DCM Time Frame TF350 S$800
Totem Model 1 S$1500
Vandersteen 2CE Signature S$3500
Cabasse Baltic/Thor II S$POA [coming soon]
Always bought new. Started out with the DCM time frames back in 1990. They are a cheap and good pair of spks and the thing is, they're still in good working condition playing in my Dad's house.
The Totem monitors were imaging kings. Still love them, but hated the treble hardness which couldn't seem to go away with different amps. One of the hardest to match.
With the Vandersteens, I got lots of bass and very nice mids. Seemed to work well with anything and hard not to like. Treble [again] was problematic and could sound harsh when pushed. Imaged even better than the Totem(!). Wasn't as fast as high efficiency single driver type spks.
Looked for high efficiency spks which could reproduce the full freq spectrum without throwing away anything and NOT sounding boxy. Needless to say, this upgrade would be the most significant for me. I also own a pair of Cabasse Farellas for HT and loved the tweeter. So investigated their eyeball spks - starting with the iO paired with the Thor II sub. I was amazed at how these spks disappeared and the music was so natural it didn't seem like I was listening to hifi, just music. So I've taken the plunge and gone for the bigger Baltic II/Thor II.
Totem Model 1 S$1500
Vandersteen 2CE Signature S$3500
Cabasse Baltic/Thor II S$POA [coming soon]
Always bought new. Started out with the DCM time frames back in 1990. They are a cheap and good pair of spks and the thing is, they're still in good working condition playing in my Dad's house.
The Totem monitors were imaging kings. Still love them, but hated the treble hardness which couldn't seem to go away with different amps. One of the hardest to match.
With the Vandersteens, I got lots of bass and very nice mids. Seemed to work well with anything and hard not to like. Treble [again] was problematic and could sound harsh when pushed. Imaged even better than the Totem(!). Wasn't as fast as high efficiency single driver type spks.
Looked for high efficiency spks which could reproduce the full freq spectrum without throwing away anything and NOT sounding boxy. Needless to say, this upgrade would be the most significant for me. I also own a pair of Cabasse Farellas for HT and loved the tweeter. So investigated their eyeball spks - starting with the iO paired with the Thor II sub. I was amazed at how these spks disappeared and the music was so natural it didn't seem like I was listening to hifi, just music. So I've taken the plunge and gone for the bigger Baltic II/Thor II.