Meadowlark Swift Speakers (demo units)
Review References:
Enjoythemusic.com
6moons.com
The Swift speakers might actually be the greatest bargain in American hi-fi today. Introduced at the Primedia (Stereophile) Home Entertainment Show in New York in June 2002, the speakers created a quite a sensation that resulted in audiophiles packing the Meadowlark room -- to hear a $995 loudspeaker! That's right, these speakers cost only $995!
The Swift represents major developments for Meadowlark in terms of both appearance and engineering. Available in light, dark or black Ash, the Swift uses a stylishly sweeping and sculpted design that features a front slanted from bottom to top, with the well finished transmission-line port located near the bottom. A single set of gold-plated speaker binding posts is located on the back panel. The enclosure is inert and a knuckle test confirms that the enclosure is solid. A boomerang shaped three-point black base screwed to the speaker bottom serves as firm foundation. Considering the Swift's very compact footprint, the base is a cool idea. Overall, the speakers look elegant and stylish.
The Swift shares the same Time Coherent Engineering Philosophy that Meadowlark is known for. A simple, first order crossover is tucked into an isolation chamber and uses just three parts: one Auric capacitor, one heatsinked Caddock power resistor, and one Sidewinder heavy gauge air core inductor. All connections are point to point silver soldered by hand. Internal wire is DH Labs Silver Sonic.
A new engineering implementation is the newly conceived next generation transmission-line execution that Paul McGinty, the designer, calls "BASS-IC" for Impedance-Coupled Bass. The result is a claimed bass response to 35 Hz from the Swift's 5.5-inch woofer, as well as the ability to play much louder than would be expected from such a small driver. The Swift's impedance is 8 ohms and its rated sensitivity is 89 dB. It is designed to be an extremely easy load even for low-powered tube amplifiers.
The Swift will soar with your music and so will you!
Specifications
Type: 2-way floorstanding loudspeaker
Bass: 5.5" Vifa woofer in front-ported "BASS-IC" transmission line alignment
Tweeter: 1" Vifa fabric-dome
Crossover: first-order (6dB/octave)
Frequency response: 35Hz to 22kHz
Impedance: 8 ohms
Sensitivity: 89dB/W/m
Dimensions: 7" x 9.5" x 36" (WxDxH) exclusive of base
Weight: 35 lbs. each
Warranty: 5 years with return of owner registration card
Price: $995 in light ash, dark ash or black
Company Information
Meadowlark Audio Inc.
800 Starbuck Avenue Suite A-103
Watertown, NY 13601Voice: (315) 779-8875
Fax: (315) 779-8835
E-mail: meadowlarkaudio@meadowlarkaudio.com
Web: www.meadowlarkaudio.com