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Has anyone seen the new Meadowlark Swift?

I just looked at the Meadowlark web page, and they have a new speaker out called the Swift. It caught my attention right away, because it looks just like a short Voigt Pipe, with a tweeter added. A guy on the Speaker Asylum heard them, and posted that they threw a huge soundstage, and were as good as the Kestrels for only $995.
I think it is interesting that now, after all these years, there are numerous Voigt Pipe designs hitting the market, like the Meadowlark Swift, and the Cain&Cain Abby, BD designs, and of course the original Lowther.
Anyone heard any of these speakers, especially the Meadowlark? What do you think of the sound, particularly the bass response?
twl
cellorover
425 posts
 
Hi! I have seen and heard the Swift and spent a lot of time on the phone with Pat McGinty talking about the Swift and the Swallow. The Swift is amazing. Nice wide soundstage, accurate, musical and captivating. A very liquid and sweet midrange. You can just sit and listen. They can also handle power. They just sound better, not louder as you turn up the volume. The new technology lets the bass excel. These are not bass shy speakers, nor is the bass boomy. I was shocked when I first heard them. They sounded better than my old Kestrels but I still love my Vieros (which in my opion, are more accurate than the Kestrels with just as good soundstage.) Pat feels that both the new speakers blow the Verios away and he will be using the new technology on the Shearwaters. The new cabinets are solid and the finish outstanding. The combination of "BassIC" technology and the cabinet making capabilities at his new factory are a true home home. If you have any other questions or want to talk me, send me an e-mail. Val
suits_me
121 posts
 
I saw and heard them at the NY show, and was impressed from what I could tell in those sort of circumstances, i.e., not knowing the room, music selections, ancillaries....

They are striking looking for sure, but I am unsure about the outriggers, which I might interpret as a visual reference to the way geese fly.

There are people around selling them for less than 1k, which tells me a lot of people/dealers are feeling pinched these days.
cellorover
425 posts
 
Suits me raises an very important point. Summer is the slow period for audio and this year is worse. Many dealers want to make the sale. However, the Swifts retail for $995, so they should be selling for less than 1K. As for the outriggers; yes, they are different. Yet, other manufacturers use similar devices. It's personal taste versus desire for best sound.
cdc
1,826 posts
 
Heard very briefly. Very good sound. I think with tube amps. Definitely "high end" sound quality. I would think Kestrels would give better dynamics and bass since it is bigger. Other than that Swifts might even be better.
I didn't get to really give them a critical listen and find out all their faults but they did not seem fatiguing or too much bass like the bigger Meadowlarks stuff.
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