Totem Forrest or B&w 703?

michaelv · « **Reply #20 on:** 20 Jul 2005, 07:30 pm »

Wow....how come a bookshelf speakers (???) can have a great sound like that. So, you mean the Mani II has better sound than the Forrest? I have never heard of it even though i see the dealer put it on display. Ah...i will at least listen to it for sure.

thanks for the advice.

P.S.: i would like to buy speakers from audiogon ( Most of my gears bought from audiogon.com ), but one of my friends had a bad experience about the speakers when he bought B&W. Both were damaged. I see one or two Forrest on audiogon right now. May be I will take a look.

thanks.

mcgsxr · « **Reply #21 on:** 20 Jul 2005, 07:34 pm »

The Mani-2 has an isobarically loaded woofer inside it, and has some remarkable bottom end. It is, however, reputed NOT to be an easy load to drive.

I do know that there are some remarkable speakers available on this Ciricle (I have built several sets from kits from a couple of the vendors here, and can attest to them bettering my Totem Rokks that I owned for 10 years...) but if you HAVE to have Totems, you have to have them. Life can be like that.

I would recommend hearing all that you can, reading a ton to familiarize yourself with your options new and used, direct and through dealer, and keep asking Q's around friendly places like this one.

Lots of folks find satisfaction in helping others achieve great sound on their chosen budget...

Zero · « **Reply #22 on:** 20 Jul 2005, 08:34 pm »

The cool thing about Totem Acoustics - is that when it comes to Vince's floor standing products, there is no product line. You could enjoy the Arro over the Wind. It all boils down to your electronics.

Entry level Totem products can sound quite good with modest (rotel, nad) equipment and shine with the more exotic equipment. The Forest is a speaker very few people know how to set up properly - which means even fewer have heard them in the right conditions. It is a speaker that is at home in a medium to larger sized room, ran with some pretty high-tone (lamm) electronics with space to breathe.

The Hawk, is probably one of the best designs Totem Acoustic has ever put out. While you can get away with running them on semi inexpensive gear (Plinius, Sim Audio), these too require quite a bit of space to breathe. It too also favors more exotic equipment.

The upside is, the Forest is probably the single most versatile product that Totem offers today. The downside is that the Forest is incredibly difficult to 'get right'. The Hawk is not as versatile, but its easier to work with and actually sports deeper, more powerful bass than the Forest.

The one thing that always catches me about Totem products - is their ability to capture 'layers of the music'. Their over-all versatility and ability to get my foot tapping always leaves me with a warm and fuzzy feeling.

Just the same, its a unique sound that is not everyones cup of tea, but worth trying out at least once.

Upstateaudio · « **Reply #23 on:** 21 Jul 2005, 12:09 am »

Quote from: audioslave

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.

I have an 11 x 12 room, I bought the Hawks at Vince's recommendation. I love them.

mcrespo71 · « **Reply #24 on:** 21 Jul 2005, 04:40 am »

With the exception of the Salk speakers which I have not heard, I can say that NONE of the speakers manufactured by "circle" based manufacturers appeal to me more than any speaker I've heard in the Totem line. (Aro, Rainmaker, Hawk, Forest, Mani 2).

Michael

beatdownvictim · « **Reply #25 on:** 21 Jul 2005, 08:39 am »

Have you listened to the Studiolab line of speakers? Made in Canada as well, and from what i've heard, they fit your bill. And damn good prices too!!!

michaelv · « **Reply #26 on:** 21 Jul 2005, 01:39 pm »

I have never heard of Studiolab. Do you have a link to it?

By the way, i'm going to demo Ariel 6 as suggested by the saleman. The design looks good . I heard of Ariel 9 , not 6.

I'll keep you all posted.

Hogg · « **Reply #27 on:** 21 Jul 2005, 02:23 pm »

Studiolab

http://www.speakerdirect.com/

bpape · « **Reply #28 on:** 21 Jul 2005, 07:30 pm »

If you've never heard the Mani-II's you owe it to yourself to do so if you can. They're simply an amazing speaker. They disappear like a monitor but have the big sound and REAL 29Hz extension like a larger speaker.

They do like power and a quality amplifier - not just lots of watts. Hook them up to a BAT, a Sim Audio (especially nice match), etc. and you'll just melt.

michaelv · « **Reply #29 on:** 21 Jul 2005, 08:03 pm »

Bpape,
I saw Mani II at the dealer at well. I'd definitely demo it when i do for the Forrest and Ariel. Currently , i have rotel amp rb-1080 rated at 200wpc. All my gears are Rotel . I don't if they are matched to Totem, but the one at dealer is Musical Fidelity, which i think i will upgrade to when i have fund.

bpape · « **Reply #30 on:** 21 Jul 2005, 08:21 pm »

I found it interesting that the Sim Audio was described as semi-inexpensive. I guess in relation to ARC, Rowland, etc. - they are. However, if I'm not mistaken, Sim is recommended by Totem.

audioslave · « **Reply #31 on:** 22 Jul 2005, 12:07 am »

At the last two Home Entertainment shows in NY, Vince was using Plinius and Ayre with excellent results. These two brands have great synergy with Totem Products.

powerbench · « **Reply #32 on:** 22 Jul 2005, 12:49 am »

i have had good sucess with Totem Arro,Mite,Rokk with the likes of Nad and Cambridge audio.On a budget its hard to beat

michaelv · « **Reply #33 on:** 22 Jul 2005, 02:56 pm »

Any idea on Aerial 6 or 7b? I think Aerial 6 is in the same range of the Forrest. I will find the dealer to demo this week.

