Dunlavy SC IV or Merlin VSM M

I think the manufacturer's participation in this thread was exemplary. The criticsm directed at him was unwarranted.

It's only because I don't believe manufacturers should show up to support their product on these forums. As I stated previously, what would it be like if every manufacturer of audio equipment commented on their products? Bobby stated the OP's 16x23 room is the perfect room for Merlin speakers. Those dimensions are the "Golden Rule" making his room perfect for most speakers. There is also the fact that manufacturer updates are available for the used Merlin speakers purchased by the OP. I have to wonder if the OP would have purchased Merlins if Bobby did not chime in. My impression of Bobby is that he is a genuinely nice guy, but I also think it is important to separate the personality from conducting business on a thread where the participants are looking an objective opinion.

I think it would be great if more manufacturers commented about their products. Manufacturers know more about their products than reviewers, users, or even dealers. Do manufacturers have an agenda? Sure, but it is an obvious bias that is easily understood. Forum participants are capable of figuring out when they are being hyped. Objective opinions, if that is what the truly are, are great, but highly informed opinions are at least as valuable.

I totally agree with onhwy. It wouldn't bother me one bit if the owner /passion behind a product was so in touch with their customers that they answered one of my threads about their product, especially if it was used and they weren't making a profit of the sale.

Bravo, Bobby. I had my eye on those same merlins, money permitting I may have bought them myself; after seeing your customer service and passion about your product, that sold me a little more on Merlins.

For those of you criticizing Bobby, would you rather an owner of a company just not participate in threads regarding their products? Would you rather they just sit behind a desk, punching numbers worrying about bottom lines? Are you upset with George because he actively participates in one of the longest threads here on Audiogon about one of the best preamps / bargains in hi-fi? I'm not, and quite honestly, I choose to only do business from here on out with people like Bobby from Merlin, George from lightspeed, Frank at Signal cable, Paul from Clear Day. These are all people who stand behind, and care about their products AND customers. Call a company like audioquest, or b&w, see who answers the phone. The owner / president? I think not. They're too "busy" drinking daiquiris on the beach.

rrog, what does it feel like to shoot yourself in the foot?
does it hurt?

"I'm not sure what is so genius about a simple 2 way speaker costing more than $13,000."

how is the op ever going to get an "objective opinion" from you when you feel this way? the op clearly mentioned that the footprint of the d was too large and they were out of business and that is why he bought the merlins. he said he enjoyed my input but it was not my input that made him purchase the vsms.

at least with me you can either take what i say or leave it. but when a supposed comsumer comes loaded with a hidden agenda, who is to know.

have you ever heard the master vsm? you haven't even got the slightest idea of why i have worked on it for the last 20 years do you?

there are one ways and two ways that sell for over double the master vsm's cost. pick on them as well.

and some of the simplest (as you call it) things on this planet are the most difficult to engineer. but when finished they are stellar performers because of their lack of complication.

bobby