Meadowlark Kestrel II vs. Soliloquy 6.2

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.

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

I just got rid of a pair of 6.2's. Nice speakers but I felt something was always wrong. I felt I was battling them! Trying to correct the problems, I changed my whole system! Wife friendly, I don't know but my GF did not like the sound or the placment of them(must be placed well into a room). No bass at all, with rock or any marginally poor recordings they just sound plain bad. The midrange has that sweet reach out and touch you sound, but after that is were the trouble with the treble starts. Soliloquy's to my ears need dark sounding components and good copper cables to smooth out the lower trebles abnormalities. Tired of the fight I sold them. Found a little Audiogon secret, Tyler Acoustics. All you read about the company and the speakers is true. Night and day difference in sound of the 6.2's and my Taylo Ref 1's. No more fighting to get the right sound, I've found my last speaker company!

Mike,

It would seem to be your best move at first, installing the dedicated lines. And Samac's suggestion regarding the preamp is also excellent. From there, you certainly have a lot of room to move in the way of a speaker upgrade. I'd just be sure that you are heading in the direction of the sound that you like. Namely, one of transparency and immediacy. What kind of power cord are you using on your CD player right now?

Are you still racing? In Colorado?
Regards,
Howard

Central NJ, right? NOT Colorado. Just read your response to the 'Who R U?' thread.
All the best,
Howard

Tojman,
You really found a 30Hz speaker to have "no bass at all"? I'm guessing that you had them for more than the 300-500 hour break-in period, yes? Because during that initial period, the treble glares harshly and the bass is anemic. Afterwards, however, they open up and become the speaker that so many people rave about. Or so was our experience.

Congrats on finding a speaker to your liking. Those Tylers sure have a devoted following.
All the best,

Howard - I didn't mean to mislead you by saying I'm a "Moots rider". Moots sponsors a racing team based in Steamboat Springs, Colorado (where the bikes are made). I race a Moots bicycle in NJ. Actually I've retired from racing but continue to train with a local amatuer team in Trenton, NJ. To do well in racing requires incredible dedication and tolerance to pain. Beacuse of family and work obligations I've decided to taper off on the racing.

The power cord on the CD player is an upgraded captive cord that is factory installed. For this reason, Im probably not going to mess with it.

Tojman - I have consistantly heard great things about the entire Tyler line of speakers. I'll need to give them a listen. Sounds like they're less finickey with regards to component and cable synergy than the Soliloquy's. What is your associated equipment and what power requirements are necessary to drive the Tyler's?

Don't mean to derail this thread, but in regards to Boa2's remark about the VH Audio Hotbox sounding veiled, I'm curious as to what specific component might be the cause? I'm using a couple of DIY powerbox's comprised of Cryoed Wattagate 5266i to VH 4 cable to Porter Ports in plastic boxes; so the differences are the outlets, lack of Auricaps, and plastic versus the metal box. I haven't noticed any problems, but was considering adding the Auricaps next; and I hope this won't result in the problem that Boa2 has experienced.

Boa2,
They did produce low bass, but only on "modern day" CD's for the most part. I broke them in for well over 700 hours, and started to open up at around 300 hours. Drove them with a 40watt tube then a McCormack DNA.5. Don't get me wrong, they sound good, but a poorly produced recording was unlistenable. The Tylers on the other hand make my non-audiophile friends jaws drop. The Tylers need a little more power then the 6.2's. Always wanted to try a krell amp, found a great deal on a 400xi. Sounds impressive, a more in your face sound, not as warm, rather cold, but with super Krell bass control.

Wdi,
I should say that we have a SET amp/horn system, with 104dB speakers. Many of the cables, power boxes, and even power conditioners have had the effect of veiling the sound, making it seem like the highs are simply smoothed over. So I can't imagine that everyone would have the same experience, given the differences in our systems, as well as in our listening preferences. In other words, YMMV.
All the best,
Howard

Well, Tojman, I just knew there was another speaker I needed to hear. Making a mental note...TYLER.
Thank you,

Howard