Merlin VSM or Revel Performa F52

Another vote for the Merlin's. I have the VSM-MX's with the Merlin center channel and I could not be happier. Fantastic presentation, a fanatical attention to detail and the best customer service in the business. Let your ears decide and the choice should be clear (pardon the pun).

Alright, by popular vote (7-0), Merlin it is. I can only imagine how those SACD's will sound on a 5 speakers Merlin system.

Maybe I will even switch to copper foil speaker cable, like Goertz MI-2. The foil trick dramatically lowers the cable impedance at the expense of capacitance.

Many say that with these kind of cables your ears don't need break-in anymore. However, the Zobel network at the speaker end has to be adjusted accordingly. Apparently Goertz's free Zobel network uses two 5.1 ohm resistors in series with a 0.1uF capacitor, which is not correct.

If you're happy w/ the ML subs and can get them to integrate well, I can't imagine choosing the Revels. From 50ish hz on up, the VSM strike me as damn near SOTA. Below that threshold, their performance is much more dependant on the room. The revels are finw speakers, but their primary advantage (in some rooms) is more energy in the bottom octave and a half. With subs in the system, that becomes moot. If you're going to kill the subs for 2 channel use then you have a more meaninful choice and auditioning would quickly highlight the differences between the speakers in "full range mode".

Best of luck,

Marty

cb,
before you do anything about cables, listen to what you have on them and or, speak to me please...
make no assumptions about what will work because you may end up making a mistake and costing you time and money.
all merlin speakers come with an rc network specially designed for the speaker and its specific needs. it is to be used only if the amp is not terminated with a zobel. i also suggest that you use the supplied jumpers made of crossfield litz, copper o ring connectors and lead free construction for best results with my rc on afterwards.
if you use the speakers the way they were designed to be used you can expect an easy time of it with the appropriate results but once you start changing critical things, i can no longer guarantee the results.
call me please.
regards,
bobby