Totem Hawk vs. Dali Helicon 400 Mk1 vs. Dynaudio

polkatese

to upgrade from LSi15? Assuming the budget is $2000 for any of these brands used.

Criteria: resolution, warmth, detailed. In other word, extending LSi15 traits to the next level...

TIA

okiepolkie

Are you specifically looking for a floorstanding speaker?

Out of the three, I've heard the Helicons, and I think they would provide what you are looking for.

If you are open to suggestions, then look at Vienna Acoustics, Sonus Faber, and even Elac. Of course, there are others as well, but these are the ones I've had personal experience with.

I still need to get you some info on the Primare SPA22....forgot about that....

Ern Dog

Well I can only comment on the Dynaudios. I never had the Polk LSi line, but did have Rti10's and upgraded to Dynaudio Focus 220's. A very nuetral, detailed and dynamic speaker. It smoked the Rti10's in every way. I recently upgraded to Tyler Acoustics Linbrook Signature System and these smoked the Dyn's in every way. They are a bit over your budget, but worth every dime. These are livelier, more transparent and detailed than the Dyn's. If you wanted to just get the Linbrook Monitors, they still smoked the Dynos and those are only $1000 used.

BlueFox

polkatese wrote: »

to upgrade from LSi15? Assuming the budget is $2000 for any of these brands used.

Criteria: resolution, warmth, detailed. In other word, extending LSi15 traits to the next level...

Is that $2000 each, or a pair? I can't comment on your choices since I have not owned them, but if possible go for the PSB Synchrony One tower. I replaced my SDA 2s with them and love the upgrade. They provide everything above, and more. Great speakers.

Amazingly, when I use my HT for music (LSi15s all around, and LSiC) I realize how good the Polks are because, while the differance is certainly obvious, they are not so far behind the PSBs as to be unlistenable.

I currently have a PSB Synchrony One C on order to upgrade my LSiC. Hopefully, it will blend in with the LSi15s, otherwise I will also be upgrading the fronts to Synchrony Ones.

http://www.psbspeakers.com/products/Synchrony/Synchrony-Onehttp://www.psbspeakers.com/products/Synchrony/Synchrony-One

You can get a new pair of PSB Synchrony One from these guys for only $3700. For only $1700 more than your budget you can get a fantastic set of speakers.

https://www.digitalcraze.com/Details.asp?ProductID=3718

iskandam

AV123 Rockets beat the LSis in soundstage, detail, and bass. For music the difference is not night and day, but for HT it's quite a significant upgrade

polkatese

Zach, yes, I am interested in floorstanding.

I am looking something in between LSi15 and SF Cremona, hence the budget..
Ern Dog, thanks for the prop on Tyler. BF, I haven't considered PSB and only looking for 2 CH floorstander. iskandam, I looked into Rocket several years ago, but I've been pretty content with LSis for HT.

del44

These would fit your budget. Really great sounding speakers. Just thought I'd throw it out there.
http://http://www.audiogon.com/cgi-bin/cls.pl?spkrfull&1246747317&/Revel-F50-Rosewood

SKsolutions

Had the LSis and loved them for what they could do . . . Heard the Helicons, twice, didn't engage me, even with 15K of CJ gear driving them. Bought some Dyns last year, and am very happy. Every disc or source sounds good and as it should, which is an underrated ability. They are not warm, but they are much more detailed and dynamic when compared to the LSi. Tylers were a strong consideration as well, just never got there.

organ

How about a pair of B&W's?

george daniel

Might wanna' try the Tyler "Taylos Reference Monitors,,can be had used for 700-800,, might need a sub though,,soundstage,imaging,and very revealing for the money,IMHO.(scanspeek revelator tweeter)

mantis

I have heard all listed above speakers and by far the Dynaudio's have them in all departments. Totems are incredible speakers with very nice low extension but I always felt they where chasing after Dynaudio.

It's been years since I have listened to the Dali line, I remember them being very nice. I really can't compare them to the other 2 fairly. It's been to long.

Dynaudio speakers are the next level over the Lsi's. Anyone coming from Lsi would find a whole new level of breath and clarity. More controlled bottom end will be huge. The Lsi 15's are loose down there. The lsi15's midrange and top end are very nice but fall slighty short to anything Dynaudio has to offer.

