dave_b,
(and others in copy)
I agree! I received my Forest Signatures in March. I purchased them from David Lewis Audio. Mr. Serota made me a very! nice deal on the pair. Mine are high gloss Cherry and they are amazing. Simply captivating, both visually and sonically.
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dave_b,
I share your enthusiasm! The signatures disappear into the room and throw a huge soundstage. The Signatures bring "tone, texture and timbre. They sound uncolored and very natural.
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Good intel on amplification, thanks dave__b,
I’ve been considering a some changes myself. I’m currently driving my Signatures with the Mark Levinson no.334. A very high voltage - high biased Class A/B dual mono. Using an Ayre C-X7eMP > Ayre K-5xeMP Preamp, the system is fully balanced and is dead quiet! The no. 334 has excellent driver control over the Totems.
I also have an Anthem I225 Integrated amp. It delivers 225 into 8 ohms and 310 into 4. It’s Punchy! and a very fun amplifier but it is no match for the Ayre / 334 combo.
I’m not sure how many hours I have on the Signatures. They get better every day!
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Very nice cables, dave_b!
Did you go with a biwire speaker interface?
The Signatures never cease to amaze. So crisp and clear. And you're right. They can make you really appreciate your upstream components.
Today I spun Black Light Syndrome. It features Terry Bozio, Steve Stevens and Toni Levin. A very high quality recording.
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dave_b,
BLS is a showstopper on disc. Easily one of my go to demo discs.
My speaker cables are no where near the caliber of your MIT's. I'm currently running Audioquest Gibraltar shotgun with the Audioquest and Totem recommended diagonal connection. Black - to the low post and Red + to the top post. Using Clear Day Cable custom "4" wire silver jumpers. The high frequencies are effortless with no hash.
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I agree, dave_b
For such a relatively small 2- way speaker, the Signatures are very dynamic. They can disappear at times and sound eminates above the speakers and around the room. The center fill is expansive as my speakers are currently 9 feet apart from front claw to claw. For such a small footprint, they sound much larger.
Schubert,
The more clean power the better from everything that I can gather. My Levinson amp is only 125 watts into 8 ohms but it doubles down from there. It doesn't flinch. But its very high voltage. My Anthem with 225/310 drives them easily but the sound is "sloppy" by comparison. I would say 300/400 watts, Clean Watts easily would play well. The Signatures are often demoed with very high powered amps. If I may, ghosthouse has a pair of Forests and often runs a high powered Class D Merrill Audio Teranis stereo amplifier with great results.
Springsteen,
I agree that a Ayre has created some fantastic fully balanced audio gear. I am very satisfied with my CD-7 player and 5-preamp. Regarding cables, I alternate between Cardas and Audioquest interconnects.
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dave_b,
I see you've updated your system pics. The Signatures look great.
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dave_b,
Is is me or do female vocals sound amazing on the Signatures?
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Listened to:
Patsy Cline, 12 Greatist Hits
Diana Krall, The Girl in the other room
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Nice! dave_b
Joss Stone, The Best of Joss Stone
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dave_b,
Big fan of Holly and Allison. Also occasionally throw on Diana Krall, Nora Jones and Beth Hart.
Reading above that your speakers are loosening up. How many hours do you figure you have on them? From my experience, they will get better! and better! as they break in.
Also, I found a Post from 09' where that posted that you owned a pair of the Totem Winds. How would you compair the two speakers?
Last night I listened to U.K., Danger Money. A fantastic early prog rock supergroup.
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dave_b,
Thanks for the insight in the Winds. And I agree, the Signatures are Very! musical.
Their richness is addictive.
Today, Peter Gabriel, UP and SO, Limited Edition
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Welcome bg3584
I’m afraid I’m not familiar with your amplifier, but I can tell you that Totem speakers like a lot of good clean power and high current. The Totem Signatures are very natural and lifelike.
