Subwoofers and Merlins

maria,
forgive me for asking but do you know first hand that you will need a sub with the vsm mxes or are you assuming you will?
the vsm mxe sounds much more room filling and tonally fleshed out than the mx and earlier models.
best,
b

Bobby,
No I do not know first hand nor am I assuming I'll need a sub. I am just gathering opinions for personal knowledge from folks here who have definatative and time tested experience with a product I am interested in.

Also, since i currently own monitors, one of the places I am interested in going with my system is a subwoofer and possibly the merlins, so I was wondering how the sub I may soon own would integrate with a future speaker change.

Currently, I do not own a pair of Merlins.

I've just received a pair of TSM-MXe's and a Rel R-205. I extremely pleased with the acoustic match and aesthetically they match well too.

I run the Xover at its lowest point (25hz @12dB), the Subs volume is set fairly low, and it is hooked up via the high level speakon input.

The little Merlin's have astounding low frequency coherency and a surprising amount of bass output (relatively speaking of course, it is a small speaker). No doubt due to the acoustic suspension enclosure and meticulous voicing.

In all, I am very pleased with both.

Maria, my interest in the Fathom was stimulated by praise in TAS & Stereophile by reviewers well versed in the Velodyne DD.

After all is said & done the question is whether you and your room really want bass foundation below 30Hz. Current VSMs are convincing down into low 30's, but if you fancy a kick drum in the solar plexus you won't get it without a sub.

Dgarretson, yes that is the question isn't it?! Thanks!