Totem Acoustic is a slightly smaller and younger company than Bryston, having making speakers for 20 years now. While I've had no communication with James Tanner and his crew, I've had the pleasure of dealing with Vince Bruzzese and his staff on numerous occasions. All in All, the folks stand by their Totem and offer great customer service. Totem Acoustic keeps a sizable inventory of parts to ensure that your speakers remain serviceable for many years.
Totem's product structure is unlike any other company their size. While most speaker manufacturers offer their speakers in a number of product "lines", every Totem, from the Arro to the Shaman - have different elements to them. This is an advantage because in many situations, the least expensive Totem could end up being a better match for your situation and taste. In your case, the Hawk is a bad match for Bryston electronics. It is a speaker that is best suited with warm sounding amplifiers from the likes of Plinius, BAT, etc. When it comes to matching Bryston to a Totem - look towards the Forest. They are one of the few Totem products that respond well towards electronics that attempt not to impart a character of its own.
I'm not privy to Energy's company history and general biography, sorry.
