Great speakers. Got them teamed with an Arcam 7 amp and a Rega Planet cd player. I'm very happy.

I purchased the Kestrels after a long search and a final audition of the PSB Stratus Mini, Stratus Bronze and Kestrels. I can tell you, it was VERY close between the Stratus Bronze and Kestrels, but in the end my ears and my gut told me that the Kestrels have a degree of refinement present only in much more expensive speakers( i.e., the Joseph Audio RM22i) that cost twice as much and require more room.Once installed in a listening area that isn't quite large enough for them, the Kestrels gave nothing but muscial pleasure from the get-go. With a tube amp (a rebuilt Stereo 70), their imaging and soundstaging is phenomenal. Off-axis listening is enjoyable, as is listening from another room. They have all the musical bass anyone needs, and their top-to-bottom balance is nothing short of wonderful.
I've heard the Kestrels on several occasions under different listening conditions, and they've sounded terrible or sublime, depending on the program material, associated equipment, and room conditions. They sounded their most sublime when used with a good tube amp, such as the Mesa Tigris run in triode or the VTLs. All I can say is that for my money, these are the most accurate, musical, and easy to live with speakers I have experienced. Five enthusiastic stars!

sounstage
imaging
well balanced from lows to highs

only the bottom end, but this is a small two-way and does a fine job considering.

was looking for a solid all around speaker for a smaller listening area and stumbled upon the Kestrel while auditioning a couple of bookshelfs (above). The Kestrels provided everything the other speakers offered plus greater dynamics. Matched them with a Rega Mira integrated amp and a Yamaha cdc 765 and I've been very happy with the music.

Similar Products Used:

auditioned the Hales Rev 1's, Paradigm studio 20's

I recently purchased these speakers from a reviewer for SoundStage.com. (Go to their archives if you want to see his review). These are the type of speakers that make you want to whip out all of your old CDs and listem to them again. I've mated them with an M&K Sub and an Onkyo Receiver. They give life to the music, separating all of the instuments. The highs are precise without being shrieking, the mid-range is as warm as a homemade quilt, and the bass is tight and adaquate--I do wish for a little more, but then my sub wouldn't have anything to do. Acoustic/live performances are incredible and home theater is also spectacular.
Since my musical tastes vary here's the rating break down per music category (without considering price and a minor lack of bass):
Home Theatre: 4
Instrumentals (piano / guitar): 5
Vocals: 5
Dance/Techno style: 4
Electric Guitar / Drums(Heavy Metal):4

Simply put (in my opinion), for the money, there is nothing better and that's why I gave it 5 stars. However, the next step for me will be the PSB Golds which have a more of a bass presence, as well as more of a financial presence ($2000).

For this fledgling audiophile on a budget, these speakers were a revelation. I had despaired of finding anything approaching what I would find acceptable for less than $2000, if not more (and yes, I'd listened to a sizeable chunk of the contenders). Then I heard the Kestrels. First, they captured accurately the tone and timbre of instruments, both traditional and electronic, and the human voice - throughout the spectrum. Second, bass was in no way compromised or inflated. Third, soundstaging was unbelievable, especially with tubes - ditto their ability to disappear like mini-monitors (but what do you know? - no tradeoffs). Fourth they do not take over a room and look just fine.
Now here's the crunch. As I try to create an acceptable sound system on a budget, I have continued to find them exemplary in accurately representing whatever is going on elsewhere in the system. Their accuracy is acute, but never "hi-fi" - they just represent what a component is doing to the sound. My sources are now a Naim 3.5 CD player with Flat Cap outboard power supply - a giant killer at the price; turntable is a Rega 3 with Grado sonata cartidge (thanks to very tolerant local dealer Acoustic Image in Studio City, hum is obliterated by insertion of magnetic shileding). Now I'm just trying to decide upon amplification - very difficult. (But if money was no object, I would plump for anything from Joule Electronics - extraordinary quality with a real sense of the live event). These Kestrels definitely LOVE tubes - whatever I plump for in the end will make them sing. A final plug for Acoustic Image - you won't find a more musical, knowledgable and patient dealer in this town (LA). (Also had great experiences with Gene Rubin and Sound Asylum).

