Totem Forest, Mani 2's or Green Mtn Audio Europa

Mani-2 would probably offer you the best presentation but your amp had better be up to the task as they are notoriously power hungry...

I have not heard the Totem's but their reputation for quality is well known. However, at used prices of around $2000 for the Totem's versus $600 for the Green Mountain, You could save quite a bit by going with the Europa's. I have owned them, they are a excellent speaker and would give up nothing (or very little) to the Totem's. They are also a very easy 4 ohm load and can be driven by most amps. As mentioned above, I have read that the Totem's like power to show their best.

Try to listen to all the speakers you are considering, it would beat trying to figure out all of the recommendations you are going to get here. In home demo would be best, especially condsidering the size of your room (to make sure the speakers would fill the room).

Regards,

The Mani-2 are the best speakers I have owned in the last
20 years, over 20 pairs by 6 different manufacturers and
prices from 2K to 16K. They do require an adecuate amp,
but power seem to be cheaper this days. Just bought a Signature pair about a month ago, can stop listening to them.

Question for Rbstehno and Hepl; those who know and love the Mani-2s. Which of the higher end monitors have you compared them to, and why did you prefer the Mani-2s? Have you been able to compare to Dynaudio Special 25s, to JMlab Micro Utopias, to Harbeths, Spendor 3/5se, Focus Audio 688s, or the Harmonic Precision Caravelles just for example? (Some of these pricier than the Mani-2s). I've always liked the Totem sound, still enjoy my old Sttafs in my second system, but I took a different path since. The Mani-2s aren't kept in stock where I live, special order only...otherwise I might have gone that route.

I bought a brand new pair of cherry Forests last year. I powered them with a Pass Labs x250 amp. My livingroom is roughly 14x22 with 8 foot ceilings. I loved the sound. Just on a whim, after reading the acolades about the Europas, I found a dealer in my area who brought a pair over for an in home trial. I bought them on the spot and still have them. Soundstage, bass response, detail were better to my ears. I have not heard the Mani-2s vs. the Europas, so no comment. From all I've talked to, the Mani-2's are superior to Forests.