I read that Totems are designed for free space positioning. Had anyone had the monitors work OK close to the wall, as within about 6 inches away?
I'm big on WAF even though I'm single. I like my hi-fi to look as beautiful as it sounds good.Also the quality of the finish gives them a vey high WAF.
Were they the Arro
I read that Totems are designed for free space positioning. Had anyone had the monitors work OK close to the wall, as within about 6 inches away?
Pretty hard to beat for the size I imagine. The closest other speaker I know is the one monitor audio radius series.Most likely. I’ve looked through their legacy models and these look closest.
I have heard the arros are quite amazing in a larger room.Excellent speakers IME, I had Mites, Arros, Model 1 and heard Model 1 Signatures and I think Hawks on a good few occasions, the arros are a surprisingly capable speaker for such a small main driver, they worked well in small rooms but sounded even better in a larger room in freespace.
What didn't you like about them?Had the original Model One and the later Signature version.
Really liked the original, less impressed with the Signature.
Also had a pair of Arros and Mites which were perfectly decent but not amazing.
Your comments on those specific Totem speakers are exactly what I heard as well.I strongly considered the Forest back before settling on the Royd Albion. I ultimately decided I didn't like the character of the bass (a bit lumpy and one note). I really liked the Arro for a small system: super quick. I remember the Model One having a really nice midrange, but didn't boogie as much as I wanted at the time.
Of course, all of this is ancient memory. I've not heard any of them in quite white.
Keep your Mani 2’s ! Nothing compares to them in Totem’s actual line of product, confirmed by one of the owners of Totem when met in an audio show in Montreal, Canada.I've been using a pair of Totem Mani-2s in my system for around 25 years, and still like them a lot (They're usually driven by a tubed Audio Research VT100 MkII amplifier, but also work decently with a Rotel RB1080). I also have a pair of Model 1 Signature, which are a notch below but more than adequate for a home theater DUTY with their matching center speaker.
At the time I purchased the Mani-2s, I auditioned quite a few speakers from the likes of Wilson, Martin Logan, Thiel as well as various British models (ProAc, Rogers, etc.) and they came on top (the Thiel CS3.x? being the runner up). Based on their size and look, they may seem expensive, but they are very balanced and enjoyable with very little flaws (they are quite demanding in terms of positioning, and have less bass than other models even at lower prices). They've also aged very well.
I haven't heard the more contemporary Totems though...