Meadowlark Kestrel2 -- Wow!

JackStraw · « **on:** 3 Jul 2003, 11:45 am »

I had the chance to check out the new Kestrel2 earlier this week. See http://www.meadowlarkaudio.com/kestrel2.htm for details. They were driven by an Antique Sound Labs AQ1003 DT integrated amp. I won't try to write up a full review, but I'll just say that I felt like I was sitting across the room from my next speakers.

Sonics were fantastic -- please just go listen to them. They truly disappear leaving their image and soundstage spewed out around the room. Great bass grip and authority, too. The dealer that I visited claims that they are very insensitive to placement. I didn't walk them around the room, but I'll say that their dispersion characterics were very good as I walked myself around the room. They seem to be perfect for "real world" living room systems.

I highly recommend that anyone shopping for speakers check out these $1695/pr gems. We're getting ready to move, but once we're settled in southern California I plan on making a pair of these mine.[/url]

Hantra · « **Reply #1 on:** 3 Jul 2003, 01:52 pm »

Jack:

I agree that for the money, Meadowlark makes one of my favorite speakers. You either like them a lot, or you don't like them at all. I don't know too many people on the fence.

I looked at the Kestrel Hot Rod, and listened with a Rega amp. I liked that as much as anything I have listened to. I just found a much better deal on speakers of another caliber. . .

B

KevinW · « **Reply #2 on:** 3 Jul 2003, 06:00 pm »

Yeah, I also really like Meadowlark...

- They are transmission line designs, so they have very tight, musical bass. I just don't think ported speakers can compare to a properly executed transmission line. If TL's weren't so hard to design, more people would be doing it.

- First order-XO's, which have the least impact on sonics of all XOs, provided you select drivers that roll off smoothly around the XO point. First order, time aligned makes for a very musical speaker, IMO. Also, they are cheaper, so the cost savings are passed on to the customer.

- Beautiful woodwork... it's hard to beat how classy these speakers look.

Although personally, I am in favor of no XO at all in the primary musical frequency region (80hz - 8khz)... that's where I'm headed anyway.

Captain Humble · « **Reply #3 on:** 3 Jul 2003, 06:52 pm »

Quote

I agree that for the money, Meadowlark makes one of my favorite speakers. You either like them a lot, or you don't like them at all. I don't know too many people on the fence.

Hantra,
I've got a pair of Loreleis on order but am curious to know what characteristics these speakers exhibit that makes some people like them a lot or not at all.

I give those guys an A+ for the pictures on their website. Really like the looks of those cabinets.

Jeff

JLM · « **Reply #4 on:** 4 Jul 2003, 08:08 pm »

I've only heard the Swifts and Osprey's...

The Swifts were in the worst possible room (all hard walled cube with one of the walls being storefront glass at a strip mall). Of course the bass boomed and I felt like being in a fish bowl. Why would a retailer do that?

The Osprey's were in a much nicer room and were well fed (via solid state). Later that day I listened to a friend's Lowther EX driven Hedlund Horns with a marvelous 18 inch Genesis sub that blew the Osprey's away (and should for over twice the price). They did not have the bass response or the coherence of the friend's speakers.

The impression I've gotten of the Meadowlarks is that they are meant to reproduce real music, not audiophile effects. It's easy to be teased into liking the glitzy detail and other extreme aspects of some equipment. But at the end of the day you gotta pick who you can live with long term. That's where the Meadowlarks come in, simply trying to faithfully reproduce live musical sounds.

IMO it's the old music lovers versus equipment hounds sides of this hobby.

I'm a fan of transmission lines, and first order crossovers too. I'd also vote for single driver systems and avoid crossing over in that same 80 - 8,000 Hz range. The best I've seen to do all that are the designs based on the E. J. Jordan 92S 4 inch aluminum foil driver that may allow you to do without a sub, depending on your room size and taste. The 92S is designed to have the center flex to higher frequencies, Ted has worked on this concept for decades. In free space the driver is rated from 40 - 20,000 Hz and 88 dB/w/m with good off axis response. The T-line extends the bass, evens out the impedence for easy amp loading, and keeps things quick/accurate/musical down low. The Jordan site offers DIY cabinet plans, the Gaincard company offers an expensive/beautiful version, and Carolina Audio offers 3 cheaper versions in gloss black.

byteme · « **Reply #5 on:** 4 Jul 2003, 10:45 pm »

Great "review". I'm a huge fan of their speakers based solely on looks and they are for sure on my short list. I'm a big fan of floor standers vs. monitors and the Meadowlarks certainly fall in the right price range for me. We've got a dealer about an hour away, after this review I may have to take a ride up there some weekend to listen.

Thanks!

Hantra · « **Reply #6 on:** 5 Jul 2003, 12:30 am »

Quote

am curious to know what characteristics these speakers exhibit that makes some people like them a lot or not at all.

I really can't say why some don't like them. I think they are very good speakers, and they sound a lot like real music. I think there is better out there, but for the price of the Kestrels, I doubt you could do much better unless you DIY.

The Hedlunds are very nice indeed! If I could build some, I would. . .

B

dawkimi · « **Reply #7 on:** 5 Jul 2003, 06:01 am »

I also agree with Jackstraw on the Kestrel 2s. I've had mine for a little under one month and believe they are awesome speakers. There is a web review at www.avguide.com if anyone is interested.

