Dissapointed with my new speakers

I think you will like Totems. They are a good value for good sound. I'd probably take them over either B&W or modern Klipsch floorstanders in the same general price ranges. Models I've heard like the Arros require considerable power and current to come alive at low volumes the way they are capable though. Don't let the small size fool you there!

I'm not familiar with the sound of the Von Schweikerts so can't comment there.

Interesting. Because there seemed be some concern about bass weight, I completely skimmed over the Totem Arros, but Mapman knows I am a huge fan of those. Agree on the power requirements for that speaker, but the imaging is fantastic and the attractively finished skinny boxes have huge WAF. The slightly larger Sttaf has a bigger sound, but for a lot more money (would be surprised to see these for under $1000).

For the asking price of the VR2s, you could almost buy a new pair of Totem Forests which are a SERIOUS speaker. I do recommend you go listen to the Totem line of products if you can - you may find that you would be quite happy with one of their compact speakers like the Rainmaker or Model One instead of a pair of floorstanders.

I've always been interested in the Rainmakers and the other Totems, but they seem like such small speakers. That was one thing I disliked about my RB25s, they sounded relatively good but you could tell that they were small speakers as they lacked the soundstaging, imaging, and impact you get from larger floorstanders. Also would they be a good match for both home theater and music use? Since amplification has been brought up several times, will my Denon be enough to power them? I paid an arm and a leg for it and because of it's weight (55lbs) it would be relatively difficult to sell unless I find a local buyer.

BTW-Sorry for all the questions and thanks for the help!

MB9061, FINALLY someone else who will admit the Monitor's are BRIGHT for music....guess it's the metal drivers that make them that way...I had a great deal on a pair of the top of the line (can't remember which one) a few years ago and really wanted to like them, but finally the wife told me they sucked and she was tired of listening to them, thank goodness!

I think the Denon should be adequate for use with most of the Totem models except maybe the Hawks and the Mani II.

All Totems I have listened to have terrific imaging relative to other speakers of similar size and cost.

I think what large floor standers can provide has more to do with the "weight" and "Scale" of the presentation than imaging. Difficult for me to enjoy large orchestras or Rock at near concert volumes on anything other than several hundred watts of amplification pushing large or multiple bass drivers - which usually means a system with a great subwoofer or larger floor standing speakers.

For most other kinds of music, particularly in smaller rooms, quality monitors that are well placed on stands with good amplification can be very enjoyable. In fact, because of their usually smaller face area and the closer physical proximity of their smaller drivers, monitors typically "disappear" in the sound field better than floor standers.

One exception is the Totem Arro which is a super slim floorstander that images more like a great monitor.

In larger rooms, bass and overall "scale" and "weight" of the presentation can be lacking in monitor-based systems without the addition of a well integrated sub.