Results: I like the Klipsch r7...wife likes the totems!

[Osl2004]

Thanks to everyone for suggestions...heres the results of my demo's.

Imy original posts, I didn't even consider Totems because my wife hated the way they looked..."too contemporary", she said. My original candidates were:
Ref 7s
B&W 703s
Rockets...dawg gon it you can't go listen to these in a store!
Dynaudio Audience 122s

After crossing off the B&Ws after listening to them (just didn't do it for me for the price IMHO), I listened to some Polks given that some say there is similarity in them to the Rockets. I wasn't impressed with them either. Today my wife and I went to go hear the Klipsch and then down the street to hear the 122s. The Klipsch really impressed me with a 3D effect and in-your-face sound which really did it for me. My wife liked them too...until....

We go down the street to check out the Dynaudios. She noticed they weren't as bright without the horn tweeter and better for classical music (she is a flute major grad). The salesman said, if you like these, let me show you the Totems...woa, even I was impressed. It sounded like we were sitting in a concert hall (with the caviat of us sitting in a very carefully designed listening room which would NEVER sound like they would in your house). They were stunningly clear...like the difference between plain TV and HDTV. Not nearly as much base as the Ref7s obviously. And I made him run them on a 100W per channel receiver WITHOUT his amps.

So heres my question...does anyone have a set of Hawks with a center and rears for a surround system HT? What sub do you use? How does it perform for punch in key situations? Has anyone watched sports with them? What would you need to drive these puppies for under 2K? I guess once I heard the Dynaudios I thought I could just get a set of ref7s with a Denon 3805, end of story. Now I have to consider what would make the Totem Hawks sound best on a budget if my wife can't live with the fatigue of the ref7s. Suggestions?

BTW...we are going back to carefully listen to Rachmaninoff on the ref7s just to be ABSOLUTELY positive she can't tell the difference (But I think she's going to be able to :( )

[tubeguy44]

what are you going to be powering these speakers with in your home setting?

all klipsch speakers are much more sensitive to different amplifers/receivers than speakers of lower efficiency......

please take the time to fill out your equipment list on your profile.... saves everyone alot of time....

cheers!

:)

[Osl2004]

How can I fill out my list when I don't have anything yet? I said in my post that I was thinking about getting a 3805 with the Klipsch if I went that way, but I had no idea what would be best to drive the Totems. Opinions? I am really anxious to hear if anyone has Hawks that get used for HT frequently.

[ericeash]

not many people have totems, and even less use them for a HT setup. my current plan is to go with a rocket setup, but a few months back i heard a well put together totem forrest setup. so i go into this room, which was partially treated by the way, and i see a pair of tiny speakers. i knew they were totems from the ads i've seen them in, but they look so much bigger in the mags. so right off the bat i'm not expecting much. i must say though, that i've heard much more expensive speakers, and they didn't sound that good. amazing bass too, from this little speaker. soundstage was gigantic, they were crystal clear, and imaging was amazing. if i was a pure 2ch kinda guy, i'd have totems in my house right now.

[Tex-amp]

Remember women have better hearing especially high frequencies.

[Grandarf]

Well the 'problem' I see with the Hawks is that Totem doesn't have a center for that particular speaker..

There's a Model1 center, but these are bookshelves speakers and if you're looking for floorstanders I'm not sure how this model1 center with fit with Hawks...

Forest and Model1, well.. I really have no clue but maybe they're more similar than the hawk drivers maybe?

No clue for sub & the rest :(

[Tim Flemke]

Go back and listen to Dynaudio again. I have had the Totem and Dynaudio in a 2 channel system. The Dyn's will give you all the detail without being bright. Bright is bad,very bad. In half an hour you will turn the systems down or off.

Tim

[tubeguy44]

Bright is bad,very bad. In half an hour you will turn the systems down or off.


to your ears....

;)

[Osl2004]

Originally posted by Tim Flemke
Go back and listen to Dynaudio again.

