Totem Forrest or B&w 703?

michaelv · « **on:** 19 Jul 2005, 10:19 pm »

Hi,
Has anyone heard of Totem Forrest and B&W 703.? What's your preference? I have axiom M60, but i'm going to upgrade speakers for 2-channel music.

thanks.

Zero · « **Reply #1 on:** 19 Jul 2005, 10:25 pm »

One vote for the FOREST.

marvda1 · « **Reply #2 on:** 19 Jul 2005, 11:30 pm »

need some more info, room size,other equipment, musical taste, price range.

mcgsxr · « **Reply #3 on:** 19 Jul 2005, 11:59 pm »

Nothing against B&W, but the Forest is delightful 2 channel speaker, and such a wonderfully built cabinet... my vote is for the mahogany.

audioslave · « **Reply #4 on:** 20 Jul 2005, 01:04 am »

I have heard both speakers and I would definitely go for the Forest...they sound great!

mcrespo71 · « **Reply #5 on:** 20 Jul 2005, 01:51 am »

Bemopti123 · « **Reply #6 on:** 20 Jul 2005, 02:18 am »

B&W need to really take into account amplification or else it might sound tizzy or hot....For some this tizziness can be exciting, for others, harsh.

Totem Forest, hum, more neutral than B&W, according to reviews. Really world class.

My dollars go for the Forest.

Dracule1 · « **Reply #7 on:** 20 Jul 2005, 02:44 am »

I can't comment on that model of B&W, but I auditioned the Totem Forests last year. I liked the sound - very full, warmish, with good imaging. And very unimposing due to their slender profile. I was considering it as a potential buy until I heard the Hyperion 938s. Completely on a different sonic level - magnitudes better than the Forests on all counts. I'm not sure what the Forests go for these days, but the 938s can be had for $3500-$4000 after dealer discount (retail $4500). Very easy to drive - I'm using 25 watts of SS power. However, the 938s are larger (100lbs per side) and placement may be more difficult. Another alternative, although not my cup of tea, is the VS VR4jrs which are smaller in size and retails for $4000. You should also look into Focus Audio. I have not heard a B&W I liked for the past 15 years. Hope this helps.

Marbles · « **Reply #8 on:** 20 Jul 2005, 03:53 am »

I'm not sure why you are limiting yourself to just those two speakers.

There are many direct to consumer speaker manufacturers that have circles here, and a few who don't.

Most all of them have better products for less money than the two you mentioned.

With a little research you might get yourself an even better pair of speakers than you thought you could..........

lonewolfny42 · « **Reply #9 on:** 20 Jul 2005, 04:10 am »

Quote from: mcrespo71

BOSE

michaelv · « **Reply #10 on:** 20 Jul 2005, 05:37 am »

my room is 12'x14' and my gears are Rotel . Currently i have axiom M60,but this one will be moved to HT. That's why i want to get a new pair of speakers. I actually heard of Aperion and its sound is ok to me.

i will audition Totem Forrest tomorrow. The ticket price for this is around $3,200 depending on the color. I listen to Jazz, pop, classical music.

I would like to thanks everyone who has given me opinions. Does anyone here live in PA and know any Totem dealer?

thanks.

Bemopti123 · « **Reply #11 on:** 20 Jul 2005, 05:38 am »

Go Audiogon for a pair. 3K is a lot of dollars for a pair of Forests.

cornelius · « **Reply #12 on:** 20 Jul 2005, 02:19 pm »

I agree. For that kind of dough, I like the Focus Audio FS78se. They're a little more than the Forest, but in a different league, soundwise. Although not as sexy, I'd also much prefer Ohms or Vandersteens.

Marbles · « **Reply #13 on:** 20 Jul 2005, 02:57 pm »

Usher

Odyssey Lorelies

Salk Sound HT1's plus active crossover plus a sub

VMPS RM40's used at $3600 or VMPS RM30's new

Selah has several models as does GR Research and ACI..

The above would be a step up from the Forests at the same or less cost. These are the ones I can think of off the top, although I'm sure there are others as well.

Salk Sound will have a $2500 floorstander that will use 2 Extremis 6.8 drivers and an LCY ribbon tweeter and a Dennis Murphy designed crosssover that is supposed to sound almost as good as his HT3's soon.

Take your time, do some research and demo, demo, demo.

michaelv · « **Reply #14 on:** 20 Jul 2005, 03:39 pm »

Thanks for information. I've never heard of these speakers. Do you know website of these speakers. I would like to read about them and find dealers for the demo. I agree that demo more speakers to compare.

I can get new Forrest below 3000 , but i wouldn't limit myself to the others. However, the weight and size of Forrest , as well as sound have attracted me a lot. My room is small, so big size speaker will not be on my top list.

I also look into other brands that sold on internet (direct sale). One of them is Apreion Audio. I actually heard of 522-PT, but th mid is way too much laid back to me. Aperion has a new line of floor standing with new HD-X3 which claimed totally flat freq. New model is 533-PT and 633-T .

thanks again.

MarkM · « **Reply #15 on:** 20 Jul 2005, 03:43 pm »

As Marbles said, there are some great speaker companyies on the circle. I bet you will get alot more speaker for your $$$, especially if you're budgeting $3,200 on a pair.

Many offer in home 30-45 day return if not satisfied. Best way to audition with your gear in your environment and your favorite beverage.

Selah and Salk Sound are terrific deals.

I would like to see the dual extremis drivers in a 3 way. Ribbon tweet, Seas Excel 5" mid and dual extremis 6.8 drivers, slender cabinet, pure mid and a good punch for footprint. hmmm....

michaelv · « **Reply #16 on:** 20 Jul 2005, 05:48 pm »

By the way, has anyone also heard of Onix Reference 2? av123.com has this one on sale right now. Based on the review, Ref 2 is impressive. However , with two small woofer (5.25") , i'm afraid that it won't produce the bass that i hear from Forrest, even though the original price is not too far from the Forrest ( i think same price range with Totem Hawk). I try to find someone who owns Ref2 in my area for audition, but no luck.

audioslave · « **Reply #17 on:** 20 Jul 2005, 06:34 pm »

Given the size of your room, you could actually consider the smaller brother of the forests-the Hawks! You can find them for as low as $1300 on audiogon. Vincent from Totem actually recommends the Hawks as it one of his favorite speakers. I have heard them on numerous occasions and they sound fantastic. They are just a little smaller than the Forests but have prodigious bass response! You will truly be amazed.
Others speakers to consider as mentioned are the Odyssey Lorelei's and definitely the Gallo Ref.3's.

bpape · « **Reply #18 on:** 20 Jul 2005, 06:50 pm »

Heck. If you like the Totem sound (I do) and you have that kind of budget, check out Audiogon for a pair of Mani II's. SCHWEEET.

Bemopti123 · « **Reply #19 on:** 20 Jul 2005, 07:03 pm »

I agree with Bpape, the following Totem Manis look cool to boot and they will surely make B&W make rather slow or like a toy.

http://cls.audiogon.com/cgi-bin/cls.pl?spkrmoni&1126719449