Good luck with your new setup,

Dan

george daniel

Dan,,have you heard/listened to the Tyler monitors?

mantis

george daniel wrote: »

Dan,,have you heard/listened to the Tyler monitors?

No I have not. Who carries them?

LuSh

I would urge you to listen. Anybody who mentions 'brand X speaker smokes brand Y' probably hasn't been in the game long enough to comment. The most important thing about speakers are how they interact within ones room.

The three mentioned speakers are completely different with regards to how they interact in rooms. I would ask an authorized dealer if you can find one about room placement. I own Dynaudio's and they're very hard to set up correctly. The Totem's are probably more forgiving but render a completely different presentation. I've listened to a number of Dali models with the Mentor 2 as my favorite for performance/price. However room placement was very important again. I think a lot of people offer opinions on set-up's without taking enough account into how the gear was set up. Dynaudio's within 1-2 feet of a back wall will sound heavy, a Dynaudio out into a room 3-4 ft out will sound completely different. I would love to own or purchase Dynaudio C-1's but they'd sound like crap at my place, a lowly PCM DB1+ would be a better fit in MY room.

Find the best speaker which inter-acts with your room the best.

george daniel

mantis wrote: »

No I have not. Who carries them?

To my knowledge they are not in brick and mortar stores,, I got my first listen thru a local polkie. The "mini" and reference monitors can be used against a wall,, to me they sound better a few feet out,,I have a pair of Taylos Monitors about 12-14 inches from the rear and 10 inches from the sides, and with a tweak or three with placement,,they soundstage and image beautifully. YMMV

mantis

george daniel wrote: »

To my knowledge they are not in brick and mortar stores,, I got my first listen thru a local polkie. The "mini" and reference monitors can be used against a wall,, to me they sound better a few feet out,,I have a pair of Taylos Monitors about 12-14 inches from the rear and 10 inches from the sides, and with a tweak or three with placement,,they soundstage and image beautifully. YMMV

Thats unfortunate as I would love to hear a pair. Not to replace my speakers but to hear something different.

Dan

mantis

LuSh wrote: »

I would urge you to listen. Anybody who mentions 'brand X speaker smokes brand Y' probably hasn't been in the game long enough to comment. The most important thing about speakers are how they interact within ones room.

The three mentioned speakers are completely different with regards to how they interact in rooms. I would ask an authorized dealer if you can find one about room placement. I own Dynaudio's and they're very hard to set up correctly. The Totem's are probably more forgiving but render a completely different presentation. I've listened to a number of Dali models with the Mentor 2 as my favorite for performance/price. However room placement was very important again. I think a lot of people offer opinions on set-up's without taking enough account into how the gear was set up. Dynaudio's within 1-2 feet of a back wall will sound heavy, a Dynaudio out into a room 3-4 ft out will sound completely different. I would love to own or purchase Dynaudio C-1's but they'd sound like crap at my place, a lowly PCM DB1+ would be a better fit in MY room.

Find the best speaker which inter-acts with your room the best.

I agree with you on most of your points but 1. If someone says "brand x smokes brand Y" I'm gonna assume there is a good reason for this. I will give an example of a speaker getting "smoked " if you will.

Paradigm Monitor 11's. These speakers play extremely loud and uncontrolled. Ok for metal and loud rock music these speakers are excellent but when you try to get down and technical , they fall apart. So then listen to a pair of Focal 807's. These speakers can play metal and rock just as good as the Monitor 11's but when you play some quick technical cuts, they "smoke" the monitor 11's with sheer detail and grace. Like a beautiful dancer floating over the dance floor. Precision of a craftsman. While the monitor 11's untrained clumpy footstep trip and fall to the ground.

Do you get my meaning??? So making a bold statement like yours I do understand why you said it, but if the person who says it has experience and explains why one would use such a harsh term like "smokes" I would listen.

Dan:cool:

sucks2beme

polkatese wrote: »

to upgrade from LSi15? Assuming the budget is $2000 for any of these brands used.

