Sad News: Meadowlark Audio

Soundbitten · « **Reply #160 on:** 30 Jun 2005, 11:47 pm »

has anyone heard the Swallows or the Swifts ?

Meadowlark is having a cash & carry liquidation sale , 50-75% off retail .

maxwalrath · « **Reply #161 on:** 1 Jul 2005, 12:04 am »

swifts are great for jazz and non-rock/bass heavy music. good soundstage, non fatiguing, and the best looking speakers I've ever owned.

If I was in Watertown I'd definitely get a pair for that price on the hope I had two systems one day.

Actually, if you're up there and the Swifts are REALLY cheap, how would you feel about picking up a pair for a stranger (me

)? I have an aunt and uncle that would like them, and I'd pay you for pickup/storage until I get to upstate NY again (1 month or so.)

brj · « **Reply #162 on:** 1 Jul 2005, 12:08 am »

Quote from: Soundbitten

Meadowlark is having a cash & carry liquidation sale , 50-75% off retail.

I just checked their site and didn't see any recent news... where did you hear this? Do you have any additional information on their current status (or inventory, for that matter)?

Soundbitten · « **Reply #163 on:** 1 Jul 2005, 12:19 am »

Quote from: brj

Quote from: Soundbitten
Meadowlark is having a cash & carry liquidation sale , 50-75% off retail.

I just checked their site and didn't see any recent news... where did you hear this? Do you have any additional information on their current status (or inventory, for that matter)?

They had an ad in the Watertown newspaper today . It listed a 315-782-7363 phone # to call , cash & carry while supplies last . Offer expires July 16 , 2005 . That's about all the info they had .

gongos · « **Reply #164 on:** 1 Jul 2005, 01:30 am »

We need someone to do a pick up for audiocircle members.

brj · « **Reply #165 on:** 1 Jul 2005, 02:25 am »

Thanks for the info, Soundbitten!

I have to admit that I rather liked the Kestral 2 when I heard it about a year ago. I wouldn't mind grabbing a pair in cherry if they had them at a great price, but my arms probably won't make the 1000 mile stretch!

ken · « **Reply #166 on:** 1 Jul 2005, 08:01 pm »

Just an f.y.i. for anyone interested in purchasing speakers from the # Soundbitten so kindly provided. The company doing the liquidiation is Curtis Furniture just outside of Watertown. I just got off the phone with them and purchased a pair of "B stock" Swifts for (drum roll please) $298.00 they are B stock because they don't have the grills or the bottom stand and Curtis Furniture said they would provide both for an extra $100.00 I've never heard these speakers but the price was a no brainer for the reviews I've been reading and their stunning looks. I believe they will only take money orders but they WILL ship. They have some great prices on other models as well. Give them a call, I don't think you'll be disappointed iwith their prices

Ken

brj · « **Reply #167 on:** 1 Jul 2005, 08:09 pm »

Did they mention what kind of inventory they had left?

Thanks!

Edit: Nevermind... called them out of curiosity. They have a little bit of everything, but more of the lower-end stuff (Swifts, etc.). It appears they have more B-stock than A-stock, with B-stock marked as 75% off retail, and A-stock going for 50% off retail. Most of the wood selections seem to be White Ash.

toobluvr · « **Reply #168 on:** 1 Jul 2005, 08:30 pm »

Quote from: brj

Did they mention what kind of inventory they had left?

Thanks!

I just this moment got off the phone with them.

A stock is 50% off.
B stock is 75% off.

A stock is perfect speaker complete w manual and all shipping cartons.
B stock is perfect speaker, but missing something like box or grille cover.

They will ship A stock, but need pickup of B stock if box is missing.

Current A stock inventory is:

Osprey: 1 pair Light Ash $1998
Nighthawk: 1 pair Tiger Maple $3750
Nighthawk: 1 pair Clear Maple $3500

Blue Heron 2: 1 pair that needs drivers $6000 (forgot the finish)

Current B stock inventory:

Kestral 2: $598 (I didn't check on finish, or # of pairs available)
Swift : $298 (on hold, might be sold)

they also have some B stock of center channel and other misc smaller
speakers that I didn't pay much attention to.

If the info they gave me is accurate, looks like there is not much there.
So if you have intentions, you better move on 'em!

Hmmmmm....those Tiger Maple Nighthawks look awfully tempting!

WilliamL · « **Reply #169 on:** 1 Jul 2005, 08:36 pm »

I just ordered one of the pairs of B stock Kestrals. Only costs about $50 more to get them shipped.

