Totem Forest vs. Sonus Faber Home or Domus Lines


I've been listening to a number of speakers in the $2,500 - $3,500 range (currently I have a pair of Snell E/IVs with a Proceed CD Player, Classe amp, and Classe pre). My musical tastes range from Miles Davis Sketches of Spain to anything Smashing Pumpkins. Just no classical. Any advice on Totem Forest or the Sonus Faber Domus or Home lines? My room is 13*18. Thanks. Advice on other speakers in this range is also appreciated!
coviellop01

Showing 3 responses by newmanoc

If your ceiling isn't too high, I would look into some used Cremona Auditors (around 3k). Try to audition these - they are awesome in the right room. I would also consider a used pair of PMC OB1s (under 3K). Quite different sounds, but both excellent speakers.
My price quote for Cremona Auditors was the price they can be had used -with stands - from reputable people on Audiogon (through careful, patient shopping). I do admit that speakers are the one thing I find a particular pain to deal with on the used market due to size, weight, and fear of damage with shipping. Still, it is how I picked up my current speakers (JM Labs Electra 926s). If you are willing to buy used, your speaker options open up incredibly as it essentially doubles your price range.
Coviellop01:
You asked a complicated question for me. I absolutely loved my Electra 926's for a long time after I bought them. My wife did too, which was very important at that critical point of my audio adventure. I still like them a lot overall and consider them a must to audition in their price range. But, I would offer a couple of caveats that may or may not be relevant to you.

First, they are a bit light on bass in big rooms/ open spaces. My room is not too much bigger than yours (24 x 18), but I have a ceiling that is around 16 feet at its highest, and the bass is definitely a tad on weak side. I have yet to try a Rel sub with them, though plan to in the near future to see what that does for the problem. It may end up making a huge difference.

But a larger issue for me now is that these speakers have a distinct personality and sound. In that respect they are very much like the Sonus Faber line, such as the Cremonas. They do some things exceptionally well, even magically (vocals, jazz)but others less well (rock), though not necessarily poorly. But I have begun to notice that they are influencing the music I listen to, pushing me towards what they do well. That is not a good thing in my judgment.

But this complaint is really just a reflection of my changing tastes and preferences as I develop a sense of what I personally want out of audio. I have no guarantee that if I switch to another speaker that I wont end up coming back to the Electra 926. They really are special in many respects.

Regarding the 907BE I actually did NOT like these very much at all. I found them too bright, at least when paired with the equipment they were demo’d with.. The 926s are a completely different speaker to my ear, and greatly superior. New, they are out of your price range, but used they can be had for around 2K or so. In fact if you live anywhere near Michigan, I might have a pair for sale sometime in the future. : )