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Time to replace speakers, suggestions wanted

I have enjoyed my Totem Rokks for about 8 years now. Recently I noticed the distinctive sound of the paper separating on the left mid-range. So I will start the search for replacement speakers and will limit my search to full range towers. I listen to mostly rock from acoustic to hard and I am looking to get back into vinyl soon. Fidelity is important. I have heard Aerial 7B's and was very impressed. They might be a bit much for my system. I would appreciate input on speakers to audition.

My system consists of Marantz 63SE CD, Adcom GDA600 D/A, Rotel RC-990BX pre, 2 bridged Rotel RB-980BX amps (horizontally bi-amping to keep leads as short as possible), all fed by a Rotel RLC900 line conditioner. I also have a Paradigm powered sub, but I hope this will go away.

My listening room is the 15x20 L part of my finished basement. Berber carpet, bare (for now) walls, and 8' drop ceiling.
dan_ed
dan_ed OP
2,451 posts
 
Thanks again on the fix suggestions, guys! That will certainly provide a future for these speakers.

Anyone have more suggestions for speaker upgrades?
shubertmaniac
350 posts
 
If you like the Totems, then try the Forest or the Wind;
personally I liked them better than the Aerial 7s. Of course
the maggie 1.6s would be my first choice.
dan_ed OP
2,451 posts
 
After searching the forums and checking with the ads I am wondering if the Martin Logan Aerius I's might be worth checking into. I think my rotel monoblocks should put out plenty, 350+ watts/chan, or I could horizontally bi-amp (my original post is wrong, currently vertically bi-amped) and use the rotels in their 120watts/chan config. If needed the Paradigm sub could add punch to the bottom. They might also work better for times I am moving around in the room, like shooting pool, and not sitting in the very localized sweet spot of the Rokks.

I understand that the ML's are sensitive to the room environment. Does anyone have experience with ML's for rock? I would guess that they don't have the punch of some other "rock" speakers, but I never got that from the Totems and actually prefer a little less "in your face punch". Anther question, how do the Aerius match up with analog music?
socrates
247 posts
 
You may well hate ML's for rock music, the woofers are a joke, the panel is made for lightweight music and can't handle large dynamics without breaking up very audibley. I highly suggest that you demo those speakers before buying, I know many folks not at all impressed with them (myself included) or not happy owning them after hearing less expensive speakers eat them alive.
dan_ed OP
2,451 posts
 
Absolutely. I don't buy anything I haven't heard. I am trying to find places within my home area, southern N.H., to audition the speakers I am interested in. Some makes are easier to find than others. I have heard Thiel, Revel, Aerial, and the Aerials easily won that round. I've listened alittle to Martin Logans but only with light jazz and a female vocalist. I'm looking for places to demo ACI, Vandersteen, and Totems.
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