Meadowlark Kestrel II vs. Soliloquy 6.2

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?

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

Hi Mootsdude,

I have Klipsch Forte's and like the Heresys they can be bright. I used the MiniMax in my system which consists of:

NAD c541i cdp
deHavilland UltraVerve
Art Audio Carissa

With the MiniMax in the system it sounded good but it was on the bright side of things (this with NOS tubes BTW). When I put the UV in, my system went to a whole new level in every way. The soundstage exploded, the frequency extremes are more extended and smoother and the mids are wonderful. See my review for more details. I believe the MninMax is a great pre for the money but I was amazed at the differences between it and the UV.

I just thought I would mention this. A change somewhere else may make you fall in love with the Heresys all over again. As you said, like my Forte's, the Heresys will let you know everything you do in front of them. Good luck.

http://forum.audiogon.com/cgi-bin/frr.pl?rprea&1100468953&read&3&4&

Cheers

Mike,

If you like the transparency of the Klipsch, one way to take the brightness out of your system is to add bass, which is exactly what you will be doing by going to a larger, fuller range speaker. If you could try the 'Honey, I blew up the Heresy's' tact, and end up with some Cornwalls, you could be really happy for all of the music you like. You just have to ask your wife if she wants to be remembered as a Louis Kahn/Phillip Johnson type, or just your run of the mill shopping mall designer. Dig deep, and push her to expand the limits of her aesthetic. OK, maybe don't push too hard.

Alternatively, what about adding a powered sub to your current system? We are doing that with our La Scala's, which only reach down to around 50Hz. I can take any brightness out of them by adding the bass that currently is not there.

Definitely go for the dedicated power lines. Can't do it here, unfortunately, as we're renters.

Also, are you using KT88's in your amps? Not quite as open in the midrange, but on those Mini Mites (I've owned a pair myself), they are extremely musical, as well as providing a rounded, full bottom end. Very Oprah-like, we might say.

Love those Moots bikes. I think they are building the Hampsten Ti bikes, no? I think that Andy's brother Steve builds them. I 'ran into' Andy in Italy, as we were both cycling out of San Gimignano in 2001, when my wife and I were living there. What a nice guy!

All the best,
Howard

Howard,

I'll take your advice and start working on my wife with a bit of finesse. Somewhere between the shoulder massage and the foot rub I'll get her to agree to my ways with her signature scribbled on the binding agreement. Hehehehe.

I'm beginning to lean towards dedicated power lines before the speaker upgrade. This may make more sense since I don't foresee moving anytime soon.

Andy Hampsten is a legend in US cycling - a real class act. He has employed Moots to build his Ti road frames. I believe Kent Erickson (Moots founder) is the builder - a genius in his own right.

Regards, Mike