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Focal Mini Utopia vs Merlin MXe

Is this a fair comparision(sound quality wise ignoring price)? Looking for comments from people who owned both speakers for good length of time. I own mini utopia and Quad 989s and love them both. Trying to simplify and get full range speaker which will better both mini and quads (bass, imaging, stage depth & width, seamless in crossover transition) for 50% jazz and 50% Classical. This is new system building so open for amplifiers choice but leaning towards Transendent sound OTL. Please keep this discussion limited to these two speakers. Space limitation is making me sell my quads. Thanks.
celestial_audio
reynolds853
388 posts
 
Sstalwar: One more thing: Upon reading your original post again, I realized that you were not clear if you were interested in Merlin TSM or VSM speakers. I had assumed that you were interested in the TSM speaker since you were considering the smaller Focal speakers. If you are indeed considering the Merlin VSM speakers, I have no experience with them but would certainly think they would be fine for orchestral music. So, please take my earlier comment about the TSM to be strictly limited to that speaker.

If I were considering speakers in the VSM price category, then I would certainly put the Silverline Bolero Supreme on my audition list.
celestial_audio OP
73 posts
 
Bought the Merlin VSM MXe speakers... Not received yet but very excited about the purchase. Firstly would like to thank all the members who guided me make the decision. Also, want to thank Bobby @ Merlin for spending time with me about related equipment matching etc. Picked up used Audio Aero Prima MK II CDP mainly at Bobby's rec. Would like to pair a TVC passive preamplifier (Bent Audio Tap X comes to mind) and an OTL amp (Atma or Transcendent sound). Other option is ARS integrated as we all know is also highly recommended by Bobby. Chime in with your thoughts....while I wait to set these up..
pubul57
3,712 posts
 
Love Bent-TAP, but not with Atma-sphere, the amp is not sensitive enough for a passive IMHO. What does work really well is a passive with the Music Reference RM10MKII ($1950 new, to $1,000 used). I had CAT JL2, Ars Sonum, Quicksilver, Music Reference RM9 & 10, and Pass XA30.5 and Aleph J with the MXe. To my ears, nothing beats the Atma-sphere M60s with the Atma-pre, but for a lot less money the RM10MKII is one hell of a great amp and it drives the Merlins beautifully with its 35 watts. If cash is no problem, Atma-sphere M60s with the MP3 is a world class combo with the Merlins (some prefer the Joule, but I think that is a matter of preference, and quite a bit more expensive than the Atma-sphere combo - though I do use a Joule LA150MKI Signature with my MR RM9s.
tabl10s's avatar
tabl10s
1,091 posts
 
'57,

What are your thoughts on the Master Bam/RC's?
pubul57
3,712 posts
 
I'm still waiting for them. I'm thinking 6-8 weeks more.
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