Tim

Although the totems were heavier on the extremes I thought the mids sounded fantastic. The differencel here for music (especially for my wife) is stage presence. This presence for the hawks was almost holographic...so hard to describe. The paradigms did have solid mids but with the totems, I could close my eyes and I could easily see a full orchestra sitting in front of me...unexplainable! I need to go back and listen to some good pieces on the Klipsch and maybe the Pod Racing scene on a Totem setup. I also will be listening to the Forests in surround even though it is out of my price range (or was?). One salesman suggests Arcam, the other Rotel for the Totems (both 100W/channel models). Does anyone know how these would work with the Totems or at least compare the two models?

[fatbottom]

Yeah I always avoid that "THEY SOUND GREAT" feeling when demoing speakers, these are usually the brightest sounding speakers. They sound great in a quick demo, but once you get them home, use them for a few hours they start to bug you.

I would say when demoing consider the speakers that are slightly more "boring" in sound quality, as these usually are the ones that are easier to listen to for longer periods.

[Shane Martin]

OSL,
Is that all you are limited to as far as your stores are concerned? Generally nicer speakers require better amps in my experience. A Rotel receiver would do the trick or perhaps even an NAD which is a beast in terms of power output would do the trick too. If you are in Canada, these options might be too expensive.

However I would listen to as much as you can to determine whats best for you and your wife. If the Totems are it, then you should research the amp options I mentioned. Both of those brands should provide ample current for them.

[Osl2004]

Thanks Shane for the help!

I don't know if the totems are "it" yet or not. I really like the Klipsch too and think that it is the best choice for HT and sports. However, I want to make my wife happy too and to be honest, the Totems are really amazing. I need to go hear both of their weaknesses again and I have already arranged to borrow the Totems for the weekend to try them in my place (this is pending on the Klipsch).

If I do go with the Totems, I will definitely need some advice on a receiver. I have only heard them on the Arcam thus far. Since you suggest the Rotel and NAD I will try to hear them on it although the dealer I went to doesn't stock them. This is why trying different receivers with different speakers is almost impossible and why I thought it best to see if anyone had experience with driving Totems (although not very many people have them!). My understanding is that a PURE 100-120W per channel will put me in the ballpark of them sounding best due to them being 120W max. After that, it is just about which receiver is best mated with those particular speakers. For example, I have heard the Denon is a better receiver than the Yamaha for the Klipsch because its mildness better matches the Ref7 audacity. For the Totem I have NO idea. I am absolutely open to the possibility of a tuner/receiver-amp combo if you think it will work MUCH better, but I would like to keep it around 2K(if this is even possible?) I don't quite understand how feeding it more power if I already am close to this speakers max will really help. I absolutely don't want to take the chance of blowing them out at any volume I would use!!!

[Osl2004]

Oh yea! And remember that the Klipsch AND the Totems are both true bi-ampable and bi-wireable via the 4 inputs!

[big boi]

you should change the title of the thread. from what i read here YOU like the totems too ;)

[Osl2004]

Sorry, I do like the Totems and they really are amazing...but the ape in my LOVES those Klipsch. Man are those things awesome! Therefore, I feel the title is appropriate. I'm just trying to explore my options if the ape in me gets put in a cage by its owner ;)


BTW: No need to explain the amplification thing to me. This just came up in the receiver forum:

http://www.avsforum.com/avs-vb/showthread.php?threadid=418345

Nice explanation. I'm still a little worried about blowing those 120W Totems out though when using an amp. I think I will stick with something capable of giving it around that much bi-amped. If I upgrade to bigger speakers later, I'll get a used 2 channel amp or something.

I still need advice on the Arcam Vs. Rotel Vs. NAD for the Totems.... I'd like to keep the music stage presence there while adding some forwardness for my HT.

[Grandarf]

suggestion, contact totem and ask them about the amp

also, are you considering the forests at all?

[John Robert]

I have the Forests in my HT set-up right now, as I am taking a "break" from from a full Infinity Intermezzo system I've had for a couple of years. I fully agree with your comments about the Totem's ability to image like few other speakers. Mated with the right subwoofer, they would deliver the kind of soundstage that good HT (and music) is all about...

