totem

[Afury8]

does anyone know about this brand of speakers and are they any good?
I have a chance to get a pair for I think is a good price.
I have infinity primus 252's right now. would they be an upgrade?
I dont know the series of the speakers but they kind of look like the sttaf's

[nova]

Yes,... Totem Acoustic speakers are well respected and a very good choice. "I" would definitely consider them an upgrade from the Infinity Primus.

[Afury8]

well I went and picked them up they are the totem sttaf's. they sound great but both of the woofers have cuts in them. but for 200.00 I could not pass up the deal. they sill sound wonderful.

[john72953]

I have Totems all the way around and couldn't be happier. I auditioned everything from B&W, ML, JM/Focal Lab and a few others I can't quite remember now. But the Totems grabbed my attention like none of the others could. They have a warmth that I have yet to hear duplicated and for the price (Sttafs start at $1795 - Mites start at $695 - Mite-T starts at $595depending on finish) they deliver far more than any other speaker in its price class.

One of the other reasons I chose Totem Sttaf speakers is that I am first and foremost a vinyl lover. The Sttaf's do extremely well with this format. So when building my HT setup it was important to me that my choice of speaker could give me the warmth, soundstage, presence and depth that I wanted for my 2-channel listening enjoyment.

Last, but certainly not least, their build quality and craftmanship is second-to-none. I selected the Mahogany finish.

(Prices quoted are MSRP in Canadian $'s)

John

[john72953]

Yes,... Totem Acoustic speakers are well respected and a very good choice. "I" would definitely consider them an upgrade from the Infinity Primus.

+1....as would I, but then I'm slightly biased!

John

[Afury8]

well thak you for the feedback. I am becoming a Totem fan. just looked at center channels, holy crap there a little pricey.

[john72953]

well thak you for the feedback. I am becoming a Totem fan. just looked at center channels, holy crap there a little pricey.

you gotta pay for quality, my friend!

Buy the Mite-T.....it is matched to the Sttaf's...... go to Audiogon or CanuckAudioMart and you can get some used for sure at a decent price.

[Sheep]

you gotta pay for quality, my friend!

No, you don't.

I remember a long time ago Totem made a product called the "Beak". You're supposed to place it on the speaker, and it will change the tonal characteristics of the system. It was a small metal cone.

I wouldn't trust that company nor purchase their products.

SheepStar

[john72953]

No, you don't.

I remember a long time ago Totem made a product called the "Beak". You're supposed to place it on the speaker, and it will change the tonal characteristics of the system. It was a small metal cone.

I wouldn't trust that company nor purchase their products.

SheepStar

I never bought into the "Beak" either, but they still make great speakers and are highly regarded in the industry.

Secondly, I wasn't talking about the "beak", I was recommending/suggesting speakers.

(you probably just looked that up too, didn't you?)

So tell me (without looking it up first) what speakers do you have?

[fredk]

well I went and picked them up they are the totem sttaf's. they sound great but both of the woofers have cuts in them. but for 200.00 I could not pass up the deal. they sill sound wonderful.
Now thats a deal! I listened to a number of Totems. They were out of my price range, but did sound very good. No beaks in sight. ;)

I would send totem an email and see what it costs to get replacement drivers.

[Afury8]

they would have been out of my league also if it weren't for the fact that i got a deal. the tear is on the middle bubble part of the drivers. I cranked up the volume tonight and they sound awesome. like I said the primus 252's are going back to store tomorrow.

[john72953]

they would have been out of my league also if it weren't for the fact that i got a deal. the tear is on the middle bubble part of the drivers. I cranked up the volume tonight and they sound awesome. like I said the primus 252's are going back to store tomorrow.

Good thing they were used...cause cranking up the volume on new ones couldn't be considered for about 80 hours.

Like Fred said...I'd contact Totem...get those replaced, even if they sound great now. They'll sound even better later!

[fredk]

the tear is on the middle bubble part of the drivers.
The dustcaps? No wonder it dosn't affect the sound. I wonder how they got torn.

[T2T]

The dustcaps? No wonder it dosn't affect the sound. I wonder how they got torn.

Aren't the drivers from HiVi? I thought they used the DynAudio knock-offs, no?

[3db]

No, you don't.

I remember a long time ago Totem made a product called the "Beak". You're supposed to place it on the speaker, and it will change the tonal characteristics of the system. It was a small metal cone.

I wouldn't trust that company nor purchase their products.

