Favorite 2 Channel Bookshelf. . .

SolidSqual
SolidSqual Posts: 5,218
edited June 2010 in 2 Channel Audio
My buddy brought over his Totem Rainmakers . . . I was stunned by the quality of this speaker in both looks and SQ. I had no idea such a little bookshelf could be smooth and silky. The speakers sounded as if they were made to be played on tubes. I liked them so much . . . I think I may want a pair to have as an alternative to my beloved Lsi15s.

Some questions . . .

1. Anyone else heard these?
2. Anyone selling any?
3. Am I crazy for wanting two different sets of stereo speakers?
4. Does anyone else switch between speakers depending on their moods?
5. What's your favorite bookshelf speaker?
Post edited by SolidSqual on
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  • RuSsMaN
    RuSsMaN Posts: 17,987
    edited May 2007
    I enjoyed my Sonus Faber Concerto's, but always regretting selling my Spendor 1/2's. I don't think it's crazy at all, I have my Alpha line arrays, but I'm considering getting a nice pair of monitors to listen to also. Perhaps some Reference 3A or some such.

    There's WAY too many good speakers out there to listen to, to sell out for only one pair, or brand.

    Cheers,
    Russ
    Check your lips at the door woman. Shake your hips like battleships. Yeah, all the white girls trip when I sing at Sunday service.
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  • JimBRICK
    JimBRICK Posts: 1,543
    edited May 2007
    the 800 series b&w bookshelves are beautiful. I heard them in sudbury on a road trip a few weeks back.
    2 CHANNEL
    Speaker - Klipsch Heresy II
    Under construction
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  • Ricardo
    Ricardo Posts: 10,636
    edited May 2007
    Having two sets of speakers is not crazy. Having less than three is ;)

    I have the Tylers for full range/SS power, and a pair of Kevlar crossoverless Aural Ersatz (TAD) that I run in SET mode tubes. If I had to keep one set it would be a taugh call....
    _________________________________________________
    ***\\\\\........................... My Audio Journey ............................./////***

    2008 & 2010 Football Pool WINNER
    SOPA
    Thank God for different opinions. Imagine the world if we all wanted the same woman
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  • haimoc
    haimoc Posts: 1,031
    edited May 2007
    If I decided to have a stereo system with BK speakers, my favorite ones would be Totem Mani or ProAC 2SC.
    -?¿-
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  • Bill Ayotte
    Bill Ayotte Posts: 1,860
    edited May 2007
    I auditioned some B&W 602 S3's and 805s's the other day...Both are rather large bookshelves, but they are really a awesome sounding speaker...The B&W CM1 is also a great little speaker, and the WAF on that one is leaps above the big black box of the 602's...Not enough bass for me though. I love the sound of Tannoys as well....F it, I can't choose.
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  • tryrrthg
    tryrrthg Posts: 1,896
    edited May 2007
    SolidSqual wrote: »
    My buddy brought over his Totem Rainmakers . . . I was stunned by the quality of this speaker in both looks and SQ. I had no idea such a little bookshelf could be smooth and silky. The speakers sounded as if they were made to be played on tubes. I liked them so much . . . I think I may want a pair to have as an alternative to my beloved Lsi15s.

    Some questions . . .

    1. Anyone else heard these?
    2. Anyone selling any?
    3. Am I crazy for wanting two different sets of stereo speakers?
    4. Does anyone else switch between speakers depending on their moods?
    5. What's your favorite bookshelf speaker?

    I'd love to hear Totem sometime.

    I've heard the Reference 3A MM Dicappo's at a shop in Columbus. They were nice but I preferred my Dyn's. Sonus Faber Cremona Auditor and the Dynaudio 1.3SE have been my favorite standmount speakers. Thiel and ProAc make a nice standmounts also.

    Get your **** to my place and get your ears on my Dynaudio's.
    Sony KDL-40V2500 HDTV, Rotel RSX-1067 Receiver, Sony BDP-S550 Blu-ray, Slim Devices Squeezebox, Polk RTi6, CSi3 & R15, DIY sub with Atlas 15
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  • Wardsweb
    Wardsweb Posts: 935
    edited May 2007
    I picked up a pair of Roksan Rok One speakers and can say they are the first bookshelf speakers I've ever liked enough to keep.
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  • pearsall001
    pearsall001 Posts: 5,068
    edited May 2007
    Living in the Philly, South Jersey area I am very fortunate to have quite a few really good audio stores (lo-fi, mid-fi, hi-end, & ultra hi-end). I heard the Rainmakers on a few occasions & they do sound very, very nice. I heard plenty of other great sounding bookshelves during my visits to the numerous audio stores. The only ones that caught my attention & made me sit & listen in amazement were the ones that I presently own - a pair of AAD 2001 monitors. There's just something about them that makes me smile ear to ear every time I hear them. I know there are other great sounding speakers out there but for now the AAD's aren't leaving my room. As far as adding another pair I really don't see the point as long as my AAD's keep making me smile. When the smile wavers then it'll be time for a change. Until then I'm quite content. :D
    "2 Channel & 11.2 HT "Two Channel:Magnepan LRSSchiit Audio Freya S - SS preConsonance Ref 50 - Tube preParasound HALO A21+ 2 channel ampBluesound NODE 2i streameriFi NEO iDSD DAC Oppo BDP-93KEF KC62 sub Home Theater:Full blown 11.2 set up.
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  • janmike
    janmike Posts: 6,146
    edited May 2007
    Proac 1SC.
    Michael ;)
    In the beginning, all knowledge was new!
    NORTH of 60°
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  • SolidSqual
    SolidSqual Posts: 5,218
    edited May 2007
    They remind me of my ex-girlfriend. (AAD 2001 monitors)
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  • mldennison
    mldennison Posts: 307
    edited May 2007
    dynaudio focus 110's, although the totem model 1's were a close second!
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  • madmax
    madmax Posts: 12,434
    edited May 2007
    SolidSqual wrote: »
    They remind me of my ex-girlfriend. (AAD 2001 monitors)

