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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
koven
94 posts
 
update: the totem forests remind me a lot of the 805's openness and detail, but with less fatigue/harshness and better attack/PRAT... the bass is incredible and definitely better than the 805's, which isn't too much of a surprise. overall, i'd take these over the 805's anyday.

however, fritz dropped off his carbon 7's this weekend and long story short, i think they're better than the totem forests, and for half the price too. it images just as well and throws an equally huge soundstage as the forest, but it sounds a lot smoother w/o losing any detail. the timbre is quite accurate and the sound is a lot more natural/life-like compared to the totem's.

anyway, i still have the proac response 1.5 and usher x719 on the way... so i'll update once i listen to those
tim_j_thomas
43 posts
 
I'm not surprised at your findings. I went from Totem Forests to Fritz' Carbon 7s and could not be happier!!!
rbstehno
1,552 posts
 
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.
hieule5
115 posts
 
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.
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