2. member-reviews
  3. 1115853904

How does Totem do it ???

Category: Speakers

Long story short...after several years of playing the field I've found my field of dreams...in the Forest! Totem Forest's that is. They love Krell amplification and a good CD player, but other than that and decent cables you got yourself a slice of heaven! How much heaven can be had for a system price of $6000...try comparing this system to what I've owned over the years:

Dunlavy SC-V's
Wilson watt/puppy 6's (twice)
B&W 801N
Totem Wind
Maggie 3.6
ML Prodigy

driven by:

Krell FPB 600 and 400CX with arc ls25 or refIImkII

Mark Levinson 334 and 336 with 380S, 32ref and 390S

BAT vkd5, vk5i

ARC VT200

Wadia 860SE

Jinky's...I can't remmember all the gear. What I do know however is just how right the Totem speakers are with Krell driving them. I'm only using a Sony DVP999ES player and all Totem wires!! It's addictive the way Boston Symphony Hall is...simply beautifull to hear!

Anyone else have a similiar epiphany? By the way, the Krell400cxi is mind boggling...all the typical audiophile attributes with clarity and musicality beyond reproach! A steal at $2500 list!
128x128dave_b

Showing 18 responses by dave_b

dave_b's avatar
dave_b OP
3,159 posts
 
Dear Upstate, the winds were amazing and much needed in my last house...truly fully fleshed out and lacking for nothing in terms of high end sensibilities. The Forests are more than adequate in my new space and bring a slight bit more sense of purity and expression to the table. Holographic imaging and an addictive way with dynamic contrasts and musical subtlety. Both are just so damn good..the one that couples best to the space at hand wins!! My reference is Boston Symphony Hall and the Kimmel Center, along with various live jazz venues...they seem to capture the tension and release of music in a way no other speaker can.
dave_b's avatar
dave_b OP
3,159 posts
 
Amazing..superior musicaly to almost anything out there...approaching the thrill you can get with a speaker like avalon or wilsons.
dave_b's avatar
dave_b OP
3,159 posts
 
I agree, the entire Totem line is amazing and one should let your Totem choose you...as long as they are in your budget! I got my Totem Forests for $2400 new...for me the difference in bottom end was worth it, but I could easily live with any of the Totems!!!!
dave_b's avatar
dave_b OP
3,159 posts
 
Upgraded to the Winds! The swift however looks like a hands down winner...what a work of art for $1200!!
dave_b's avatar
dave_b OP
3,159 posts
 
Just saw that Meadowlark is out of business...ouch! Maybe Totem is the way to go afterall...check out the Forests used!!
dave_b's avatar
dave_b OP
3,159 posts
 
I just got done owning the Hawks, Forest and now the winds...all of them have enormous soundstages and bloom with bass far beyond most speakers period. Forests down too an honest 30Hz and more with room placement. Hawks, mid 30's and Winds...24Hz @ +-3db-just about the same as my $20k watt/Puppy 6's did!!!
dave_b's avatar
dave_b OP
3,159 posts
 
Madfloyd, I doubt you have owned as much gear and or speakers as I have...$150K worth!! The Totems are unique in that they offer far more of what you mentioned than most other speakers at any level!! Did you really listen to Totem speakers, what was driving them and where did you hear them...sounds like some of the nutty comments I may have made before I actually owned alot of reference gear?
dave_b's avatar
dave_b OP
3,159 posts
 
Exactly Drubin!! As for Madfloyd, I almost bought the pair your talking about but I found a local pair..FYI, I had Goodwins talked down to $4450 on the Winds!
dave_b's avatar
dave_b OP
3,159 posts
 
Madfloyd...did you get the Winds??
dave_b's avatar
dave_b OP
3,159 posts
 
Totem speakers love power and current! I like the Krell 400XI myself, although Rowland is great stuff as well! My krell cost me $2000 new for 400w/ch into 4ohms on my winds...quite a bargain!! Price is going up Sept 1rst to $3K...or so I hear!!
dave_b's avatar
dave_b OP
3,159 posts
 
I would agree, JM Lab speakers are somewhat dry and flat (overdamped) from a design standpoint alone. Even the Grand Utopia has a sense of this flat quality, not unlike B&W...play very clean and loud but never quite let loose! Krell seperates would be better by a margin of maybe 20%. Cabling is key as well...currently testing some MIT stuff...seems to be a very good match across the frequency ranges.
dave_b's avatar
dave_b OP
3,159 posts
 
Figure out the shipping and I'll see what I can do...maybe I can find a pair up for grabs from my dealer.
dave_b's avatar
dave_b OP
3,159 posts
 
That's weird Milpai...I almost bought a pair of 22L's from a Quad dealer who told me to buy the totem's...he thought the Totem's were more musical! Love the finish on the Quads.
dave_b's avatar
dave_b OP
3,159 posts
 
Panderso...any chance to hear the Totem, krell combo yet?
dave_b's avatar
dave_b OP
3,159 posts
 
The shaman is a quirky design and an old one for Totem. The Wind is the most cutting edge offering and easier to place and drive. The winds compete with the likes of the wilson sophia, avalon eidolon etc...as far as range and pure musical pleasure!
dave_b's avatar
dave_b OP
3,159 posts
 
Mani 2's would be great..100 w/ch is enough. If you need a deal let me know..my dealer is well stocked and willing to discount.
dave_b's avatar
dave_b OP
3,159 posts
 
Swing by for holiday and pick up a pair...they may just qualify for carry-on:) Bring a friend, one speaker per person!
dave_b's avatar
dave_b OP
3,159 posts
 
Good to hear from some other Totemites:) I have gone astray over the last couple of years trying mega buck speakers from Dynadio, Krell and Wilson but the Forests still haunt me. I am ordering a new pair of cherry Forests wt beaks next week! I also have a new Sony SCD XA5400ES SACD/CD player coming (replacement for the 9000ES wt balanced outs). Cheers:))
More to discover