The Kestrels ZING primarily because they are dead-on MUSICALLY. I listen to all music, and used to play both classical and pop professionally. Also produced live music for radio. So I think I can safely say I have some "ears" in these matters. These are MUST-LISTEN speakers for everyone - a fabulous bargain at the price (and the product support is excellent).

crossover selection,phase correct,transmission line

none apparent

if you have the good fortune of having 1200-1500 bucks for
a quality loudspeaker the Kestrals deserve serious consideration. One review claimed these speakers were "too
polite" in nature. My experience was vastly different. These
were anything but passive, and one of the more dynamic
speakers i have heard in quite some time. They had a sense
of urgency and emotion rarely heard at any level. If these
were made in Europe they would be double the price. They
use a Peerless fabric tweeter and a Vifa mid, both of which
are produced in Northern (Scandanavian) Europe. Compared
to everything else equal or above in price they were vastly
superior (and they don't need a sub!).

Similar Products Used:

monitor,b&w,vandy,maggiew

Tonaly accurate, open and sweet highs, good bass extension for it's size. very well built, tasteful and decor-friendly cabinet.

audibly, none to speak of..especialy at this prce. However, the supplied spikes are nearly worthless and they are a bit more fussy to place than my previous speakers. Don't remove the grill cloths unless you plan on keeping them off...they are not easy to put back.

Wow!
let me say that the slope on the 'audio deminishing return' curve makes a very steep increase with this speaker. I have heard many top flight, expensive speakers that do not sound this good. And the ones that do, in my opinion, do not offer enough of an improvement to justify a higer price.

There a handful of speakers that I have heard over the years that sound tonally 'right'...often in contrast to a 'hi-fi' sound. In this group I would generally include Vandersteen, Reference 3a, Audio Physic, and sonus faber to name a few. Well... now include Meadowlark is in this company.
Many hi-end speakers do certain things well (often extrodinarily so) but they also put something in the way of the music in the proess (Mirage, Martin Logan, B&W, apogee, I could go on..). By contrast, the Meadowlarks don't jump out in any one area...they just pass the music very well....exaclty what a speaker should do in my opinion.

Some specific comparisons to previous speakers I have spent extended time with (see above).

KEF R104/2- the Kestrels do not have as much bass, but the mids and highs seem more accurate. Also the imagiing is more precise with the Meadowlarks.

Signets - Again not as much bass as the SL280EX (more than the SL260 though). Going in the opposite direction, imaging is not as precise as the SL260, but I think this quality is overdone with the Signets..it seems artificial on some recorings. The treble is much better on the Kestrels, both Signets have agressive top ends.

Vandersteen- The tonal presentation of the Meadowlark is nearly identical to the Vandersteen (2Ce). The bass on the Vandees is more extended although it is not as tight. Here again the Kesterls have the edge in image focus. Both of these speakers do a 'disapearing act' on good recordings. Very similar sound....it may come down to asthetics..the Vandees are big and not very attractive, the Meadowlarks are sleek and elegant in comparison.

Spica TC-50- I think the Kestrels can assume the ultimate bang-for-the-buck mantle now that the Spica is no longer made. The soundstage with the Spica is still more 3D than the Meadowlark (and almot every other speaker I have heard with the exception of the Refernce 3a De Cappo) but good luck finding any Spicas (you ain't getin mine!). The Meadowlark has more bass and a smoother top-end (but not by much).

In general, it took more time to otptimally place the Kestrels than most of my previous speakers. This was espcially true with the toe in...somewhere between 20 and 30 degrees gave the best result (sorry, I did not break out the protractor).

two words of advice:

1. Get rid of the spikes...they make the speaker sound worse. They actually sounded better just siting on the carpet. I currently have them on slabs of granite, which is an improvement over the carpet...also I am going to experiment with Vibrapods in the near future. Maybe try some good after-market spikes for yourself.

2. Decide if you want the grills on or off first. It is a pain in the --- to put them back in place.

Kudo's to Meadowlark for making such an oustanding product at this price.

5 stars get tossed around alot, but this one truly deserves it.

