totem

[Afury8]

isn't copying flattery anyway? All I know is these speakers are awesome and have been really enjoying them. I was in the market for B&W's but that journey is over for now....or at least till the end of the month. LOL

 

[jostenmeat]

? - Check this out.

http://www.audiogon.com/cgi-bin/cls.pl?spkrfull&1237095887&/HiVi-D6.8-Totem-replacement-fo

Hello T2T. That did throw me for a loop. I did a brief google search, and ran upon this Audiogon thread.

While one fellow claims that that nearly all of the Totem line uses HiVi drivers, he was corrected by two dealers. Both dealers state that the Forest is the only Totem speaker to use HiVi (so your linked ad is not a scam it seems). The first dealer states that Dyn drivers are used for the Model 1 Signature, Model 1 Twin, The One, Mani-2 Signature, and the Wind. The second dealer states that Totem uses Dyn drivers that are further modified in-house.

 

[chucksrt]

I don't agree with his comment, I don't know enough about them. If they are using dynaudio speakers they have good taste at least.

I wouldn't quite go so far as calling them "knock-offs". There is far more that goes into building a speaker than just the use of one particular brand of tweeter or woofer or whatever. Manufacturers use componants from other companies all the time, does that make all of those companies "knock-off" brands?

John

 

[john72953]

I don't agree with his comment, I don't know enough about them. If they are using dynaudio speakers they have good taste at least.

You are quoting my post. However, is it directed at me? Because you say HIS comment and not THIS comment.

John

 

[chucksrt]

No! I was referring to the guy at the audio store. I was just quoting your post to reply to it. sorry for the confusion.
chuck

 

[highfigh]

I wouldn't quite go so far as calling them "knock-offs". There is far more that goes into building a speaker than just the use of one particular brand of tweeter or woofer or whatever. Manufacturers use componants from other companies all the time, does that make all of those companies "knock-off" brands?

John

HiVi isn't Dynaudio and doesn't buy from Dynaudio. However, it is a very good imitation.

 

[T2T]

Hello T2T. That did throw me for a loop. I did a brief google search, and ran upon this Audiogon thread.

While one fellow claims that that nearly all of the Totem line uses HiVi drivers, he was corrected by two dealers. Both dealers state that the Forest is the only Totem speaker to use HiVi (so your linked ad is not a scam it seems). The first dealer states that Dyn drivers are used for the Model 1 Signature, Model 1 Twin, The One, Mani-2 Signature, and the Wind. The second dealer states that Totem uses Dyn drivers that are further modified in-house.

Thanks for the research - it's good stuff to know.

 

[audiowise]

The Totem Mite T Centre Channel speaker is awesome. The vocal clarity, depth, etc is second to none. I have the mahogany finish and it just looks fantastic. Now when I listen to music, I appreciate a lot more and understand what a good voice is all about.

 

[ivoimg]

Original Totem Wind vs New Wind speakers?

I'm considering buying some used (4 years old) Totem Wind speakers. The original models I think retailed for around $8-9K. The new Wind speakers retail in the $12K+ range. Does anyone know if the difference is worth the price?

 

[Chicagorep]

I'm considering buying some used (4 years old) Totem Wind speakers. The original models I think retailed for around $8-9K. The new Wind speakers retail in the $12K+ range. Does anyone know if the difference is worth the price?

The new Wind you are talking about is the Wind Design, the Wind is still made and sells around $9k. The Wind has several improvements over the Wind. It has a decoupling plate on the bottom, the crossover has been modified and it has a laquer finish paint. The Wind Design can reach lower than the Wind. I have never heard the Wind but I have heard the WD and it is amazing.

 

[moves]

I recently purchased Totem Forest speakers... and they are amazing. Very clear, warm, and defined sound with regards to music. They are also very nice for HT. I would highly recommend them to any music or movie lover.

 

[Chicagorep]

Congratulations on your purchase. The Forest is my favorite in the Totem line-up. Did you purchase the Forests new? If so you'll find they get better as they break-in.

 

[moves]

Congratulations on your purchase. The Forest is my favorite in the Totem line-up. Did you purchase the Forests new? If so you'll find they get better as they break-in.

