Totem speaker opinions

[STRONGBADF1]

I was out the other day and was in a nice store (with nice sales people too ) that stocked Klipsch, Revel, Kef, Energy and Totem. I've listen to totems before and have liked there sound very much. I am wary of the snake oil factor though...beaks, colored dots...but they still sound nice.

My question is what other brands have a similar sound to the Rainmakers or Forrests at a less expensive price?

Just trying to save a little time I my travels,
SBF1

 

[kgb540]

I have owned the Rainmakers but not the Forrests so I will only be commenting on those. I did like the sound of the Rainmaker. It was nice and clean to about 70hz (in my room). I didnt think it handled frequencies below 70 very well, but then again it IS a bookshelf monitor. As for where it ranks in $1000 and below moniotrs, I would say it is in the top half to third of the speakers available. I have a couple of other suggestions for similarly priced monitors (one of them being especially noteworthy). First, the Von Schweikert VR-1 is a tremendous performing speakers ($1000 retail) with gorgeous finishes and a midrange and upper frequecy response that would do quite a few $2000-$2500 speakers justice. Another note about the VR-1 is that you can get them at usually 30% off retail, brand new. Now for my other suggestion.....the Usher Audio V-601's. This is THE standard setter below $1K to me. From top to bottom, this is a complete package. Its bass is usable, and more importantly accurate, to about 45-50HZ and the tweeter isnt harsh or bright. I feel that they sounded good right out of the box but after 250 hours they sound GREAT. They retail for $700 and I recommend the Mahogony Birch finish.

 

[Sheep]

What sound characteristic did they have? What did you think of the other speakers there?

Personally, I find Energy's to me a more nuetral speaker then Totems.

SheepStar

 

[STRONGBADF1]

What sound characteristic did they have? What did you think of the other speakers there?

Personally, I find Energy's to me a more nuetral speaker then Totems.

SheepStar

Hi Sheep,

Funny you should ask...

I went to listen to Energy because of your strong support, and the fact that Athena's are not bad for the money. This store just started carrying Energy and is the only stocking store in my area that I could find.

I can't afford the Veritas line but I auditioned the V2.2i and really liked it. The others were the C-500's (nice but maybe a little to bright) and the RC-10 (very nice and less brite than the C-500's). I know not apples to apples but thats what they had on the floor at that time. I want to hear the RC-50's ,RC-70's and the RC-LCr. I will go back again.

I like what Energy has to offer. I think its the way the mids are presented, nice and clear.

The Totem rainmakers were very open airy & lively and Dave Matthews' guitar strings were buzzing like I was standing next to him. (did I just use one of those speaker cliche's ) You know the sound your finger or pick makes that split second it first hits the strings. It was very real sounding.

SBF1

 

[Sheep]

Hi Sheep,

Funny you should ask...

I went to listen to Energy because of your strong support, and the fact that Athena's are not bad for the money. This store just started carrying Energy and is the only stocking store in my area that I could find.

I can't afford the Veritas line but I auditioned the V2.2i and really liked it. The others were the C-500's (nice but maybe a little to bright) and the RC-10 (very nice and less brite than the C-500's). I know not apples to apples but thats what they had on the floor at that time. I want to hear the RC-50's ,RC-70's and the RC-LCr. I will go back again.

I like what Energy has to offer. I think its the way the mids are presented, nice and clear.

The Totem rainmakers were very open airy & lively and Dave Matthews' guitar strings were buzzing like I was standing next to him. (did I just use one of those speaker cliche's ) You know the sound your finger or pick makes that split second it first hits the strings. It was very real sounding.

SBF1

It's been a long time since I got to hear any Energy's other then mine. The C-series replaced my series, so I would like to get more familiar with them so I could compare.

What other speakers did they have that you liked? Personally, Totem is a company that I wouldn't back. Better for the money.

SheepStar

 

[pearsall001]

In my book Totems are superb sounding speakers. If someone in your area carries them, go & give them a listen. Everybodies tastes are different, that's why it's so important to head out with your favorite music & give them a spin. This holds true for any speaker decision.

 

[STRONGBADF1]

Yea, Totem makes me wonder but the Rainmakers sounded good just not $1000 a pair good. (IIRC about the price, alot of numbers were flyin' that day) thats why I started this thread.

I liked the RC-10 2nd to the Rainmakers...I need to go back and listen to them with a sub. I would like to hear a tower also.

I wonder how the Energy lines sound "profile" compairs to ascend / axiom / av123. Have you ever had the opertunity to audition any of the internet direct brands.

SBF1

 

[Sheep]

Yea, Totem makes me wonder but the Rainmakers sounded good just not $1000 a pair good. (IIRC about the price, alot of numbers were flyin' that day) thats why I started this thread.

I liked the RC-10 2nd to the Rainmakers...I need to go back and listen to them with a sub. I would like to hear a tower also.

I wonder how the Energy lines sound "profile" compairs to ascend / axiom / av123. Have you ever had the opertunity to audition any of the internet direct brands.

SBF1

No, I wish I could. I have heard that the C-3s bested the M3ti's, but the Ascends beat them. The C-3's are no longer in production however.

The RC-10s are pretty expensive, so I don't know if they would be better then the Ascend and AV123 offerings, atleast for the money.