To sum up...Why Spend More????

Similar Products Used:

Kef R104/2, Signet SL280EX and SL260, Vandersteen 2Ce, Spica TC-50.

Build Quality, soundstaging, imaging, amazing bass for the size and 2-way configuration, great disappearing act and overall sound.

Maybe the fact that it can't play at ear-splitting levels. But this little beauty can boogie with the best of them!!
That's it! I just can't find any other weaknesses for a $1250 loudspeaker! I couldn't find any if it were twice the price. The rosewood veneer is killer, but would like to see a few extra veneer choices! Currently offer rosewood, light ash, black ash, wood veneer.

Bottom Line:

If you want as complete a speaker as you can buy for the paltry sum of $1250, this is it! I could not better it unless I wanted to spend $2500 - $3000. Even its bigger brother the Shearwater, did not warrant the extra $$$ (twice the price). Will respond to many types of electronics with excellent results. Obviously, the better the gear, the better the sound. But this isn't the tweaky speaker that only works with mega-buck equipment. A good receiver or integrated, a good amp-preamp combo, a decent source and you're in business. It responded well with 40 watt tube, 60, 120 and 200 watt solid state. And, the tube stuff vs. solid state controversy - neither out-shines the other. Listen, and you make the choice.

Similar Products Used:

Paradigm Studio 60: $1400, good but not up to the Kestrel in overall musicality.
Sonus Faber Concertino: $1450 incl. stands, all the great aspects of the Kestrel, but no bass!
Audio Physic Step: $2000 incl. stands, like the Concertino with even less bass.
Avalon.....I love this stuff, but can't afford to sell any more organs!!

At the time I was hungry for a new pair of speakers. I have listened to LOTS and LOTS of speakers around their price range and above. I was on a budget of unfer $1K. I have compared Sonus Faber concertinos, Dynaudio audience 40 and 50, Hales revelation 1, Legacy Audio Studio, JPW, Energy, and lots others in strict scrutany. After heavy auditioning for a new pair of speakers for my small to medium size bedroom, I stumbled across a dealer on the internet selling their demo Meadowlark Kestrals. He had them for $700, although I have not even listened to the Kestrals before I decided to take the plunge. Long behold that I was going to be struck with amazement! I recently owned a pair of B&W dm 302. From a little bookshelf to a floorstanding Kestral is a huge leap. These guys are the BEST bang for your buck! In their price they bet out to a pulp most speakers to the $5K range. They are very musical. The vocals and midrange are sweet and smooth. The highs are nice and clean, although they may be a hair, mind you a hair bright. I tried to stick some felt rings around the tweeters and it help minimize the tad of brightness. The cabinet design is very strong and made reaaly well. I don't know how these other guys are saying that it looks like a two year old put it together. No way can a two year old can make such an impressive pair of speakers! Knocking on the cabinets shows thay it is very braced and inert, very solid build. There is only one draw back, it needs a little bit of room, about 6'-7' of space for them to shine. The sound stage is incredible. Very centered and focus, good depth and presence. The music just fills the room with without even trying. The bass is very clean down to about 40HZ. Although at times I would like to have alittle more bass, but it is very tuneful and accurate. Very good bass for their size. At any volume from a whisper to concert level these guys really sing. Keep in mind that the dimensions do not really depict the real thing. I really does look bigger than the measurements.My friend and I did an A/B blind test with his highly praised ACI Saphire III. Please read the reviews on this website. It is soooo close to the ACI, the only thing the Kestrals missed was the abilty to produce a wider soundstage than the ACI. The ACI had a sound stage that went from side wall to side wall. Kestrals had a soundstage that was more noted between the speakers and not too much passed it. These ARE the Best speakers in this price range. So stop looking around and call them up or look them up on the web. These speakers sit between the dynaudio 40's and the proac 2sc.
My equipment is:
Jolida 202(tube)
NAD 5340 Cd player
Meridian 563 D/A converter
PBJ interconnects
Nordost flatline Speaker cable
All equipments are isolated and the room is treated lightly with diffusers.
Five stars all they way! This company really knows what they are doing.
They listen to each and every one of their spekaers before they ship them out.