Speaker Asylum: REVIEW: Totem Acoustics Forest Speakers by the analog kid

Model:	Forest
Category:	Speakers
Suggested Retail Price:	$3,000
Description:	Two-way floorstanding speaker
Manufacturer URL:	Totem Acoustics
Manufacturer URL:	Totem Acoustics

Review by the analog kid ( A ) on May 03, 2003 at 06:50:46
IP Address: 35.12.25.231

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for the Forest

I've been suffering from audiophilia nervosa for more than a decade now, and the single most notable symptom has been chronic dissatisfaction with speakers. Most other components in my system have remained stable (stability being defined as a tenure of at least a year), while speakers have come and gone with great rapidity. I began in 1990 with a pair of Acoustat electrostats, which were followed by a string of Silverlines (including SR-12s, SR-17s, and Sonatinas) and Snells (E IVs, Ds, B Minors, and XA60s). As is apparent, I do NOT have a BROAD range of personal experience owning different makes - my experience with speakers is much more narrow (in terms of manufacturers) than my experience with cables (which has been even more obsessive and compulsive).
About two years ago I set up an ancillary system in my office here at MSU, comprised of an Anthem Integrated 1, EAD Transport & D/A, and Totem Arros. I scored the Arros for $500 off of Audiogon - a black oak finish pair (people don't seem to like black oak!) with a few dings, but otherwise in perfect shape. I was COMPLETELY and THOROUGHLY impressed with them. Within my 12x15 office space they provided BEAUTIFUL sound. In particular, they display some non-quantifiable quality to their sound that makes them listenable for hours at a time - it's not "coloration" or anything as gross as that - it's simply when you listen to them (particularly with NOS tubes driving them), you go "ahhh...."
So, after a second (and again dissatisfying) recent go-around with yet another pair of Silverline Sonatinas (I like the resolution, but can't live with the lack of fullness) I decided to explore the top of Totem's two-way tower line-up, the Forest. This was in part at the urging of Galen Carol (my long-time audio dealer), who described them as "one of the finest speakers he's heard." I had several reservations going into the purchase, however. First, I was concerned about adequately driving them. Despite their numbers (8 Ohm and high 80's db), they're rumored to be somewhat power hungry (something I'll discuss more in a minute), and I was afraid my trusty Aleph 30 wouldn't have enough steam. Second, I don't particularly dig mahogany (and can't stand the other finish options, other than black oak, which I didn't want in my reference system). Third, the whole "claw decoupler" thing (see their website) bothered me - I didn't like the way they looked (in the photos they look like cheezy chrome), and I couldn't imagine any speaker WITHOUT heavy spikes sitting firmly on my rather heavy carpet (hello wobble wobble). Galen also warned me about LONG break in. I took the plunge anyways.
About three months ago they arrived, and the first thing I was struck by out of the box was the BEAUTY of their fit and finish. The mahogany is MUCH darker in person than it appears in the web photos, and is BEAUTIFUL. Second, the "claws" LOOK really sweet against the Mahogany, and they (within 24 hours of sitting) settle down firmly in even heavy carpet.
I ran the speakers in for about 75 hours (recommended is OVER 100) on a tuner before doing any critical listening. During the first 50 hours they sounded congested, brittle, edgy, and closed in. WARNING: if you EVER audition these anywhere, make SURE the pair you're listening to has AT LEAST 100 hours on them. They're pretty much worthless until then.
The FIRST thing I noticed (when they WERE broken in) was that in fact, the Aleph 30 did NOT seem capable of driving them properly. But, after playing around with their set up (they ended up 7 feet apart, 43" off of my back wall, toed in so they fire at my shoulders in an equilateral triangle setup - my listening chair being 7' from the tweeters), I realized that they are AMAZINGLY holographic and musical. So, out went the 30, and in came an Aleph 5. The 5 made a WORLD of difference - the 60 watts solid state driving them well.
Having lived with them for two months now (since they've broken in), I have to say I'm FINALLY happy (all around) with a speaker. They have the same "magic" of tone as the little Arros - some undefinable but nevertheless present quality of tone that makes you want to just close your eyes and listen to the music (as opposed to the Sonatinas, which make you want to sit straight up on the edge of your seat, rigidly at attention). Highs are INCREDIBLY pure with seemingly limitless extension. Midrange is rich, full, and exceptionally musical. Bass rolls of pretty quickly in the low 30's, but - and this is important to note - it radically improves with break in, even after 100+ hours. I made the MISTAKE of trying to integate a sub into the system, after noticing that the Forests lacked REALLY low bass (this after about 60-70 hours on them). The sub did nothing but muddy up the sound, and as the speakers passed the 100 hour mark, the bass opened up both in terms of extension downwards and tightness.
The most astonishing thing about the Forests is the sheer AMOUNT of music they put forward. They are NOT large speakers, and even within a relatively small listening room such as mine (22x11) appear "dainty." But the SOUND - they kick ass in a way unrivalled by any other speaker I've owned excepting the large Snells (and their purity of tone exceeds the Snells). They are equally comfortable on complex multi-layered rock (Rush, Smashing Pumpkins, Perfect Circle, Radiohead) and Classical (Vaughn Williams, Mozart, Corelli). Whatever you throw at them, they persevere: musical, never congested, pure, clean, rich, with EXTRAORDINARY punch (astonishing for their size).
Perhaps the best commentary on their quality is that virtually every one of my audio buddies in the area who has heard them has done a double-take, and walked away shaking his head, "damn, I'm going to have to rethink my system...." They truly inspire sonic envy.
So, my pathological (and somewhat pathetic) quest for "reference speaker" has come to an end at last. Every day that goes by finds me only more enamored with my wonderful Forests. They're a joy to look at and listen to, and allow me to obsess on other things instead (Japanese pressings; Nautilus Allman Brothers; table upgrades.....). I have recently decided to see how they fare with even MORE juice, and so recently ordered a new Pass X150.5 amp - I'll post later the results of this pairing.
And finally (forgive my verbosity - please - because my wife certainly doesn't!), it should be noted that these speakers for all their world class performance, do NOT come with a world-class price tag. I got mine brand new for less than $2500 from Galen Carol. You can find them under $2K on Audiogon regularly. INCREDIBLE bang/buck ratio.

Product Weakness: need EXTENSIVE break in (at LEAST 100 hours before they stop sounding edgy), need 50 watts+ to really strut their stuff
Product Strengths: GORGEOUS fit and finish; incredibly pure highs, rich tone, holographic imaging, dynamic punch

Associated Equipment for this Review:
Amplifier:	Pass Labs Aleph 5
Preamplifier (or None if Integrated):	Art Audio Vinyl One
Sources (CDP/Turntable):	Basis 1400/OL Silver 250/Grado Statement
Speakers:	Totem Forest
Cables/Interconnects:	Silversmith Pure Silver
Music Used (Genre/Selections):	Rock, Female Vocal, Classical
Room Size (LxWxH):	22 x 11 x 9
Room Comments/Treatments:	RPG Diffusors
Time Period/Length of Audition:	3 months
Other (Power Conditioner etc.):	Monster HTS2000
Type of Audition/Review:	Product Owner

Product Weakness:	need EXTENSIVE break in (at LEAST 100 hours before they stop sounding edgy), need 50 watts+ to really strut their stuff
Product Strengths:	GORGEOUS fit and finish; incredibly pure highs, rich tone, holographic imaging, dynamic punch