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Request advice-need "brighter" speakers than Totem Hawks

Hi All-
Love the community here; first time poster.
My gear:
i have a pair of Totem Hawks, driven by Sim Audio W-5 amp and P-5 pre. I listen primarily to Redbook CDs via a Marantz SA8005. Cables are all Audience AU24SE. I listen both through a modded Eastern Electric DAC (op amp upgraded, tube removed) and direct from CDP to preamp (teensy sound difference between DAC/no DAC, if any). My medium sized room is pretty dead sonically (carpet, textile window coverings).

My Issue:
The high frequencies are uncrisp, rolled off severely, muted, and just lacking generally, especially on contemporary works (jazz, rock). I don’t hear cymbals, hi-hats, or rich, crisp snare drums (yeah, I’m a drummer). Listening to my favorite disks is a deeply disappointing experience, Though classical sounds ok to fine. I am thinking that I need brighter speakers than the Hawks (though there are numerous folks who extoll Sim Audio plus Totem speakers, something is not right. I do have a bit of hi-freq. hearing loss from playing percussion for over 40 years (amateur), but I’ve heard a number of less expensive systems that sound better to me. My first thought is to go for a used pair of B&Ws (CM5s?) or Vandersteens (assuming good WAF on the latter) to swap out for the Hawks. I’m on a budget, but am not above selling some of the current gear to pay for the right equipment.

I would love love to hear some suggestions or alternate diagnoses/ideas. I am not limiting myself to speakers; I’ve tried a bunch of different cables to no good effect. Analysis Plus silver cables, for example, were a disaster with this gear, for example, FYI. Thanks in advance for any sage thoughts you choose to offer. -Bruce


bheiman
oblgny's avatar
oblgny
848 posts
 
Having enjoyed the Hawks myself I had more issues with the bass reproduction than I did the high end - though I hasten to add that I still think they were remarkably good overall. 

Perhaps unfairly I was comparing them to my Thiel CS3.5's which, to my ear and budget, are easily the best speakers overall.  The Hawks are about $3200 retail now,  used Thiels about 1/3 of that and worth much more. If you can find a pair locally I'd scarf them up. They excel in the mids and highs and leave nothing wanting in the bsss. They have become my reference speakers. 

You certainly have enough current to consider many brands. Used Thiels are a true audio bargain. 
bjesien
1,274 posts
 
I've owned all the gear you have owned including the cables.  The Marantz is warm component.  I don't like the sound you are after but try another source.  Ayre might work well or Simaudio, Luxman would be warmer but more accurate than Marantz.  
bjesien
1,274 posts
 
I have a Verity Parsifal speaker with Luxman 590 AX and Ayre DAC with upper end Nordost cables.  I've been out of the loop for five years.  Not interested for another ten.  Merry Christmas!
213runnin
914 posts
 
I don’t think Totem’s specifications for break in have been mentioned, though I only scanned this thread. It doesn’t appear as if the salesperson mentioned this, but the Hawks needed 60-80 hours at moderate volumes.

I did a little searching, but can’t find what the OP’s cables sound qualities are as to warm or more open. Ditto with Sim Audio, but both are obviously good quality stuff. I had a pair of Dreamcatchers, and these Totems were the most responsive to cabling changes that I have ever experienced. I see that the OP has tried cable changes though.

What I’m wondering, is if the cables and the electronics are on the warm side of the sound spectrum. If they both are, then the combination would no doubt muffle the speaker output as the OP is experiencing. Can anybody chime in on Sim Audio and the Audience AU24SE?
lowrider57's avatar
lowrider57
5,411 posts
 
"Can anybody chime in on Sim Audio and the Audience AU24SE?"

This has been mentioned. Both the amp and cables have a laid back presentation with smooth highs.
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