John

[F355]

ppl have had good experiences mating auto eq receivers with the RF7s. I'm sorry i dont have the thread to quote, but it was a thread about a guy named sushi here, and his quest for 5k /pr spkrs. someone else mentioned that the refs were abolutely smooth with his pioneer 45 Txi.
ive heard similar things in HTF AND HTSPOT.
hope this helps.
btw i LOVE those 38 DD woofers :) on the RF7.

[Osl2004]

Originally posted by John Robert
I have the Forests in my HT set-up right now, as I am taking a "break" from from a full Infinity Intermezzo system I've had for a couple of years. I fully agree with your comments about the Totem's ability to image like few other speakers. Mated with the right subwoofer, they would deliver the kind of soundstage that good HT (and music) is all about...

John

Finally, someone with Totems in a HT setup!
1) What do you use to drive them?
2) Have you tried anything else and seen any difference?
3) How would you say the Totems perform for impact in action movies?
4) What sub woofer do you use in your system? Would you change this sub to something else if you had a chance?

I kinda wonder if a set of Totems and a PB2 would be a mismatch like no other!


Originally posted by F355
ppl have had good experiences mating auto eq receivers with the RF7s. I'm sorry i dont have the thread to quote, but it was a thread about a guy named sushi here, and his quest for 5k /pr spkrs. someone else mentioned that the refs were abolutely smooth with his pioneer 45 Txi.
ive heard similar things in HTF AND HTSPOT.
hope this helps.
btw i LOVE those 38 DD woofers on the RF7.

I have heard the same and have seen the thread you are talking about. As I said above, I wanted to get a 3805 with the Ref7s but I will try out the Pioneer and see for myself.

[DMF]

I think the issue is more along the lines of, "What are we going to use these for?"

For 5.1 HT, IMO you just can't beat the big Klipsch Reference series for the money, although you do have to be careful not to drive them with crap electronics - they'll let you know. But for limited-range 2ch, I think they can be beat. (Just not by something that will also do HT as well.).

So to satisfy the chamber musician in your wife, I think you should go with the R-7s for your HT, and add a nice 2ch system later.

The ape in you is pointed toward HT, isn't it?

[topspeed]

A happy wife is a happy life...get the Totems.

[Swampfox]

If you buy speakers that your wife hates, she will fight you for every audio purchase you make for the foreseeable future. You buy a system she likes, she'll allow you to enjoy the hobby, and reap the benefits.
It's easy advice since I don't like Klipsch either. :D

[Osl2004]

I think all of this is good advice. What we will do is go and try a HT setup with the Totems, and the same Rachmaninoff piece my wife loved on the Totems will be tried on the Klipsch. I will then make a decision heavily weighted on my wifes preferences but I'm sure she understands I will be using this thing more for HT with my new plasma.

However, no one has given me any advice on recievers, pre/pro/amp preferences for the Totem Hawks or Forests! JR seems to be the only one with a set of Totems. At least can someone comment on the Arcam 100W/ch receiver I've heard these on already? Does anyone believe another may be more appropriate if anyone has actually heard the Totems? I've searched till I can't search no more. I'm also still waiting on an email back from Totem as to which they recommend. I'll post when I hear from them. My concern here is to be prepared if my wife is not persuadable after a 2nd demo.

[tmilam]

You might want to try the NAD T773 or the T163/973 pre-pro/amp combination. I have heard the T773 was extremely impressed.

[John Robert]

Finally, someone with Totems in a HT setup!
Sorry for the delay, work called...
1) What do you use to drive them?
I'm using a Cinenova Grande 3. Might be overkill @ 300 W/CH
2) Have you tried anything else and seen any difference?
Yes, I have used the amps in 49txi. Also very nice, but Cinenova has more impact
3) How would you say the Totems perform for impact in action movies?
They are great. Their usable bass below 40Hz allows me to spec a lower sub crossover, giving a very nice blend.
4) What sub woofer do you use in your system? Would you change this sub to something else if you had a chance?
I have a Hsu VTF-3R. I've never been motivated to go "big" on bass, as I prefer a more balanced sound. I don't use the sub when listening to most kinds of music. For movies, it shakes the entire 2nd floor of my house - that's enough for me:)

Hope this helps. I'm using the 49txi as a pre/pro (and to drive the surrounds), and the MCACC has really helped the Totems to sound their best...
John

[jephdood]

I love Klipsch for their dynamics and 'in your face' attitude for HT. I don't think they can be beat in this role for the price. I usually watch movies with a big stupid grin and I love it.

