Haven't heard the Devores, but have listened to the other two. My reaction is the Totem is a bit more hifi-ish - brighter treble with a less tonally accurate midrange. I found the Spendor A6 more neutral in the midrange.
My guess is if your main reference point is unamplified acoustic music and voice, you'd probably prefer the Spendor. If your taste if more pop/rock and a more "modern" sound, you'd probably prefer the Totem.
And, for full disclosure, I've got a pair of Spendor SP1/2Es from their classic range. |
I had a pair of DeVore Gibbon 8 speakers in my system for about 8 months. IMHO, you will definitely need a good subwoofer because the bass is quite thin even when put close to the rear wall.. I had one of the higher end Paradigm subs which I painstakeingly adjusted for about 2 months before I got it right. If you listen to jazz and small ensamble music, the Devores will be just the ticket. They do not put out a big sound and the word that comes to my mind is they are polite sounding.
I had it paired with a tube preamp and 175wpc power amp, about 6K worth of amp and preamp. As my taste runs more towards rock music, I found them unacceptable and sold them on the Gon for what I paid for them. You really need to listen to them first before buying. I did not which ended in disappointment for me.
Bob |
Mlsstl
I have a wide range of music preferences but as you mention "modern" it describes the majority of my listening preferences, your input was so helpful to me,
thank you very much
Roger |
Stereo5,
Overall I listen more often to big sound than accoustic as well,
sounds like the devores and spendors have something in common although I'm sure that they are excellent speakers.
Thanks alot this is very good to know.
Roger |
I would also add the Vandersteen 2CE Sig II to your list
At the same price or better made in USA with 4 serious Scan speak drivers, separate tricked out tuned Time correct crossover & multiple enclosures you will be ill if you miss these and care about your music.
Cheers Johnnyr
|
I have used the Devore Super 8 in two different places -
1) In the first place the bass on Devores was flat down to 35Hz. With a slight emphasis in the 50-100Hz region the bass was great and dynamic in that room (13 x 18 ft with 9ft ceiling).
2) The second place has a large glass wall and low bass leaks below 70Hz. The Devore just like any other speaker sounds very thin in that room, unless you fill in the bass. With two JL Audio subs the sound is huge in that room.
I measured both rooms very carefully - Devores' bass is not overwhelming and flat in a good room, but could tend to the thinner side in a not so good room. Also note that user Stereo5 had the Gibbon 8 NOT the Super 8. The front port looses more bass whereas the rear firing bass will give you more boundary reinforcement.
I have not owned the two other speakers but have listened to both fairly often and on different systems (and owned a Spendor S3/5se). IMO neither comes close to the resolution of the Super 8. I combined the Super 8 with amplification way above 10K and the Devores rewarded every little improvement.
Also, the biggest advantage is that the Devore are quite a bit easier to drive than the Spendor or Totem and can work well with a tube amp in the 20-40W range. For a good small system I would pair them with a Nait 5, for much more resolution a First Watt F5 works very well too.
That said the Spendors may be more forgiving of lower end electronics and front end. |
Restock,
I find your post thorough and accurate. It really boils down to what you`re seeking. The Devore is refined, very natural and has good tone. It will excel with voice and acoustic instruments.I once own a pair of Totems and find them less nature and more of an audiophile/hifi character. They "may" appeal to those who favor electronia,pop, or rock music. |
Hi guys,
The info you gave me is very appreciated I could'nt ask for more specific and informative observation from all you pros, I am taking everything you said to help me make an intelligent decision before my purchase.
The Vandersteen has great reviews but it needs a face lift lol..The Devore super8 is now on my list as well as the Totem Forest,
Thank you very much guys you have been tremendously helpful.
Roger |
Roger, "needs a face lift" what other product for $2500 has 4 Scanspeak drivers and premium parts throughout. The best you can do is a 6.5 inch two-way, sometimes of Chinese origin. Sorry you can't get intimate mid-range out of a 6.5 inch woofer, come to think of it, not much bass either. Spend your money on a cabinet if you will (or she demands) but I'd rather have full range music low in distortion.
Cheers Johnnyr |
Hi Johnnyr,
I was obviously laughing when I posted "face lift" because I saw a funny review of the Vandy's but seriously they were very impressive its just that I'm looking for a smaller speaker as I had mentioned previously its aesthetically important to my set up and space.
My local dealer is asking $3,700 for the Totem Forest, I need to make up my mind whether I should buy used or new because I'm going to need a center, surrounds and a jl audio f113 sub to start, I have a paradigm seismic110 which is awsome but with my new set up will have to change it.
Thanks alot Johnnyr I appreciated your ideas.
Roger |
(((My local dealer is asking $3,700 for the Totem Forest, I need to make up my mind whether I should buy used or new because I'm going to need a center, surrounds and a jl audio f113 sub to start, I have a paradigm seismic110 which is awsome but with my new set up will have to change it.))
Wow
For that kind of doe you could have a Pair of Vandersteen Wood Quatto 2s with powered stereo Bass amps included, 22 point room compensation Phase and time aligned performance Made in USA with trick drivers and great looking to boot.
Make sure you here all of what you are talking about
together can you imaging having to do this all over again?
Cheers Johnnyr |
Wow
For that kind of doe you could have a Pair of Vandersteen Wood Quatto 2s with
powered stereo Bass amps included, 22 point room compensation Phase and
time aligned performance Made in USA with trick drivers and great looking to
boot. And that is not just dealer ship bias coming through? No offense but I think there really should be a disclosure statement somewhere. |
All depends what you want. John is right you could pop the quartos in have the nice cabinet and just run the subs of the quartos which will be good enough. It would be a killer music set up for a good value and very nutural, if you like that sound. Although the jl sub (I own 2 113) would be better for movies a little more boomy. If you are trying to get the sub to take up the low end for music also look at the 112 it is faster and mates with many speakers better. All depends if you are more serious about movies or music and what you want your monitary investment to be.
I had the 2ce I do agree they make nice scratching posts for my cat, kidden. But the money is in the speakers and when you listen they do perform well for the price. YMMY. Nice cabinets are not in the budget there. |
