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Merlin VSM MXr vs Thiel 2.4 vs Dynaudio C1

Hi, I got a lot of good recommendations from viewers of my other thread "Best speaker under $3K". I wonder if I stretch my budget to around $4K- used, what would be the choice?

A few people mentioned the Dynaudio Confidence C1, Merlin, Thiel, etc. Anyone have experience with these fine speakers? How would you differ them?

FYI, I listen to a variety of musics - orchestra, chamber, vocals(female and male), jazz, pop songs,etc and prefer natural, accurate, musical sound with smooth treble and good bass as well as excellent sound stage and imaging.

I had experience listening the Vandersteen 5A and was very impressed by the dynamics and details it rendered. But it's way beyond my reach.

Realistically, I would consider the few candidates mentioned above and maybe the Reference 3A Veneer. My listening room is about 13 x 15 x 9.

Thanks for your help.
r0817
jamesw20
270 posts
 
Wow, merlin is a poor speaker for female vocals? Not to be sarcastic but have you ever heard them or read these forums. Yes, I do own them. With appropriate mating of equipment, which is true for all speakers, they are nearly the best one can buy for vocals. Given, the lowest octaves for full symphonic works might be a little light but thats one uninformed comment you got there.
pubul57
3,712 posts
 
Stringreen may have heard the Merlins, but he does seem to hear them
differently than most. Perhaps personal taste or something, after all, I heard
most Thiels and Dynaudios and unhesitatingly preferred the Merlins - which is
why I bought them, must be the Dynaudio Esotar tweeter. That being said
these are all very fine speakers, but the Merlin will certainly be the easiest to
drive, especially if you want to use a tube amp, can't imagine too many tube
amps able to handle the Thiels (maybe something like a CAT JL2).
xti16
1,525 posts
 
Rhmmmm & R0817
FWIW In July I took the 'plunge' and upgraded my cherry C1's to the C1 signature in mocha (I found a pair of black/chrome stands too). I never thought the C1's could be improved on but Dynaudio sure did. With MKII/Signature the bass is a little tighter and the mids are clearer. They also sound better at lower volumes. I also use a Rel B3 sub. The sub isn't necessary but for the few times that lowest octave is on the recording it sure is nice. It also adds to the mids and improves the sound stage. And yes I do listen without the sub on occasion.

R0817 I know the MKII's are beyond your budget and believe me the original C1's are a great sounding speaker. Honestly if you have a dealer where could hear them that would be your best bet because it is your ears and money regardless of which speaker you choose.
stringreen's avatar
stringreen
6,468 posts
 
Pubul57...Putting Michelin tires on a Prius, does not make it a sports car.
pubul57
3,712 posts
 
Yeah, really good analogy - thanks for the insight. I'm happy that I am deaf
enough to think the Merlins are some of the best sounding speakers on the
planet - absent the deepest bass, where it can't compete with the Vandersteen
5As for example, though the Merlins are far more resolved and nuanced in the
midrange which is why I switched from Vandersteen; even if I lost some of that
bass performance, it was worth the tradeoff for my taste - it saves me a lot of
worry over the next speaker upgrade, or sports car.
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