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Meadowlark Kestrel II vs. Soliloquy 6.2

I'd like to duplicate the live music experience with a two-way speaker. My goal is to miraculously have Coltrane, Miles, Jimi, Stevie Ray, etc. perform in my living room. This speaker also must have a high "WAF" (Wife Acceptance Factor).

I'm very interested in the Meadowlark philosophy regarding time and phase coherency and the use of 1st order crossovers, reproducing the original wave form as the music was recorded. How will these two speakers compare? Is the apparent smaller "sweet spot" of time/phase coherent speakers significant?

My system: Ah! Njoe Tjoeb CD Player w/upsampler
Eastern Electric MiniMax Preamp
Quicksilver Minimite Monos
Klipsch Heresys

My room: 20'x14'x8'

I listen to a variety of music including Jazz, Classic Rock, and Classical so this speaker needs to be versatile. I don't need to shake the walls with thunderous bass but I like to crank it up once in a while.

Any other suggestions for two-way speakers in the 2k range would be appreciated.

Mike
mootsdude
rysa4
266 posts
 
Might look at the Usher 6 series speakers in that price range or the Soliloquy 6.2. Both of those choices will get you where you want to go in all liklihood.
boa2's avatar
boa2
1,551 posts
 
Mootsdude,
If you like the sound of the Klipsch, moving to a non-horn speaker will likely have you feeling like the performer is moving out of the room and into the box.

Try an upgrade on the CD player power cord. I'd also try going straight into the wall, instead of through the VH Audio Hot box. My Hot Box veiled the sound dramatically. I also used the Signal cables. Excellent...for the money.

If your wife is OK with the Klipsch look, and you like the sound, you can upgrade to the Cornwall ($700-900), and gain more presence for all of your music. And put your savings elsewhere.

I've owned the Soliloquy 5.3, 6.2, as well as the Silverline Sonata II. Incredible speakers, all of them. But none come close to that "you are the there" transparency that the Klipsch has.

Just my 2 cents.
All the best,
Howard
P.S.--Are you a Moots bicycle rider? Is that the source of your user name?
mootsdude OP
51 posts
 
Rysa4 - I'm not familiar with the Usher 6 series speakers. I'll certainly give them a listen.

Boa2 - I do like the sound of Klipsch (at least the vintage series) matched with the Quicksilver amps. The very simple mods I've done to them have been astounding. I never thought sealing the internal cabinet seams with $10 worth of Liquid Nails could have such an effect. These speakers can be much more transparent than most people give them credit for. My only complaint is that they tend to be bright. I have had these speakers for 21 years and can't help but wonder how the technology of speaker design has changed over the years. I clearly need to do some home auditioning before any decision is made.

My wife is an archetect and seems to be more concerned with appearance than function. Unfortunately, the WAF is low for the bigger Klipsch's.

Maybe I should change the tack and consider upgrading with dedicated power lines. I can't say I've noticed any AC noise but then again, ignorance is bliss.

And yes, I am a Moots rider. Been racing the road for 15 years. That's my other passion.

Regards, Mike

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