PSB T6 vs Totem Arro?

[aqcmiu]

Hello and Happy New Year guys- I think I'll skip the Energy cf50s, though its a good speaker for me. But I narrowed it down to either the PSB T6 or Totem Arro.
What do you guys think?

Which are a better hardware on specs, what do you think?

This will be grouped with my Onkyo 708 and a Definitive Pro Sub 800, so far..

Thanks for your time.

 

[JJMP50]

I've listened to both and was impressed. In my limited experience (one session each) I give the Totems the edge. That being said, they were being driven by a really nice McIntosh set-up in a 2 channel rig for a dedicated music system. I can't remember how the PSBs were set up. I think it was a Denon receiver and placement wasn't ideal.

 

[GranteedEV]

Room Size/Intended listening distance/inteded listening volumes/intended amplification/intended application?

Also look into an SVS MTS-02 and Revel F12

 

[AcuDefTechGuy]

PSB T6 - Very linear, accurate about +/- 2.5 dB from about 40Hz - 15kHz:

http://www.soundstagenetwork.com/measurements/speakers/psb_image_t6/

I didn't see a FR on the Arro, but this is what Soundstage says:
http://www.soundstage.com/revequip/todd28.htm

Seems like the PSB T6 is the winner IMO.

But if you really liked the Energy CF-50, Amazon has the bigger CF-70 for only $250 each.

 

[aqcmiu]

Hi again- You guys are very knowledgeable Thanks for the tips. I think I'll pass on the Energy. Seems like nobody likes them, online review states theyre mediocre but I think they are at least decent sounding speakers to me eh what do i know.

Anywho I auditioned the PSB T6 and for some reason it was above decent to my ears. It didnt grab my attention like how it should. But everyone praises these guys. is it me?

But I was really impressed with the Totem Arro when I heard it yesterday noon. Afterall it was backed up by Ayon hardware. The sales staff told me that it was a $200,000 system. I didn't want to touch it! When I heard the PSB T6, it was powered up by Marantz gear. I am assuming these are great stuff.

But Im a newb, the Totem Arro will do good for me right?
If someone says.. here.. you can have either or... which two of the speakers will you take?
Arro or T6?

Thanks a bunch

 

[aqcmiu]

Hi again- You guys are very knowledgeable Thanks for the tips. I think I'll pass on the Energy. Seems like nobody likes them, online review states theyre mediocre but I think they are at least decent sounding speakers to me eh what do i know.

Anywho I auditioned the PSB T6 and for some reason it was above decent to my ears. It didnt grab my attention like how it should. But everyone praises these guys. is it me?

But I was really impressed with the Totem Arro when I heard it yesterday noon. Afterall it was backed up by Ayon hardware. The sales staff told me that it was a $200,000 system. I didn't want to touch it! When I heard the PSB T6, it was powered up by Marantz gear. I am assuming these are great stuff.

But Im a newb, the Totem Arro will do good for me right?
If someone says.. here.. you can have either or... which two of the speakers will you take?
Arro or T6?

Thanks a bunch

I'm leaning towards the Arro by 1 point :]

 

[GranteedEV]

A red flag popped up in my head when I heard you say "It didn't grab your attention like it should".

Perhaps the problem is you're looking for a speaker that gives you "Not the original sound" rather than "the original sound".

If a speaker with mysterious frequency response is "grabbing your attention" that usually leads me to think that it's designed not to reproduce sound but to sell.

Now I've heard the Totem Arro, but not a proper audition. It was some very specific auditioning material that I wasn't even close to familiar with.

Remember, it's easy to make a speaker that a person wants to buy by hyping frequencies. But then when you bring that speaker home you might find that the things you really want to hear - the vocals, the dynamics, etc are being taken away from you in all their glory in order to impress you initially. At the end of the day do you want to hear the speaker or the recording?

Now that doesn't mean I'm saying the Arro is necessarily a bad speaker but you really need to stop for a moment! Get more info on this speaker! Really ask yourself "okay, this impressed me, but was it natural?"

 

[AcuDefTechGuy]

I think I'll pass on the Energy. Seems like nobody likes them, online review states theyre mediocre but I think they are at least decent sounding speakers to me eh what do i know.

I think you know a lot more than you feel.

The important thing is listening to a bunch of other speakers. If after you listen to 10 speakers in the same price class or higher and the Energy speakers sounded the best TO YOU, then that is all that matters.

Is the sound crystal clear?

Can you hear the instruments and vocals clearly?

Does it have enough bass for your tastes (if you don't use a sub with it)?

After you audition speakers ranging from $23K to $1K, you will realize that the difference may NOT be as significant to you as you once thought.

I've listened to some $23K & $16K speakers that don't even sound as good as some $3K speakers.

Price/Cost does not always correlate with sound quality.

 

[AcuDefTechGuy]

Anywho I auditioned the PSB T6 and for some reason it was above decent to my ears. It didnt grab my attention like how it should. But everyone praises these guys. is it me?

