New Swifts vs. used Kestrel Hot Rods

I would have to disagree...Go Kestrals...they have much more bass than the Swifts...and overall offer a fuller midrange presentation...the swifts to me sound hollow,thin,and lean...more like monitors with stands than a floorstander...the Hotrod is also $600 or so more new...so it should be better...I like Meadowlark...but the Swifts are way overated in my opinion...if you want even a cheaper option...used vandersteen 1cs for around $500...virtually identical phase correct sound...

Contrary to current designer trends...I am not a big fan of very small drivers...often 5" or smaller...in a floorstanding configuration(such as the Swifts)...the same could be said for monitors...you cant overcome physics...they simply dont move enough air to generate lower frequencies...and regardless of design...be it bass reflex,t-lines,etc...you can only squeeze so much out of a small driver...the trade-offs are improved imaging,soundstaging,etc...due to a smaller or slimmer enclosure...and that is true...maybe Im being a little to critical of a 1k speaker...but 1k to me will always be alot of money...and I hate to pick on Meadowlark...they are a very good company making excellent products...and back to the original poster's question...I would still side with used Kestrals...or as mentioned...used Vandersteen 1cs which incorporate an 8" driver in a boxless design