Floorstanding Loudspeakers

Merlin VSM Millennium loudspeaker: Two-way, floorstanding, loudspeaker with battery-powered, line-level low-frequency equalizer. Drive-units: 1" soft-dome tweeter, 6½" carbon-fiber-cone woofer. Crossover frequency & slopes: 2.25kHz, second-order. Frequency response: 33Hz-22kHz, ±2dB, 1m on-axis. 4dB down at 30Hz with BAM, Impedance: 8 ohms nominal, 6.5 ohms minimum, 15.6 ohms at crossover point. Sensitivity: 89dB/2.83V/m. Power handling: 200W (music program). Maximum output: 111dB (music program). Suggested power requirements: 17W minimum (tube), 25W minimum (solid-state), 200W maximum.
BAM Bass Augmentation Module: Supplies 5.2dB of boost at 35Hz and infrasonic rolloff below 27Hz. Outboard power supply. Optional rechargeable battery power supply. Input impedance: 40k ohms. Output impedance: 100 ohms. THD: <0.005%. Maximum output voltage: 9.5V RMS. Power requirements: 50-60Hz, 110-117VAC.
Dimensions: 42 7/8" H by 8 5/8" W by 10½" D, loudspeaker; 2.5" H by 6.7" W by 8.7" D, BAM. Weight: 84.5 lbs each, loudspeaker; 5 lbs, BAM.
Finishes: 20 standard, add $200 for custom finishes.
Serial numbers of units reviewed: 2941 & 2.
Price: $8150/pair (as reviewed, with rechargeable BAM battery and single-ended BAM). Approximate number of dealers: 25. Warranty: 10 years parts & labor.
Manufacturer: Merlin Music Systems, Inc., P.O. Box 146, 4705 South Main Street, Hemlock, NY 14466. Tel: (716) 367-2685. Fax: (718) 367-2685. Web: www.merlinmusic.com.