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Thiel or Meadowlark?

Could you share opinions on the Thiel 1.5 vs Meadowlark Swifts? I'd like to spend around $1000 for a small floorstander, small room 12'x12'x10', ARC tubes, Theta digital, VPI analog. Acoustic jazz, soft pop, older vinyl. Had Thiel 2 2's, haven't heard the Swifts. Must be placed close to rear wall, be revealing but musically involving. Been doing this 30 yrs. so all audiophile expectations apply. I know I'm asking alot but it's all I have to work with. Thanks, John.
captpenny

Showing 2 responses by cellorover

cellorover
417 posts
 
Can't argue with Islandflyfisher's assessment. Spot on. There is another Meadowlark thread today, a couple up the line. I shared some of my earlier feelings about Kestral and Swift. Swift's front port allows them to go close to the wall with little damage to the sound. I have yet to find a small floorstander that beats them out -- dollar for dollar, sound for sound. I have found a couple monitors that give them a run for the money, but they cost from $1700 - 3000. I think you should bring home some Swifts and listen for yourself. Also be prepared to play with wires.
cellorover
417 posts
 
Captpenny, let's turn this in a different direction, but also let me point out that ML Swift are floor standers. They come with feet that you attach to the bottom, so they do not require stands. Swallow is the same speaker but is a monitor needing stands. All the bird names starting with "S" can be confusing. A number of manufacturers are offering small and/or narrow floorstanders with stabalizing legs.

I also agree that Kestral can be boomy. The older/first versions were more this way than the newer ones (new being defined as post 1999). Possibly a little dark sounding, but overall a great speaker from day 1! Hopwever, this can be corrected by updating the cross-over. Heron (as many other speakers) can sound boomy if not correctly matched to an amp.

Question??? Phasecorrect -- where did you hear Swifts and what amp and cables were being used? I don't know if I would call the bass lean as much as not subwoofer bass present. Let's remember they use a fast 5" woofer. IMO they would offer decent bass, especially with Captpenny's analog set up.

We could start a new thread on what should bass really sound like. But, let's not go there now. Captpenny is seeking some input and help.

Anyway -- new direction. Captpenny -- Is a small floor stander essential? As mentioned, there are a few monitors out there (used of course for 1K) that could offer more than either Swift or 1.5s. But from a sound point of view, few will be more musical than Swift.
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