SheepStar

Don't let some over zealous marketing idiot who's gone run amuck decide whether or not these are or are not good speakers. I've heard the staffs against Paradigm's Studio 100's, PSB Image T65s, and Energy (forget the model now) and they easily surpassall of them in terms of sound quality.. Unfortunatley they are out of my league cost wise.

[Afury8]

the reason the dust caps were torn is the lady had cats, she then ordered the grills that don't come with the speakers. there is no way i could have got these speakers unless they we the price I paid, just got lucky. and to tell you the truth if it weren't for this site, with all its knowlege I wouldn't have known what to look for.

[chucksrt]

I talked to the guy at David Lewis audio in Philly. and he told me that Totem uses all Dynaudio speakers, is this right? He referred to them as knock off Dynaudio.

[jostenmeat]

Aren't the drivers from HiVi? I thought they used the DynAudio knock-offs, no?

I talked to the guy at David Lewis audio in Philly. and he told me that Totem uses all Dynaudio speakers, is this right? He referred to them as knock off Dynaudio.

I know Totem uses Dynaudio drivers. HiVi speakers, OTOH, are NOT using Dynaudio drivers. They just happen to look very similar.

[T2T]

I know Totem uses Dynaudio drivers. HiVi speakers, OTOH, are NOT using Dynaudio drivers. They just happen to look very similar.

? - Check this out.

http://www.audiogon.com/cgi-bin/cls.pl?spkrfull&1237095887&/HiVi-D6.8-Totem-replacement-fo

[john72953]

I talked to the guy at David Lewis audio in Philly. and he told me that Totem uses all Dynaudio speakers, is this right? He referred to them as knock off Dynaudio.

I wouldn't quite go so far as calling them "knock-offs". There is far more that goes into building a speaker than just the use of one particular brand of tweeter or woofer or whatever. Manufacturers use componants from other companies all the time, does that make all of those companies "knock-off" brands?

John

[Afury8]

isn't copying flattery anyway? All I know is these speakers are awesome and have been really enjoying them. I was in the market for B&W's but that journey is over for now....or at least till the end of the month. LOL

[jostenmeat]

? - Check this out.

http://www.audiogon.com/cgi-bin/cls.pl?spkrfull&1237095887&/HiVi-D6.8-Totem-replacement-fo

Hello T2T. That did throw me for a loop. I did a brief google search, and ran upon this Audiogon thread (http://forum.audiogon.com/cgi-bin/fr.pl?cspkr&1222298349&openfrom&3&4).

While one fellow claims that that nearly all of the Totem line uses HiVi drivers, he was corrected by two dealers. Both dealers state that the Forest is the only Totem speaker to use HiVi (so your linked ad is not a scam it seems). The first dealer states that Dyn drivers are used for the Model 1 Signature, Model 1 Twin, The One, Mani-2 Signature, and the Wind. The second dealer states that Totem uses Dyn drivers that are further modified in-house.

[chucksrt]

I don't agree with his comment, I don't know enough about them. If they are using dynaudio speakers they have good taste at least.

I wouldn't quite go so far as calling them "knock-offs". There is far more that goes into building a speaker than just the use of one particular brand of tweeter or woofer or whatever. Manufacturers use componants from other companies all the time, does that make all of those companies "knock-off" brands?

John

[john72953]

I don't agree with his comment, I don't know enough about them. If they are using dynaudio speakers they have good taste at least.

You are quoting my post. However, is it directed at me? Because you say HIS comment and not THIS comment.

John

[chucksrt]

No! I was referring to the guy at the audio store. I was just quoting your post to reply to it. sorry for the confusion.
chuck

[highfigh]

I wouldn't quite go so far as calling them "knock-offs". There is far more that goes into building a speaker than just the use of one particular brand of tweeter or woofer or whatever. Manufacturers use componants from other companies all the time, does that make all of those companies "knock-off" brands?

John

HiVi isn't Dynaudio and doesn't buy from Dynaudio. However, it is a very good imitation.

[T2T]

Hello T2T. That did throw me for a loop. I did a brief google search, and ran upon this Audiogon thread (http://forum.audiogon.com/cgi-bin/fr.pl?cspkr&1222298349&openfrom&3&4).

While one fellow claims that that nearly all of the Totem line uses HiVi drivers, he was corrected by two dealers. Both dealers state that the Forest is the only Totem speaker to use HiVi (so your linked ad is not a scam it seems). The first dealer states that Dyn drivers are used for the Model 1 Signature, Model 1 Twin, The One, Mani-2 Signature, and the Wind. The second dealer states that Totem uses Dyn drivers that are further modified in-house.

Thanks for the research - it's good stuff to know.