Totem Model 1 Vs. Hawk

Rumaidan,

If the room size is exactly 16 x 16 x 8, do you think Hawks is the better speaker to go for ? How about Forests / Mani-2 ?

Grakesh

Rumaidan,

Is there any reason why you say "It takes a monster load of effort to get that particular speaker to sing well.".

Can you please post your observations regarding this ?

The reason why I am asking is...I have read it the other way in Audigon postings itself. Aslo, since i am considering Hawks, Forests and Mani-2 for my 2 channel set-up, I am very interested in knowing about this.

I appreciate your input regarding this.

Thanks
Grakesh

I posted this in another thread as well. I am posting it again to see your responses in this active thread. My budget is 3500 - 4000...can go Integrated or separates way based on system synergy and value for the dollar. I am considering these combinations as of now and will need to audition them in the near future.

1. New Primaluna Prologue 3 preamp with Musical Fidelity A5 CR power-amp (New/Used).

2. New BAT VK-3iX preamp with USED Musical Fidelity A5 CR Power Amp

3. New BAT VK-3iX Preamp with USED BAT VK-250 / VK-350 power amp.

4. New Plinius 9200 Integrated

5. New Musical Fidelity A5 Integrated.

6. New BAT VK-300x Integrated.

7. Sim Audio I-3 / I-5 is another good choice. But I am not considring it highly because it is low on power amp portion and I want to use ths same set-up for powering my HT fronts as well.

8. Unison Research Unico which got amazing reviews and has good references for system synergy with Totem Hawks / Forests. But again just like sim audio , the power may be on the lower end for it to work as a power amp for my HT needs

Can you guys throw some light on these system synergies with Totem Hawks / Forests ?

Thanks
Grakesh

PS: BTW...Is there any Tube Pre-Amp from Unison Research that falls into 1000 - 2000 dollar segment ? I know olny Unison Research Unico which is a Hybrid Stereo Integrated Amplifier.

Any Responses ?

Grakesh

Baroque Lover,

I dont mean to hijack the thread. I did not see any activity about the current discussion and posted my points. Anyway, this discussion about Model1 and Hawks is very important for me as well as I am planning to put down 2K to 3K for the 2 channel speakers. Let us continue this interesting discussion.

Grakesh

Baroque Lover,

Thanks a for a very very good report you posted. I have two questions for you after reading your post.

1. When you say "The only drawback(s) of the Hawk is its ability to perform well in a very large room "....What sized room do you consider as a very large room ? My room is 16 x 16 x 8. I a just curious whether Hawks will be good enough for my room size.

2. You also said "The Hawks somewhat stray…it still maintains the Totem signature sound, but it is closer in tone to the higher end Sonus Faber". Are you comparing the Hawks sound to Sonus Faber Cremona Auditors/ Cremona (or) Guarneri Series. I had an oppurtunity to compare Totem Mani-2 (dealer does not have a Hawk ) with Sonus Faber Cremona Auditors. Both are darn good speakers with Sonus Faber being a tad more musical than Mani-2. Mani-2 was more accurate, but tad less musical than SF.

3. I am assuming you listened to Sonus Faber also. If so, can you answer this for me ...Money not being a factor, between Hawks, SF Cremona Auditor, SF Concerto Domus ( all within 1100 dollar difference ) which one would be your choice ?

Thanks

Grakesh

Barooque Lover,

Thanks for your feedback. I appreciate it.

As I mentioned earlier, I auditioned Totem Mani-2 with SF Cremona Auditor and SF Grand Piano. I felt both of the SF speakers are very very musical...with Cremona Auditor being a tad more musical than Mani-2 for my music preferences ( Vocals and Instruments ). But I could not audition Hawks. I just assumed Mani-2 is more musical than Hawks. May be I will try listening to Hawks. If you are preferring Hawks over even Cremona Series then it makes a lot of financial sense to check Hawks against Cremona Auditor.

Also, what electronic gear are you considering for driving Hawks ?

Thanks
Grakesh

Any info ?