2. speakers
  3. 124694-79517

When spending less than $5,000 how much of a guide is price?

When spending less than $5,000 for a set of speakers, how much of a guide is price? This question arises out of my current search for a new set of speakers.

Don’t know if anyone here is aware of the massive fire in Fort McMurray Alberta and surrounding area? Well I work there (fortunately don’t live there), was evacuated, and will be off work indefinately.

As a result I reduced my speaker budget to $1,500 (Canadian). I’m quite intriqued by Totem Acoustic’s Arro and Sttaf, and some used Zu Audio.

There is a demo Sttaf with a minor crack in the veneer available for $1,500. There is a used Zu Essence and Zu Omen Def available for approx the same amount. The Zu’s are 5 years old.

So I have available these speakers, well reviewed, thoughtfully and carefully built. But even though the price I can purchase them at is roughly the same, new the price differential is great.

The Sttaf new is $2,200. Five years ago the Zu’s would have been about $1,000 more new (at least).

Does this matter?
128x128jimspov
sbank's avatar
sbank
3,378 posts
 
Those speakers are so different in almost every way, really quite far apart in nature. Have you heard these models before? 

In very broad strokes, the Totems are nice for small rooms if you appreciate midrange accuracy and don't expect much low frequency or dynamics. If electronica or power symphonies are your favs, not the speakers for you. 

OTOH, The Zus are very lifelike and captivating to some listeners and totally off key to others, more a "love it or hate it" reaction is common compared to many speakers. I've heard their more expensive models sound both amazing and horribly matched. IMHO, try before you buy.  Cheers,
Spencer
akg_ca
2,232 posts
 
Hello from Oakville Ontario. We Canadians all share in the sadness of the Fort Mac tragedy.

Pricepoint of speakers: It’s been covered off above ..... In short, pricepoint by itself means diddly .

As pointed out, the system synergy with your selection of speakers with the rest of your gear (or lack thereof) will either make or break your audio satisfaction.

a $1,500 speaker in the "right" system can -- and frequently will -- outperform a $5,000 speaker in the "wrong" system - full stop.

next question: standmounts versus floorstanders? Don't discount the strengths of quality standmounts.

Takeaway;  There are many contenders and a buzzillion pretenders out there, some of which have already been mentioned above. ProAc , REGA, Neat, ATC, PMC, JMR, and Audio Physic speaker brands are some more quality choices, depending on the rest of your gear.

I’ve owned Totem ARROS and Forests in prior systems and I can speak to their respective strengths AND warts (emphasis added ) from personal experience in a PM discussion if you wish.

Used gear on Canuckaudiomart is readily available. Check it out.

good luck
mapman's avatar
mapman
22,173 posts
 

Jimspov,  off the cuff I think that amp will be much more versatile with the Zu's than Totem.   

It will fit the bill nicely with the Zus but I strongly suspect will probably run out of steam early with Totem.


BTW I have heard both and believe either is capable of sounding top notch but only with the right setup as mentioned.

Price/cost alone means nothing and this case is no different.

Much better to choose wisely and save money whenever possible.

Cheers and good luck.

grinnell
1,094 posts
 
I had a Primaluna PL2- went through a few speakers:

1. BW 602's
2. Triangle Comtes
3. Reference 3A De Capos

The de Capos are amazing-detailed, good bass, good at low volumes and sensitive

I am now running a 4 watt Decare 6v6 amp with them and wow

used they run 1200-1600.00 USD
jimspov's avatar
jimspov OP
60 posts
 
Thanks grinnell.

Well the things ya learn on this forum. Reference 3A is (now) a Canadian company about 2 hours away from where I live, and I never heard of them.

Did I read correctly that they don't use crossovers?

Do you know if "phase coherence" is the same as "phase aligned"?
More to discover