Thiel or Meadowlark?

Completely different in sound ..Thiels are more analytical,drier,and difficult to drive...Larks are smoother,more forgiving,and easier to mate with tubes or SS...both are phase correct...I find the Thiels metallic tweets bright...Larks only use fabric domes...very non-fatiguing....Thiels are very lean in bass...so is the new Lark "Swift"...if you can swing it...go with Kestrals...or a bigger albeit pricier Thiel...they both excel...but in completely opposite ways...good thread..

If your going to go Meadowlark...go Kestrals...they have a much fuller presentation than the Swifts...the Swifts are a bit lean for my tastes...might work in a very small room...but overall I like the added low end of the Kestrals...they are a bit more in price...but the extra $400 or so is well spent...the Swifts also require stands...another "hidden" cost...good luck..

Both Thiels and Meadowlarks are very good speakers...which one is "better" really comes down to subjective taste...ultimately you have to decide what you want out of a speaker...precision imaging,dynamics,bass,transparency,detail,etc...it can be both exciting and extremely frustrating...for example...if you listen to primarly vocals and material that doesnt require alot of bass(acoustics,string quartets,etc)...Spendors and older Spicas are tough to beat...they really excel at 3-D imaging in this regard...however....they are a bit rolled off in the highs... offer very little bass...and lack dynamics...Vandersteens are very good in this regard as well(although they are rolled off as well)...but offer full range bass(40hz)...albeit a bit slow but very clean and musical...and are easier to drive than SPicas and SPendors....the Vandy 1c competes very well with the new Meadowlark Swift...and the original Kestral as well...and unlike the Swift...the Vandy 1c doesnt require a sub...they sound alot deeper than their specs suggest...

Thiels at your price point are a completely different bread...they offer greater detail...but are very "unforgiving" on recordings and source material...they also suffer from lack of dynamics...and the bass that is there is very tight but lean(they will require a sub)...the Meadowlark Kestrals and Vandersteen 1c are better "all arounders" in my opinion...