I/C Meadowlark Hotrod Shearwaters

robert_cyrus · Sep 1, 2009

Mentally, I've sold and moved on, so I think this should really happen in reality.
To be honest I think these are wonderful speakers, but I have a desire to try something else, hence I'm offering these up to see if there is any interest.

The sale would depend on me finding something else, and I do have some feelers out, a couple of options to pursue ...

The speakers are in excellent condition, no marks on the cabinets that I can recall, though I'll double check.

I have the following:
- the original boxes
- the spikes, which I understand are hard to come by due to the odd sized threading
- the "socks" i.e. the grilles
- the owners manual

Here's an old photo, will update with something newer later ...

Demos welcome, we live 25 minutes south of Salisbury, 25 minutes north of Bournemouth.

Looking for £850

robert_cyrus · Sep 1, 2009

More photos taken today.

You may notice a slight mark bottom left corner of the above photo - here's a closer shot:

These marks are a slight scuffing where the varnish layer has been broken, there's no damage to the wood that I can see. Hardly noticeable, to be honest, but shown here for completeness.

robert_cyrus · Sep 1, 2009

Couple of reviews:

http://www.stereophile.com/floorloudspeakers/669/

Now if that ain't enough performance for $3195/pair, then dig deeper, son, because you need more speaker. Meadowlark Audio's flagship two-way is an utterly non-fatiguing, elegantly dynamic loudspeaker that plays nice and loud without distortion, and should illuminate all the most subtle aspects of your upstream equipment while portraying the spatial dimensions and acoustic signature of fine recordings with luminescent ease and grace. The Hot Rod Shearwater is the kind of clear, captivating, straightforward loudspeaker around which you can assemble a true high-resolution sound system, secure in the knowledge that goodness in will translate into goodness out.
Click to expand...

http://www.soundstage.com/revequip/ian03.htm

Has Meadowlark Audio done something extraordinary here with the Hot Rod Shearwaters? The answer is an enthusiastic YES! Aside from the HR Shearwaters’ somewhat dark-sounding tonal balance and general laid-back demeanor, I don’t think that these speakers have any serious shortcomings. They are very easy to drive, gorgeous to look at, exceedingly well put together, intensely moving, and musically engaging -- and at $2900 a pair they are a bargain in a crowded market filled with overpriced underachievers. These speakers are a long-term purchase for those with a yearning for great sound at a truly justifiable price. Are they really $500 better than the standard Shearwaters? I think so. Are they the best speakers that money can buy? No, but based on the 20 or so pairs that I’ve heard in the $2000–$4000 range, they are certainly at the top of their class.
Click to expand...

Price in the UK I believe was circa £2750.

wadia-miester · Sep 1, 2009

Lovely speakers, work well with valves too really musical and engaging sound.
Good luck with your sale Rob

johnandchris · Sep 1, 2009

Nice!!!
I have a pair of the smaller brothers to theses, the Meadowlark Kestrel Hot rods and they sound fantastic. Hold onto them, you may regret selling them. Good luck!

robert_cyrus · Sep 12, 2009

Now definitely for sale, try an offer, I can only say no, but I might say yes.

robert_cyrus · Oct 30, 2009

Bump. Still for sale. Price now reduced to £775. Courier delivery will be circa £50, with original packaging, or come and collect.
Bargain speaker imo.

robert_cyrus · Oct 31, 2009

more recent photos:

'larks now wearing their socks - these are the grilles that are simply fabric with a catgut hem which hooks over the front baffle.

rear shot, showing the model logos plus the Cardas binding posts - these are solid, quality posts. The speakers dont come with brass links, I assume because Meadowlark didnt approve of that kind of thing.