Mike

KevinW · « **Reply #8 on:** 5 Jul 2003, 06:31 am »

Quote from: JLM

I'm a fan of transmission lines, and first order crossovers too. I'd also vote for single driver systems and avoid crossing over in that same 80 - 8,000 Hz range. The best I've seen to do all that are the designs based on the E. J. Jordan 92S 4 inch aluminum foil driver that may allow you to do without a sub, depending on your room size and taste. The 92S is designed to have the center flex to higher frequencies, Ted has worked on this concept for decades. In free space the driver is rated from 40 - 20,000 Hz and 88 dB/w/m with good off axis response. The T-line extends the bass, evens out the impedence for easy amp loading, and keeps things quick/accurate/musical down low. The Jordan site offers DIY cabinet plans, the Gaincard company offers an expensive/beautiful version, and Carolina Audio offers 3 cheaper versions in gloss black.quote]

JLM,
You are almost exactly describing the speakers I have been developing for the last six months. I'll have more info on them in about a week, conciding with the official release of my business. I think people will be very impressed with the attractive price and attention to detail. And of course... the sound is

rosconey · « **Reply #9 on:** 5 Jul 2003, 10:09 am »

meadowark is 45 minutes from me- i wonder if they have tours of the factory

JLM · « **Reply #10 on:** 5 Jul 2003, 11:14 am »

Kevin W.:

Sounds very interesting, please keep us posted.

And, umm..... remember to always clearly I.D. yourself as a vendor.

thanks,

jeff

KevinW · « **Reply #11 on:** 5 Jul 2003, 05:22 pm »

JLM,
As someone who has been a hobbyist for many years, and also an active participant of online chat forums for equally as long.... I have no intention of breaking the manufacturer participant rules on the forum. In fact, I am as ardent a supporter of a properly functioning system as you will find. The balance between allowing manufacturers to interact with consumers is tenuous, but AC is doing right for everyone involved in attempting to maintain the balance. I *definitely* do not want to be seen as someone who is breaking that balance.

So, that leaves me with a question... how could I have better identified myself as a manufacturer in my last post? I thought that by stating that I am developing a product for sale, and with my signature of "Solar Hifi", my position as a retailer was as plain as I could make it, without it becoming overbearing.

Cheers,

JLM · « **Reply #12 on:** 5 Jul 2003, 05:59 pm »

Kevin:

So sorry if I came across as being critical of you or your post in any way, I certainly did not mean to be.

In light of all the recent fluff here, I just wanted to warn you (not knowing that you're an old hand at this). IMO, the recent incident was blown way out of proportion by people who can't read and/or don't have a life. They should grow up and quit wasting bandwidth on such trival tripe.

I consider it a real treat to be able to dialogue with vendors, let alone do it in a public forum like this, and would really hate to see it go away.

KevinW · « **Reply #13 on:** 5 Jul 2003, 06:51 pm »

JLM:
Thanks for the apology, and no problem on my end! This forum is quite healthy, thanks to the excellent leadership of JohnR... the Linus Torvalds of audio.

I applaud John and the other moderators for sucessfully weathering that recent storm of abuse and discussion. I think that the knowledge of how to keep this place operating properly is complicated, so I don't get offended if some people don't understand how their contributions are counterproductive. In time, the Borg will assimilate them

Rob Babcock · « **Reply #14 on:** 6 Jul 2003, 03:59 am »

Actually, Kevin, what might be the best would be some spiffy avatar for Solar HiFi. Not that you aren't upfront about being a vendor, more just that it looks cool!

Whenever I see Wayne's avatar (for example) I instantly know the source, and I know to pay attention. It just adds that "professional touch."

It's good to see that you appreciate the delicate balance between discussion and blatant shilling. Again, I've never felt you cross the line in any way. Of course it's natural that a guy who loves music and gear enough to sell it for a living is gonna want to discuss it, too. As long as everyone is open about their affiliations I don't see any problems.

KevinW · « **Reply #15 on:** 6 Jul 2003, 05:24 am »

Quote from: Rob Babcock

Actually, Kevin, what might be the best would be some spiffy avatar for Solar HiFi. Not that you aren't upfront about being a vendor, more just that it looks cool!

Okay... how's that for spiffy?

lonewolfny42 · « **Reply #16 on:** 6 Jul 2003, 05:41 am »

Can't miss that one !

Rob Babcock · « **Reply #17 on:** 6 Jul 2003, 07:41 am »

We got a winner!

JohnR · « **Reply #18 on:** 6 Jul 2003, 12:41 pm »

Linus who?

JackStraw · « **Reply #19 on:** 6 Jul 2003, 02:59 pm »

Quote from: Hantra

Quote
am curious to know what characteristics these speakers exhibit that makes some people like them a lot or not at all.

I really can't say why some don't like them. I think they are very good speakers, and they sound a lot like real music. I think there is better out there, but for the price of the Kestrels, I doubt you could do much better unless you DIY.

The Hedlunds are very nice indeed! If I could build some, I would. . .

B

After what I heard from the Kestrel2s, it's hard for me to imagine anyone not liking them. Of course that's a ridiculous statement, but I guess that tells how much I like them. Your description of sounding like "real music" is kind of comical to me -- isn't that what we're all looking for?

Now, the question is whether the Kestrel2 @ $1695 list is a better deal than a used pair of Shearwaters...