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Request advice-need "brighter" speakers than Totem Hawks

Hi All-
Love the community here; first time poster.
My gear:
i have a pair of Totem Hawks, driven by Sim Audio W-5 amp and P-5 pre. I listen primarily to Redbook CDs via a Marantz SA8005. Cables are all Audience AU24SE. I listen both through a modded Eastern Electric DAC (op amp upgraded, tube removed) and direct from CDP to preamp (teensy sound difference between DAC/no DAC, if any). My medium sized room is pretty dead sonically (carpet, textile window coverings).

My Issue:
The high frequencies are uncrisp, rolled off severely, muted, and just lacking generally, especially on contemporary works (jazz, rock). I don’t hear cymbals, hi-hats, or rich, crisp snare drums (yeah, I’m a drummer). Listening to my favorite disks is a deeply disappointing experience, Though classical sounds ok to fine. I am thinking that I need brighter speakers than the Hawks (though there are numerous folks who extoll Sim Audio plus Totem speakers, something is not right. I do have a bit of hi-freq. hearing loss from playing percussion for over 40 years (amateur), but I’ve heard a number of less expensive systems that sound better to me. My first thought is to go for a used pair of B&Ws (CM5s?) or Vandersteens (assuming good WAF on the latter) to swap out for the Hawks. I’m on a budget, but am not above selling some of the current gear to pay for the right equipment.

I would love love to hear some suggestions or alternate diagnoses/ideas. I am not limiting myself to speakers; I’ve tried a bunch of different cables to no good effect. Analysis Plus silver cables, for example, were a disaster with this gear, for example, FYI. Thanks in advance for any sage thoughts you choose to offer. -Bruce


bheiman

Showing 5 responses by erik_squires

erik_squires
5,268 posts
 
Not a cut, but make sure you have your hearing checked if you are a drummer. :)

Also make sure you are comparing the sounds you hear to the listener's perspective, not the players! :)

But still, if you want bright, to varying degrees:

Thiel
B&W
Triangle
Golden Ear

Of course, there's also choices for tone controls, including digital EQ's which may resolve your issues without requiring new speakers. Up to you.

Best,

Erik
erik_squires
5,268 posts
 
bheiman,

I'm afraid I'm not a fan of any of the brands I recommended! :) I find them too bright for me, which means they may be just what you like.

If I truly wanted the very best, slightly bright speakers I'd think of Magico's, followed far behind by Wilson's.

However, my preference is for objectively neutral, so in affordable I would go for Monitor Audio. Older Monitor Audio may be more like what you are looking for as they were a bit brighter than they are now.

I was a little worried about how you were listening. ;-) I mean, make yourself happy, but recordings are meant to reproduce a different perspective than being in the middle of the stage, so it's good to keep that in mind when listening.

Best,


Erik
erik_squires
5,268 posts
 
@stereo5 It would help your argument if you compared Golden Ear speakers to others you felt had similar tonal balances.

Best,

Erik
erik_squires
5,268 posts
 
Try this quick experiment. Sit and listen with a pair of hard bound books. Remember those? :) Otherwise LP covers will work. Lift them up about a foot from your head to either side, so that they form a 45 degree angleto your ears and the speakers.

Does this fix your problem? If so your room may be too well damped, especially to the sides and behind your listening location.

Other cheap fixes include replacing any interconnect with plain-jane cheap RCA cables.

One thing I wonder about is the impedance of the speakers. I can't find a curve to answer but there's an interesting discussion here:

http://www.avsforum.com/forum/89-speakers/928498-totem-acoustic-owner-s-thread-16.html

It is possible that there's something in the crossover design that makes them difficult to drive. Not sure why, should be a very straightforward design unless there was a lot of EQ added. The fix for this type of issue is a beefier amp.

Best,


Erik
erik_squires
5,268 posts
 
Well don’t fully self diagnose yourself yet!

I had that problem and it turned out to be wax build up so serious it required a technician. I switched to using a lotion soap, and thoroughly washing and rinsing with the shower head which has prevented recurrence.

Point is, make sure you have what you think you have. Talk to a doctor and get examined first.

Best,

Erik
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