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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
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.
jamesw20
270 posts
 
I will never understand why people on these forums have to insult one product to favor another. As stated above its a matter of taste. Does it make you feel better to insult anothers system? Maybe more worthwhile? There's a couch out there for that. Can we just keep to why specific systems work. Stay positive. This is all about fun and enjoyment.
pubul57
3,712 posts
 
One thing about all three, even though they all do sound quite different is that they all tend to be unforgiving of source and electronics, they all do thrive on the very best gear to feed them, another very fine speaker that you may also want to consider is the Harbeth HL5, which a very appealing to many and has the added advantage of not being quite as picky with associated gear - wonderful on speakers on acoustic instruments and voice - just another option to consider along with the 3 you mention and likely to work well in your size room.
james63
534 posts
 
The Thiels hit harder form top to bottom with better leading edge impact. The bass has a lot more punch than the Dynaudios (never heard a Merlin). Snare drums seem to have more snap on the Thiels. At the end of the day the C1 and 2.4 will not be that different as they are both pretty flat and well made. Your room and setup will matter more.

The thiel will need a warm front end to sound there best. There highs are not harsh but they do shelve up about 2 db after about 8khz in most rooms.

The Dynaudio's have a sweeter treble but as a whole I like the Thiels better. I bought a pair of Thiel 2.4 and I no longer think about my system... and I post a lot less too... I just enjoy the music these days. They were a good but cheaper than my pervious speakers too. I think the only Dynaudio I would trade up to would be the C4.
pubul57
3,712 posts
 
OP, you say you loved the VS 5As, were you able to hear the 3A Signatures as
well? I get the sense that most listeners gravitate to either Thiel or
Vandersteen, but generally not both, as the sound signatures are quite
different. The VS 3As would certainly be in your price range and I understand
that some of the drivers from the 5 have trickled down to the 3As.
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