For nearly four decades, Montreal-based Totem Acoustic has been a leader in developing loudspeakers capable of reproducing a genuinely musical and involving experience.
Entering its 37th year of operation, Totem Acoustic has introduced its most affordable bookshelf loudspeaker. At $1,299/pair the Totem LOON Monitor joins other bookshelf models including the Bison Monitor ($2,250/pair), Signature One ($3,500/pair) and Element Fire V2 ($7,500/pair). In addition LOON can also be used as rear surround speakers with the Bison Series.
Totem Acoustic says its new LOON as its namesake implies, has an entrancing, hypnotic and mystical ability to transmit sound in a fluid and completely engaging manner. Like a Loon, transferring not only sound but a mysterious, sonic energy that endlessly engages… transferring deep emotion, speed and balance within a quasi-full range sound experience.
As Totem Acoustic’s smallest bookshelf speaker, LOON should work best in smaller listening spaces, while carrying on the brand’s award-winning performance set decades ago from the original Model 1 (discontinued).
LOON Compared
| LOON | Bison Monitor | Signature One | Element Fire V2 | |
| MSRP | $1,299/pair | $2,250/pair | $3,500/pair | $7,500/pair |
| Design: | Ported 2-way design | Ported 2-way design | Ported 2-way design | Ported 2-way design |
| Recommended Power: | 20-110W | 30-150W | 50-200W | 50-250W |
| Frequency Response (±3 dB) | 51 Hz – 26 kHz | 40 Hz – 29.5 kHz | 45 Hz – 22 kHz | 30 Hz – 22 kHz |
| Woofer: | 5.75” woofer with copper clad voice coil | 5.25″ (13.335 cm) long throw (3 inch Voice Coil) | 6.5″ (16.51 cm) 3″ (7.62 cm) voice coil | 7″ Torrent |
| Tweeter: | 1” (2.54 cm) laser etched textile soft dome tweeter | 1.3″ (33 mm) Laser Etched Textile Soft Dome | 1″ (2.54 cm) aluminum dome, chambered | 1″ (2.54 cm) Titanium dome with 3/8″ aluminum faceplate |
| Impedance: | 8 Ohm | 8 Ohm | 8 Ohm | 8 Ohm |
| Sensitivity: | 87 dB | 87 dB | 87.5 dB | 88 dB |
| Placement from rear wall: | 6” – 3′ | 6″ – 3′ (15.2 – 91.44 cm) | 1′ – 3′ (30.48 – 91.44 cm_ | As little as 6″, but varies based on electronics and room acoustics |
| Placement distance apart: | 3’ – 8’ | 3′ – 10′ (91.44 – 304.8 cm) | 4′ – 12′ (121.92 – 365.76 cm) | As little as 2′, but varies based on electronics and room acoustics |
| Break-in Time: | 70-100 hours | 70-100 hours | 100-150 hours | 200-300 hours |
| Crossover Frequency: | 2.5kHz (first order) | 2.5 kHz (first order) | 2.5 kHz compensated, 2nd order | First order crossover on tweeter only |
| Speaker Terminals: | 4 way Bi-Wire-able | 4 way Bi-Wire-able | Bi-wireable, Gold WBT connectors | Bi-wireable, Platinum WBT connectors with Annealed aluminum plate |
| Weight: | 8.5 lbs | 29.75 lbs (13.49 kg) | 23.1 lbs (10.5kg) | 32.4 lbs (14.74kg) |
| Width: | 6″ | 6.732″ (171mm) | 7.67″ (19.5 cm) | 8.81″ (22.38 cm) |
| Height: | 10.75” | 13.110″ (33.3 cm) | 13.77″ (35 cm) | 16.6″ (42.164 cm) |
| Depth: | 8” (8.375” with grill) | 9.567″ (24.3 cm) 9.961″ (with grille) (25.3 cm) | 10.62″ (27 cm) | 11.7″ (29.718 cm) |
In the words of chief designer Vince Bruzzese, “The LOON monitor offers a very uncomplicated placement, virtually a Plug n’ Play loudspeaker that yields great sonics even when listening from over 45 degrees off-axis. Bass is deep and tight, yet not exaggerated, with an excellent impact and decay all from a very small cabinet. Furthermore, there is absolutely no sense of boxiness in the sound and voices never sound congested.”
The LOON is said to produce full bandwidth sound even at low volume, all the while with astonishing imaging. Totem also claims LOON sounds fabulous with all genres of music at any listening volume.
Price & Availability
The Totem Acoustic LOON has an MSRP of $1,299/pair USD and is now shipping in Black Ash, Black Walnut (new) and Satin White.
LOON will be actively displayed during AXPONA, APRIL 12 – 14, 2024 in suite 378 at the Schaumburg Convention Center, Chicago, IL.
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