Your experience with the Nolas mirrored mine exactly - sounded pretty fine from outside the room and with walking in - I even noted that it sounded nice - but then i sat down and the played some more tunes - an absolute bloody mess, almost unlistenable.
Also agree on the Totems - sounded spectacular with that Rogers (think that's what it was) tube amp. Interestingly, here in Toronto (their home country) they were demonstrating the exact same speakers with Bryston electronics and the sound was horrible.
As for the Sashas, I was surpised by them since other Wilson speakers don't usually move me. Thought they sounded best in that Doshi room - that certainly turned my head (never had heard of Doshi before and wasn't expecting much from the Wilsons).
Also agree on the Totems - sounded spectacular with that Rogers (think that's what it was) tube amp. Interestingly, here in Toronto (their home country) they were demonstrating the exact same speakers with Bryston electronics and the sound was horrible.
As for the Sashas, I was surpised by them since other Wilson speakers don't usually move me. Thought they sounded best in that Doshi room - that certainly turned my head (never had heard of Doshi before and wasn't expecting much from the Wilsons).