Merlin VSM-M and Bass

Hi David,
You must use the BAM to get get a proper integration of the sub to the VSM. The BAM offers a steep cut at 30 Hz which you will cross the sub into at 12 or 24 dB (your choice). The 12 dB peroctave slope will result in more overlap at the crossover point so the sound will be fuller in your large room. This may be preferable to you.
Without the BAM, there is no chance of summing the sub and VSM outputs correctly. Crossing the sub above 30 Hz will unweight the wonderful tonal balance of the VSM M so I do not recommend this either. Some experimentation will be necessary for you to dial this in but this is your easiest path and least expensive path.
In a purist sense, your wires (Beldon) and pre offer up a presentation that is somewhat stipped in the bass. This lack of fullness is more obvious because of the VSM's high degree of resolution. Going this route will cost more but will probably make you much more happy in the end. The speakers have a really big bass but you need the associated equipment to be tonally neutral enough to be able to perceive this.
Hope that I have helped.
Bobby@merlin

Bobby,

Thank you for the incredible customer support. Just a note to fellow Audiogon members, Bobby and I had a long talk about the bass issue that I have in my room and he took the time to tell me more in detail the advice he has given above. Outstanding service.

i successfully used a passive x-over provided by TG audio to roll the VSMs off at @ 100hz (first order if memory serves) and let the subs i was using (entec LF20s) run full range (natural roll off @ 100hz).

when i had both TG audio and BFS revier MGDwulf over, both thought it was seamless. and it was good enough for me. this may work for you as well...but get a damn good x-over to roll off the mains (its a passive RCA input x-over similar to the ones available via audioc.com, but using MUCH better parts)...

Thank you all for your responses. Just for closure sake, I am going to mentioned what happened this weekend. I had the Revel F30 hooked up to the equipment listed above and again, the bass was better (more "present")than I remembered for the Merlins (about 150 Hz and below - I have the Stereophile Test Disc #3). I then hooked up the Merlins almost in the same manner that I had before (biwired, same placement, etc.), however, this time I actually installed the cones instead of just the threaded spikes and had let the BBAM charge for a few days while listening to the Revels (although I only listened prior in full AC mode). No other changes that I can think of. I used a couple of CD/SACDs that I am familiar with that had some good bass and, long story short, there it was! It was as though I had the VSM's wired out of phase before and now wired correctly. I was originally looking at purchasing the REL Strata III (another ~$1000), but am not now as the bass can tunefully rattle the room when it is there on the disc. The music lover in me doesn't care why this happened (break-in, cone installation, incorrectly wired(?)) but is happy. The audiophile in me will try and figure out why. The BBAM was used all the time (prior and now) in the full AC mode to ensure that the batteries were not drained.

Count me as another Merlin happy camper.

Regards,

Hi David

I noticed quite an improvement in bass energy by doing something so seemingly simple as the 6th toe mod. Instead of the z foot front and center the two feet are mounted left and right with the rear center. This rather than four feet. The bass improvement was just amazing for such a minor change.