The TSM MMi and MXr - The TSM MMe has been replaced by the TSM MMi and the TSM MXe by the TSM MXr. Both of these new versions use a new and better sounding cabinet material. Plus the  tweeter has been changed from the Morel MDT28 to the Renaissance Audio MST30.5. These new high frequency transducers are hand made for Merlin in matched pairs. Quality control is the highest and the unit to unit variation is at an all time low. All of the attributes of the older Morel were built into the new unit along with some significant improvements. The tweeter face plate has been re-milled to recess all of the screws to minimize diffraction and the face plate itself, coated with a textured anti resonant paint. The size of the dome’s opening has been increased to better tune the tweeter to our specific needs and to make it sound more extended in response. The TSM now sounds like it has a wider bandwidth with a bigger more expansive sound stage. They are certainly more room filling. The bass has more punch and better pitch definition while the high frequencies sound more focused and precise. All in all a more realistic sound is rendered. It is our opinion that these new versions sound fantastic with solid state especially with the Master RC’s in place and even better yet, with quality tubes.  Since the improvements are mostly structural there will be no upgrades available. Most importantly, the MMi and MXr retail for the same price as their predecessors so there will be no price increase.

The VSM MMi and MXr - The VSM  MMe has been replaced by the VSM MMi and the VSM MXe by the VSM MXr. Both of these new versions also use the new and better sounding cabinet material. The new versions weigh about 2 pounds more per cabinet because the sand chamber has been enlarged and the 1.5 inch thick front baffle has been extended to the top of the the sand chamber. The increased rigidity of firing plane and heavier weight has made the VSM sound more extended and fuller with better pitch definition in the bass. The lack of resonance has made the speaker sound even more continuous from top to bottom while being more focused and precise in the top end. The editor of Fedelta del Suono in Italy has done a direct comparison between the MXr and his older MXe. He thought the difference was so big that the new speaker should be called the VSM Reference. Hence the VSM MXr for MX reference (his review is coming shortly). Once again, these improvements are structural so there will be no upgrades offered.  We feel that the new VSM’s are better sounding with solid state than ever before, especially with the Master BAM and Master RC's in place. Quality tube units will sound even better to many of you. Once again, these new versions will retail for the same price as their predecessors so there will be no price increase. Just…better sound!

Merlin Master RC Networks - The Master RC network should be used when the amplifier in question is not terminated with a Zobel network. Since all speaker systems are open circuits, the use of this network will apply a 10 ohm load at 100 kHz which will allow the amp to settle and sound as good as it possibly can. Our RC network will also provide a high frequency filter to rid the system of EMI and RFI in heavily populated areas. The Master RC uses a combination of cryoed and non-cryoed components soldered lead-free to tinned copper o-ring connectors. They are relatively delicate and pre-shaped so we suggest not to bend or twist them.

Proprietary Duelund VSF copper foil capacitors are used in the Master RC’s. Please keep in mind that stock VSF style capacitors retail in North America for $225 each, hence the high cost.

Copper foil capacitors sound very different than aluminum foil parts. You will notice a more relaxed and natural sound, wider bandwidth, a blacker background, increased micro/macro dynamics and a bigger more expansive room filling sound. It is our opinion the improvement is substantial and easily heard.

These networks are recommended for use with any of our older versions of the TSM and VSM but in particular with our new TSM MMi/MXr and VSM MMi/MXr speaker systems.
 

Merlin Master BAM - The Master Bam  is a further development  of the lead free Super BAM.  This piece uses a switching power supply that is 50 times quieter than the one used in the standard unit. As well, the Q of the bass EQ circuit in the Master BAM has been optimized to provide better definition and a more uniform bass character. It also has a circuit board revision to ensure trouble free shipment of the large and heavy Duelund copper foil capacitors. Four of them are used in a Master Bam hence there are $900 worth of these proprietary copper foil capacitors in this unit, alone. Since all of the line level signal goes through the Master BAM, its effects are even greater than the Master RC’s. Both used in the same system produce an exceptional sonic event. One that is extremely relaxed and realistic in nature, showing a fuller more room filling character, with increased pitch definition in the bass, increased micro and macro dynamics,  a more expansive portrayal with considerably more contrast potential. All in all, a way more realistic picture is created. The clarity and smoothness are not to be believed. A totally uncomplicated presentation.

Recommended for use with any VSM speaker system but in particular with our new VSM-MMi or MXr.  Modifications are offered  for Super BAM’s only. Call the factory for a price quotation.
 

Older News/Info

September 12, 2006

Wow! Those new MXe/MMe sound awesome! - As time goes on, we are finding the new RoHS lead-free complaint version of the VSM and TSM speakers are much better than we thought.  We are finding based on our own listening and feedback from customers that they are 20% to 30% better sounding in every manner. They are better sounding not only with tubes, but also now superb with solid state based on what our customers have told us. We have shipped many of these speakers to people using Simaudio, Power Modules (Belles), Mark Levinson, Ayre, Macintosh and even Rega solid state amps, that are having a terrific time with them. They are also more room filling, offer better pitch definition in the bass, better macro dynamics, more continuous sounding, more complete sounding, better focused, higher in resolution but less bright with less distortion and inter-modulation  between images in the stage, more expansive sounding and just plain more natural and real sounding/more inviting to the brain and heart.