I did I did.... I'll post some pics in the near future. I just got them so I think I will break them in for about a week...

Question that you might know: Does the music have to be playing continuously or can I shut the music off at night and start her up again in the morning?

 

[KEW]

I did I did.... I'll post some pics in the near future. I just got them so I think I will break them in for about a week...

Question that you might know: Does the music have to be playing continuously or can I shut the music off at night and start her up again in the morning?

Whether a break in is really needed is a controversial issue. Many feel that only a couple of minutes is required, if that.

However, to answer your specific question, break-in does not need to be continuous play, just the cumulative time played and the volume they are played at will effect how soon they are broke in.

Personally I haven't noticed any decisive break-in nenefits, but there is no harm in breaking them in (you're going to - one way or another, anyway).

 

[moves]

Whether a break in is really needed is a controversial issue. Many feel that only a couple of minutes is required, if that.

However, to answer your specific question, break-in does not need to be continuous play, just the cumulative time played and the volume they are played at will effect how soon they are broke in.

Personally I haven't noticed any decisive break-in nenefits, but there is no harm in breaking them in (you're going to - one way or another, anyway).

Ha you're right - I am going to Thanks for the input though. I know it doesn't have to be loud but does it have to be louder than a hum? Or would it be just at a casual listening/everyday type volume?

 

[jostenmeat]

Ha you're right - I am going to Thanks for the input though. I know it doesn't have to be loud but does it have to be louder than a hum? Or would it be just at a casual listening/everyday type volume?

OK, coming from someone who doesn't really care about whether speaker breakin exists or not . . . this is sort of how I look at it:

"Hey guys, I bought this really nice $500 guitar. The salesman tells me what I'm hearing is not right yet, and that I should just sit there strumming non stop for a week. How hard should I be strumming?"

See, the way I look at it is that you buy the instrument, or anything, on how it performs OTB, or as "broken in demos". With musical instruments, they do in fact break in, but only an idiot would choose an instrument that wasn't to his/her satisfaction, but instead was hoping it would totally change.

What do musicians do? They just play the damn thing. It'll break itself in no matter what, eventually.

IOW, why on Earth do people give a crap about speaker break in ?!?

[/rant]

 

[highfigh]

..but only an idiot would choose an instrument that wasn't to his/her satisfaction, but instead was hoping it would totally change.

IOW, why on Earth do people give a crap about speaker break in ?!?

The first comment reminds me of a headline in The Onion- "Woman changes boyfriend into someone she's no longer interested in".

The difference pre/post break-in is measurable. The T/S parameters do change slightly. Think of it as a baseball glove or a pair of shoes. All three will work differently if they're more flexible, right? Compliance is the spec that defines how far something moves with a specific amount of force and once broken in, a speaker cone assembly will move a bit farther with a given force.

 

[jostenmeat]

The first comment reminds me of a headline in The Onion- "Woman changes boyfriend into someone she's no longer interested in".

The difference pre/post break-in is measurable. The T/S parameters do change slightly. Think of it as a baseball glove or a pair of shoes. All three will work differently if they're more flexible, right? Compliance is the spec that defines how far something moves with a specific amount of force and once broken in, a speaker cone assembly will move a bit farther with a given force.

Sure ok highfigh, thanks. Well, I guess I'm not the guy to wrap my glove around a ball with rope/bands/whatever, for a week, oiled up, whatever. I just use the thing. Then it breaks in.

"How hard should my friend be throwing the ball to me to properly break in my glove? This should be done continuously, or can I just do this a couple of hours a day?"

[/sarcasm]

 

[Neijii]

I noticed a bit of a breakin with my Mite but nothing that noticeable. I love them to death, saving up for a center..I have a feeling it will drastically help.

 

[moves]

Sure ok highfigh, thanks. Well, I guess I'm not the guy to wrap my glove around a ball with rope/bands/whatever, for a week, oiled up, whatever. I just use the thing. Then it breaks in.

"How hard should my friend be throwing the ball to me to properly break in my glove? This should be done continuously, or can I just do this a couple of hours a day?"

[/sarcasm]

I just want them to be perfect... and since I am not sure...I thought I'd ask.