Today I switched from my Ayre C-X7eMP CD player and spun discs through the Oppo BDP105D and Audioquest Colorado interconnects.
Listened to Joe Satriani, S/T, (1995) Great production CD
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I believe Vince Bruzzese said it best: "You don’t have to be an Audiophile to like enjoy Totem. Your just put it on and it’ll play beautifully".
In a word, Sofisticated.
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Thank you ghosthouse! as usual for the positive feedback and insight. You know you're always welcome in the discussion. Particularly with your extensive knowledge of the Totem Forest. I wanted a pair of Forests for a very long time even without ever hearing them. At my local shop, I listened to the Arros and the Hawks and the bookshelves and knew I wanted the Totem sound. However my local shop wouldn't stock the Forests. I bought a used pair and ultimately found damage and returned them. But not before listening to them for about a five days to get a feel for the sound. I found a dealer with one pair Forests and one pair of Signatures left in stock. He made me a deal on the Signatures I could not refuse. Having listened to both the Forests and the Signatures, I say swing for the fences and purchase the Signatures if your finances allow it. They look and sound amazing. Attack, decay and harmonics! All Signature attributes of Totem. As ghosthouse and dave_b have pointed out, associated equipment, cabling and media all play a role in a more positive outcome. The performance is off the charts! I bought my speakers and never looked back. All of the following information was provided by Totem Acoustic web pages. Some subtle differences between the Forest and the Signature. The Signature is slightly larger: Forest 10.5" deep Signatures 11.5" deep Forest 34" tall Signatures 36" tall The frequency specifications are slightly different: Forest <33hz - 20khz Signature <30 - 22khz Forest 1 rear port, 1 lower port for mass loading Signature 2 rear ports, enameled high gloss (no mass loading) In addition, the crossover components have been upgraded and the values of the capacitors are measured to match the other speaker in the pair. YouTube links, Vince Bruzzese debuting the New Forest Signature. Another showing the new Signature 1 and some of the Totem manufacturing process. https://youtu.be/cDWW1ICJ_84https://youtu.be/p1hAxMVpFQ8N |
Bg3584,
I can't speak to the specific product changes to the Totem Forest model or pricing during its production. I know that it's been in production for many years as most of the Totem line-up. I would get with Totem directly or your dealer for this info. Email or give them call.
I do know that Vince Bruzzese, President and CEO states that Totem products are designed to last up to 30 years + under normal circumstances. Good luck, I hope you can secure a speaker to fit your system and budget.
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Dave_b, ghosthouse,
I received two 18x15x2 Mapleshade platforms yesterday. I'll be making minor adjustments to the speaker positions and re-evaluating their performance. I'll report back on the sound but they look fantastic.
I'm really appreciating the rear inert rubber decoupling balls. They really solidify the speaker to the plinth. Totem strikes again. The rear skid plate on the Signatures really stabilizes the speaker well.
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This morning, Peter Gabriel, "Salsbury Hill"
And "SO", Special Edition
I'm still experimenting with speaker placement after adding the Mapleshade 18"x15"x2" blocks under my Signatures.
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ghosthouse
You Were right! "You never know what your missing till it's gone." The Mapleshade plinths are keepers. Full stop.
I taped the floor with painters tape and removed the blocks and played the previous cd. It was immediatly evident they were missing. The Mapleshade blocks expanded the sound. The bass which I originally thought was missing on the blocks was back. It was muddy and confused in comparison when the speakers were on the carpet.
Dave_b
"Cohesion".... I didn't think the soundstage could get better but has. I suppose the carpet muddied the sound. High frequency energy is smooooth. It was good before, much better now. Liquid mids!
Listening to Crowded House, Woodface. Great production. Huge soundstage. Vocals are magical on the Signatures! Such great harmonies. And the harmonica on "There goes God" is the room, literally.
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schthom,
Please update us when you hear from The Cable Company. I'm very interested in their recommendations for your system. With my system, they suggested Wireworld, Kimber Kable and Cardas, (Current Cardas models).
