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Totem Owners....

Hi all,
Just auditioned a pair and loved the sound of Totem. Very simple, unique, and musical.
Q1: What's the guide line, or how can I determine which model to buy.
Q2: What's destine sound unique of each one from Arro, Sttaf, Hawk, to Forest, Model-1 and, finally, the Mani-2?

Room: 16' x 16' x 8' ceiling
Amp: 180wpc Anthem A5
Pre-pro: Anthem AVM-30
Music type: Jazz, classical, music concert, instruments, Michael Buble, Eva Cassidy, Katie Melua, etc.
Volume: Midium Low. Listening time normally from 1am-4am.
128x128nasaman
akg_ca's avatar
akg_ca
2,315 posts
 
Bluecirclehead nailed it

I've had Arros and Forests; liked them ; but eventually sold them off
Why?
There are well-travelled threads on AGon about Totems requiring a lot of hi current grunt to make them perform at their best.
They can sound great with gobs of power (bi amping helped a lot) but IMO they are non optimal at low and medium level listening levels, particularly with soft jazz or classical music genres.
i found them fatiguing when run at their "best" which is at higher volume levels.
bjesien
1,345 posts
 
I had the Forest, Super 8 and Tamino in my system with tube and solid state Luxman and mastersound and Ayre gear. Tamino came out on top with soundstage, clarity,and most importantly musicality.
dave_b's avatar
dave_b
3,159 posts
 
Totem's are one of the few speakers that excel at low volume dynamics AKg ca...you must have had a real mismatch powerwise:)
ghosthouse's avatar
ghosthouse
4,319 posts
 
Septemous - I think that Primare at 100wpc would work. So far have only used tubes to drive Forests that I've owned since '07. Jolida502B could drive them but always thought it was a little underpowered. Got some 78wpc mono-blocks and that did it for me. Of course it isn't just the watts but current supply and other factors. Still got to think that well-reviewed ss i30 would have enough grunt. It looks like a nice piece. Hope you can get it. BTW - once I get another audio project completed, want to try and pick up an affordable ss integrated amp myself. Little change of pace from all tubes.
akg_ca's avatar
akg_ca
2,315 posts
 
Totem's are one of the few speakers that excel at low volume dynamics AKg ca...you must have had a real mismatch powerwise:)

Daveb. What I said was that in my experiences (echoed by my local audiophile buddies) they worked their best (particularly the Forests) at something higher than low levels. At modest volume levels I actually preferred the Arros over the Forests (had them both at the same time).

I liked them while I had them for three years . I sold them both off along with the hardware cuz the new kit I auditioned and bought (speakers and hardware and cables) significantly outperformed the prior kit at all levels and in all ways.
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