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Dynaudio Evoke 20 vs. Totem Signature One vs. Acoustic Revival Adalante 3

Hello Agon members,

I am getting ready to purchase a new pair of speakers and looking for some advice and first hand experience with a few of my possible choices:

  • Dynaudio Evoke 20 - I listened to this speaker at a store in Bangkok. I really enjoyed it, good dynamics and strong bass. Tone was great, but I felt like there was a little coloration to this speaker, perhaps some box resonance? Overall, very musical.
  • Totem Signature One - I listened to this speaker in a different store. It was a less than ideal environment, but the speaker had many of the same attributes that I liked about the Evoke 20.
  • Acoustic Revival Adalante 3 - Have not heard but will demo next time I am in Bangkok.

I own a Hifi Rose RS520 integrated amp/streamer. My speaker cables are Tellurium Q Black II and the power cord is generic. I am currently using a pair of Vanguard Scout speakers to great effect (especially considering the modest price) until I settle on my next speaker. In the past, I have used Omega Speaker Systems SAM (still own) and did not find this to be a good synergy with the Hifi Rose. I have also auditioned a pair of used Harbeth C7ES and, even though I wanted to love these speakers, there was again poor synergy. So finding a speaker that will play well with the sound signature of the Hifi Rose is important to me.

My room is 16.4 ft. x 19 ft. and my system is against the shorter wall. Speakers will have plenty of room on the sides, but I doubt I will be able to position them more than 2 ft. off the back wall.

My preference is for a warmer sound with a good tone, but I also articulation, dynamics, imaging and soundstage. I generally stay away from bright and forward sounding equipment. Music is mostly centered around rock and indie, with some country, bluegrass, folk, hip hop, reggae, etc. thrown into the mix.

I will listen to all 3 speakers again before I purchase, but demos are much different than actually living with a speaker. Therefore, if you have spent some time with any of these speakers, please share your thoughts.

Thanks in advance - Billy

 

billynine
grislybutter
2,839 posts
 

You are right, the Dynaudio and Totem are similar, hard to drive but sweet a relaxed with the right amp. I think it's weakness is the bass. After having the Evoke 20s for 3 years as my main speakers, I think it's overpriced for what it does, there are better options for the same price range, and their retail value sucks. The Revival has great reviews and the MoFi may be a good option too for that room size.

Other speakers in the 2000-25000 USD price range

Q Acoustics 5050
Wharfedale AURA 2
PSB Imagine T65
Dali Menuet
Ohm Walsh Microwalsh Short
Arendal 1723 MONITOR S THX
Indiana DIVA 660
KEF R3 Meta
Tannoy Tannoy Autograph Mini
B&W 706 S3
Monitor Audio Silver 200 7G
GoldenEar Triton Two
Spendor A1
Fyne F500 SP
Gato FM-15
Creative Sound Sol. Criton 1TD-X
Paradigm Founder 40B
Klipsch RP-8060FA II
Legacy Studio HD
Salk ELLIS 1801
PSB Passif 50 

soix
9,385 posts
 

What specifically did you not like about the Omega and Harbeth speakers?

grislybutter
2,839 posts
 

retail = resale

Ag insider logo xs@2x
o_holter
975 posts
 

That was quite a mouthful!

I only know Dynaudio speakers, especially their former flagship Consequence, which I owned for ten years. These sound best with a LOT of power.

If I were you, judging from your sound preferences, I would think about a tube amp in the future, and go with the most easy to drive / tube friendly speaker, all else fairly equal.

jpipes
28 posts
 

Greetings-I owned both the Dynaudio Evoke 20s and Revival Audio Atalante 3 speakers. I do not have any experience with Totem.

The Evoke 20s were paired in my system at the time with the Yamaha A-S2200 integrated and sounded energetic, lively, and dynamic. They imaged well, good sound stage, and were fun to listen to. I upgraded from these to the Evoke 50s and continued to enjoy this sound. I currently have the Dynaudio Confidence 20s paired with the Hegel H600 and am very happy with the Dynaudio sound. I would recommend the Evoke 20s especially at a used price point of probably about $1200. They are well built, solid, larger, and heavier than most speakers this price.

 

In another system I had the Atalante 3s paired with a Rogue Audio Cronus Magnum III integrated. I would describe the sound as detailed and slightly warm and forward in presentation. The cabinets are beautiful, really well built. They could play loud and not sound fatiguing. I enjoyed my time with them. The Atalante 3s will cost more used probably.

Both were very enjoyable speakers in my experience.

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