Verity Fidelio, Alon Lotus Elite & Merlin VSM-M?


I've been procrastinating upgrading my old speakers (Vandersteen 2ci) and I've sort of narrowed it down to Fidelios, Elite and the VSM-M. I've heard the Alons and the Merlins at the last Home Entertainment show and was quite impressed. Unfortunately at that time I wasn't looking for new speakers because I had a pair of Virgo IIIs which ended up not working out in my living room (I can only bring the speakers out about 2ft. from the wall). I'm curious as to what others think about the speakers listed above. I've read all reviews I can find, but haven't found any dealers in my area. My listening tastes are classical (including early music), jazz and lots of acoustical guitar and piano.

Thanks!
dpe
Tmoran nailed it. The Merlins are going to give you a tremendous view of your upstream components. It's hard to fault them as lightweight on bass, let alone being hifi. The MX version has better bass, and with the right components, they are as natural sounding as anything under $20,000.
Although I've also owned Alons, and liked them, I can't see a system built around them providing the world class performance that the Merlins can provide. If your current components aren't a good match for Merlins, and you want to keep them, then the Alons will probably be more forgiving (i.e. colored).
Yaboo, sure would like to know more about your system. The details might help DPE.
Cheers,
Spencer
Yes, and what version of the VSM you have would be helpful along with the ancillary gear???
Bobby@merlin
Hi Yaboo

this "hi-fi" sound you mention, could you please expand on that and give up some details. Without details it sounds as though you are maybe disgruntled and unhappy, there is hope on the horizon. The VSM's are NOT lightweight in the bass with the BAM at all, I give you my word on that. Do you have the BAM? What amp and wire are you using, set-up etc. I'm sure Bobby P can help you with your system. Please feel free to e-mail me as well.
One thing that I forgot to mention is that the VSM M is no longer in production. DPE, wouldn't you be more interested in what the VSM MM and MX have to offer against the competition??
Bobby@merlin
Bobby, what is the difference between the MM and the MX, apart from their appearance?