Gallo 3.5 vs Merlin VSM-MXe

Is the OP's room 12x12? If this is the case, that's too small for either the Merlin floorstanders or the Gallos. Not to mention identical dimensions that will cause havok in your end result...

The TSM or the Gallo Strada with a small sub would be far better matched to the room size IMHO.

Goatwuss, I disagree that the Merlin VSMs will not work in a 12' X 12' room. I use a pair in my second system, with tube amplification, in a 15' X 13' room - not far off from those dimensions.

The caveat I've found with this room is that speaker placement has proven far more critical than in the 26' X 17' room that houses my main system. But, with care, the end result can still be incredibly good.

if you treat the corners/ceilings for slap echos, carpet the floor, drape or damp the wall behind them and damp primary and immediate reflections on the sides the sound will be killer.
and a square can be turned into something other by firing the speakers down a diagonal.
did this at many shows with superb results.
this is a non issue.
imho.
looks a litle strange at first but...
b

"a square can be turned into something other by firing the speakers down a diagonal."

yes, good suggestion.

I ended up doing this to some extent to optimize in my 12X12 room with both monitors and more full range floor standers and the results in both cases are top notch. I would expect similar results with other designs as well, including either Merlin.

I have heard similar positive comments on this diagonal alignment over the years, but few folks seem to take this approach in anything but a dedicated listening room as might very have the lowest WAF in audiophilia.