Help with Totems

i have owned the arros, model 1's, totem taw in-walls, and multiple pairs of mani 2's. the arros are an amazing speaker. for a smaller room and located in the right spot, they produce amazing bass for such a small speaker. i would own the arros over the staff in a heart beat. the hawks are a much better speaker than the staff. the hawks compete with the forest, the forest is easier to drive than the hawk.

I owned the Arros. They cost less than the Sttafs, but like Lars said, I don't think it's fair to characterize one as inferior to the other. I agree with the others with regard to the Arros working well in a small room at moderate volume; they sound very good within their limitations. I've only heard the Sttaf briefly, but from my impressions I gather that the Sttaf is a little more warm/forgiving, whereas the Arro is a bit more articulate/involving.

I like the Arros much more than the Staff and have owned both. The Forests are better than either. But the Staff are a poor compromise from my perspective.

Have owned the Arros and now the Hawks. The Arros are a surprisingly articulate speaker and image very well IMO. In the right room they produce a good deal of bass relative to it's size. I auditioned the Staffs prior to purchasing the Arros and found them to be a little more laid back with a slightly warmer sound. I now own the Hawks which I believe have a superior bass to both, tighter with greater extension. The Hawks present a good soundstage that when I audtioned them prior to purchase extended well beyond the speaker cabinet. As I have read so often here YMMV.

Rbstehno . . . how do you speak with such authority about Sttafs if you haven't owned them?

I have Sttafs and Mani-2's. The Sttafs are my second pair and are an irresistible speaker. I have not compared them to Arro's so can't describe the difference. In a small (ie ~ 12x12')room, they are amazing - including bass performance (you look around for the subwoofer). They throw a sound stage well beyond the room walls, and while they aren't as articulate as the Mani-2's, they cost less than half, and can't be faulted as in-articulate in my opinion.

They are indeed a warm speaker. If you pair them with a good sub in a larger room they blow you away.