Totem Forest Signature -or- Spendor D7

In other posts I've written about how little my own listening impressions of speakers square with reviews in magazines. That holds true, to a large extent, with individuals here too. If you spend enough time here, you'll start to recognize just a few names that, most of the time, seem to be hearing and describing something similar to what you are.

Case in point: Thiel. Check out a few threads and see the variety of adjectives used to describe the sound.

Another case in point: Harbeth Super HL5 Plus. I got to listen to these recently. Pretty much everything I'd read on here led me to expect a certain kind of sound, and boy was I surprised when I heard something quite different (a lot less relaxed and warm, BTW, than anticipated).

Moral of the story: unless you audition both in person, you'll never know. You might as well toss a coin, buy one, see if you like it, and if not, sell it here and move on to the other. (I'm assuming that auditioning them in person is logistically impossible.)

Received wisdom says that Spendor will be a bit more restrained and forgiving, but remember that this is a new and quite different design. It also says that Totem will be a bit more revealing and fast, but who knows what the "Signature" modifications to the Forest do to its sound. (I heard a Sttaf and again was surprised that it didn't sound bright to me.)

It's great that you've given us all the details of your room, your system and your musical tastes, but the one great imponderable that can never be quantified is your personal set of ears.

Well, I did what you said and read your posts again. It's not that common sense is unnecessary, you just don't have any to begin with.

"I have my list narrowed to these two speakers, but I'm feeling conflicted. Which way do I go?? And fyi, I'm not interested in any others right now, only choice is between the two listed above please."

"Another fyi, I will be changing all cabling to Acoustic Zen Absolute as I feel this system will benefit from as much silver cabling as I can give it without be harsh on the top end."

"04-24-15: Shawnlh
Zd, I actually preferred the left one. Which is weird cause I'm right brained."

"With the Forest Sig out now, it may sound sweeter than the original, I'd assume anyway."

"I think I have answered all questions."

"One word that struck me in one of the posts was "synergy". But I'm not changing pre amps, the Decware stays."

"Useless replies are unnecessary. Thank You"

"Well, I am an amateur, and this is only the second system I've ever put together. If you actually read my posts, you'll see why some so called "common sense" is unnecessary.
Back to topic please."

Shawn - dunno how much you can impose on your buds, but have you been able to bring over your own electronics to get a listen with your gear? I'm thinking your initial post was aimed at getting a comparative critique from experts that have heard both speakers; get some tips on what to listen for in comparing the two. Viewed that way, didn't seem particularly silly to me.

" I'm thinking your initial post was aimed at getting a comparative critique from experts that have heard both speakers; get some tips on what to listen for in comparing the two. Viewed that way, didn't seem particularly silly to me."

I understand why you would say that, but the truth is no one can do the work for you, expert or otherwise. The OP just wants everyone to pat him on the back and tell him he's making the right choice. That's why he's trying to control the answers he gets, and takes offense to the words common sense.

IMO, as your tastes run mostly to pop music and you're letting the subs take care of the bottom octave, I would probably go with the Totems. A bit more forward than Spendor, but not in a bad way. Plus the Forests don't do a bad job of bass on their own, although they take more power than you might think. But if you're taking out that bottom octave, you'll be fine. You might also consider the Model 1 stand-mounted speakers, which have a really nice midrange.