But I was really impressed with the Totem Arro when I heard it yesterday noon. Afterall it was backed up by Ayon hardware. The sales staff told me that it was a $200,000 system. I didn't want to touch it! When I heard the PSB T6, it was powered up by Marantz gear. I am assuming these are great stuff.

What do you think between the Energy and the Totem?

Go read The Audio Critic online - it's free.

You will learn that amps, preamps (no processing), cables, wires, DACs don't make a huge difference.

The biggest difference is the speakers.

If you like the Totem better, then the Totem is better regardless of what everyone thinks. Period.

 

[its phillip]

Why not look at the Energy RC-50s instead? You can get them for pretty cheap on amazon from wwstereo or vanns

 

[AcuDefTechGuy]

Now that doesn't mean I'm saying the Arro is necessarily a bad speaker but you really need to stop for a moment! Get more info on this speaker! Really ask yourself "okay, this impressed me, but was it natural?"

I can agree with that.

A second and final audition may be good - and bring the most familiar songs. If you like different genres, then bring all the different genres of music to see which speakers are more balanced overall.

 

[GranteedEV]

What do you think between the Energy and the Totem?

Go read The Audio Critic online - it's free.

You will learn that amps, preamps (no processing), cables, wires, DACs don't make a huge difference.

The biggest difference is the speakers.

If you like the Totem better, then the Totem is better regardless of what everyone thinks. Period.

With that said, there ARE amps, and preamps, and cables, and wires, and DACs which don't do their job properly. They're called "Hi-End Esoteric Gear". There's cables with intentionally high resistance neutering highs, preamps with hidden EQ to bump whatever frequency they think will sell their product, amps with high output impedance and early clipping that appeal to people who prefer the drunken sound of tubes over real life sounds, DACs with their own hidden EQ to shape what they output, etc.

None of that B.S. stuff is sold by reliable mainstream companies like Yamaha, Marantz, Emotiva, Denon, Onkyo, ATI, Harman, Outlaw, Rotel, Anthem, Parasound etc so as long as you don't push these products beyond their design limitations they will sound the same.

The best cables are the ones you would find in the in wall electrical section of home depot with a high gauge (14, 12, and dual 14 are a nice way to go although even 16 is good enough for 99% of setups) because they cost what they're supposed to, they're safe, and they won't alter the signal.

DACs also sound the same - although - having multiple DACS for a multi-channel processor is good because it keeps the processing resolution sufficiently high.

 

[AcuDefTechGuy]

As you can see, GranteedEV as graduated with honors from The Audio Critic Academy.

 

[aqcmiu]

Why not look at the Energy RC-50s instead? You can get them for pretty cheap on amazon from wwstereo or vanns

Hi-
I eliminated the Energys from my list, its like buying a Hyundai ones say.. haha
My desktop speakers are by Klipsch and I loathe them. I even like my Altec Lansing better better than my Klipsch. :\ I want to step my game just a tab bit so I prefer Totem or PSB now.

Maybe by the end of this week, Ill buy either of those two..
Flip a coin or something between these guys, since I can't make my frikn mind

 

[AcuDefTechGuy]

Maybe by the end of this week, Ill buy either of those two..
Flip a coin or something between these guys, since I can't make my frikn mind

Listen to both the Totem & PSB with your favorite CDs again. Then ask the store manager if you can audition them at home. But in the end, follow your ears.

 

[GranteedEV]

Hi-
I eliminated the Energys from my list, its like buying a Hyundai ones say.. haha
My desktop speakers are by Klipsch and I loathe them. I even like my Altec Lansing better better than my Klipsch. :\ I want to step my game just a tab bit so I prefer Totem or PSB now.

Maybe by the end of this week, Ill buy either of those two..
Flip a coin or something between these guys, since I can't make my frikn mind

order a pair of SVS MTS-02s (assuming you've got an amp that can drive them) for a 45-day in-house audition.

Then ask the Totem and PSB dealers for in house auditions as well.
Then decide with your family what looks and sounds most natural, comfy, and impressive! Don't let it be a crapshoot!
Return the speakers you dislike most and get your money back.

 

[3db]

Like GrantEED eluded too,grabbing your ears maybe a bad thing or a good thing. A bad thing is that you may get tired of the "grab" eventually.We call this listener fatigue. On the other hand,you may never get tired off the grab and these speakers would serve you well. I guess we need to know how it grabbed you. If you felt that the image was in your face kind of an attention, than you may get tired of them . Its hard to say.

PSB will beat the totems hands down when it comes to dynamics. It will beat most speakers in their price class in this regard and maintain compsore while doing it. This dynamic ability is what gives the speakers a real presence.

I would take my favourite music and listen for a couple hours if you are able too. Maybe, the dealer may allow for an in home evaluation. That would be your best bet.

Either way, neither speaker is a bad choice.They both come from reputable builders, have staunch supporters and are well regarded in the industry. Its now to you which speaker "fits" your ear better.