Looking for speakers comparable to Totem Forest

[trumpetlore]

Greetings,

I've been searching for speakers for about 2 months and have learned a lot! I've spent a lot of time searching forums, researching specs, and most importantly, listening.

Of what I've heard so far, probably my top favorite was the Totem Forest. I find it's a fairly neutral speaker (though not completely, which I like) which has great bass when needed, clear full mids, and a tweeter that doesn't fatigue my ears. One of my favorite characteristics about this speaker, however, is the imaging.
I've found that the Totem brand creates fantastic imaging. Since most of the music I listen to is Orchestral music, this is very important to me. I love being able to hear that the orchestra is 100 feet across and 50 feet deep.

So, I'm looking for speaker recommendations that are similar in qualities to the Totems. My plan is to find a couple brands that would work, and then purchase used (I search Audiogon every day).

I would appreciate any suggestions people have.

 

[Lordoftherings]

Hard to match that Forest imaging, but...

About Energy speakers, the Veritas line (V2.4l or v2.3l)? At Audiogon perhaps?

Or Vienna Acoustics (Beethoven Baby or Mozart)?

Or Revel Performa F32?

Or Dynaudio Excite X36, or X32, or Focus 220?

Or Aerial Model 6?

 

[coilman]

take a gander

I would take a listen to psb imagine line if possible, imho they have great imaging which other speakers have you listen too

 

[MidnightSensi]

Check out Dynaudio. In that range I'd recommend the Countour series. Amazing speaker. Performs great in time, and therefore has excellent imaging. Flat frequency response, moreso than the Totems.

Totem uses a lot of Dynaudio drivers, btw.

 

[Chicagorep]

Check out Dynaudio. In that range I'd recommend the Countour series. Amazing speaker. Performs great in time, and therefore has excellent imaging. Flat frequency response, moreso than the Totems.

Totem uses a lot of Dynaudio drivers, btw.

Hi, I'm new here so go easy on me, this is my first post. To repond to the comment above. Yes Totem does use some Dyn drivers but they are drivers built by Dyn to Totem specs, these same drivers are not used in Dyn speakers. Totem is the only company that Dyn still sells it's drivers to. Totem felt that the Dyn drivers did not meet the requirements they were looking for so Totem's designer met with the Dyn engineers and told them how to make his drivers.

 

[Swerd]

Look into Salk SongTowers. They are sold internet direct by the manufacturer.

A review by Sean Fowler at SonicFlare made a nice comparison of the SongTowers and the similarly priced Totem Sttaf.

I have listened to the Totem Hawks in the past and liked them. What the original poster said about Totem was also my experience.

Personally, I think the SongTowers compare well to commercially made speakers selling for as much as $3000 retail. See my own SongTower impressions in the link below in my signature line.

To my knowledge, Chicagorep is correct.

 

[Chicagorep]

The Sttaf

- Throws a wider, more holographic soundstage – sounding relatively free of its own box
- Possess better off-axis response – enabling a more linear musical experience throughout the room
- Has a more forward sound which gives the music a greater sense of presence and immediacy
- Has superior low level resolution
- Is able to capture sharp transients (detail and air) with a greater sense of realism
- Subjectively speaking – I believe the Sttaf gives the music a more convincing 3-dimensional presentation that is supported by a more realistic reproduction of instrumental timbre


I have to agree with everything the author says about the Sttafs. A couple of things he didn't mention about the Song Towers is that they have dual woofers and is a larger cabinet than the Staffs but he does mention the Sttafs have a "superior low level resolution" all from a single 5 1/4" woofer.

It's my opinion but after reading the 2 comparisons I'd choose the Staffs for music listening.

 

[zeuiax]

^^ Where in Chicago I can audition totems??

 

[Chicagorep]

^^ Where in Chicago I can audition totems??

I have them in my office, I'm in Rolling Meadows

 

[jostenmeat]

One of my favorite characteristics about this speaker, however, is the imaging.
I've found that the Totem brand creates fantastic imaging. Since most of the music I listen to is Orchestral music, this is very important to me. I love being able to hear that the orchestra is 100 feet across and 50 feet deep.

I thought the B&W 804S imaged better than any other monopole I've heard anywhere near the price. Of course, a lot of that stuff is so setup and room based too. The coloration is neutral, but I'd say a bit dry on the top end, which you probably won't be crazy about. Some people thought that the bass is anemic, but I thought of it as accurate. You can always add a sub if need be. One of my favorite pairs that I've ever heard.

I had to go up to the center speaker to make sure the center was off. The guy that came after me did the same thing to my amusement. This room warranted multiple visits on my part. The speakers were very wide apart, considerably more than 60 degrees from straight on to each. And yet I still suspected the center speaker could have been active.

I also liked the Contour towers I heard very much. Very smooth. They were also some of my favorite I've heard at the relatively similar price point.

I've never heard Salk (but would love to), nor Totem. Some Totems, and Dynaudios for that matter, can be very tough to drive with full blown orchestral music, so I presume you will have an adequate amp.

BTW, I pretty much only listen to classical music. I do have nearly a hundred jazz recordings, but +95% of the time it's classical listening.

Check out Dynaudio. In that range I'd recommend the Countour series. Amazing speaker. Performs great in time, and therefore has excellent imaging. Flat frequency response, moreso than the Totems.

Totem uses a lot of Dynaudio drivers, btw.

 

[Chicagorep]

Your comaring a $3500 3 way with dual woofer speaker to a 2 way $1600 speaker. Not exactly apples to apples, although I would like to hear how the Totem Forest compares to the 804s. even though it's still a 2 way.

 

[just listening]

In reference to Sean Fowler's Salk review in SonicFlare, you can also read his review of the Totem Forests in Affordable$$Audio
I've heard both the Forests and the Song Towers, though not side by side, and both are really fine speakers. Pair them up with some decent electronics, take the time to properly position them, and just sit back and enjoy the results.

 

[Chicagorep]

Don't you just love sitting back and comparing good audio gear with good music. That's why I love my job, I get to listen to some of the best stuff around.

 

[Davemcc]

That's why I love my job, I get to listen to some of the best stuff around.

What's your Job. You didn't say.

 

[Chicagorep]

Just like my name says, I'm an AV sales rep in Chicago.

 

[zeuiax]

I have them in my office, I'm in Rolling Meadows

I live in dtwn. Can I audition them at your office?? If so pm me your office/store name and contact info.

Thank you,

 

[highfigh]

I have them in my office, I'm in Rolling Meadows

Any dealers in the Milwaukee area?

 

[Chicagorep]

Any dealers in the Milwaukee area?

I have one in Madison (University Audio) and I'm going to be signing up one in Germantown soon.

 

[highfigh]

I have one in Madison (University Audio) and I'm going to be signing up one in Germantown soon.

Germantown- is his name Jerry?

 

[Chicagorep]

No it's not