thinking of buying used Dynaudio contour 5.4to replace totem Forest with 2 Rel 9x ‘s.

Thank you so much for a detailed response.  
Im using either a Hegel 390 or a Naim supernait3 

I like the totem sound   I also have the hawks

detail warm good imaging great soundstage  

@harkey 

My summary postscript…..

Sure…some  drive Fords, some drive Chevys, some drive Bimmers, and some drive Jags; because it depends on …..(insert bespoke reasons…).

Since you already own the two closest floorstander models of TOTEMs paired with subs, and you do like that resulting “bassy” bespoke forward sonic signature (…nobody else’s opinions matter..) , then I’ll venture you decided to stay put with a “if it ain’t broke, dont fix it “ mentality..

If you experience listening fatigue and now seek to scratch your evolving audiophile itch of a “new” presentation then here is my précis comparison of DYNAUDIO CONTOURs to your TOTEM FORESTs or HAWKs.

Simply put in brief:  

- they are a very different “ laid-back”  choice from your familiar “ forward”  TOTEMs and thus present a high risk of confusion or disappointment if purchased blindly, IMO.

In detail:

- Assuming your model chosen has their newest ESOTAR 3  tweeter   (…it’s an important upgrade,,,) , it’s their silky top-end and midrange that defines them to the new fan or uninformed.

- “ …. Immediate impressions are a clear and transparent portrayal with very high detail retrieval, fast and controlled transient response, and superb musical timing, both in articulating rhythms and tempi, and in placing instruments within the temporal flow and context of the performance….” 

- And IMO, they do not need pairing up to your current subs ( all subs below a $5K- ish pricepoint actually)  and will perform better without them  ( … other than for Bach church deep bass pedal organ recitals fans …);

- They do impress because 80+% of most music genres resides in the midrange band, (excluding most rock with their usual bass bloat )   Get the midrange right and everything else will fall into place. Get it wrong, and all the king’s horses…

happy listening …..and carry on sir!

PS I am not a DYNAUDIO owner, I’m a card-carrying HARBETH owner because of their class-leading legendary midrange paired up seamlessly with a sealed ATC bottom firing subwoofer to bridge their bespoke bottom-end roll-off defined by physics.

Nevertheless , I do consider the DYNAUDIO CONFIDENCE as true contenders and no pretenders should I get my next insatiable “itch”…

I am familiar with the Totem and DynAudio sound. I like both. The DynAudio are more high end sounding… precise, faster and accurate… not in a bad way. They can be more warm and natural when coupled with good natural tube (or warm ss) equipment or fast and precise imagers. The DynAudio are less forgiving but more sophisticated sounding. 

I have Dynaudio Contour S3.4 modded with the Esotar2 tweeters found in the S5.4. They are fantastic speakers but like an amp that can produce lots of current on demand.

I would also keep the subs to go with them. I used a pair of REL R-328 subs with my Contours. Then I replaced the Contours with the C2 Platinum I have now. I’ve been using REL S/510 subs with those and just bought two more pair to configure a REL six-pack line array.

I used to own a pair of the Dynaudio 5.4 and thought they definitely needed a sub and were way too revealing for my tastes. As long it is was great recording and most anything but rock, they sounded good but otherwise? 

I also own a pair of Totem Rainmakers and love the way they sound on most everything but they cost a fraction of the Dyn's so not really a comparison but think I'd love to audition more Totem's if I had the chance.