Criteria: resolution, warmth, detailed. In other word, extending LSi15 traits to the next level...

TIA

Being in that part of California, you should be able to listen to a lot of speakers. If you check local shops for lightly used trades, the possibilities are endless. Here's one I watch all the time, check out the Gallo and Tylers!
http://www.upscaleaudio.com/bNew-Used-Specialsb_c_31.html

reeltrouble1

LuSh wrote: »

I would urge you to listen. Anybody who mentions 'brand X speaker smokes brand Y' probably hasn't been in the game long enough to comment. The most important thing about speakers are how they interact within ones room.

Lush you need post more, I used to chuckle when I would read how this one "killed" that one, now its just getting old in what Venom calls "the race to the bottom". Anyone who uses this "smokes" analogy between similar line competing products is bush and repeating your experience year after year simply leaves you as old bush.

If your looking for more resolution and detail ever consider panels??? Maggies?? SoundLab?? Martin Logan??

Of course whatever you move up too, beware, your in danger to be daned an audio snob by the peanut gallery at CP.

Anyway enjoy the hunt and search you know what you like so I am sure you will get there.

RT1

polkatese

Thanks for all the input guys! time to audition...

markmarc

I'd also chat with Zero, as he has experience with both brands at the same time.

polkatese

yeah, I was hoping for Mr. Sean Totem to chime in...

polkatese

Thanks Sean. Have a blast in Napoli, do what I would not do.

polkatese

Thank you very much for your extensive impressions and feedback on these three lines, Sean. I knew I can always count on you to shed some lights into the subject. I will be pairing the chosen one with the Krell 400xi. From cosmetic and look, I am leaning towards Dali Helicon 400, but not quite sure if my budget can accomodate that. Perhaps Mark I is more realistic dan Mark II version.

Reading your review, I am also sensing that you like Dali quite a bit...

NJPOLKER

polkatese wrote: »

to upgrade from LSi15? Assuming the budget is $2000 for any of these brands used.

Criteria: resolution, warmth, detailed. In other word, extending LSi15 traits to the next level...

TIA

polkatese
Maybe you started a thread answering this question already and I missed it.

Did you purchase a pair of new/used speakers?

cnh

Nice review Zero! I can only comment on the Dali because I have not heard anything else except for some Dynaudio bookshelves which aren't comparable. But as far as the Dalis were concerned my experience was very much as you describe them above.

In this case they were being run by a Primare integrated amp and CDP (their highest model...can't remember the number). It was obvious that the Dalis were not very picky and did not require gobs of power. Otherwise the sound is very much as Zero describes above.

I have yet to here any Totems but the guys here have always had good things to say about them. Lots of good and informative advice above. Good listening, and good luck on your purchase.

cnh

mshan242700

Acoustic Zen Matrix Reference interconnects might add the characteristics you are looking for with your current speakers. I forgot if Acoustic Zen Satori was their matching speaker wire.

Reference I was all copper, Reference II added a strand of silver.

Should be available used on Audiogon at very competitive prices.

I owned these cables many years ago, and based upon acoustic memory, I suspect these might work really well with your Krell integrated.

polkatese

NJPOLKER wrote: »

polkatese
Maybe you started a thread answering this question already and I missed it.

Did you purchase a pair of new/used speakers?

Nope. things are still at a status quo at this point. I can get a good deal on the Dali, but lately I haven't had time to think about this. Last year I thought I want to hear something different, but my priority was to replace REF50S2 first. I did that a few weeks ago and got a Marantz AV8003. I am still going through burn-in with it, it is paired with the SF Cremona and so far pretty impressed with the clarity and analog quality of the Pro.

NJPOLKER

Which Dali's are you looking at or interested in?

polkatese

This is would be something that I'll be all over if it's local:

http://www.audiogon.com/cgi-bin/cls.pl?spkrfull&1271825875&/Dali-Helicon-400MKI-glossy-lac

I think you oughta check it out, looks like an awesome audiophile room the owner (Carlos) has there. NJ to NY in a NY second?

Price is also very reasonable compared to the other listing, and it looks very minty....

NJPOLKER

That's exactly what I was looking at Any suggestions? Other than going to listen to them of course.