I think some more listening is in order.

SheepStar

 

[newtoitall]

STRONGBADF1

I have listened to the Totem forrest and thought they were an amazing sounding speaker but that was in what seemed to me a decent sound room.
I have no idea how they would sound in a home environment.

I have tried the Ascend 340s and while they were a very good speaker I found them a bit bright and could not find the reason, it may have been my room or just my ears. Just my opinion.
The folks at ascend are great to deal with and will go out of there way to help you if you decide to give them a try.

I have tried the Axiom M22s and thought them a little smoother than the Ascends in the mid to highs but the bass couldn't keep up with the Ascends.
I know I will probably laughed at for this but I didn't find the Axioms bright enough In hind sight I believe this was due to listening to the Axioms along side the Ascends jumping back and forth which I now know you shouldn't do.

I now have the Energy RC-LCRs and found in them what I was looking for, Nice smooth highs and mids and very good bass. Granted they are a bit more expensive but they are beautiful and sound even better
What I learned was that you and only you can make a decision about what sounds good to you. It has been said many times here before and should be said many times more because it is the best advice you can get.

Good luck,
Frank

 

[billy p]

Wow

STRONGBADF1

I have listened to the Totem forrest and thought they were an amazing sounding speaker but that was in what seemed to me a decent sound room.
I have no idea how they would sound in a home environment.

I have tried the Ascend 340s and while they were a very good speaker I found them a bit bright and could not find the reason, it may have been my room or just my ears. Just my opinion.
The folks at ascend are great to deal with and will go out of there way to help you if you decide to give them a try.

I have tried the Axiom M22s and thought them a little smoother than the Ascends in the mid to highs but the bass couldn't keep up with the Ascends.
I know I will probably laughed at for this but I didn't find the Axioms bright enough In hind sight I believe this was due to listening to the Axioms along side the Ascends jumping back and forth which I now know you shouldn't do.

I now have the Energy RC-LCRs and found in them what I was looking for, Nice smooth highs and mids and very good bass. Granted they are a bit more expensive but they are beautiful and sound even better
What I learned was that you and only you can make a decision about what sounds good to you. It has been said many times here before and should be said many times more because it is the best advice you can get.

Good luck,
Frank

Hi, Frank! In what set up are you using the RC-LCR's? I myself have heard the rc50-70's and loved them. I guess you liked them more then the rc30, but how much more.

Thanks, Your opinion would be welcomed!!
Billy p

 

[STRONGBADF1]

STRONGBADF1

I have listened to the Totem forrest and thought they were an amazing sounding speaker but that was in what seemed to me a decent sound room.
I have no idea how they would sound in a home environment.

I have tried the Ascend 340s and while they were a very good speaker I found them a bit bright and could not find the reason, it may have been my room or just my ears. Just my opinion.
The folks at ascend are great to deal with and will go out of there way to help you if you decide to give them a try.

I have tried the Axiom M22s and thought them a little smoother than the Ascends in the mid to highs but the bass couldn't keep up with the Ascends.
I know I will probably laughed at for this but I didn't find the Axioms bright enough In hind sight I believe this was due to listening to the Axioms along side the Ascends jumping back and forth which I now know you shouldn't do.

I now have the Energy RC-LCRs and found in them what I was looking for, Nice smooth highs and mids and very good bass. Granted they are a bit more expensive but they are beautiful and sound even better
What I learned was that you and only you can make a decision about what sounds good to you. It has been said many times here before and should be said many times more because it is the best advice you can get.

Good luck,
Frank

Hi Frank,

The salesman suggested that I get 3 RC-LCR's and buy c-series for the surrounds to save money. I'll go back to listen some more.

Thanks for your reply!
SBF1

 

[newtoitall]

billy p,
I have 3 RC-LCRs across the front and have never enjoyed my system more for both music and especially concerts. Having 3 of the same speakers across the front does make a difference IMO.
I got lucky enough when my local dealer finally got in some RC-30s and I was able to give them a try. They are an awsome speaker but I found I liked the LCRs more, they seemed to be a little better in the mids that was more pleasing to me and they seemed to work better with my sub.

STRONGBADF1
Like I said above I don't think I could be any happier for the moment The LCRs are a very nice speaker.
The C-Series should be fine for your backs, I am using a very old pair of Energy 3.1Es and they sound fine to me, a little later I will give a pair of RC-10s a try ( when my wife cools down )
Have fun and don't make your decisions too quickly

Frank

 

[emorphien]

I listened to the rainmakers recently and thought they were a quite nice pair. They had good imaging and detail, with a fairly broad soundstage which recreated the atmosphere of more airy albums well.

I found the Focal Chorus 806V had more impact and was a more lively speaker which better suited my musical preference. It is also $150 cheaper which is tempting me.

 

[PatrickBateman]

Anyone who has heard the Energy RC series, how do you find the mids?
I have read that some find them somewhat laid back or recessed.

 

[newtoitall]

Patrick,
I haven't heard all the RC line but I did try the LCRs and the 30s . The LCRs seemed to me to have a little more in the mids than the 30s and that is why I chose them over the 30s but I would not consider the 30s recessed.
I haven't a great deal of experiance with many speaker lines but to me the RCs have a very well balanced sound. Just my opinion.

Frank