Can you get "bookshelf sound" from a floorstander?

05-21-09: Tvad
My second reaction is to wonder if you have matched any of the 16 pairs of
speakers with an optimal amplifier. Some of the qualities you describe as
unsatisfactory (brightness, for example) can often be attributed to tonal
imbalance due to the speaker being driven by an amplifier that does not
produce midrange and bass decibel levels in balance with the highs.

And also room treatment and placement. Eyediver's dismissive summary of the Mirage OM-5 bi-polar speaker (which he mistakenly called an Ohm 5 dipole) indicates he may not be spending enough time with each speaker to assess proper tuning and placement. Reviews of the OM-5 indicated it needed at least a 16x18 room to not overload it, and needs a listening spot at least 8-10 feet away to get the tonal focus that the speaker can offer.

I've responded to many of you in the other post.
Again: http://forum.audiogon.com/cgi-bin/fr.pl?cspkr&1242945815

I wonder if Eyediver is gaining anything toward narrowing his speaker search from this discussion between Bobbyapalkovic and 9rw?

as usual, the venerable Tvad has made an excellent point. At least Mr. T has not jumped in..

Yeah, where's Mr. T when you really need him? He can derail a thread with the best of them. But then his threads are derailed from the beginning.

Eyediver is learning that some people take this very seriously, as they should considering the kind of investment that can be involved. Besides, I think his question has already been answered.

tvad, eyedriver had already started a different string so i did not see the harm in going on with 9rw.
9rw, many in audio that think they have a benchmark design take it as far as they can to really refine it. how many watt puppys and vandersteen 2's have there been thus far.
the merlin vsm has been made for 15 years and there have been 7 generational changes during that time. many thousands of pairs have been built and sit in their homes around the world. countless great show reports, reviews, manufacturer recommendations/usage and most importantly, sales, have prolonged the life of this now, mature product.
i am very proud of it because it is my life's work. i do not take kindly to having a person who had owned a pair 10 years ago imply that they are the same today without even hearing them. does that sound fair to you? it seems very few share your opinion of the vsm and in fact, there are more great reviews coming from europe where they have all of the product we have here and more. i'll tell you what, read http://merlinmusic.com/reviews/ital_tsmmme.htm
because this was just published and if you get back to me without the "i know better than you attitude", i may be able to find the time to tell you what we have changed. but i will not take the time to try and explain something to a person who already has preconceptions about it. i say this because it will take some time to do. in fact why not call me at the plant this weekend at 585 367 2390. i will be there every day.
best, b