i have auditioned many different brands and types of speakers before deciding on the totems. the thiels were too bright for me and did not have any bottom end what so ever. b&w speakers, just so-so, nothing stood out. joseph, from their bookshelf to the pearls, audio physic, all very nice. revel studios and salons, wilson watt puppy 7's, wilson maxx, vandersteen 5a, all very nice and if i had a HUGE room to play them in. with the totem's, they just produce a musical sound that i can listen to for very long periods of time without fatigue and they cost quite a bit less compared to the revels, vandersteens, wilsons, etc. i have had 3 pairs of totems so far and have been very pleased up to this point.
totem also does some amazing things to get a big sound from such a small speaker. read the reviews on the totem arros (i also have a pair of these). reviewers are amazed on the big sound coming from a 4" woofer. (before i get blasted from somebody, i would not recommend this speaker if the listener wants to rattle the windows in a 30' x 15' room).
the only way to audition a pair of speakers is to install them in your home, using your own equipment, in your own room. that is going to be the only way you will know if they will sound the way you want them to. there are many decent deals on audiogon and other places for used totem speakers right now. go to the different audio sights and read the different reviews on the speakers you're interested in. then make a good deal with an audiogon'r on a newer used pair and
listen to them in your environment. if you don't like them, sell them for what you paid for them and do it again until you find what you are looking for. for $2200, there are a lot of choices.
good luck!