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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
panderso
156 posts
 
Dave b
Maybe the Krell 400xi is worth a second listen for me, but with Totem this time. I listened to it with JMlab in the past. I found that combo rather dry and flat, even tho' the Krell was clearly highly competent, had tremendous bass grip and reserves of power. Perhaps it would shine with the more lively and forward Totem sound...
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.
panderso
156 posts
 
Thanks Dave b,
Just got arrangements underway to hear some Model 1 Sigs with the Krell 400xi. Will report back, probably in a couple of weeks.
rbstehno
1,431 posts
 
Madfloyd, i would describe real bass as how it would sound at a good live concert. to me, there is a difference in speakers with large woofers (slow bass, long decay times, bloated sounding) compared to speakers with smaller woofers (no lingering notes, fast, delineate each note on the bass or beat of the bass drum). i agree with you that you need weight in the low end, but there is a difference on how you get it. kids with 15" woofers in there cars are going to get more boom than clean sound. i prefer speakers with multiple smaller woofers than with 1 larger one. same with subwoofers. (rel subs are a good example). you get the same low end (weight) but i prefer the speed and articulation of the notes with the smaller drivers. also, next time you go to a good sounding concert, look at the bass players speakers. you will notice it has multiple smaller drivers (10" or less) instead of larger drivers.
milpai's avatar
milpai
2,377 posts
 
Totem are good loudspeakers. I auditioned the Rainmaker, Arros and Hawk. Very nice loudspeakers. But eventually ended up with Quad 21Ls. Luv the Quads for their speed and transparency.
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