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Merlin International Speakers?

Brunt

Brunt

Active Member
Anyone know anything about these? I've managed to find out that these are the 'Signature 4' model from an old Stereophile review of another product of Merlin's. However I can't find anything else about them. I've talked to the current owner and it looks like these were a project of their late father's and that at least a couple of the drivers are blown. I'm not one to shy away from a DIY project but I can't find anything about these speakers other than a few pictures on the internet and was wondering if anyone had any experience with them or a similar one from Merlin's catalog?

I think I can get them for cheap but if the drivers are some completely unique and irreplaceable unit or something then I'll pass if this project isn't doable. I'm not against swapping drivers but if these have strange characteristics that would make them extremely expensive to replace then I don't think I'll be interested unless they are absolutely fantastic when working.

Thoughts?

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Really no one has any experience with these guys? The price is dropping fast so I may scoop them up anyway but would still love to hear if anyone has ever even heard a pair of Merlins of any model before.
 
I picked up a pair very similar to these last year. Thus far, have only tested to confirm all drivers are working, but can’t wait to re-cover them and get them going. I was also very nervous about finding replacement drivers, if needed.

The pics of the pair near you look pretty rough. I would not put a lot into them, but if you can get at a low price and some drivers are needed, I am sure you can find some closely matched replacement drivers.

http://www.audiokarma.org/forums/in...tate-sale-of-all-places.802985/#post-11165356
 
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(I thought I had replied to this). I have a pair of Merlin Signature 4's, as well as a pair of smaller 1b's, and I'm very very happy with them. They are massive, and hungry, and rewarding; almost 6' tall, close to 200 lbs each. I had to replace one of the woofers on the 1b's, and it was a fairly standard VIFA.

The sound is very coherent, as you'd expect with a giant MTM array, and their bass depth astonished me; there was nothing that I found that they couldn't reproduce.

The speakers were the brainchild of Bobby Palkovic, who passed in 2015, ending the company. One of their dealers, Signature Sound in Liverpool NY, has taken over the repairs of them, if you need information or parts.
 
Ok you've convinced me, I put an offer in with the seller and will see what happens. Ill post pics etc tomorrow if I can get them. Thanks for all the input.
 
I grew up listening to my father’s pair of Merlin Excalibur IIs through an Audio Research tube amp and a Theta CD player. I’ve never heard anything comparable even as he would demo replacement attempts over the years. He’s redone the foam at least once, but I truly believe these get better with age. Get these if you haven’t already.
 
ChrisJ1500 said:
I grew up listening to my father’s pair of Merlin Excalibur IIs through an Audio Research tube amp and a Theta CD player. I’ve never heard anything comparable even as he would demo replacement attempts over the years. He’s redone the foam at least once, but I truly believe these get better with age. Get these if you haven’t already.
Click to expand...

Woofer surround foam or cabinet foam?
It *looks* like part of the cabinets was covered with foam?
If so, where did he get the cabinet foam?
 
Cabinet foam, and it’s probably 7-8 years old now. I’m pretty sure he got it directly from Merlin or through their dealer in Denver NC, but I’ll check ASAP.
 

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Thanks.
Sorry for so many questions, is it stuck/glued to the cabinet or is it more like a slip over sock type?
I think I know the answer but your previous picture made me wonder.
 
These I posted are actually Signature 4’s not Excaliburs, and Merlin sent over their foam dealer’s info when it was time to recover these.
 
Do you still have the foam dealer's info that can be shared here?

I am thinking I might go to something like a Vandersteen covering for mine.
 
Sorry, no or I would have shared that but it’s long gone. Funny you mentioned Vandersteen as their speakers are at the top of his wish list for sure.
 
Ok, I think I figured it out. Maybe I'm the only one who was/is confused.
The mids/tweets have some sort of screen over them and the woofers are recessed so the foam doesn't actually contact the drivers.

Thanks Chris and welcome to AK.
 
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