The TSM-SE, priced at $2300, is definitely not a low-priced speaker. In fact, some people may wonder how such a little speaker can cost so much. The answer is simple if you look at the parts quality and the attention to detail in the speaker's construction. While there are some very good lower-priced bookshelf monitors that cost anywhere from a couple hundred to anything under what these cost (of course, there are plenty that cost much more), these speakers usually show signs of cut corners. This means the designers must make compromises for their product to come in at a certain price point. But the folks at Merlin Music are known for a no-compromise approach. No other bookshelf-sized loudspeaker priced less than $2000 has the quality of components -- which includes names like Hovland, Edison-Price, Morel, and Caddock -- or the level of fit and finish that the TSM-SE displays.