Totem THE ONE vs Totem Signature One

If you already like what the Model One Signatures can do, than you will likely appreciate how The One's take every aspect of performance to that next level. Having owned just about every Totem currently in production, I have to say that The One's really stand above the others (to my ears) in terms of upper midrange and treble performance. The big downside however, as mentioned above, is that they can be short of providing good low end, particularly if you place them far from the rear wall.

Will you be able to justify the $1000+ price jump? That's hard to say. On my system, I'd say the additional cost was well worth it.

When I was using the Totem Model one back in the early 90s I was using it with the MUSE model 18 with a their custom crossover card for the Totems.
This Muse and the Totems worked very well for me in my old room and had this for four years before making a change.
Would agree that a sub will help but you have to choose the sub carefully.
Have not heard the Totem sub therefore cannot comment.
THE ONE is such a good speaker and it does so many things well I can live with it's lack of deep bass. Maybe I will drag it into my main listening room but that would mean dragging out the Maxx IIs, nah way too much work.
Enjoy the ONE, it a special speaker.

The One is one level above the Signature One and they should sound better. It is a souped up version of the Signature One.

If you like opera, vocal & pin point stereo imaging, Totem The One & Sig. One are great speakers. A fast subwoofer like Totem Storm or a REL is strongly recommended. Totem Storm is probably Totem's best sub and its xover should be set somewhere between 80-100Hz since the Dynaudio woofers on The One & Sig. One are tiny. Outlaw sells some fast subs but they are bulky so I don't think you like them as much as I do.

I don't appreciate Forest as much as the Mani 2 or the Rainmaker because Totem uses cheap Hi Vi China made drivers on the Forest. Forest does have great bass but I don't think they are better than Dynaudio Excite or Focus floorstanders in terms of bass definition.

Gentleman, ever wonder why their flagship speakers Mani 2 & The One sport Dynaudio drivers?

I just had a blow out with Erick Lichte at the Stereophile forum regarding his follow up review of the Forest loudspeaker. I just couldn't give him a pass on the incorrect description of their ability to throw a spacious soundstage with pinpoint imaging....if they do anything it's soundstaging!! FYI The "ONE" is a great speaker:O)

I will add to my own post regarding Totem THE ONEs. I got the Totem STORM subwoofer. Still in the break-in and set-up process, but the STORM seems to have done the trick. It appears that the STORM crossover should be set at about 65 - 75 Hz, which is more than the 50 Hz bottom of THE ONEs. I have all 3 speakers lined up, so am not adjusting the STORM's "phase." It is tempting to crank up the STORM's volume, but a fairly low setting seems to make it blend best with THE ONEs. It is now a full-range system. THE ONEs are now freed-up to promote more detail and focus. Of course, the STORM blends well, and gives all the bass needed. I telephoned Totem, and was told to wire all 3 speakers directly from my TACT AUDIO "diggy" amp (not from amp to sub and then from sub to speakers). They indicated that that was simply too long a run of wire(s) to get to the speakers. Also, I added 2 Totem BEAKS on top of each of THE ONEs, and they really do make a difference. Adds, more & more detail and more & more focus. And, the sound stage got wider. Yikes! I can hear ivory piano keys, wooden fiddles, and Dizzy's spit in-bent-trumpet. These 3 little boxes are giant killers. However, please note: high-end associated equipment is required, and they are best suited for mid-to-small rooms and mid-to-low volumes - exactly what I require.