Totem Arro
Upstatemax
Posts: 2,670
I've been running a set of Totem Arro's in my 2ch system since my father picked up his Element Fire speakers.
I liked them a lot, in his set up. However, being able to put them into my smaller 2ch room and hook them up to my Parasound based system has given me a whole new love for these speakers.
They have replaced a set of Focal 806V's that I also love. The Focal speakers left me with a feeling of bliss. I did not have any desire to replace them. However, when I see a set of speakers left in a corner, I HAVE to try them!
The Focal 806V's have a very cohesive and analytical presentation. I like it. The Totem Arro's bring back a slight feeling of my old LSi 9's. A bit warmer, but more detailed. Almost a bridge between the two speakers.
The Totem Arro's Have nice detailed, yet non-fatiguing highs. In this room, decent frequency extension and presence. I actually felt the need to pull them out of the corner more to help solve a "boomy" and bloated issue. I've played some digital stuff and some Vinyl stuff. Overall, I like vinyl on the Arro's A LOT more. I feel like the Focal's reveal too many of the vinyl flaws. Granted, I DO NOT have a high end vinyl system. Overall, the Totem's seemed to just allow the vinyl goodness come through. Liquid highs and midrange with a solid bottom end. Vocals seem to jump through the "noise".
With digital stuff, I feel like the midrange is just lacking. Acoustic guitars don't carry the correct weight and resonance. Highs are nice and crisp and decent bass presentation. Just the midrange is missing the proper punch and realism. I feel with digital playback on the Arro's a "if this than that", while vinyl felt more natural and fluid.
My father has heard the Arro's in this room, he LOVES them in this room and on this equipment. I'm keeping my fingers crossed for a "just keep them". Haha.
I'm not going to hold my breath, I figure they will have to leave, soon. In the end I like my Focal's for many reasons and they still win in many regards.
But free speakers are always a huge plus!
I liked them a lot, in his set up. However, being able to put them into my smaller 2ch room and hook them up to my Parasound based system has given me a whole new love for these speakers.
They have replaced a set of Focal 806V's that I also love. The Focal speakers left me with a feeling of bliss. I did not have any desire to replace them. However, when I see a set of speakers left in a corner, I HAVE to try them!
The Focal 806V's have a very cohesive and analytical presentation. I like it. The Totem Arro's bring back a slight feeling of my old LSi 9's. A bit warmer, but more detailed. Almost a bridge between the two speakers.
The Totem Arro's Have nice detailed, yet non-fatiguing highs. In this room, decent frequency extension and presence. I actually felt the need to pull them out of the corner more to help solve a "boomy" and bloated issue. I've played some digital stuff and some Vinyl stuff. Overall, I like vinyl on the Arro's A LOT more. I feel like the Focal's reveal too many of the vinyl flaws. Granted, I DO NOT have a high end vinyl system. Overall, the Totem's seemed to just allow the vinyl goodness come through. Liquid highs and midrange with a solid bottom end. Vocals seem to jump through the "noise".
With digital stuff, I feel like the midrange is just lacking. Acoustic guitars don't carry the correct weight and resonance. Highs are nice and crisp and decent bass presentation. Just the midrange is missing the proper punch and realism. I feel with digital playback on the Arro's a "if this than that", while vinyl felt more natural and fluid.
My father has heard the Arro's in this room, he LOVES them in this room and on this equipment. I'm keeping my fingers crossed for a "just keep them". Haha.
I'm not going to hold my breath, I figure they will have to leave, soon. In the end I like my Focal's for many reasons and they still win in many regards.
But free speakers are always a huge plus!
Comments
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That is the beauty of trying different speakers, cables etc... and it makes it easier to fall in that dang hole
Have fun!2 ch- Polk CRS+ * Vincent SA-31MK Preamp * Vincent Sp-331 Amp * Marantz SA8005 SACD * Project Xperience Classic TT * Sumiko Blue Point #2 MC cartridge
HT - Polk 703's * NAD T-758 * Adcom 5503 * Oppo 103 * Samsung 60" series 8 LCD -
Nice review. I really enjoy the Hawks I have... So much so that I've even opened dialogue with Totem to become a dealer. I've compared the Hawks to the Be-10 and find the same shortcomings you do. There is just a weight missing that is found in some larger towers. This doesn't bother me much because the addition of a good sub would/should bring back some of that weight to the image. In my head, I view the totem towers as extended bookshelf speakers. The range they cover they do extremely well, but they do have their limitations.
I honestly have no desire to sell the Hawks, but I've got a lot of speakers and not enough time to roll them all in.
Have you had the chance to hear the Element series?
His new Element Fire's with their Storm sub is a very, very good combo.
