proac d25 vs totem Mani 2

Totems can be pleasing but be aware of their warts and not just their strengths

(1) the MANI-2’s represent the common larger Totem model complaint of being unapologetic power hogs if you want to make them perform. Without prejuduce to the former, if memory serves me, the MANI-2s are also comparatively inefficient which compounds the problem. Check the fine detail in the speaker reviews, they don’t drive these beasts with any modestly powered or grunt- challenged (nor cheap) amps.
(Aside: I had to bi-amp the Forests to get the max out of them).

(2) Google the tsunami of posts either here or in Canuckaudiomart as to TOTEMS being very fatiguing in short order. In a small room arena, that ethereal fatigue will be both accelerated and multiplied. I’ve had both the FORESTS and ARROS simultaneously ... that’s why I sold them with no regrets.

depending on the rest of your system and it’s resulting system synergy, the PROACs may be the better choice IMO, particularly if it’s a blind purchase
limitation.

If you are indeed hooked on the Totem signature sound for a small room arena , then having heard them all, I would strongly look to the Model Ones or ARROs rather than the MANI-2s ... full stop. The latter had their boutique cult following in their hey day but it is a different world out there now with many more diverse (and better) choices.

In the past, I drove Totem ARROs with a Cary CLI-80. in  a small apartment in San Francisco. They worked out well, but could have benefited from a sub woofer or powered bass. I sourced out a REL Quake, and that was an ideal setup at the time. I liked the ARROs, small, thin, construction was well done.

I moved on to B&W 805's and kept the little REL Quake, still have it.
I drive them with a pair of Marantz MA-24's and that setup suits me for now.

If I were to do it again, I would consider a pair of ProAc DB1, or KEF LS50's, I have heard both recently, and at that price point and size, they have very good sound stage, and grip the lower notes.

The Mani 2's are not a small room speaker.  You will be overwhelmed with bass.  That is of course you have sufficient and quality and power to drive them, which like mentioned above is a whole separate issue.

If you're looking at a stand mount Totem, Model One is probably where you want to be.

quanghuy147--

+1 on akg_ca's comment.

The Mani-2s demand power and will not perform up to their potential without it. You didn't say what you are using to drive them (nor what kinds of music you listen to), but if it's a relatively low power tube amp, I recommend that you do not do it. IMO you will not get enough low end control of the bass heavy Mani-2s. I finally ran mine with a pair of Rogue M-180's with KT-120's and they really sang, but that was the only tubed amp out of the 4 or 5 I auditioned that worked for me. They also sounded beautiful with both of my Class-D amps, a Bel Canto 300u, and a W4S-500, both of which have enough power as well as excellent tight bass control.

I ran my Mani-2s in a relative small room, but be prepared to do some experimentation with placement. They are a difficult speaker to tame, but when you get there the sound is fantastic for a speaker of this size.

I have heard the Proacs, but not in my space. I liked them, found them musical and not fatiguing, but overall they did not excite me.

That said, I've recently replaced my single-owner Mani-2s with a pair of Harbeths, and it's been on my list of things to do to get them up for sale here. Let me know if you have an interest and I'll move getting them listed to the top of my long to-do list.

Happy listening,
Jerry