Totem mani 2 or Dynaudio 1.3 SE


Both of these are relatively inefficient two way mini monitors. I'm trying to decide between them. I am thinking of purchasing a used set of one of these pairs of speakers. I have heard the Contour 1.3 MkII. Have not heard the SE version but assume that the more of a good thing concept holds true. I really liked the 1.3's but I keep reading wonderful things about the Mani 2 that seem to very much to describe the sound I am looking for. Does anyone out there have experience with both of these speakers that wants to put in their two cents?
esun
About the Totem Mani-2 I can tell you they are amazing.
I bought a demo pair, about 2K from Seyla, a member in Canada. I bought them for my backup system, Linn Genki +
Wakonda Pre and Klout power amp, I have just realized that I
haven't listen to my main system in weeks, didn't need to I am quite happy with them, they could be the last speaker you will need to buy. My main system is a Linn Ikemi + Kairn Pre + Klouts (4) and Keltiks. They are so good, bass is incredible and so is the mid and high. Just take care to mate them with equaly good electronics and enough power.
The finish is incredible, they put to shame my 10K Keltiks.
Seyla has another demo pair in mahogany, he is true to his word, he told me they were a 10/10 and they were. The only drawback to this speaker is their MSRP, but they can be bought used for around 2K. You can go wrong with the Mani-2.
I am a Totem Mani-2 owner, and I can say that they are incredible speakers. You will get full range sound from a small package. You have to put them on a strong solid stand and drive them with lots of smooth amplifier power. It will reveal any flaw in the upstream components so be carefull to go for quality. Some of the cleanest and most powerful bass in a real world speaker I've heard.
On the last sentence of my original sentence there is an error. What I meant was "you cannot go wrong with the Mani-2". Sorry, english is not my first language. Thanks
I've heard both these speakers in stores, and I think they are both good, but quite different. The Dynaudio's are more "accurate," leaner and drier, whereas the Totems are warm, earthy, lusty things. I thought the Mani 2 was great for its drive, bass and harmonic meatiness and it is the best soundstage I've ever heard (driven by Sim and Classe, with Transparent cables and Richard Gray PLC). The drawback is that you must have lots of good power and rock solid stands. It may be small, but it's a $4k speaker and needs a commensurate amp, placement well into the room and massive stands. Isobarik woofers in a small cabinet will just eat power. Hepl's Klout is no doubt a good choice. And you definitely need something like Sound Anchors' four pillar stand. I considered buying them and ended up spending a lot more to get something genuinely better.