For music, I've got a pair of Swans bookshelves and a good musical sub.

So yes, as someone said earlier, I do think you need to evaluate what they'll primarily be used for and make your decision based on that. Heck, get a pair of Totems or something else and hook 'em up to the B channel on the receiver just for tunes. Best of both worlds.

Spoken as a single guy, I just don't get this "yes dear" attitude everyone seems to have regarding this hobby. Yes, you can buy whatever the wife wants, and that makes HER happy.. but are YOU?

I have a longtime girlfriend, and she knows that this is my deal and stays out of my way when I get that glazed-over look in the electronics aisles. :p

[John Robert]

Spoken as a single guy, I just don't get this "yes dear" attitude everyone seems to have regarding this hobby. Yes, you can buy whatever the wife wants, and that makes HER happy.. but are YOU?
Yes, you're right, it was "spoken as a single guy":)

When you start sharing living space with a spouse and kids, compromises are inevitable...

John

[Osl2004]

If you want to keep it that way jephdood, I suggest you do NOT get married.

Thanks so much for the reply JT. First real experience help on this thread so far.

[DMF]

Originally posted by Osl2004
I will then make a decision heavily weighted on my wifes preferences but I'm sure she understands I will be using this thing more for HT with my new plasma.


Then I think you're making a mistake if, as you indicated, there's no matching center for the Totems. You can fake it with non-matching surrounds, but that main/center match is critical! Could you fit 3 Totems?
:confused:

[Osl2004]

I was under the impression that there were several centers to choose from in the totem line to build a HT. I'm absolutely getting one of these as well, but may hold off on the rears for now because I need a new receiver and I can deal with my old Yammys. I'm going back to hear all the centers with the Hawks and Forests as soon as I can. I

[Grandarf]

Originally posted by Grandarf
Well the 'problem' I see with the Hawks is that Totem doesn't have a center for that particular speaker..

There's a Model1 center, but these are bookshelves speakers and if you're looking for floorstanders I'm not sure how this model1 center with fit with Hawks...

Forest and Model1, well.. I really have no clue but maybe they're more similar than the hawk drivers maybe?

No clue for sub & the rest :(

As far as I know, Totem has a Mite-T center, a Dreamcatcher Center and a Model-1 Center.

The Mite center fits with the Mites, the Dramcatcher center fits with the arro's and the dreamcatchers, and the Model1 center fits with the Model1's and maybe the Forests & Mani-2 depending on how differently these sound, but at least Mani-2 and Forets seem to have similar drivers.

As far as I know, there is no center matched for the Hawks

[tpd]

Originally posted by topspeed
A happy wife is a happy life...get the Totems.

Very wise counsel.

My wife can't tell the difference between my Sangean radio and the Vienna speakers.
I'd be ecstatic if the wife "demanded" Totems. Buy 'em and never look back, you'll be fine.

[Osl2004]

Originally posted by Grandarf
As far as I know, Totem has a Mite-T center, a Dreamcatcher Center and a Model-1 Center.

The Mite center fits with the Mites, the Dramcatcher center fits with the arro's and the dreamcatchers, and the Model1 center fits with the Model1's and maybe the Forests & Mani-2 depending on how differently these sound, but at least Mani-2 and Forets seem to have similar drivers.

