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REVIEW: Totem Acoustics Model One Speakers Review by Robert P at Audio Asylum

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I've always been the kind of person to choose quality over quantity when purchasing almost anything. I would rather have a used BMW than a new domesic automobile. A sixpack of Pete's Wicked Ale rather than 2 cases of Budweiser. A Hugo Boss suit as opposed to a whole rack of suits from Stuffmart. You get the picture.
On the other hand, I'm not made of money, and I do feel it is important to utelize my resources in an intelligent manner. Several years ago, it was time to upgrade speakers. My Vandersteen 2Ci's had been described as good training wheels for the high end. I needed a true high end speaker. I auditioned many speakers. Some I could afford, some I couldn't. I listened to Maggies, Martin Logan, Sonus Fabar, Paradigm, Mirage, Linn, Artemis EOS, among others. Finally, I settled on the Totem Model One.

The Ones deliver a very comprehensive bag of goods. I was in awe of the detail and micro-dynamics delivered by this small speaker. Build quality is as good as it gets. I listen to a lot of Jazz and Fusion and the plucking of strings and minute details of accoustic guitar are rendered in a way that is not bettered until you spend a lot more than these speakers cost. I also listen to a lot of contemporary Christian music, most of which are heavily vocal oriented. The Model One's excel on male vocal, delivering a very appealing richness. Female vocals are well served as well. Being nearly 40, I have a large selection of 70's rock on vinyl. The Totems bring out new joys when I drag out the Kansas or Styx albums, and show the crystalyn clarity of a young Getty Lee of Rush. On to the typical minimonitor weaknesses: dynamics and bass.

The Totem is an incredibly dynamic speaker for its size. I have heard much larger speakers that didn't match the One's dynamics. However, if there is an area where the One's fall short it would by dynamics. Dynamic shadings are not a problem, more just a limitation in large scale dynamics such bass drum whacks and thundering bass guitar lines. Dynamics in the low end are a little more limited simply because this speaker starts to roll off pretty rapidly beyond 40 hz. However, I still get good usable output all the way to about 28 to 30 hz. I have two pipe organ recordings that sound great on the Totem's, just not up to 110 db.

So there you have it. High quality sound reproduction that from 45 hz up competes with anything out there. Easy to drive 4 ohm load, with claimed sensitivity of 89db. I easily drive with a 40 watt Quicksilver amp, and feel no need for more power on rock and fusion. This is in an everage size room with carpeted floors, open on one side to a staircase. Saxaphone music is a dream, guitar and harp are awesome. I still havn't found a speaker that betters the One's at this price. Even the acclaimed Maggie 1.6's didn't inspire me to change speakers. The Maggie's are great, but the One's are equally great with a different set of strengths. That's my story and I'm stickin to it!


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Topic - REVIEW: Totem Acoustics Model One Speakers Review by Robert P at Audio Asylum - Robert P 09:37:19 05/20/99 ( 0)