Thanks everybody for the heads up.

bill

ken · « **Reply #170 on:** 2 Jul 2005, 02:15 pm »

Anyone have any idea how difficult it would be to find grills and the feet for the Swifts. Curtis Furniture has them for an extra $100.00 but I'm trying to do this on the cheap and already have to pay an extra $50.00 because they're not boxed. I'm also curious how much of an impovement I can expect over the GR-AV-1's if any. Thanks in advance

Ken

Zero · « **Reply #171 on:** 2 Jul 2005, 02:59 pm »

Ken,

Since Meadowlark is no longer in business, you may have difficulty finding grills or feet elsewhere. For what you are getting the Swifts for, you could easily pay the extra $150 and still not lose a dime if you decided to sell. If anything, you could potentially gain a small profit. Doesnt get much better then that..

Gentlemen,

The Kestrel B stock is no longer available, although there is still some A stock left. The Swallow bookshelf is gone as well.

skrivis · « **Reply #172 on:** 6 Jul 2005, 10:25 am »

Quote from: A6M-ZERO

Gentlemen,

The Kestrel B stock is no longer available, although there is still some A stock left. The Swallow bookshelf is gone as well.

The web site has items listed for liquidation, but I don't know how current it is...

toobluvr · « **Reply #173 on:** 12 Jul 2005, 02:40 pm »

on the Meadowlark website here:

http://www.meadowlarkaudio.com/pow/liquidationList.htm

WilliamL · « **Reply #174 on:** 18 Jul 2005, 01:40 am »

I got my B-stock Kestral 2's from the Fire Sale. Thanks for the quick heads up on the liquidation.

I was crossing my fingers that the speakers would be mint and that UPS would not smash them. Everything worked out fine!

The speakers in Cherry are $2,399 so I figured that getting them for $600 was worth the risk. They were simply laying around the factory for a long time and had no grills--big deal.

They are really beautiful and although they are breaking in, they sounded darn good out of the box. I may sell them or keep them for a while. I am usings Red Wine Audio Integrated to power them but may need to switch to a speaker that is easier to drive--Omega and Zu come to mind.

Cheers,
Bill

jswallac · « **Reply #175 on:** 18 Jul 2005, 03:22 am »

I have owned Kestrel2s for some time now. I doubt you will need to change speakers because of a low-powered amp. Mine sound damn good with a stock Sonic Impact. Of course they sound even better with a low power tube amp, but then again that is a personal preference. The Kestrels are an easy load with their 1st order crossover. They are well known to be tube friendly.

ken · « **Reply #176 on:** 18 Jul 2005, 03:44 pm »

Hi Bill

You mentioned that your Kestrals arrived via UPS undamaged which is always a good thing.

I have a pair of Swifts on the way although I don't think they shipped yet for some reason but was told they would be shipped out freight and would essentially be C.O.D. I'm in the N.Y. metro area and just curious if anyone else received delivery yet and through what carrier. Incidentally I was one of the first to call about the liquidation sale and am kicking myself for not moving on the Kestral 2's instead of the Swifts for an extra $150.00

Ken

WilliamL · « **Reply #177 on:** 18 Jul 2005, 04:10 pm »

I got mine last week. I hear you about the Kestral2 vs. the Swifts. The Kestrals are a big jump up from the Swifts and worth the extra $150.

ekovalsky · « **Reply #178 on:** 20 Jul 2005, 03:35 pm »

A pair of Blue Herons is on audiogon for $4000 OBO. No box, speakers are in Jersey City, NJ.

Not my ad and I've never heard them, but it looks to be a lot of speaker at this price point.

http://cls.audiogon.com/cgi-bin/cls.pl?spkrfull&1127044583

toobluvr · « **Reply #179 on:** 20 Jul 2005, 04:02 pm »

Quote from: ekovalsky

A pair of Blue Herons is on audiogon for $4000 OBO. No box, speakers are in Jersey City, NJ.

Not my ad and I've never heard them, but it looks to be a lot of speaker at this price point.

http://cls.audiogon.com/cgi-bin/cls.pl?spkrfull&1127044583

As a % of MSRP, I paid a fair bit less than that for my recently acquired (and minty condition) Heron i. The Blue Heron and Heron i were stablemates, and both were non-current at the time of Meadowlarks demise. They were replaced by Blue Heron 2 and Nighthawk, respectively.

In terms of satisfaction and value, one of my better audio purchases. A very nice speaker. I particularly like the ability to tune the bass to different room sizes. A really nice feature that actually works and sounds very natural. I believe the Heron i was the only model to offer this feature.

There is also a pair of BH2 on AG right now. Based strictly on price as a % of list, it is a better deal than the above referenced BH....and seller pays shipping! Gorgeous, too!

And a pair of Heron i are in NYC for 3k. It has been there for over a month, so he might be flexible.