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Totem speakers and others that I should consider?

I've liked the Totem speakers for a while, they image very nicely, and while somewhat laid back, not too much so...

I'm looking to put together a new system (starting from scratch), and was thinking about the Totem line (Forests, at first). I listened to Totem at RMAF, and was very impressed with the new Element line, so that has me thinking of those instead. They are a bit more forward compared to the older speakers, but not terribly so, and I think they will not be fatiguing to listen to long-term. I'll have to do a bit more listening to be sure of that.

They image better, and the bass is very deep and controlled.

Anyway, I was thinking about the Totems Fire or Earth speakers (probably the Fire), and I was wondering what other speakers people feel will match up favorably to the Fire? They must be similarly priced, and ultimately similar in size or form-factor (I don't want large cabinets).

My exposure to speakers in the last decade is somewhat limited, but I have heard Sonus Faber, and while I find them very musical, I don't think they match up at the price point, but I don't think I've heard the most recent models.

Recommendations for other speakers I should audition in the $6000 dollar range are appreciated.

---Michael
mjm6

Showing 1 response by akg_ca

akg_ca's avatar
akg_ca
2,346 posts
 
SLEEPLESS nailed it.

I've personally had ARROS and FORESTS. In either case they need hi-current and high wattage amps to drive them fully: TOTEMS are all power hungry. From my experiences I had to bi-amp them to perform best.

THE POINT: No, I do not think that TOTEMS excel at low volume listening. Rather they excel when "let loose".
Translation: listening fatigue.

Because I listen to a lot of classical and female vocals, low level / comfort listening nirvana was also my Holy Grail.

Yup... I finally found my comfort level listening Holy Grail, but only after I capitulated, admitted this was not going to work to my satisfaction, and sold off the Totems, and sold the all the matched hardware; and replaced them all with REGA R9 speakers driven by REGA OSIRIS integrated amp / REGA ISIS valve cdp.

Other choices: check out the TANNOY line and be prepared to be amazed. I bought the Revolution DC-6s for my B system. be prepared to be pleasantly stunned by what you hear.
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