Totem speakers and others that I should consider?

Thanks for all the feedback everyone... I am quite experienced with audio, just not in the past 8-10 years, as I had a system that I was very satisfied with, and happily listened to it without feeling the need to change.

That system is gone now, and it's time to build a new one, but I want it to be simpler than last time if possible (maybe a high quality integrated, smaller speakers, etc.).

I agree that I need to listen to more speakers, including the Totem's so my query was mostly about trying to find speakers that sound as good or better with similar characteristics (not huge cabinets, reasonably easy to drive, great imaging, comfortable sound that can be listened to long-term, etc.)

Sleepless, I appreciate your candor, and do not consider your opinion inappropriate. In fact, me asking the question is ultimately trying to get to the heart of people's opinions about speakers that are 'better' sounding but comparable such that they could be reasonably compared. Ultimately, you have decided that the Totems couldn't work for you, and offered several alternates that you feel sound better. That's exactly the kind of information I'm looking for.

I do feel that there used to be somewhat of a 'house sound' to the Totem line, even though each had it's own characteristics, but the new Element speakers are so substantially different (not radically so, but nonetheless substantially) that I feel they have departed from their 'sound' somewhat. Ultimately, whether it is good or not is up to the beholder, but I feel they are a considerable improvement in many ways, with the one possible exception being listener fatigue, which may have increased due to the slightly forward presentation now.

---Michael

Listened to the Aerial 7T and the PSB Synchrony One today to begin my auditioning of other speakers...

The 7T easily bested the PSB in comparison, but that is somewhat to be expected considering the pricing difference ($4500 to $9850, if I recall correctly). The imaging is cleaner and the bottom end control is MUCH better than the PSB.

The 7T has a general soundstage that appears to begin at or slightly in front of the speakers and extend to the wall behind the speakers, and generally from wall-to-wall to the sides. Now, this could be improved possibly through ideal setup in the listening room, which is not a luxury afforded a showroom listening session, although we did move them into the room with the Wilson speakers and drive them with the Audio Research front end since I generally prefer tubes. So while that may have not been 'perfectly' set up, they were reasonably arranged.

Sonic effects in some recordings did reach out toward me, and in specific recordings with substantial dynamic character and heft, a veritable wall of sound was presented. In some cases, this felt a bit confused, however, rather than a coherent sound stage presented (like from an orchestra). Again, this could easily be the fault of imperfect room setup, and a lively room causing some trouble.

The speaker is quite revealing, and will probably demand top-notch components to not be somewhat let down by the GIGO of upstream components.

Tonally, it felt somewhat neutral, slightly laid back. It has plenty of sparkle in the voice when needed (for example on cymbals or harpsichord), but doesn't feel overly so. The bass is fairly deep and well controlled, but I did notice a bloom in the bass region that I am attributing to the rooms that I listened to it in, and not the speakers. It does the bass so well otherwise, that I can't imagine the response peak would be in the speakers; it was too substantial to be ignored by the designers.

The sound from the 7T felt very natural (I used to own a pair of 10T's, so I was somewhat expecting what I heard, although the 7T's do feel to be the superior speaker based on my memory). All said, the 7T's felt very listenable, and for long listening sessions as well. This is not at all a surprise as well.

I have to say that the speakers felt 'comfortable' and that is not necessarily an attribute that I would consider desirable. I guess I feel that I wasn't substantially moved by them in the first listening session. If I were to make a decision today, I would not buy them. However, much of audio is about acquired tastes and familiarity, and I certainly wouldn't rule them out at this point. Not being viscerally moved by them is probably what makes them listenable and not prone to fatigue. This aspect of their character is desirable, so while it may make them feel somewhat unremarkable initially, this attribute could very well rule the day in the end.

Overall, I would give them a very favorable response. I'm going to hold back on direct comparisons with the Totems until I've have another go with them in a few weeks.

---Michael

Sleepless,
Listening fatigue from Forests? Never had one for past 10 years of usage.

I have to reluctantly agree with Sleepless on the SEAS tweeter...it wore me out after 15 mins of music.

Owned Arros, thought I "upgraded" to Model 1 Sigs...felt like someone was shouting at me after a few songs. Couldn't take it anymore...went back to soft domes of Arros and still have them today.

Having said that, my friend owns Forests and they sound awesome and breathtaking in his house.