As far as I know, there is no center matched for the Hawks

The salesman told me that the Model1 would be the best fit and is acoustically matched to Hawks and Forests (however much weight anyone wants to put on that). Can anyone confirm this? He told me that the Dreamcatcher would also sound fine and that if I chose to go that way, he would give me a year to upgrade to the Model 1 at full refund for the Dreamcatcher. Sounds pretty good to me as long as they all sound good together. Keep in mind, I'll probably take all these home for a weekend to try em before buying.

On another note, I thought the Forests were out of my price range but with the transferrable warranty that Totem offers, I could get a set of Forests on audiogon for less than a set of Hawks and still have 2 or 3 years warrenty left(as long as I'm careful).

My wife may have the final decision, but the Klipsch are still in the running. She's reasonable...and I would like to think I am as well.

[Grandarf]

Its probably true that the Model1 center would be the closest match for the hawks.

But I doubt that they would be accoustically matched for the Model1, Forests AND Hawks... I'm mean, I'm pretty sure those 3 speakers each have their own distinct sound.. so how could ONE center fit all 3...

The Forest & Model1 bookshelves seem to use the same SEAS tweeter and the same type at least of Dynaudio woofers (different size though). The Hawk seems to use totally different tweeter and woofer...

The Mite & Dreamcatcher centers also really don't seem to fit with hawks.. I'm pretty sure the Mite center might be a better match with the hawks than the Dreamcatcher center... Soft dome, 5 1/2 woofrs, vs alluminium dome & 4 1/2 woofers.

As I said, the model1, Mites and Dreamcatchers speakers have their center. Forest, Mani-2 could use Model1 since it looks that at least they have driver similarities. The Arro looks similar to the dreamcatcher. Sttaff looks similar to Mite Center.. These all looks like they would fit pretty well.

But the Rainmaker and Hawk seem without matching center...

But anyhow.. Try it, see how it fits. I'm just theorizing here...

But in HT it seems a big no no to mix and match speakers, so this might not be the ideal HT setup. (Maybe though its going to be well within acceptable limits, so better to try it!)

[frankd]

"Results: I like the Klipsch r7...wife likes the totems!"

IMHO your wife has excellent taste. :)

Either way good luck and enjoy!

[linelock]

Hi, I use a NAD 762 reciever to power a pair of Arro's and a Mite-t center in my HT/music system. I also plan on buying a pair of Hawks in the near future. I will be using the Arro's for surround duty. The 762(100w/ch all channels driven) powers the Arro's and Mite-t without problem although it does generate a bit of heat. Being that, at least according to stats, the Hawks are an easier load then the Arro's I'm not to worried about driving them with the NAD.

Even though Totem doesn't build a center speaker for all their lines, their speakers seem to be voiced similarly for the most part. Although I notice a difference in the sound of white noise between the Mite-t center and Arro's the front soundstage is seamless to my ears in multi channel music and HT. I guess your best option would be to try maybe a mite-T center and a sig 1 center( I wasn't impressed by the Dreamcatcher center compared to the others) when you also try out the Hawks in your home and see if the Synergy is good enough for you.

If the Arcam AVR300 is in your price range I would give that a look, its a nice piece with solid power.

[John Robert]

I recommend a single Totem Wind as your center :D

John

[Pete Hayes]

I auditioned the Dreamcatchers with a Rotel 1056 receiver and was completely taken off guard by the sound. Totem has a fine line of speakers. You might want to try them out with Rotel.

[Osl2004]

Originally posted by John Robert
I recommend a single Totem Wind as your center :D

John

Oh yea, I was going to get 2 Shamens for the rears. My chairs will also all be replaced by PB2-Ultras with a plaid patterned cushion on top. ;)


Pete and Linelock,

I have considered both the NAD, Rotel, and the Arcam receivers for this setup if it goes that way. They did not have NAD at the dealer but from what I can tell, the Arcam 300 sounds REALLY nice. I hear it is great for HT as well (S&V reviews say it handles BOTH music and HT like receivers meant to do the job separately). I also think the Forests are going to be better for HT when compared to the Hawks but we'll see when I get em in my place. I think I talked my wife into the Arcam300 if we decide to go her way on the Totems. That's probably the way I'll go when it comes down to it because I don't think I can afford JR's setup :(

