Twenty years ago, I bought my Totem Arro’s. I still use them, they are suprisingly small but what a great sound! The right seize if you have a small living room.
Thank you for commenting. They are always most welcome. Please subscribe and enjoy the 10s of hundreds of videos to come. If you are in the neighborhood, keep your eyes open for new additions to Totem speakers we will have on display.
I have a pair of Totem Sttafs since 2014 and a recent pair of Totem Forests. Wonderful. I recently blew a woofer on the 9 year old Sttaf. Totem replaced the woofer and back in action within 48 hours, total out of pocket cost, $300. That is good service.
We really enjoy the Totem products and company. Thank you for contributing your comments to the video and to our channel. Please feel free to tell others about what we do and if you have any ideas for future videos, well, send them along. We have lots of them planned but fresh ideas can be very inspirational.
Thank you for your comment and becoming a subscriber. Yes, Totem is one of those gems out there that many people overlook in favor of more promoted brands.
I’ve had my Totem Hawks since 2007. Every time I think about upgrading them I weirdly enough get better amplification and they can sound leagues better with a meatier amp. Case in point I had a classe integrated 150 watt into 8 ohm integrated sounded great. I found a deal on a parasound 5 channel 5250 AND OH MY!!!! The dynamics and awesome bass coming out of this smallish speaker floored me. From that point on I have kept them and just continued to try different amps. Have yet to disappoint
A few years ago I wanted to upgrade my desktop AudioEngine's with KEF LS50's. You guys showed me the Totem Kin Play's (v1) and I have to say I thought they sounded better than the KEF's at 2/3 of the price. I've now listened to them nearly daily for 3 years and I still enjoy them. One thing, however, is they were really bright out of the box - it took quite a while to break them in.
Jim, I have read some interesting reviews on various Totems and there seems to be a concensus that it is not ideal to have them pointed directly at you. I found this to be the case with Thiel speakers as well. As for break-in, better designers calculate that in for lifetime experience, not just the first 50 to 100 hours. Break-in also depends upon the volume for break-in. We've been know to turn on a system reasonably loud and close the store and let them run overnight for a few nights. Not ideal for those in apartments or want a good night sleep at home, however. As always, thank you for your comment as they are always most welcome.
I'm very pleased that you have both a very good speaker and a great dealer. Both are important. Thank you for taking the time to comment and if you have yet to do so, please subscribe to the channel. It helps me towards producing more and more videos.
I also bought my Totem Sky Tower from the Portuguese dealer and I am very satisfied, both with the speakers and with the distributor, they have 5-star service and assistance.
There use to be and maybe still a Canadian company call Camber that was once called Rega until Rega UK told them to stop using the name. They made a few 2 way Base Reflex model Speakers that were so well made for the money, I had the 8” driver model while my buddy had the 6” version. We both ran those speakers for 30+ years, ‘raising a family will do that’ they had Cast baskets with Polypropylene used for the cone material. Bottom line is if you buy quality good chance it will last a life time, icing on the cake is I paid around $500-$600 back in the day and sold them for $300 so many years later. They sill sounded amazing.
Some things to mention in the build of the cabinet are. Over 3/4” HDF that has been laminated on both sides. Then Totem uses Borosilicate paint on the inner cabinet to improve sound dampening. Cross bracing second to none. Mitered lock jointing on the joints of the cabinet creating an overall build that half of why these perform so well. Internals are high end leaving nothing left but the sound. Let the buying know why. Cheers, Bruce Anderson.
Bruce, I have some special videos coming up on Totem including models and a disection. They have fascinated me for years and it has been a pleasure to work with them.
We are working on bringing in something particularly special from Totem. Our plans got delayed when my entire staff, including myself in a separate location came down with Covid and another with a nasty case of the flu over the holidays. We had to close the store and certainly did not want to infect any visitors.
I've never seen them in the years we have been selling Totem. Send me a picture of the speaker, it's model, and serial number. Curious. Of course, I am equally curious as to why you ask the question.
@@audibleeleganceinc just google totem speakers colored dots, there are many forums threads about it...thing is, for some times there is some buzz in audio community how little colored dots on tweeters "improve sound"...and since some totems went from the factory with those dots already in place, it was a signal for endless discussions about totems visionary and which dot colors improves the sound best....
Please tell me that you have a cloth between the bottom of the Signature One’s and the Forests as you’re rotating them. Even placing them directly atop each other is not recommended !
Good point but if you saw what customers do to our demo products anyway, well.....Once I even had someone come in and push in all the diamond tweeters on our B&W speakers. So, I appreciate your comment and future ones are welcome.
