D

dkielm

Audiophyte
Hi, I've been reading several forums looking for clues on whether to buy center and L/R speakers from TOTEM or Stick with FOCAL (Audio Lab) which I have in a different area in my house.

Does anyone have any experience comparing these two companies/ Speakers?
I am considering the Tribe in-wall center speaker and the Focal Electra IW 1003 Be.
how do they compare price/sound quality?
I'm considering an in-wall for my center due to the room design, immediately underneath my projection screen. The rest would be floor standing.

My HTheatre is set in a very large room, I have a somehow big projection screen and my preamp and power amp are Krell.
I will also use the speakers for audio, sourcing my music from a Moon CD player and a QSonix music server/MH2 Young USB DAC.
THANKS
 
Davemcc

Davemcc

Audioholic Spartan
The Electra is a great line of speakers that I lust after but I haven't heard the in wall version. I have no experience with Totem at all. I would be comfortable choosing the Electra in walls blindly, so to speak.
 
moves

moves

Audioholic Chief
i on the other hand have no experience with Focal but I live in Ottawa and the Totem factory is in MTL 2hrs from me. I have heard them and I also own a set of Totem Forests.... they are lovely and they sing beautifully.
 
KEW

KEW

Audioholic Overlord
I can't really give a decent answer, but according to a Home Theater HIFI review:
http://www.hometheaterhifi.com/volume_12_4/totem-rainmaker-speakers-11-2005-part-1.html

Most manufacturers will tell you that the enclosure should be as neutral as possible, only achievable by deadening the cabinet. Totem on the other hand subscribes to the theory that enclosure resonance has as much influence on performance as the drivers and crossovers.
This sounds like they are tuning cabinet resonance to compliment the sound!? If this is one of their major tenants, I'm not sure I would go with their in wall speakers which would have no control over "cabinet" parameters. However, to keep you confused, I liked the sound of the Totem bookshelf speakers I heard!
 
davidtwotrees

davidtwotrees

Audioholic General
Don't Spendor and a couple other English brands subscribe to the resonant cabinet theory? Sort of like a violin or other wood insturment that vibrates to make sound...........
 
KEW

KEW

Audioholic Overlord
Don't Spendor and a couple other English brands subscribe to the resonant cabinet theory? Sort of like a violin or other wood insturment that vibrates to make sound...........
It certainly seems reasonable. My only concern is whether the speaker would have good control over a range of SPL. The speakers I have listened to with bad resonance issue were clear at low volume and got muddy as the resonance got out of control at higher volumes. I'm not sure how characteristically sensitive resonance is to SPL and how well it can be kept consistent. I liked the Totems I heard, but I did not think to play them soft then hard to see how the sound might change.
 
F

FirstReflection

AV Rant Co-Host
The Focal Be models are magnificent, and if you can afford them, I have zero qualms in recommending them whole-heartedly!

That said, in that sort of price range, there are certainly alternatives worthy of consideration. Off the top of my head, I would also consider Paradigm's Signature Series on-wall or in-wall speakers (which also use Beryllium tweeters, similar to the Focal Be tweeters) and also RBH's Signature Classic Reference and Signature SX Reference.

For me, personally, I just love those Beryllium tweeters. They're my personal favorite for delivering ribbon-tweeter-like resolution, but with even wider and more even dispersion and higher output capabilities.

I haven't tried Focal's in-wall Be speakers in person, my experience with the Focal Be tweeter has come from their Electra Be home speakers and Professional SM11 and Solo6Be/Twin6Be Studio monitors.

I have heard the Paradigm W5 Signature on-wall speakers and the in-wall Signature SIG-LCR 5 speakers though, and they are superb. The output capabilities of the W5 are incredible for a >6" deep on-wall speaker and the in-walls gain even a little bit extra over the on-walls. Give the W5 on-walls some consideration though - you might find on-walls to be an even easier installation. And if the plan is to put the center speaker below the screen anyway (and not behind an acoustically transparent screen), then I would actually favor the W5 C on-wall for the simple reason that it's 5.6" depth will bring the front baffle out infront of the frame of your screen, which will help to reduce any weird diffraction and reflection problems that a flush-mounted in-wall center might have.

Hope that helps!
 
JaBear

JaBear

Junior Audioholic
I know this might be a little late but if you near a Ultimate Electronic store you might be able to get some of their Focal stuff and some deep discounts since they are in liquidation. Focal was about the only speaker stuff still left at the one here in Milwaukee since they didn't discount it nearly as much. Most stores should only be open 3-4 more days so if you can find one you might be able to get what you want at a fraction of the price.
 
C

Chicagorep

Junior Audioholic
I took a pair of Tribe In Walls into a audiophile 2 channel store in Chicago to audition them for the owner, he didn't know I was carrying in a pair of in walls. When he saw what I had, he looked at me and said "I can't believe you brought me In Walls to listen to". He was upset, I asked him to give them a listen to anyways. We set them on the floor and leaned them against the wall. He proceeded to play all types of music and all volumes. At one point it was so loud I had to leave the room. This went on for about 20 minutes, finally he stopped the music, looked at me and said "these are the best In Walls I have ever heard". He signed up to be a Totem dealer.

Thats all I'm going to say.
 
F

FirstReflection

AV Rant Co-Host
I took a pair of Tribe In Walls into a audiophile 2 channel store in Chicago to audition them for the owner, he didn't know I was carrying in a pair of in walls. When he saw what I had, he looked at me and said "I can't believe you brought me In Walls to listen to". He was upset, I asked him to give them a listen to anyways. We set them on the floor and leaned them against the wall. He proceeded to play all types of music and all volumes. At one point it was so loud I had to leave the room. This went on for about 20 minutes, finally he stopped the music, looked at me and said "these are the best In Walls I have ever heard". He signed up to be a Totem dealer.

Thats all I'm going to say.
Cool story, bro...

:rolleyes:
 
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