Totem Forest versus B&W 703's

Brad Mitchell Bronze Member Username: Mitchbd Post Number: 48 Registered: Feb-04	Posted on Wednesday, November 17, 2004 - 07:38 GMT Time for speakers. I have a NAD T773, and am looking at the above models to plant on either side of the screen. I've heard (and love) the Totems... but have not really heard the B&W's. Anyone have ideas? Looking to spend up to $5000 per pair - so if anyone has any other suggestions - let me know!
Jonathan Silver Member Username: Jonmoon Post Number: 141 Registered: Dec-03	Posted on Wednesday, November 17, 2004 - 10:51 GMT Those are nice picks. Also, the usual suspects: Magnepan or Martin Logan. The only other thought is the Hyperion HPS-938 which I have never heard and don't know if it matches with NAD but I have seen it highly reviewed. It is $4,000 and is compared to equipment (in the reviews) costing 4x that. http://www.enjoythemusic.com/superioraudio/equipment/1104/hyperionhps983.htm http://www.6moons.com/audioreviews/hyperion/938.html http://www.stereotimes.com/speak100704.shtm
Frank Abela Silver Member Username: Frank_abela Berkshire UK Post Number: 191 Registered: Sep-04	Posted on Wednesday, November 17, 2004 - 18:08 GMT Brad What are you powering the speakers with? Do you have surround aspirations? The B&W centrre is massive (tall), so the Totems might be the better option by default. Sonically, the B&Ws are quite different to the Totems. You'd think they sound bigger but they don't. They have a sweeter midrange I think, although the Forests have been updated recently and I haven't heard the new ones. The Totems are easier to place in the room typically and have a lighter, fleeter feel about them than the B&Ws. Regards, Frank.
Brad Mitchell Bronze Member Username: Mitchbd Post Number: 49 Registered: Feb-04	Posted on Wednesday, November 17, 2004 - 19:34 GMT Thanks for the tips thus far guys. Frank - as mentioned in my post, I'll be driving them with a NAD T773 receiver. Music and HT are about a 40/60 split respectively - at least until I set up a dedicated listen room. Thanks for the input... more is appreciated!
Jonathan Silver Member Username: Jonmoon Post Number: 142 Registered: Dec-03	Posted on Thursday, November 18, 2004 - 01:34 GMT Brad, saw in another post you really liked the Sonus Faber Stradivaris. Are those speakers your pick? Are they in the price range? Do they go with the NAD receiver?
Brad Mitchell Bronze Member Username: Mitchbd Post Number: 51 Registered: Feb-04	Posted on Thursday, November 18, 2004 - 02:02 GMT Jonathan... In an ideal world those would be my pick. Unfortunately they cost about $40000 - so a little out of my price range. I'd have to consider new electronics for those as well! Sadly - still in the hunt for something else.... If anyone wants to donate to the cause... I'll gladly accept!
Jonathan Silver Member Username: Jonmoon Post Number: 143 Registered: Dec-03	Posted on Thursday, November 18, 2004 - 14:24 GMT Oh. Ooops!
Frank Abela Silver Member Username: Frank_abela Berkshire UK Post Number: 198 Registered: Sep-04	Posted on Thursday, November 18, 2004 - 16:15 GMT Brad, D'oh! Stupid me - of course it's surround sound. You mention up to $5000 per pair. Does this mean the Totem Mani-2's come into the frame? If so you HAVE to listen to them, although they're really difficult to drive and may cause your amp to run away squealing in terror. If that happens, coach it back and stick with the Forests. But if the Mani-2s work with the 773, you will be a very very happy dude. Very possibly my next speaker... Regards, Frank.
Brad Mitchell Bronze Member Username: Mitchbd Post Number: 53 Registered: Feb-04	Posted on Friday, November 19, 2004 - 00:25 GMT I have looked at them, and considered them. I'll have a listen to them shortly - but I am concerned about driving them.
Baldev Grewal Bronze Member Username: Buckcrazy Post Number: 32 Registered: Nov-04	Posted on Saturday, November 20, 2004 - 17:23 GMT i was bowled over by b&w so needless to say i got 603 602 and 600lcr setup
Jonathan Silver Member Username: Jonmoon Post Number: 147 Registered: Dec-03	Posted on Tuesday, November 23, 2004 - 22:15 GMT Just want to throw in another review (this time a user review) of the Hyperions. Based on the raves, if I had $4,000 to buy mains, I might check these out: http://forum.audiogon.com/cgi-bin/frr.pl?rspkr&1098882155&read&3&4&

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