Totem speakers

What is enough PRAT for you?

i had a very poor experience with the Mites on the back of a NAP 250/32.5/hicap. I used them on heavy stands and they were quite engaging with undemanding dinner jazz etc but when fed some demanding orchestral music they simply squashed dynamics in a most alarming way. Crescendos just disappeared before they even arrived.My Royd standmounts were in another league.

I can't believe you can't do considerably better for the money. But as always it's essential you listen to them yourself...

Sister xx

Ardbeg10y posted:

What is enough PRAT for you?

I don´t want the speaker sound polite, I want excitement in a good way.

Sister E. posted:

i had a very poor experience with the Mites on the back of a NAP 250/32.5/hicap. I used them on heavy stands and they were quite engaging with undemanding dinner jazz etc but when fed some demanding orchestral music they simply squashed dynamics in a most alarming way. Crescendos just disappeared before they even arrived.My Royd standmounts were in another league.

I can't believe you can't do considerably better for the money. But as always it's essential you listen to them yourself...

Sister xx

I think the Mite is Totems worst speaker. I guess they gotta have at least one! 

Got Hi-Fi? posted:

I think the Mite is Totems worst speaker. I guess they gotta have at least one! 

Well,I´d never heard or read about CM1 beeing the B&W worst speaker , so I guess  it deserve a chance!

You need to audition the CM1. Keep in mind, they need lots of power.

Dynamics are great. I like listening Symphonies and have a detached house. It goes from almost solo instruments to fortissimo instantly. This is what brought me in the Naim world.

In the 9th symphony of Tchaikovsky are nice dynamic movements.

What kind of music do you like?

Indeed, they are not the least regarded B&W speaker. Personally, I prefer them to my CM5 S2's.

I like Indie Pop, Rock  and jazz,.

Ardbeg10y posted:

You need to audition the CM1. Keep in mind, they need lots of power.

 

Well, I have a Densen B 110 amp with 60 Watts. I think it will work,no?Why CM1 needs so much power?Is it  because the lower sensitivity?

I don't know the Densen amps. I have a SuperNait which rates 80 Watts (if that is of any value at all) and because it is a few levels higher than one would expect to drive CM1's, it is needed to get them on song. If you read reviews, I think you will see that they open up when fed by a proper amp.

Jazz is fine - but forget about the double base - the CM1's dont go that deep you need a sub for that.

I never listen to Rock or Indie. Will try tonight.

Ardbeg10y posted:

I If you read reviews, I think you will see that they open up when fed by a proper amp.

I had that  feeling when I listen it with the 40 watts  Rotel.

And B&W has more resale value than Totem here..If I want to sell it, is easier

Listen to what you want. Buy what you like. Why do you care about resale value?

Chag... posted:

I am considering bringing S/H Arros on 122x/FC2x/150x as alternate to my Kans in my study. How tight is their bass? Can I place them against a bookcase?

Chag -  

I considered arros too with the same amp but never had the chance to audition them together.  I also had a small room to contend with - ultimately went with Spendor s3/5rs that were just a terrific match.  Lots of bass for such a small box.  They're a sealed box design so ok for close  to wall placement.

Chag... posted:

I am considering bringing S/H Arros on 122x/FC2x/150x as alternate to my Kans in my study. How tight is their bass? Can I place them against a bookcase?

My experience is that Arros have an immediate "wow" factor. Dynamic and musical with good clarity coming from such a slim column. On longer term listening the bass becomes boxy and hollow, artificially deep. Probably a great choice for an apartment setting where you don't want to upset the neighbors, while on the other hand they need room from the rear wall to get the bass response right. Against a bookcase? I wouldn't expect much bottom end. If pure musicality and fun is your aim Arros could be a worthy consideration. I view Arros  as a good starter speaker that folks move on from in due course. Also, Arros can be "tippy" - maybe not a good choice with dogs, children, or clumsy maids in the listening room. They are, however, mass-loadable for stability and tighter bass response.