December 2, 2006

Merlin Products Now Meet European Union Lead-Free Content Standards/Requirements - As you may be aware, July 1, 2006 is the deadline for meeting compliance with the European Union RoHS standards for  just about all electronic items sold in the European common market. What has driven these standards is the desire to remove a number of hazardous materials/metals (lead and certain other metals) from the waste streams. With the large amount of computers, cell phone and other disposable consumer electronics items growing significantly in use, this is becoming a significant issue around the world. The European Union is leading the way with these standards and the main effect on the Hi-End Audio Speaker industry is the need to get the lead out (literally!) from our products (drivers, caps, inductors, resistors, solder etc) so we can keep selling our products in European common market countries. This is not the only sole driving force to do this.... as a number of US States and cities are working on or passing regulations that will also require lead free compliance in consumer electronics products in the near future. In order to ensure availability of Merlin products around the world we embarked on a process to ensure we can meet these upcoming standards.

For us here at Merlin, the most important part of this whole process was to protect the integrity and performance of all Merlin speakers to ensure that there is absolutely no sacrifice in the sound quality of our products. Fortunately, our products were already more than 90% of the way there. Driver manufacturers ScanSpeak, DynAudio, and Morel whose drivers we use in our speakers were all on top of the RoHS requirements and have been providing us RoHS compliant drivers well in advance of the July 1 deadline. As well, great companies like Hovland whose caps and inductors we use have been making their products without lead for many, many years. So that left us with some experimenting to do with different lead free solders. Some listening tests quickly lead us to a lead free solder that is only mildly more difficult to work with (minimal impact on assembly time and cost) and also sounds better than the old lead based solder we used! We are extremely happy with the overall results that are archived when all the lead free items are used to build a set of speakers.

To easily identify those speakers which are lead-free products we decided to add the lower case "e" to the model names. So, a lead free TSM-MX will be labeled a TSM-MXe, a lead free VSM-MM will be labeled VSM-MMe, etc, etc. There is NO price increase as a result of this change at this time. Specifications for the speakers remain unchanged as well... they work just as well as before... actually, we think they sound a bit better! All speakers manufactured from July 1,2006 onward will ALL be lead free "e" models.

What about upgrades???? After many inquiries about this, we have looked further at the upgrade question. We have worked out the detailed cost to upgrade previous MM and MX models of the TSM and VSM to MMe and MXe lead free versions and if a customer wants to do it, we will perform the upgrade. For details and cost, please contact the factory via phone or e-mail.

June 10, 2005

Merlin Super-BAM, VSM-MM/MX price increases and new reviews added - While we never enjoy having to increase prices, the improvements incorporated in the Super-BAM's power supply provides much greater flexibility as the outboard power supply unit now has a detachable power cord, is CE compliant for Europe, and will automatically adjust to operate on most any AC line voltages and frequencies found around the world. The new power supply in the Super-BAM also improves the sound of it when it is used in AC/Charge mode. The Super-BAM has improved charging caps plus superior voltage regulation with a new battery supply that has almost 30% more capacity. The result is that the Super-BAM has better pitch definition in the bass with a more relaxed, continuous and expansive sound.

Due to increased production costs, plus the addition of a new power supply design on the BAM, prices on the Merlin BAM and all VSM speakers systems that use the new Super-BAM have been increased and are now reflected on our Product Pricing Page.

Italy's TNT Audio HiFi Web-zine, has just published a fine review of out TSM-MM loudspeaker. Click here to read the English version of the review on their website (link opens a new window). As well the VSM and TSM have received Bound for Sound Component of Merit awards, which you can read about here.

We also have some really nice new color literature on the VSM-MM/MX models. You can view this literature on line by opening/downloading this Merlin VSM Adobe Acrobat PDF literature file. Feel free to view and print as desired!

February 21, 2005

New Items Added to Tips & Tweaks Page plus Show Report Commentary added - In addition to Rich's Z-feet Assembly How-To which has been up for a few months now, we have added a new step by step how-to that shows you the ins and outs of single wiring your Merlin VSM or TSM speakers. So, check out the Merlin Single Wire 101 tutorial when you have a chance. We have also been getting together various show report commentary from the 2005 CES and starting to get them posted. Check our Reviews page for the latest show report commentary and for neat things like info from the Positive Feedback Online Writers Choice Award that the TSM-MM received.

May 16, 2004

New Reviews and Show Report Commentary added - We have added some very interesting comments on the Reviews Page form a Danish HiFi Expo where the new VSMs made quite an impression on attendees and added a link to the first formal review of a MM/MX series product from Gary Beard at Positive Feedback On-line. You will also note the the Product Pricing Page is fully up to date with the current retail pricing on Merlin MX and MM series speaker systems.

March 24, 2004

Merlin Music Systems VSM-MX and TSM-MX Series Speakers - A production sample of our new VSM-MX loudspeaker was premiered in January at the 2004 CES in Las Vegas. MX versions of the VSM and TSM incorporate revolutionary improvements to the construction of crossover components used in their dividing networks and in the BAM. These changes result in a number of significant sonic improvements over our standard Millennium series. The improvements were clearly audible to the attendees resulting in exciting commentary during the show. The MX series features: