WOW!!! Giant Killer Speakers FOUND!!!
Posted by: Greg Beatty on 17 January 2003
Well, I returned the Totem Hawks. I bought these because I liked what the Totem Sttafs did but felt I needed "more" for my larger room. Mistakenly, I thought the Hawks would be the same but more. Not so. These speakers have a different balance to them - a recessed midrange leading to a bright and bombastic sound - making them not good partners with Naim amps, IMHO. The Arros, Sttafs, and Forrests seem OK, although still not my choice.
Based on a demo a few days ago, I am very interested in the Meadowlark Kestrels. But, the Meadowlark website is announcing the Kestrel II at the same price. And it is GEORGEOUS and I have never been disappointed with the sound of any Meadowlark speaker. I also can not believe that Patrick McGinty would introduce a speaker badged "Kestrel II" if it wasn't a great speaker and possibly even ahead of the original Kestrel. You can see it here:
http://www.meadowlarkaudio.com/
The Kestrel II is the one in the middle.
The speaker has not shipped yet from the factory in New York, so what to do? I called Meadowlark direct (my dealer encouraged the call and gave me the number) and - good news - the original Kestrels will not be discontinued and the factory is on track for shipping Kestrel IIs later this month.
So, I return the Totems and bide my time.
But wait...what is that speaker they have set up in the other listening room? Why...its the Swift! This is Meadowlark's new $995 speaker. It incorporates Meadowlark's new transmission line idea and is made in their new factory in NY. I was hoping that this speaker would give me a taste of what their bigger brother Kestrel IIs might sound like.
So we hefted them into the bigger listening room and plonked them next to the Allaes. The Allaes were cabled to Naim's CD5/112/150/FC2 combo.
In an earlier post, I wrote that I tried the Allaes briefly and did not like them. Well, that was true - it was a very brief switch-in-and-out kind of thing. The Allaes are $3,500, which is more than I want to spend, so I didn't give them an extended listen. But what the hey - let's hear 'em. If they kill everything else I've heard, I could stretch to them and not replace them for a long time if ever.
My first impression from the previous dem was wrong. These are good speakers - I enjoyed listening to these. And they played louder than the other speakers I heard without losing their composure. The bass, while not as deep as others, remains tuneful and the low note melodies and rhythms can be followed. No gimmicky sound here - Very nice.
Now I've done it. I heard Naim's $3,500 speaker and - sure - now go ahead and hook up the $995 Meadlowlarks. I was prepared for a letdown, but this was just to get an idea of what the bigger Kestrel IIs might sound like.
Well f*** me - UNBELIEVABLE!!! This was REALLY good stuff. I listened for over 1/2 and hour with a variety of CDs, which ended up piled all over the demo room floor. Good heavens - I haven't had this much audio fun since I was a kid.
And this was not an, "I'm impressed in the demo because of the glowing treble and the booming box bass" kind of thing. This speaker is honest to what it is fed - it simply, convincingly, and completely plays WAY out of its price class.
One track I use for demo purposes is from a CD of Cantate Domino that I got from the former Naim dealer in the area. This track features a soloist singing in front of an organ that is playing low notes and, as the track progresses, the soloist is joined by full chorus.
Now, I have used this as a demo track and I can count on one hand the number of times I have listened to the track all the way through. Its fun and informative to hear what the system does with the organ and the vocal, but that's about it.
Well, it happened with the Swifts. They are THAT good. And it wasn't a case of being able to bear it all the way through - no sir. These things worked their magic to relax me and invite me to listen to the music. This is quite possible the first time I actually listed to the music on this track. There is something so right about what they do. And they do have excellent bass extension (once they run in - my dealer said it took about 2 weeks) and, as an unbelievable bonus, they retain tonality in the deep bass. Low piano notes are not just pitch correct and of good weight, they SOUND like piano notes.
I can envision people buying this "little" speaker to use as rear surrounds to go with their Monster Front Speaker and, if they bother to listen, realizing these little guys dust their much more expensive company in all the ways that matter.
Yes, when cranked WAY up, I could hear them "topping out" - and they topped out ahead of the Allaes (which I didn't get to top out). Man, I cannot wait to hear the Kestrel IIs.
Oh, and yes - the Allaes should be on your shortlist if your shopping in the $3K price range. They are very, very, good speakers.
- GregB
Insert Witty Signature Line Here
Based on a demo a few days ago, I am very interested in the Meadowlark Kestrels. But, the Meadowlark website is announcing the Kestrel II at the same price. And it is GEORGEOUS and I have never been disappointed with the sound of any Meadowlark speaker. I also can not believe that Patrick McGinty would introduce a speaker badged "Kestrel II" if it wasn't a great speaker and possibly even ahead of the original Kestrel. You can see it here:
http://www.meadowlarkaudio.com/
The Kestrel II is the one in the middle.
The speaker has not shipped yet from the factory in New York, so what to do? I called Meadowlark direct (my dealer encouraged the call and gave me the number) and - good news - the original Kestrels will not be discontinued and the factory is on track for shipping Kestrel IIs later this month.
So, I return the Totems and bide my time.
But wait...what is that speaker they have set up in the other listening room? Why...its the Swift! This is Meadowlark's new $995 speaker. It incorporates Meadowlark's new transmission line idea and is made in their new factory in NY. I was hoping that this speaker would give me a taste of what their bigger brother Kestrel IIs might sound like.
So we hefted them into the bigger listening room and plonked them next to the Allaes. The Allaes were cabled to Naim's CD5/112/150/FC2 combo.
In an earlier post, I wrote that I tried the Allaes briefly and did not like them. Well, that was true - it was a very brief switch-in-and-out kind of thing. The Allaes are $3,500, which is more than I want to spend, so I didn't give them an extended listen. But what the hey - let's hear 'em. If they kill everything else I've heard, I could stretch to them and not replace them for a long time if ever.
My first impression from the previous dem was wrong. These are good speakers - I enjoyed listening to these. And they played louder than the other speakers I heard without losing their composure. The bass, while not as deep as others, remains tuneful and the low note melodies and rhythms can be followed. No gimmicky sound here - Very nice.
Now I've done it. I heard Naim's $3,500 speaker and - sure - now go ahead and hook up the $995 Meadlowlarks. I was prepared for a letdown, but this was just to get an idea of what the bigger Kestrel IIs might sound like.
Well f*** me - UNBELIEVABLE!!! This was REALLY good stuff. I listened for over 1/2 and hour with a variety of CDs, which ended up piled all over the demo room floor. Good heavens - I haven't had this much audio fun since I was a kid.
And this was not an, "I'm impressed in the demo because of the glowing treble and the booming box bass" kind of thing. This speaker is honest to what it is fed - it simply, convincingly, and completely plays WAY out of its price class.
One track I use for demo purposes is from a CD of Cantate Domino that I got from the former Naim dealer in the area. This track features a soloist singing in front of an organ that is playing low notes and, as the track progresses, the soloist is joined by full chorus.
Now, I have used this as a demo track and I can count on one hand the number of times I have listened to the track all the way through. Its fun and informative to hear what the system does with the organ and the vocal, but that's about it.
Well, it happened with the Swifts. They are THAT good. And it wasn't a case of being able to bear it all the way through - no sir. These things worked their magic to relax me and invite me to listen to the music. This is quite possible the first time I actually listed to the music on this track. There is something so right about what they do. And they do have excellent bass extension (once they run in - my dealer said it took about 2 weeks) and, as an unbelievable bonus, they retain tonality in the deep bass. Low piano notes are not just pitch correct and of good weight, they SOUND like piano notes.
I can envision people buying this "little" speaker to use as rear surrounds to go with their Monster Front Speaker and, if they bother to listen, realizing these little guys dust their much more expensive company in all the ways that matter.
Yes, when cranked WAY up, I could hear them "topping out" - and they topped out ahead of the Allaes (which I didn't get to top out). Man, I cannot wait to hear the Kestrel IIs.
Oh, and yes - the Allaes should be on your shortlist if your shopping in the $3K price range. They are very, very, good speakers.
- GregB
Insert Witty Signature Line Here
Hey Bruce -
In this demo, the Allaes were tonaly darker by a good margin, even though they did not extend as low as the Swifts.
The larger Kestrel IIs may have a darker balance - I'll have to see (er...hear). Maybe the Swifts are better
- GregB
Insert Witty Signature Line Here
quote:
However, I found them lust too dark and bass-heavy.
In this demo, the Allaes were tonaly darker by a good margin, even though they did not extend as low as the Swifts.
The larger Kestrel IIs may have a darker balance - I'll have to see (er...hear). Maybe the Swifts are better
- GregB
Insert Witty Signature Line Here
Michael -
The room was not huge - say, 15 x 25 x 8. The room is also very "solid" - always gives more bass than real rooms
The swifts were 5 feet or so into the room. Other speakers, kit, and cables did not allow for near-wall placement. This was also true for the Allaes - which might have had more (deeper too?) bass if they were placed against the wall. In my place, too much bass is just not likely to happen. I can't get B&Ws to boom
I read the article on the Meadowlark website about how bass works - well written and concise. We went to a movie tonight and it was weird - there was lots of bass energy, but I could hear it cutting out at a certain frequency. There just wasn't anything below that point, and that point was not that low. The Swifts, with the new transmission line, played lower (!) than the all-digital, latest-greatest, bombastic cinema system. But the Swifts do not sound like speakers that have a port resonance or any artificial booming.
So...I dunno about near wall placement.
Sorry I couldn't be more helpful
- GregB
Insert Witty Signature Line Here
The room was not huge - say, 15 x 25 x 8. The room is also very "solid" - always gives more bass than real rooms
The swifts were 5 feet or so into the room. Other speakers, kit, and cables did not allow for near-wall placement. This was also true for the Allaes - which might have had more (deeper too?) bass if they were placed against the wall. In my place, too much bass is just not likely to happen. I can't get B&Ws to boom
I read the article on the Meadowlark website about how bass works - well written and concise. We went to a movie tonight and it was weird - there was lots of bass energy, but I could hear it cutting out at a certain frequency. There just wasn't anything below that point, and that point was not that low. The Swifts, with the new transmission line, played lower (!) than the all-digital, latest-greatest, bombastic cinema system. But the Swifts do not sound like speakers that have a port resonance or any artificial booming.
So...I dunno about near wall placement.
Sorry I couldn't be more helpful
- GregB
Insert Witty Signature Line Here
Good Evening Gentlemen,
I must say a few words on this thread, as I have heard the Meadowlark Shearwaters in action, and can say, for such a compact speaker, boy do they sing!! and bloody good too, My brother has a pair of these finely constructed speakers, what a great sound from such unassuming cabinet, lovely mid range voicing, and with well balanced treble, sweet and detailed, but can these play a tune, and are very musical, bass they go deep (his is partial to the odd bit of loud music) and these Shearwaters, well quite frankly are a damn good addition to any musical sytem I feel. I had a long 2 hour listen, when he first accquired them, now they have had more time on the drivers, they seem to be revealing in (the music that is). so anyone considering a quality pair of speakers please don't overlook these Shearwaters. quality craftmanship, great sound and easy on the eye looks a great find
.
Kind Regards David
Well Balanced Beings Promote Harmony In Music and Soul
I must say a few words on this thread, as I have heard the Meadowlark Shearwaters in action, and can say, for such a compact speaker, boy do they sing!! and bloody good too, My brother has a pair of these finely constructed speakers, what a great sound from such unassuming cabinet, lovely mid range voicing, and with well balanced treble, sweet and detailed, but can these play a tune, and are very musical, bass they go deep (his is partial to the odd bit of loud music) and these Shearwaters, well quite frankly are a damn good addition to any musical sytem I feel. I had a long 2 hour listen, when he first accquired them, now they have had more time on the drivers, they seem to be revealing in (the music that is). so anyone considering a quality pair of speakers please don't overlook these Shearwaters. quality craftmanship, great sound and easy on the eye looks a great find
.Kind Regards David
Well Balanced Beings Promote Harmony In Music and Soul
...that my Kestrel 2's have been ordered
Now if I could find out which phono boards I should be using (see 'Which Stageline' thread) I could get about the business of ordering my next Naim bit
- GregB
Insert Witty Signature Line Here
Now if I could find out which phono boards I should be using (see 'Which Stageline' thread) I could get about the business of ordering my next Naim bit
- GregB
Insert Witty Signature Line Here
Evening Gents,
I must admit this is a shameless plug,Twisted arm job I am afraid, My brother Tony, has a pair of the Meadowlark Shearwaters, available, Virtualy brand new too, not to his taste (souless boy),and they are looking for a new more suitable home.
If any of you gentlmen may be interested you may reach him here. sorry, but I do owe him the odd favour.
www.alfatone69@hotmail.com
Kind Regards David
Well Balanced Beings Promote Harmony In Music and Soul
I must admit this is a shameless plug,Twisted arm job I am afraid, My brother Tony, has a pair of the Meadowlark Shearwaters, available, Virtualy brand new too, not to his taste (souless boy
),and they are looking for a new more suitable home.If any of you gentlmen may be interested you may reach him here. sorry, but I do owe him the odd favour.
www.alfatone69@hotmail.com
Kind Regards David
Well Balanced Beings Promote Harmony In Music and Soul