I'd trust your impressions on quality. However, I was disappointed to see that they're set up for bi-wiring. I have not come to anything but one conclusion regarding bi-wiring; there is no definitive evidence to support the use of such.
Oh, I rather disagree on that point but it depends upon the speaker for sure. I see it as the bridge forward for bi-amping where things really get moving.
@@audibleeleganceinc Yes, understood, regarding bi-amping. But not meaning to be contrarian . I will bet those speakers sound great (with accompanying quality components)! My Tannoy’s are setup just the same. I removed those straps that are “crap” as you say. Love your videos and really like your recommendations!
Thank you for highlighting the Totems. Unfortunately, I have no dealers near me, but I would love to audition a pair, especially after your recommendation on thier pairing with Naim gear. Hoping I can save up and find a pair of used Tribe Towers one day. They look amazing, as do the Forests. About 6 months ago, GR Research did a review of the Rainmaker that was not very complimentary. If you time for a 10 minute video, I'd love to hear your opinions on their analysis: ua-cam.com/video/akEoy3CD68g/v-deo.html Also, sorry to hear about people complaining about the audio clips. I find them informative, even if they don't provide a rigorously *perfect* snapshot of the the product. Some people you just can't make happy.
Interesting video. This model has had a long life on the marketplace so what year this one was produced would be interesting to know. They started in 2004. Last available in 2017 for a retail of $1225 but at that point, was it upgraded. I dont' know. So what version is this, who knows. Kinda like the Vandersteen 2 and 7 zillion changes. So, this certainly an older model and discontinued. While a great many things appear to be factory elements, a naked internal box is something I've never seen with any speaker unless you are talking the really cheapo stuff. So, I'd have to see one to know what's the truth with it being a used speaker in the hands of who know who and who might have done what. So, I'm not exactly sure how this is relevant in today's market other than someone making a kit to modify them. Otherwise, we find Totem one of the old school manufacturers who care about both their customers and their dealers. Delightful company with a lot of fun products.
Twenty years ago, I bought my Totem Arro’s. I still use them, they are suprisingly small but what a great sound! The right seize if you have a small living room.
Thank you for commenting. They are always most welcome. Please subscribe and enjoy the 10s of hundreds of videos to come. If you are in the neighborhood, keep your eyes open for new additions to Totem speakers we will have on display.
I have a pair of Totem Sttafs since 2014 and a recent pair of Totem Forests. Wonderful. I recently blew a woofer on the 9 year old Sttaf. Totem replaced the woofer and back in action within 48 hours, total out of pocket cost, $300. That is good service.
We really enjoy the Totem products and company. Thank you for contributing your comments to the video and to our channel.
Please feel free to tell others about what we do and if you have any ideas for future videos, well, send them along. We have lots of them planned but fresh ideas can be very inspirational.
I would put Totem acoustics in the league of Speaker Manufacturers that I favor. I also love both Rega and Naim amps . Sounds like a great store.
Thank you for your compliments. We try to do good work. Good manufacturers make it easier.
So glad to have a dealer in Singapore for Totem....cant go wrong bang for the buck speaker which is great always with no placement imaging issue.
Thank you for your comment and becoming a subscriber. Yes, Totem is one of those gems out there that many people overlook in favor of more promoted brands.
I’ve had my Totem Hawks since 2007. Every time I think about upgrading them I weirdly enough get better amplification and they can sound leagues better with a meatier amp. Case in point I had a classe integrated 150 watt into 8 ohm integrated sounded great. I found a deal on a parasound 5 channel 5250 AND OH MY!!!! The dynamics and awesome bass coming out of this smallish speaker floored me. From that point on I have kept them and just continued to try different amps. Have yet to disappoint
What comes out of a speaker can be no greater than what goes into it beginning at the source.
A few years ago I wanted to upgrade my desktop AudioEngine's with KEF LS50's. You guys showed me the Totem Kin Play's (v1) and I have to say I thought they sounded better than the KEF's at 2/3 of the price. I've now listened to them nearly daily for 3 years and I still enjoy them. One thing, however, is they were really bright out of the box - it took quite a while to break them in.
Jim, I have read some interesting reviews on various Totems and there seems to be a concensus that it is not ideal to have them pointed directly at you. I found this to be the case with Thiel speakers as well. As for break-in, better designers calculate that in for lifetime experience, not just the first 50 to 100 hours. Break-in also depends upon the volume for break-in. We've been know to turn on a system reasonably loud and close the store and let them run overnight for a few nights. Not ideal for those in apartments or want a good night sleep at home, however. As always, thank you for your comment as they are always most welcome.
I’ve got a pair of totem sky Tower. They are terrific.
The Portuguese dealer is amazing.
