Hello bheiman -
I agree with lowrider, that just does not sound like the Totem Hawks I know (or Totem sound in general). I do wonder if there could be an impedance mis-match with your amp that is affecting high frequency output. Would be interesting if you could find a review (Stereophile?) showing impedance vs frequency range - though I think this is more typically a concern with bass output. Compare that trace to power output vs impedance for the W5. I have a hard time thinking your amp can’t drive them effectively, though. Don’t people say Totem used to show with Sim Audio gear at various shows??? Any chance you could drag the Hawks to another location (or borrow another amp) to see if they still sound too rolled off to you with different electronics. Does the Creek have the grunt for the Hawks? Unclear to me whether you still have the same degree of missing treble using the Creek with them (tone controls by-passed).
Have you experimented with toe-in? OR with elevation? Get some hard wood plinths (e.g., dawns depot.com)...3-4" maybe even double up for 6" elevation and see how that affects treble.
A call to Totem might be worthwhile too.
Good luck trying to figure it out and finding what sounds good to you...new speakers or otherwise.
I agree with lowrider, that just does not sound like the Totem Hawks I know (or Totem sound in general). I do wonder if there could be an impedance mis-match with your amp that is affecting high frequency output. Would be interesting if you could find a review (Stereophile?) showing impedance vs frequency range - though I think this is more typically a concern with bass output. Compare that trace to power output vs impedance for the W5. I have a hard time thinking your amp can’t drive them effectively, though. Don’t people say Totem used to show with Sim Audio gear at various shows??? Any chance you could drag the Hawks to another location (or borrow another amp) to see if they still sound too rolled off to you with different electronics. Does the Creek have the grunt for the Hawks? Unclear to me whether you still have the same degree of missing treble using the Creek with them (tone controls by-passed).
Have you experimented with toe-in? OR with elevation? Get some hard wood plinths (e.g., dawns depot.com)...3-4" maybe even double up for 6" elevation and see how that affects treble.
A call to Totem might be worthwhile too.
Good luck trying to figure it out and finding what sounds good to you...new speakers or otherwise.