Merlin VSM-M and Bass

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.

David informed me that he was just using the threaded point without the jam nut and the rest of the cone assembly. The lack of bass is understandable when you consider that the increased sheering potential virtually destroyed the dynamic coupling of the speaker to the floor. A properly designed speaker foot is rigid to pass built up energy from the speaker cabinet into the earth. With the point just screwed into the fastener on the bottom of the speaker, the energy could not pass through the spike as a drain. The build up of energy within the cabinet heightened the cabinet resonance and cancelled some of the bass energy. Just using the point with a jam nut is not enough because the resonant frequency of this combination is very high and you will hear this in the speaker's reproduction. The entire cone assembly must be used to damp the foot. This results in a single digit resonant frequency which is too low to hear. The result is a much fuller and relaxed presentation which David noted. Using the battery ops in the BAM will also provide the listener with a more relaxed and full presentation than the AC mode. This speaker's degree of resolution will show up seemingly insignificant issues and make them extremely audible. So, some of the procedures taken for granted with other speakers need to be paid attention to here. The more you do this, the better the end result.
One last thing, Tubegroover mentioned a sixth toe mod. This was done to David's speakers but for those of you that have not done it, the difference in bass quantity and impact is remarkable.
Bobby@merlin

I got the 6th toe mod and my bass is absolutely great. But on only 3 spikes the speakers tend to want to tip over. I have had two different heart attacks as my 5 year old inadvertently brushed the side of the speaker hard enough to actually knock the speaker down onto it's side. Fortunately the speaker has landed solidly on it's side on the carpet both times and has sustained zero damage. Will I loose a lot by going to a more stable 4 Z foot setup? BTW, time can stand still as you watch your VSM slowly fall sideways as my 5 year old looks on with horror.

Hi Tom,
The speakers will sound very full and natural even with the four feet used. The bass will not be quite as extended or as punchy but it will still sound wonderful and keep you happy knowing that your little one and the speakers will be more safe. By the way, are you on concrete or wooden flooring?
Regards,
Bobby