lot better for you after you answer a few questions.
regards,
bobby at merlin
shadorne's avatar
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shadorne
7,477 posts
 
I guess it depends what you mean by "fuller"....if you mean the sound you hear on the street from a souped up car stereo system then I think the Merlin's will disappoint you....but this sound is not accurate music anyway it is mostly all resonant harmonic distortion.

I suspect that the Merlin VSM-M is doing a fasntastic job especially with your amplifier.

Proper base will not be boomy and room shaking all the time...most often it should be tight accurate and lean ...it is rare that the source material is "boomy", "fat" or "full" sounding.

Try adjusting your speaker placement...remember you get bass cancellations from rear walls at anything less than 2.8 meters from a rear wall!

Try either very far or very close to the rear wall...and avoid corners.
swampwalker's avatar
swampwalker
5,138 posts
 
I will point out that the SuperBam has resulted in a significant increase in the bass. Speed, tightness and perceived extension. It was well worth the $. And if you are 2 hrs from NYC, you are probably 1/2 way to Merlin outside of Rochester.
fatparrot
1,314 posts
 
Stereo you state:
My music taste is old Genesis (pre 1977), Gentle Giant, Yes etc. (head music)
Some of the R&R mixes from this period SUCKED...maybe that's could be a factor. The problem exists on the original master tapes. I have Leon Russell's CARNEY on a DCC Gold CD [re-mastered by Steve Hoffman] The big hit "Tight Rope" was severely compressed; all of the other songs sound entirely different. Record labels would purposely compress songs on many albums if they intended to possibly release them as singles. Made them sound louder on cheap ass FM car stereos of the day [similar to Phil Spector's "wall Of Sound"...which sounds hideous on any decent stereo].

Try some known good recordings...ask for suggestions if you need!
stereo OP
147 posts
 
My speaker jumpers stink. They are larger then 15Ga.

The speakers are not bright, but smooth and detailed. When I used my Melos Audio separates (before the Karan) I was able to use the second set of pre outs to my subs. I did not own the VSM's at that time. I was using North Creek Rhythm speakers that I built, and my subs.

My favorite cd is Genesis Trick of the Tale. I know that the mix wasn't great, but some of that low keyboard bass was amazing. I am open for other suggestions. I also enjoy SuperTramp albums Breakfast in America (MFSL gold CD) and Crime of the Century.

I will try other interconnects. I have a pair of 2m Cardas Hex-5 I haven't tried. Gregg tried to talk me into his interconnecs. I should have listened.
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