[John Robert]

I also think the Forests are going to be better for HT when compared to the Hawks but we'll see when I get em in my place. I think I talked my wife into the Arcam300 if we decide to go her way on the Totems. That's probably the way I'll go when it comes down to it because I don't think I can afford JR's setup

Have not heard the new Arcam 300, but my experience with their other gear certainly makes me think that it would combine wonderfully with the Totems :)

John

[Osl2004]

Heard back from Totem today about their choices for receivers to make the Hawks and Forests sound best:. Grandarf and JR may be particularly interessted in this:
----------------------------------------------------------
In terms of receivers/amp brands that work well with the Hawk and FOREST :


PLINIUS
SIMAUDIO
PATHOS


Less expensive units include:

ARCAM
NAD
ONKYO


In TERMS OF THE HAWK you shouldn't feed them more than 120W

If you are planning to use the HAWKS in a surround application, we recommend
that the woofer be rolled off at 60Hz due to the sensitive nature of the
woofer. (they may be played "full range" in stereo applications)

THE FOREST CAN HANDLE UP TO 200W (and will benefit from the added power)

They can be played "full range" in both stereo and HT applications and are
better suited than the HAWKS in a HT environment.

Take care,

TOTEM
-----------------------------------------------------

I thought this to be of general interest and worth posting here. The first three they suggest are a good bit higher in price for even two channel amps.

They do suggest the Arcams in the lower range and I really like the way it sounds in my price range of 2K for the 300. It sounds like I can add a 2 channel amp later if I decide to go with the Forests and be in good shape (these sound like they might actually be a compromise between my wife's musical ear, and my HT applications) It may be worth spending the extra K if we both will enjoy it. I just want to see if it can come close to the potential of the Ref7s for HT! One more demo on the way....I'll post when I make my decision. You guys have been awesome!

[John Robert]

Good to know about the power handling and needs of the Forests. The do need a lot of juice to open up...

John

[Osl2004]

Yes, it sounds like the Forests need a good bit of juice to really sound best. I like the Arcam 300 because in the future if you ever wanted to upgrade and add the extra 2 channel amp for the towers, you'd be in good position. However, I am a little disappointed in Arcam's selection of 2 channel amps. For that level of amplification, the only two choices are:

1) FMJ P1 Mono Block Amp with 175W/channel at $1800 each. Only problem is that you need 2 of em and now you've spent $3600 on a two channel amp!

2)FMJ P7 Power Amp with 150 or 230 depending on ohmage. This one is $4500 but you get 7 channels of that power! For an extra 900 this may be a better choice. That's some major cash flow though at this point!

It would be nice if they had a mid-price range stereo amp that could do 175-200 without dropping over 3K on it! The next step down in stereo amps is only 100W/channel which I already have with the 300 receiver. Looks like I can't do it AND keep all my electronics as Arcam. What happens when you add a amp like NAD or Rotel to an Arcam receiver? Does it reduce the hi-fi?

[John Robert]

No, you can mix and match amp brands without problems.

I rarely buy amps new. Ebay and Audiogon are great sources for used 2 to 7 channel amps at a fraction of the original price. Rotel, Parasound, Nad and others would be great 2 channel additions down the road to your system...

John

[LameBolus]

Osl2004

I don't remember what type of system you will be running, but if you are only running 5.1, the extra 2 channels of the Arcam 300 can be assigned to the Main L/R allowing you to bi-amp your front towers. This might be enough juice for the Totems.

Also, Arcam recommends the P90 (either in a 2 or 3 channel) configuration to mate with the AVR300. They recommend that the input sensitivity be maintained between amp and receiver. I think that was in the case of using the 300 and P90 in a bi-amped situation, ie 300 power High Freq of L C R and P90 handling Low Freq of L C R. If you are not using the amp section of the receiver, don't think the sensitivity matters as JR stated.

Lame

[Raks]

Osl2004,

Wow...What a similarity....I am in the same boat as you were in 2004. It is just that both myself and my wife like Totems. Just like you we are not convinced yet that Totems will have the ZIP and BANG for the HT. Now I request your help in figuring out which way I should go.

