Anthony Gallo Acoustics Due vs Totem DreamCatcher

I don't know the Totem, but the Gallo Due' is an amazing speaker for its size. Even better, if not cosmetically, if you remove the metal shield and the "grill cloth." You'll need a sub, though.

What I mean is that Totem speakers are usually very good as it's Canadian high-end and offers a better value. The Gallo Due's are $600 a piece so the Totem's are $200 a piece which is cheaper and does down to 57hz as it uses a 4" woofer and a 1" titanium tweeter. The Gallo Due has some specs that are out of sync since their webpage lists 89dB sensitivity, 80hz-40kHz frequency response. Dealers lists it as 93dB sensitivity, 60hz-40khz frequency response. The brochure from Gallo lists it as 93dB sensitivity, 60hz > 20khz frequency response. Supposedly $600 would be a better speaker than a $200 speaker but remember, Canandian brands usually have a better value than US brands like Gallo. Ofcourse the sensitivity is way better than the Totem. What is weird is why two out of two dealers who sells high-end audio/video and sells both Gallo and Totem would recommend the Totem for 1/3rd of the price because they said the Gallo Dues don't have mid-bass/mid-range, is that the same thing since I doubt they would make more money on a speaker costing 3 times less. I won't be getting a sub though because I live in a apartment and until I get a house and get floor space, I don't want to have angry neighbors. As for size, the Gallo Due's are 11.5" x 5" x 4.5" while the Totem's are 11.25" x 5" x 7".

Could you perhaps drive to one of your dealers and actually listen to them? It sounds as if your mind is made up, especially with the built-in jingoism of Canadian brands vs US brands.

I would think 57 Hz with a 4" driver is really pushing it; how far down in dB response is it? Also remember, the Dues have two 4" drivers which would push more air, all things being equal, and drive up the actual manufacturing cost of the speakers. That may be a clue why they cost more, plus their unusual, non-drop-in tweeter. Would their enclosure cost more to make than a box? Who knows?

Having heard neither one of 'em,
Todd

I had Due's and sold them. They are good, but IMO, not great, and they are quite bright. That may or may not be your taste, but I ended up being much more happy with comparably priced (ok, a little more expensive) speakers from Linn.

The Due's were fed with some very nice gear, so it wasn't the front end.

I haven't heard the Totems.

Bottom line -- the Gallo speakers are certainly pretty and have their qualities, but you are paying extra for the fancy set up.

For less money, I'd look for a used pair of Soliloquy Sat 5's. They are a real killer for the size and price.

I have Totem Dreamcatchers in my den, hooked up to a NAD 762 reciever. TV and movies sound great. Music is good, certainly not reference. All and all, looks, sound, they are a really nice ssurround speaker package. Totem is a great company to deal with.