I've had Dreamcatchers, Model 1 Sig and Forest. All were nice. DC is what got me into 2 channel more than HT. My issue with Totem was lack of bottom end for certain types of music. Mostly heavier rock music and some rap. Loved the DC and Model 1 Sig but I needed more lows. Tried the Forest and that satisfied the need for lows on most music but those could sound harsh at certain frequencies. Something about cabinet resonance or something like that. Supposedly the Forest Sig has addressed that and is a great speaker but I haven't heard to say for sure. 

Brubacca posted:

Listen to what you want. Buy what you like. Why do you care about resale value?

Well, I think the Mite are a bit expensive. If you think a Dynaudio Emit 10 or a Epos K 1 cost 400-500 £...

joerand posted:

Chag... posted:

I am considering bringing S/H Arros on 122x/FC2x/150x as alternate to my Kans in my study. How tight is their bass? Can I place them against a bookcase?

My experience is that Arros have an immediate "wow" factor. Dynamic and musical with good clarity coming from such a slim column. On longer term listening the bass becomes boxy and hollow, artificially deep. Probably a great choice for an apartment setting where you don't want to upset the neighbors, while on the other hand they need room from the rear wall to get the bass response right. Against a bookcase? I wouldn't expect much bottom end. If pure musicality and fun is your aim Arros could be a worthy consideration. I view Arros  as a good starter speaker that folks move on from in due course. Also, Arros can be "tippy" - maybe not a good choice with dogs, children, or clumsy maids in the listening room. They are, however, mass-loadable for stability and tighter bass response.

I love the Arros minimalist look and form factor. To me much more elegant than stand mounts on stands. Relatively cheap here in Canada (I live 10 mins drive from Totem headquarters)

I wish I could find a speaker that looked like the Arro but with more scale, dimension and tonal richness. If I had a smaller room I might be tempted but in my 11x20' room I doubt they could deliver.

Ardbeg10y posted:

You need to audition the CM1. Keep in mind, they need lots of power.

Dynamics are great. I like listening Symphonies and have a detached house. It goes from almost solo instruments to fortissimo instantly. This is what brought me in the Naim world.

In the 9th symphony of Tchaikovsky are nice dynamic movements.

What kind of music do you like?

Indeed, they are not the least regarded B&W speaker. Personally, I prefer them to my CM5 S2's.

Given that Tchaikovsky wrote only six numbered symphonies (plus the Manfred, and an abandoned symphony in E flat), this is an extremely impressive performance

Most silly mistake of me. I meant the 6th - his last symphony. Must have been tired.

I have owned a pair of Mites for about 6 years and they sit on a shelf between my kitchen and dining room. They are ran via my CB Nait2 and I cant believe how amazing they sound, punchy and controlled. People often comment when they visit the house at how good they sound. 

I have SBLs in my main system and the Mites don't shame themselves. 

I have Dreamcatchers with a Unitiqute in a second system (on a boat) and they sound warm and engaging.  Its a pretty impressive sound for a small set up.  I upgraded from the Arcam Muso speakers and it was well worth it.

Today I have heard the B&W 705. The amplifier was an Arcam FMJ and the source an Atoll. I liked the 705, very transparente and it reproduces very well the instruments, better than my Epos.The rythm and timing was good, too, but the amplifier and source  are more importante when we want PRAT. The amplifier was a bit weak, the B&W needed a better amplifier to come to life. But it was not very difficult to amplify, I guess the CM1 it´s more diffiicult due to lower sensitivity.It´s a excelente speaker, it reproduces very well the instruments and vocals and is lively, sometimes seems a bit dull, but this happens when the amplifiers does not have enought watts and current.So I guess I have to listen the Totems, but what I can judge from the 705 Totem will get a hard time to beat the B&W.

I really don't understand.  You have basically spent the entire thread wanting opinions about Totem and then saying B&W is better. 

If you really like the B&W then buy them. I promise you we really don't care either way. 

What I´m saying is that Totem Mite is 10 or 12 years old, unlike  B&W CM1 s2 is a brand new model. I´d never heard Totem, but comparing Mite with CM1 I can say that CM1 uses new technology, if that matters for you.

Any chance of hearing the 705s with your Naims and Densen amp at your place?

Or for that matter, the CM1 S2s? (Forgive me if this has already been answered, I may have missed it).

C.