1. Did you end uo with a Totem Set-up ? can you give me the details ?

2. I am also intesreted in Totem Hawks and I dont know what is the matching center for this ?

3. What Amp did you end up with ?

I will highly appreciate if you can please answer these questions for me.

Thanks

Raks

[flrnlam]

Yeah for HT, the R7 Klipsch's will pound most any other passive speaker dynamically. Make no mistake there.
The Totem Hawks will be more polite and better balanced on Solid state amps likely however, but more laid back throughout. This also makes for a more "distant" and softer HT experience.
Really, the way to make the Totems work well all around, is for you to sit acoustically closer to the speakers, in relation to your room boudaries, like in smaller room settings, and higher ceiling rooms. Otherwise, make sure of acoustic treatment considerations on walls.
Still, the Klipsch's will take the walls more out of the equations for reflections, will be far more nimble, potent and matter of fact, if not more coherent and "reinforced" throughout the spectrum, because of it's horn and high sensitivity.
The trick on the Klipsch's is "tube amps!".
Loop an integrated Jolida or whatever, into the mix, and you'v e got dynamight sound for the money. That's my experiences.
Still, the Totems might sound clear, detailed, and "pretty", which might be what you're after with your musical tastes and application. You'll decide.
If it were me, I'd even go with smaller Klipsch's if need be for movies likely. as they're at least 100% more dynamically real sounding.
But then, again, if you do it right, you can get good results from the Totems. Don't get me wrong.
Either way, it's all good....have fun

[Osl2004]

[QUOTE=Raks]Osl2004,

Wow...What a similarity....I am in the same boat as you were in 2004. It is just that both myself and my wife like Totems. Just like you we are not convinced yet that Totems will have the ZIP and BANG for the HT. Now I request your help in figuring out which way I should go.

1. Did you end uo with a Totem Set-up ? can you give me the details ?

2. I am also intesreted in Totem Hawks and I dont know what is the matching center for this ?

3. What Amp did you end up with ?

I will highly appreciate if you can please answer these questions for me.

Thanks

Raks[/QUOTE]

Take a look at my profile and you can see exactly what I decided on for everything. You can also click on my name here on this post and see photos of my setup. In the end, I demoed the Klipsch and the Totems together in my place. At the same time, I demoed an Arcam receiver (slightly more expensive) and a Denon 3805 (slightly less expensive) with the respective DVD players recommended. In addition I tried an Arcam amp and a Rotel. My wife and I both did double blind tests more several times on each combination which was exhausting, but proved worthwhile. Here's what I noticed:

1) Totems sounded much much better for classical music. Especially in midtone voices and string instruments including piano. The difference was striking.

2) Klipsch had way more bass...and I mean WAAAY more. This sounded much better in many scenes of Star Wars, The Matrix, and The Lord of the Rings (aaaaaaagggggggrrhhhhh....Caaaave Trollllll...'slobber'). However, I would say that I could hear many more nuances in the soundtracks of these movies with the Totems, especially in the Matrix.

3) In HT, the Totem Forests performed much much better than the Hawks, keeping all the nuances and great string instruments but with significant added bass.

4) There was NO difference whatsoever in either setup varying either receivers or adding AMPS. That means that I am saying in my opinion, for these particular speakers we were talking about and between the amps and receivers we are talking about....there was NO DIFFERENCE AT ALL. We honestly thought at one point that the cheaper setup sounded better. I'm not an expert but I know what I heard!!! The speakers made the most difference in sound by orders of magnitude... hands down.

With #4 considered, we didn't go with an amp or the expensive receiver, and instead upgraded to the Forests. They sounded top notch for all types of music and pretty darn good for HT.

FYI...later on I got a little more cash and purchased a SVS PB2+ with the new cherry finish which matches the Totems pretty darn good. That took the HT experience to a whole new level. The difference between the Klipsch alone vs. the Totems with the SVS sub is staggering. I can set off car alarms outside with my sub and turn it off if I'd like when listening to classical music. If I were yall, I would seriously consider this option.