    Is she behind bars? :D

    Just kidding,
    madmax
    Vinyl, the final frontier...

    Avantgarde horns, 300b tubes, thats the kinda crap I want... :D
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  • SolidSqual
    SolidSqual Posts: 5,218
    edited May 2007
    Oh I see what you're saying . . . actually she usually had me caged while she worked me over for a few hours. I guess looking into the speaker might give you the same feeling .
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  • hearingimpared
    hearingimpared Posts: 21,137
    edited May 2007
    Thems is good sounding monitors!!!
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  • SolidSqual
    SolidSqual Posts: 5,218
    edited May 2007
    http://cls.audiogon.com/cgi-bin/cls.pl?spkrmoni&1183323829

    What do you guys think of this? I talked the guy down to $571 all in? Should I hold out for the Model 1s when they come around?
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  • hearingimpared
    hearingimpared Posts: 21,137
    edited May 2007
    SolidSqual wrote: »
    http://cls.audiogon.com/cgi-bin/cls.pl?spkrmoni&1183323829

    What do you guys think of this? I talked the guy down to $571 all in? Should I hold out for the Model 1s when they come around?

    You got the guy down $130, I would say you are doing pretty good.
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  • pearsall001
    pearsall001 Posts: 5,068
    edited May 2007
    SolidSqual wrote: »
    http://cls.audiogon.com/cgi-bin/cls.pl?spkrmoni&1183323829

    What do you guys think of this? I talked the guy down to $571 all in? Should I hold out for the Model 1s when they come around?

    Sounds like a great deal at that price. Grab 'em!! You'll be very, very pleased.
    "2 Channel & 11.2 HT "Two Channel:Magnepan LRSSchiit Audio Freya S - SS preConsonance Ref 50 - Tube preParasound HALO A21+ 2 channel ampBluesound NODE 2i streameriFi NEO iDSD DAC Oppo BDP-93KEF KC62 sub Home Theater:Full blown 11.2 set up.
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  • RuSsMaN
    RuSsMaN Posts: 17,987
    edited May 2007
    Cool, I'll email him and offer $600 all in. ;)

    How the hell did you end up at $571?
    Check your lips at the door woman. Shake your hips like battleships. Yeah, all the white girls trip when I sing at Sunday service.
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  • dkg999
    dkg999 Posts: 5,647
    edited May 2007
    I istened to the ERA Model 4's over the weekend. Really, really nice for a small monitor. The ERA's might be replacing the current EPOS ELS-3 mini-monitors. I have to take my EPOS with me next trip to IA to do a side-by-side demo.
    DKG999
    HT System: LSi9, LSiCx2, LSiFX, LSi7, SVS 20-39 PC+, B&K 507.s2 AVR, B&K Ref 125.2, Tripplite LCR-2400, Cambridge 650BD, Signal Cable PC/SC, BJC IC, Samsung 55" LED

    Music System: Magnepan 1.6QR, SVS SB12+, ARC pre, Parasound HCA1500 vertically bi-amped, Jolida CDP, Pro-Ject RM5.1SE TT, Pro-Ject TubeBox SE phono pre, SBT, PS Audio DLIII DAC
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  • SolidSqual
    SolidSqual Posts: 5,218
    edited May 2007
    Russman - what can I say, I know how to sweet talk em'. My Indian girlfriend actually taught me some good techniques as how to negotiate in a market. At any rate, there's always a lot of luck and perhaps some guy hurtin' for money.

    You mentioned in your first post that you've been lookin for a good monitor . . . me too. Sometimes I really like just listening to a smaller speaker. The presentation is different.
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  • heiney9
    heiney9 Posts: 25,165
    edited May 2007
    dkg999 wrote: »
    I istened to the ERA Model 4's over the weekend. Really, really nice for a small monitor. The ERA's might be replacing the current EPOS ELS-3 mini-monitors. I have to take my EPOS with me next trip to IA to do a side-by-side demo.


