Merlin TSM comparisons

I currently have the Merlin TSM-mme. I have had these since September 09, and prior to that I had the TSM.

Here is what I have owned in the past and/or compared to, Dynaudio Special 25, Magnepan 3.6, Linn Ninka, Magnepan 1.6, Quads, McIntosh XLS320's, Dynaudio Contour 1.4, Audio Physic Tempo, Audio Physic Spark, Ohm walsh 4's.

All of the above are excellent speakers and well made. However it is the Merlins that have stayed and I have no desire to sell or trade. They disappear in my room, the music has a resolution I could not get with the other brands. One might have sensational sound on violins but sound like a cardboard box on a bass drum and so forth.

Only you will be able to determine what sounds good to you and fits your aesthetics and budget. But I can enthusiastically recommend the Merlin monitors. Well worth their price!

Thanks for that, hififile! Interesting that you, too, had Ohms. I had the walsh 100s for about a year and ultimately moved on to monitors. The reviews on the TSMs are so universally ecstatic that I'm curious about them!

IMO, Merlins are not like other speakers. They don't do high SPL's, they don't have great bass, they don't have that precise, studio-monitor type sound like some Dynaudios or Totems. They "need" tube amplification, so part of that sound may be using tubes instead of SS.

I enjoyed my TSM-M's immensely during the 2-3 years I had them, when I had a tube power amp. But I always felt that they were missing certain qualities, & I sold them & bought Totem Mani-2's (& a SS amp).

But if you're into tubes, & can score a pair of used TSM's at a good price, I'd say go for it.....I don't regret the time I spent with my TSM's for a second.....just depends on what kind of sound you want.

From what I've read and from conversations with Bobby Palcovic, the mmi's are in a different league than the mme's: more room filling and more solid state friendly, for what that's worth.

I have to agree with Steveaudio. After the TSM I had Usher and Volent monitors and the latter are here to stay. The Merlins are good speakers...but equipment matching is very critical. Ultimately they were just not for me...but ears vary so use yours to be the judge.

Cheers