Totem Forest Speakers.....


Hello,
I recently purchased a pair of Totem Forest speakers. Now, I know these are capable of sounding very musical, clear, w/ a great imaging, and sound stage . I have about 70 hrs of listening and I am not getting them to sound the way they should. They are in a square 12 x 12 room and is not filling up the room w/ music and sounds a flat.

System is Krell 400xi.
Yamaha cd player.
Kimber Kable 8TC

Any totem owners out there that can help me figure out what is wrong? Any info is desperately needed!!

Thanks,
Matt
matt00
Matt, synergy is so so elusive. I'm still trying to capture it in my system. Source amp speaker synergy is complex or can be simple if you know of system(s) that work well and replicate that system. The Yamaha appears to be the lesser component in your system. If I were you I would look at the source first and replace it. If you then do not get what you are listening for then look at the 400xi and replace it.
A square box is the worst scenario for acoustics. The Krell sounds average to bad with the stock power cord and run un-balanced. You shoul run it balanced with a musical CDP and a great PC and interconnect like MIT offers. If you want good advice from a veteran in the business call Joe Abrams at Equus Audio (Portal Audio). He will cut through the "well intentioned advice" you are getting and give you some solid options to pursue:O)
I would definitely change the amp; it is not a particularly "musical" component. Contrary to other posts, IMO it is much too analytical and clinical for your speakers.

I would also look at the cd player, speaker placement, and room treatments as well.
If totem's are anything like triangle's, 70 hrs. is not even long enough to sufficiently break them in.
It took my speakers 250-300 hrs. to even begin to break-in.
prior to that they sounded flat, constricted etc.
Consult the manufacturer to see what they say about how long it takes to break-in.
I don't know of any speakers on the market that are totally broken-in under 200hrs.
I think here patience is in order. If after 200 hrs. you are still having the problems you describe, then look at some of the suggestions that have been offered.