Bemopti123 · « **Reply #34 on:** 22 Jul 2005, 04:49 pm »

Michael, from one time previous experience, I learned that you need great amplification in terms of current and watts to get an Aerial to run properly. I heard the small monitor, around 4-5 years ago being ran in approximately 10K worth of equipment. It sounded good, but then, 10K worth of equipment will make almost anything sound good. I forgot the model, it was a small bookshelf Aerial.

Much in the same fashion, larger Aerials require loads of power. They sound great, only with power check this one out.

http://forum.audiogon.com/cgi-bin/fr.pl?vopin&1080102163&read&keyw&zzaerial=6

Someone says something specific about the Aerial.

michaelv · « **Reply #35 on:** 22 Jul 2005, 07:38 pm »

Hi,
I would like to update on Aerial 6. I just demo it and i am not really excited about it , even though i must agree that the bass is awesome. Again this is played with Musical Fidelity intergrated amp A5.

I like the sound from Forrest better.
I have Rotel amp (200WPC).

doug s. · « **Reply #36 on:** 22 Jul 2005, 11:44 pm »

i have never heard a b&w speaker i liked. i have never heard a totem speaker i *dint* like!

michael, after reading this thread, only one thing is clear to me about what you should or should not buy: do NOT buy new loudspeakers! ABSOLUTELY buy used speakers!!!

it's clear you aren't sure; so listen a lot, even buy two or three different speakers. if you buy used, you can afford to do this - you won't lose much (if any) money, & it's best to be able to a-b different stuff in your own room...

good luck,

doug s.

ps - try a pair of proac tablette 8 reference signatures

EProvenzano · « **Reply #37 on:** 23 Jul 2005, 12:27 am »

I must agree with Marbles.
For the money, you would likely do better dealing direct.

I've personally had extended listening sesstions with the B&W N805, N804, Totem Mani II, Forest and more; versus my current Ellis 1801's ***in my system***
The 1801's are on par, or superior to all these, sonically speaking. The cabinet work of my Ellis made 1801's is in a completely different league. All this for a fraction of the cost of most models you're considering.

If anyone is interested in learning more about my experiences please shoot me a pm.

Good luck with your search....and have fun with the auditions!
EP

michaelv · « **Reply #38 on:** 28 Dec 2005, 07:04 pm »

Quote from: A6M-ZERO

The cool thing about Totem Acoustics - is that when it comes to Vince's floor standing products, there is no product line. You could enjoy the Arro over the Wind. It all boils down to your electronics.

Entry level Totem products can sound quite good with modest (rotel, nad) equipment and shine with the more exotic equipment. The Forest is a speaker very few people know how to set up properly - which means even fewer have heard them in the right conditions. It is a speaker that is at home in a medium ...

A6M-ZERO,
After re-reading this thread and after owning the Forrest, i would like to ask a few questions if you don't mind. (and others as well).

1> What do you mean the Forrest need space to breath? My listening room is 12x14 . I place the Forrest 2 feet from sidewall and 2 feet from backwall. Do you mean that i need to move speaker away from the backwall more?

2> Currently i have rotel pre-amp and amp. I like Rotel and it sounds good to me , but i would like to get more out of the Totem Forrest. That's why i want to upgrate to integrated amp Plinius 9200 or Krell 400xi ( i can't afford separate right now) and Do you think that Plinius or Krell is better than separated Rotel? I don't have the way to compare both brand side by side.

thanks.

Zero · « **Reply #39 on:** 28 Dec 2005, 08:19 pm »

Michaelv,

Rotel makes solid equipment. In fact, if you pair the 1072 cd player with the 1062 integrated amplifier - you will have a fantastic combination on your hands.

The Krell 400xi integrated amplifier is a good choice for someone wanting a compact unit that sports great dynamics, detail, microdynamics, power and control. It is fantastic for what it is - but this is definately something to try before you buy - even used (unless you happen across a remarkable deal). With the Forest, I would suggest to go more the less accurate route;

Cayin, Naim, Plinius, Cary, would all be great places to start looking into. Of course, you have many manufactorers here at the circle that also sport great value.

Really man - it all boils down to what sound you favor. You can manipulate the Forest more than any other Totem.. so you have this luxury afforded to you.