Or maybe it is just his uncommon committment, belief in his product and willingness to help. How many manufacturers' would offer the same degree of advice and council on a used pair of speakers 11-12 years old? After all, he isn't selling the guy a new pair of his speakers. Obviously Rrog you have never dealt with him and if you had I doubt you would have made that comment.
The Dunlavy's are really superb speakers, I've heard them several times in several different settings and I liked them very much to the point I seriously considered them many years back but for their size and placement considerations. Again, both are valid choices but the Merlin's overall would probably be more practical for most applications.