I'm very pleased that you have both a very good speaker and a great dealer. Both are important. Thank you for taking the time to comment and if you have yet to do so, please subscribe to the channel. It helps me towards producing more and more videos.
I also bought my Totem Sky Tower from the Portuguese dealer and I am very satisfied, both with the speakers and with the distributor, they have 5-star service and assistance.
Wonder if the speaker baskets are Pressed or Cast, in the past Cast was the way to go. 👍
Well, I am going to follow up in the future with taking one apart and showing people the difference in drivers. Another video to come.
There use to be and maybe still a Canadian company call Camber that was once called Rega until Rega UK told them to stop using the name. They made a few 2 way Base Reflex model Speakers that were so well made for the money, I had the 8” driver model while my buddy had the 6” version. We both ran those speakers for 30+ years, ‘raising a family will do that’ they had Cast baskets with Polypropylene used for the cone material. Bottom line is if you buy quality good chance it will last a life time, icing on the cake is I paid around $500-$600 back in the day and sold them for $300 so many years later. They sill sounded amazing.
Some things to mention in the build of the cabinet are. Over 3/4” HDF that has been laminated on both sides. Then Totem uses Borosilicate paint on the inner cabinet to improve sound dampening. Cross bracing second to none. Mitered lock jointing on the joints of the cabinet creating an overall build that half of why these perform so well.
Internals are high end leaving nothing left but the sound. Let the buying know why.
Cheers, Bruce Anderson.
Bruce, I have some special videos coming up on Totem including models and a disection. They have fascinated me for years and it has been a pleasure to work with them.
That Wind reminds me of Wilson Audio but nicer looking.
We are working on bringing in something particularly special from Totem. Our plans got delayed when my entire staff, including myself in a separate location came down with Covid and another with a nasty case of the flu over the holidays. We had to close the store and certainly did not want to infect any visitors.
Do they still have factory installed color dots on tweeters?
I've never seen them in the years we have been selling Totem. Send me a picture of the speaker, it's model, and serial number. Curious. Of course, I am equally curious as to why you ask the question.
@@audibleeleganceinc just google totem speakers colored dots, there are many forums threads about it...thing is, for some times there is some buzz in audio community how little colored dots on tweeters "improve sound"...and since some totems went from the factory with those dots already in place, it was a signal for endless discussions about totems visionary and which dot colors improves the sound best....
Please tell me that you have a cloth between the bottom of the Signature One’s and the Forests as you’re rotating them. Even placing them directly atop each other is not recommended !
Good point but if you saw what customers do to our demo products anyway, well.....Once I even had someone come in and push in all the diamond tweeters on our B&W speakers. So, I appreciate your comment and future ones are welcome.
I'd trust your impressions on quality. However, I was disappointed to see that they're set up for bi-wiring. I have not come to anything but one conclusion regarding bi-wiring; there is no definitive evidence to support the use of such.
Oh, I rather disagree on that point but it depends upon the speaker for sure. I see it as the bridge forward for bi-amping where things really get moving.
@@audibleeleganceinc Yes, understood, regarding bi-amping. But not meaning to be contrarian . I will bet those speakers sound great (with accompanying quality components)! My Tannoy’s are setup just the same. I removed those straps that are “crap” as you say. Love your videos and really like your recommendations!
Thank you for highlighting the Totems. Unfortunately, I have no dealers near me, but I would love to audition a pair, especially after your recommendation on thier pairing with Naim gear. Hoping I can save up and find a pair of used Tribe Towers one day. They look amazing, as do the Forests.
About 6 months ago, GR Research did a review of the Rainmaker that was not very complimentary. If you time for a 10 minute video, I'd love to hear your opinions on their analysis: ua-cam.com/video/akEoy3CD68g/v-deo.html
Also, sorry to hear about people complaining about the audio clips. I find them informative, even if they don't provide a rigorously *perfect* snapshot of the the product. Some people you just can't make happy.
Interesting video. This model has had a long life on the marketplace so what year this one was produced would be interesting to know. They started in 2004. Last available in 2017 for a retail of $1225 but at that point, was it upgraded. I dont' know. So what version is this, who knows. Kinda like the Vandersteen 2 and 7 zillion changes. So, this certainly an older model and discontinued. While a great many things appear to be factory elements, a naked internal box is something I've never seen with any speaker unless you are talking the really cheapo stuff. So, I'd have to see one to know what's the truth with it being a used speaker in the hands of who know who and who might have done what. So, I'm not exactly sure how this is relevant in today's market other than someone making a kit to modify them.
Otherwise, we find Totem one of the old school manufacturers who care about both their customers and their dealers. Delightful company with a lot of fun products.
@@audibleeleganceinc Many thanks!