Bookshelfs in $1500-2000 Range

[Warpdrv]

Looks like we scared off another one...

 

[john72953]

Looks like we scared off another one...

And who would that be?

 

[MidnightSensi]

With all due respect...I didn't say they were similar...I said he might like them.

John

Probably not, they are both well made, but a lot of Totems have added colorations (swings as high as 6-10db in the midbass, 4-6 in the treble) to make them sound good... versus Dynaudios are pretty flat. Usually someone who likes a Totem doesn't like a Dynaudio and vice versa.

 

[csm_274]

More great input. Thanks. Now for the lame request...to make my selection a bit more challenging, I need a speaker as I initially described that ALSO has a walnut finish (or something very similar). This will go a long way to appeasing my wife!

I know RBH has numerous wood/color options. Of the speakers listed above, and any to be listed, do any offer a walnut-like finish?

Just asking so I can "cover" my bases with the real boss.

 

[3db]

Probably not, they are both well made, but a lot of Totems have added colorations (swings as high as 6-10db in the midbass, 4-6 in the treble) to make them sound good... versus Dynaudios are pretty flat. Usually someone who likes a Totem doesn't like a Dynaudio and vice versa.

http://www.hometheatermag.com/floorloudspeakers/1206totem/index2.html

http://www.stereophile.com/floorloudspeakers/378/index5.html

 

[MidnightSensi]

http://www.hometheatermag.com/floorloudspeakers/1206totem/index2.html

http://www.stereophile.com/floorloudspeakers/378/index5.html

Nod, exactly. Top end they are generally a bit heavy, and usually there is a midbass hump. Some of their models also have some resonance problems, which actually Stereophile mentioned in another article I read at some point, which is surprising because of their quality construction.

Like they say at the beginning of that review:
"An example: Totem's Model 1, a small, 7.2-liter minimonitor, showed a strong low-frequency response, sweet highs, wide dynamic range, three-dimensional imaging, and smooth, velvet highs...but the midrange was too prominent (Stereophile, Vol.16 No.4). Bruzzese reintroduced the speaker as the Signature Model 1, with improved power-handling and increased bass response...but its midrange was still too strong on-axis (Vol.21 No.1). Then came the Totem Tabù ($2995/pair), with its transparent highs and palpable, three-dimensional imaging...but an overly analytic midrange and a tendency to sound a little hollow when listened to directly on-axis (Vol.20 No.2). The Totem Mite-T ($895/pair) was "pleasant and seductive"...but its resolution was limited by a recessed upper midrange (SGHT, June 1998). Would the Stereophile magazines ever cut Vince a break? " I haven't heard the Mite-T's though, but I've had a pretty consistant feeling with the others.

Thats not to say they aren't excellent speakers. to recommend a Totem on here is far above many of the other speakers people recommend on here. I also think they are great looking too, which is of a concern to the original poster... I think Dynaudios often look like **** (and I like them as a speaker)...the veneers they use are pretty cheapening.

 

[3db]

Nod, exactly. Top end they are generally a bit heavy, and usually there is a midbass hump. Some of their models also have some resonance problems, which actually Stereophile mentioned in another article I read at some point, which is surprising because of their quality construction.

Like they say at the beginning of that review:
"An example: Totem's Model 1, a small, 7.2-liter minimonitor, showed a strong low-frequency response, sweet highs, wide dynamic range, three-dimensional imaging, and smooth, velvet highs...but the midrange was too prominent (Stereophile, Vol.16 No.4). Bruzzese reintroduced the speaker as the Signature Model 1, with improved power-handling and increased bass response...but its midrange was still too strong on-axis (Vol.21 No.1). Then came the Totem Tabù ($2995/pair), with its transparent highs and palpable, three-dimensional imaging...but an overly analytic midrange and a tendency to sound a little hollow when listened to directly on-axis (Vol.20 No.2). The Totem Mite-T ($895/pair) was "pleasant and seductive"...but its resolution was limited by a recessed upper midrange (SGHT, June 1998). Would the Stereophile magazines ever cut Vince a break? " I haven't heard the Mite-T's though, but I've had a pretty consistant feeling with the others.

Thats not to say they aren't excellent speakers. I also think they are great looking too, which is of a concern to the original poster... I think Dynaudios often look like **** (and I like them as a speaker)...the veneers they use are pretty cheapening.

I'm of the opinion that they can eliminate cabinet resonances but choose not do to get the sound that they desire from them. I think its in their design methodology to use that. I've heard them and they are a very nice sounding speaker which I would love to own had I the money and the amplifier to drive them .

 

[MidnightSensi]

I'm of the opinion that they can eliminate cabinet resonances but choose not do to get the sound that they desire from them. I think its in their design methodology to use that. I've heard them and they are a very nice sounding speaker which I would love to own had I the money and the amplifier to drive them .

That exactly it, they are well aware of them I'm sure, you can hear them in the speaker even without measuring for them, they are shooting for a sound that they desire from them...exactly as you say. It's just a different philosophy to speaker building, and there isn't really a right or wrong, its just preference. It sounds sweeter and warming, almost giving depth to the room they are in. That's exactly the difference between Dynaudio and Totem right there though, and why they aren't interchangable speakers.

 

[csm_274]

bttt...thanks for any additional input.

 

[DD66000]

If you're looking for speakers that have a very clear, dynamic sound, but not harsh, or bright, and are at the $2k price, JBL's top of the line dome tweeter system, the Performance Series PT800.

These speakers are very much like the Revel Ultima Gem 2 ($4000/pr), the main difference is the JBLs are all Titanium drivers, and the Revels have a Beryllium tweeter.
They can be had on www.harmanaudio.com, under "specials" for $1050/ea. But do show up on ebay, craigslist, audiogon from time to time for less.

The closest cabinet color to walnut is the black ash. There is also beech and cherry.

 

[Davemcc]

I think Dynaudios often look like **** (and I like them as a speaker)...the veneers they use are pretty cheapening.

I've got the Dynaudio Focus 140 in Rosewood. I can't fault the quality of the veneer or finish. It's not a shiny or high gloss finish but the woodwork does appear to be high quality. I'm happy with them.

 

[rded]

I think Dynaudios often look like **** (and I like them as a speaker)...the veneers they use are pretty cheapening.

I don't know which particular model of the Dyns you're refering to, but from the from the focus line and up; the incremental improvement in cabinetry and craftsmanship becomes significantly superior to the line below it. OTOH, the craftsmanship of Focus line definitely beats the 700 series of B$W without even trying.

 

[jostenmeat]

I don't think the 700 series is too shabby. The older 600 series, yeah, I'd like it to be a bit nicer . . .

I also agree Dyn has some very nice finishes available!

I've never heard these, but I always thought they look very nice. Swan/HiVi reference monitors:

 

[Mike274]

What Receiver?

CSM,

I too am looking at bookshelves and have found that they sound completely different when paired with different receivers. For instance I loved both the Def Tech and B&W's with a Marantz receiver, but though the vocals were very good they both sounded a bit high or tinny with Denon. The watt rating of the receivers also made a difference in the sound. Just my 2 cents. Depends what sound you are looking for.

 

[j_garcia]

Different speakers sound different with various speakers because they use different implementation methods, meaning receivers DO sound different due to something in their designs, though the differences are not dramatic IMO. Given two receivers with the same REAL WORLD power and using the same source, they will likely sound more similar than not.