    DIBS on the EPOS Doug!!!!! :D
    "Appreciation of audio is a completely subjective human experience. Measurements can provide a measure of insight, but are no substitute for human judgment. Why are we looking to reduce a subjective experience to objective criteria anyway? The subtleties of music and audio reproduction are for those who appreciate it. Differentiation by numbers is for those who do not".--Nelson Pass Pass Labs XA25 | EE Avant Pre | EE Mini Max Supreme DAC | MIT Shotgun S1 | Pangea AC14SE MKII | Legend L600 | BlueSound Node 3 - Tubes add soul!
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  • dkg999
    dkg999 Posts: 5,647
    edited May 2007
    You got dibs if I decide to move them! The ERA's sounded really sweet, but I need to hear them side-by-side to see if they are really better. The EPOS are going to be hard to top!
    DKG999
    HT System: LSi9, LSiCx2, LSiFX, LSi7, SVS 20-39 PC+, B&K 507.s2 AVR, B&K Ref 125.2, Tripplite LCR-2400, Cambridge 650BD, Signal Cable PC/SC, BJC IC, Samsung 55" LED

    Music System: Magnepan 1.6QR, SVS SB12+, ARC pre, Parasound HCA1500 vertically bi-amped, Jolida CDP, Pro-Ject RM5.1SE TT, Pro-Ject TubeBox SE phono pre, SBT, PS Audio DLIII DAC
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  • SolidSqual
    SolidSqual Posts: 5,218
    edited May 2007
    Epos smepos . . . get a scrotem and buy a Totem.
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  • SolidSqual
    SolidSqual Posts: 5,218
    edited May 2007
    Sorry that was immature of me, but I just liked the rhyme.
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  • SolidSqual
    SolidSqual Posts: 5,218
    edited May 2007
    http://cls.audiogon.com/cgi-bin/cls.pl?spkrmoni&1182275406

    These babies are slightly scratched, but if you can deal with that (I Can't) then they would be a pretty good deal . . . Sonus faber Minima Amator $750.
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  • SolidSqual
    SolidSqual Posts: 5,218
    edited May 2007
    I pulled the trigger on the Totem Rainmakers for $571. I can't wait to receive these babies.
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  • haimoc
    haimoc Posts: 1,031
    edited May 2007
    Congratulation on your new speakers. Excelent price.
    -?¿-
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  • dorokusai
    dorokusai Posts: 25,577
    edited May 2007
    Kef.

    If you don't have some options in your listening enviroment, you need to re-evaluate what your doing in the first place. I hoarded speakers for a couple years, specifically Polk Audio, and it was fun but gets old. Why anyone would "collect" a speaker is beyond me, but its only because I've done it myself.

    You should get your ears on as much as possible, in-house. It's not that hard to do as the used market is abundant with choices, just pick one. Don't ask, just pick, develop your own opinion. Do your research.
    CTC BBQ Amplifier, Sonic Frontiers Line3 Pre-Amplifier and Wadia 581 SACD player. Speakers? Always changing but for now, Mission Argonauts I picked up for $50 bucks, mint.
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  • markmarc
    markmarc Posts: 2,309
    edited May 2007
    The Rainmakers are a very nice monitor, and do sound wonderful with tubes. I'm looking forward to comparing them against the Era D5's and hopefully a pair of LSi9's if we get the house we are negotiating on right now, as Paul DiComo said he would send me a pair to review once I have a new house.

    The Era D5's are very different sounding, the mids are without any bloom or sweetness. i like the their unique sonic signature.
    Review Site_ (((AudioPursuit)))
    Founder/Publisher Affordable$$Audio 2006-13.
    Former Staff Member TONEAudio
    2 Ch. System
    Amplifiers: Parasound Halo P6 pre, Vista Audio i34, Peachtree amp500, Adcom GFP-565 GFA-535ii, 545ii, 555ii
    Digital: SimAudio HAD230 DAC, iMac 20in/Amarra,
    Speakers: Paradigm Performa F75, Magnepan .7, Totem Model 1's, ACI Emerald XL, Celestion Si Stands. Totem Dreamcatcher sub
    Analog: Technics SL-J2 w/Pickering 3000D, SimAudio LP5.3 phono pre
    Cable/Wires: Cardas, AudioArt, Shunyata Venom 3
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  • heiney9
    heiney9 Posts: 25,165
    edited May 2007
    markmarc wrote: »
    hopefully a pair of LSi9's if we get the house we are negotiating on right now, as Paul DiComo said he would send me a pair to review once I have a new house.

    Wow, Polk really makes you jump through hoops to demo their stuff. I'm not so sure I would have bought a new house just so I could demo LSi's. But then Polk Paul is a bit crazy............so I've heard ! :D:p;)

    H9
    "Appreciation of audio is a completely subjective human experience. Measurements can provide a measure of insight, but are no substitute for human judgment. Why are we looking to reduce a subjective experience to objective criteria anyway? The subtleties of music and audio reproduction are for those who appreciate it. Differentiation by numbers is for those who do not".--Nelson Pass Pass Labs XA25 | EE Avant Pre | EE Mini Max Supreme DAC | MIT Shotgun S1 | Pangea AC14SE MKII | Legend L600 | BlueSound Node 3 - Tubes add soul!
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