Good luck!
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Hello everyone!
Johnny Lang, Lie To Me
Gov’t Mule, High and Mighty
Dave Meniketti, On the Blue Side- lovin "Can’t do Nothin’ Right!
Gary Moore, Bad for you Baby "Umbrella Man"!
Joe Bonamossa, Sloe Gin
Also a Totem update. I saw a You Tube link with Vince, CEO. He stated that Totem is releasing a 2 way "Powered" Bookshelf Speaker. Cost is going to be around $1000. It doesn't show on their website. Email or Facebook or call Totem for more details.
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Streaming TIDAL, Thanks ghosthouse for the assist.
Also on CD Crowded House, Woodface, Deluxe Edition
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Crowded House, S/T, MQA
Diana Krall, The Girl In The Other Room, Tidal Masters
Hoobastank, The Reason- Best Of
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bg3584,
Congrats! The Forest are great speakers. I'll second ghosthouse's guidance on the break in process. It has taken my Signatures 150-200 hours to come around. Don't over drive them. You'll be tempted to. But they will reward you. I had a pair of fully broken in standard Forest for about a week for review. The bass is taught, solid and plentiful. Work on placement but be patient. As they are breaking in, changes in placement may need to be made.
Speaker cable? Straightwire, Wireworld and Audioquest also make decent entry level cables. I would try to get biwire but if you can't, at least get some higher quality jumpers to replace the stock Totem wires.
Keep us posted !
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Hello friends
I've upgraded my speaker cable. This week I changed from Audioquest Gibralter to Wireworld Eclipse 7. This cable is massive. 10 awg per polarity. It Sounds amazing!
Highly recommended for your Totems.
The Signatures sound better than ever!!
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strat1117,
Welcome to the forum!
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Hey dave_b!
How’s it going? Did you ever get a chance to listen to Black Light Syndrome, featuring Terry Bosio, Tony Levin and Steve Stevens? It is a recording masterpiece, am I right ghosthouse?
strat1117,
Thanks for sharing your system and setup info. The Plinius has good upfront wattage and 40 amps of peak current. Should make for a good combination with the Totems. How’s the presentation on the Plinius? I’ve read that it comes across as warm, not solid state sounding.
What source are you using?
Any service issues? Ive considered the Plinius Hiato but I don’t have a local dealer any longer.
I found your comments on the choice of decoupling spheres interesting and I feel that the hard - inert rubber balls overall presentation to be warm also. In fact my whole system tends to be warm due to the high bias class A/B components. And the Cardas Golden Reference are warm by nature. But your intel on the different decoupling spheres has given me reason to experiment with other options, thanks!
Recently adding the Mapleshade 18x15x2 plinths has opened up the soundstage and added more articulation to the low frequencies.
The new Wireworld Eclipse speaker cables offer more micro and macro detail and sonic transparency. They have a neutral and natural balanced sound.
I’m with you guys. Totem makes many excellect products. The Forest Signatures are beautiful both visually and sonically.
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strat1117,
Thanks for the Intel on the Plinius. And nice system! I have Plinius on my short list of integrated amps to audition if I get the opportunity.
Dave_b,
Pulled up King Crimson on Tidal. Excellent selection, thanks. What else ya got?
The Wireworld Eclipse speaker cables are working well with the Signatures. The Audioquest Gibralter’s were bright in comparison. The vocals have more bloom. The placement and soundstage are much more believable.
Listening to Crowded House, Alone Together
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Hello bg3584,
Good to hear from you again. What does your system consist of currently?
How large is your room?
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Bg3584-
Congrats! Let us know when you get the system up and running. Very interested in your progress.
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Lampone,
Welcome to the forum!
Ghosthouse,
Thank you, as always for the assistance.
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I still have the Signatures in my system and I don’t feel the need to upgrade. I'm currently driving them with a Naim Audio Supernait 3.
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