Minimonitor Choice: Proac 1sc vs. Totem Model 1s


Has anyone directly compared these two speakers? I've heard the Totems, and they image so well, though may be a little congested in the midrange. How do the Proac's compare? I've got Proac 2.5's, I think they are great, but currently find the tweeters a tad bit aggressive (but am working on that with cable selection). I've heard still better things about the tweeters in the 1sc's. I'm using great amps in my systems right now (Pass Aleph, ARC VT100 mk2, Berning ZH270).

Anyhow - I love good imaging, but not at the expense of tonal balance. Considerations that I'm aware of between these two speakers are:

1) Which has better/more natural bass response? (I want to avoid the subwoofer approach if possible - but I do like to listen to all sorts of music, including rock, orchestral, jazz, female vocals, etc.).

2) Is either more sensitive/dependent on positioning? This includes speaker positioning in the room and listener positioning (e.g. size of sweet spot)?

3) Do either have characteristic tonal biases that I should be aware of? (I've already described some impressions of the Totem Model 1s).

Thanks for your input everyone. Also, are there other minimonitors I should be considering or auditioning (when traveling outside of my small town of Flagstaff, AZ).
peter_s
I used ProAc 1SCs with Cardas Golden Cross to tame the highs. This worked well with my Aleph 3. The midrange was smooth, even, and imaged well. The bass rolled off in the mid-bass, perhaps sooner than the Totems which I haven't owned but have auditioned and read about. I used a subwoofer. I replaced the 1 SCs with Red Rose Music R1s. The R1s had noticeably more delicate, feathery highs, produced by a ribbon tweeter. The bass went deeper, too, but there was a very slight depression in midrange response (a hole in the middle!). RRM has replaced the R1s with the Rosebud, which I am guessing doesn't go as low in the bass but has a level midrange. Good luck.
If you like the ProAc 2.5's, you might prefer the 1SC to the Totems. I preferred the Totems to the ProAcs by far. More coherent, more accurate, much better bass. I didnt notice any midrange congestion (not sure what that is), but they do require a lot of power. I chose and prefer Harbeth HL-P3's to both of the more expensive speakers you mention, even though the Totems were a lot better in the bass and play louder. Even though I prefer the Harbeths, the Totems are really good speakers.
The ProAc 1SC's are very neutral and critical regarding what you feed them. Cheap CD players or amps will not allow the 1SC to shine. I have auditioned many monitors including the Totems and ended up with the ProAc's. I have not heard another monitor that presents the music in such a natural involving way w/out coloration. Vocal are amazing as well as acoustic instruments. The Totems are very nice as well, but being that you have and Audio Research VT-100 I would absolutely go with the ProAc's.
I think your choice may depend on what amp you use. I had Totem 1 speakers for some time and found their sound will very considerably with different amps. They dont work well with some lower powered SS amps and respond well to a good dose of current. They liked the fast and clean Marsh amp and were less suited to the warm Belles I used to have. The Totems can sound great with the right amp.
Your problem with the highs on the 2.5's really puzzles me. I have the 2.5's and have never had them come even close to sounding too aggressive. Different strokes, I guess. I've used tubes and SS, Harmonic Tech, Cardas, and Valhalla speaker cables, digital and analog sources, you name it.

However, when I measure my system with the TacT room correction unit, I do see a rising top end, so maybe...