Have fun picking out your system!

[Osl2004]

Almost forgot, you can also see that I purchased a Model 1 Sig Center. The drivers in this, along with the normal model 1 rear speaker drivers, are matching for the Forests. They had told me that if I go with Hawks, dreamcatchers would match the best but Model 1s would sound better. If I went with Forests, the model 1 would both match and sound best. Cheers!

[JOHN30182001]

I have the rf 7's and there excellent for 2 channel audio and superb for surround sound and dvd audio and scad if you have the right equipment otherwise they will sound harsh at times The Rotel 1080 or 1095 as i have tam the highs while still given you all the details and gets you there better than any other speaker i have tried the key is matching the right componets with any speaker to bring out there best.

Example b&w with bright amp very bad with netural or laid back very good. :D

[max190]

Osl2004,

I just checked out your gallery. Very nice, clean setup with everything matching. I bet it sounds as good as it looks.

One thing you may want to try though is to move your center forward to the front edge of your audio rack. Could be causing some nasty resonance where its at.

Good luck,

[Janibrewski]

I too ended up with Forests and Model 1 Signature center with the Arcam 300. For the record Totem now has the Rainmaker center, which they recommend as a match for the Hawks.

Totem advised me that the Arcam 300 with the Forests bi-amped, receiving approximately 160w/ch, is not only a good solution but one they often use to show off their speakers at demos/shows.

I have a Martin Logan Grotto sub which provides the UMPH home theater demans, but I shut it off and use only the Forests for most music.

And the Totems are beautiful - best WAF I saw in tower speakers.

[Raks]

Janibrewski

I have some specific questions for you and other Totem Owners:

1. Did you consider Totem Hawks for your Front L/R speakers ? What is the reason why you have concluded that Forests are the better fit compared to Hawks / staffs / Arros ? I know Ols2004 has answered this question. But I would like to get the opinion of you and others.

2. For Music only , can you rate Arros / Hawks / Forests in an ascending order with most musical being the first ?

3. Is Model 1 Signature Center fitting in well with perfect timbre matching with Forest Fronts ?

4. How is Model - 1 Sign Center's performance for HT dialogues, whispers and explosions ? This is very important for me as I have seen Totem Dreamcatcher Center and Dreamcatcher SUB sucking big time and that made the whole system with Forest upfornt fall apart for HT. That audition of mine was so bad, it etched bad memories in my mind about Totems for HT. But I am sure Model -1 Sign Center will definitely do a better job.

5. What rears are you using ? Will Hawks / Arros serve as rear speakers for HT with Forest Fronts and Model-1 Sign Center ? I heard folks say that Hawks are pretty close to Forests and hence can serve as rears. This will give me the option of using my rear speakers namely Hawks / Arros as my 2 channel set-up for Music. Can you throw some light on this ?


Thanks
Raks

[Janibrewski]

I'm no audiophile and the model 1 sig center is still on it's way, so I'm not really much help with regards to performance.

I can tell you my thinking though. Since I like every Totem I heard (Arro, Hawk, Wind), I was pretty confident I'd like the Forests as well. Clear dialogue is of utmost importance to me as well, and from everything I've read and heard said the Model-1 was excellent, the Rainmaker center good, and the Dreamcatcher center substandard, I was estatic to find a deal on the fronts which according to Totem best match the Model 1 Sig center.

Do to WAF considerations I plan to live with my Bose cubes as the rears for now.

[JimP]

Osl2004

I think your basic problem is that the speakers that work best for music aren't as good for home theater and those that are best for home theater are not the best for music.

So here's a plan.

A. Get the Totems for front LR duty.
B. about a year later, get the Klipsch for fronts, CC, and side surrounds. Move Totems to back of room for rear surround duty. Also, you can run the Totems as stereo from your preamp amp for music which is what you probably want to do anyway.
C. about a year after that, fill out the Klipsch system with rear surrounds and move the Totems into another room with its own dedicated amp, etc.