ProAc vs Totem vs Usher, please comment


Okay guys, I've narrowed it down to these speakers and would prefer to stick to these choices. I would appreciate if you can comment on any of these speakers, if you've heard them. Please keep the value/price in mind as well, I will be buying used from Audiogon.

ProAc Response 1.5 - $1100
Usher X-719 - $800
Totem Forest - $1800

Side note: I'll be doing an in-home demo on is the Fritz Carbon 7. I doubt many have had experiences with Fritz speakers, but he is an excellent person to talk to and builds very quality speakers. Nice enough to bring them to my home for a demo.

I would like to purchase one (or two) of the three speakers above to A/B against the Fritz Carbon 7's. I've checked out local dealers but none of them would let me take their speakers home to demo. This is why I'm turning to Audiogon for advice, since there are many many knowledgeable people here.

Just some background, my amp is a McIntosh 7100 (100wpc SS) and my room is 11x15. My previous speakers were the B&W Nautilus 805's and I thought the metal tweeter was fatiguing after extended listening periods. Also, the B&W's excel at vocals and jazz, but not at faster/bassier music. I'd like something that's great all around, even for movies.
mrkoven
I'm not surprised at your findings. I went from Totem Forests to Fritz' Carbon 7s and could not be happier!!!
i just got a pair of x-719's and they sound very good. i have them in my audio room with classe equipment right now waiting for stands to put in my family room. they disappear, are smooth, good bass, and fill the room with ease. it is a 13.5' x 24' room. i hooked up my little jolida 1301 to them and they sounded ok, little under-powered. i now have the larger usher cp-6381 in my audio room. very nice. if you can afford $2000-$2500, you should audition them. or the cp-6311's for around $1000 used.
Pro-Ac is a good speaker. So is Usher bookshelf speaker.

Totem Forest is a good speaker and a very handsome one. The Forest is quite smooth on its high and has decent bass. My only nit picking of the Forest is their cheap China made Hi-Vi drivers.

I don't care much about Totem Model One or B & W 805.

@ Koven
Fritz Carbon seems a well built product. The gentleman who built them got so many positive feedbacks which probably means that he builds quality speakers.

Have you ever tried the Dynaudio? They have a good reputation of building all around speakers.

My thoughts are bias because I own a pair of Dynaudio and probably will get another pair of Dynaudio for my 2nd system.

I do think Dynaudio' Contour & Confidence lines are very very good and you should check them out. Not because I own Dynaudio and I recommend the Contour or the Confidence bookshelves.