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Questions on Totem Hawks & Von Schweikert VR2

Hi. I am intersted in upgrading my current Vandersteen 1C speakers to a full-sized speaker that more closely matches my musical tastes (rock of all kinds, trip hop). My budget is around the $1500 mark used, and I am very happy with my current amp (Sim Audio I-5) and source (Sim Audio Nova), so I don't want to change them; I'm only considering changing my speakers.

I've done a lot of research here and elsewhere. Based on what I have read, I have narrowed my list to two speakers that I feel would be a good match for my system and my music: Totem Hawk & Von Schweikert VR2.

My living room is 22'x14'x8', but the listening area is more like 14'x14'. Other considerations include having to place the speakers no more than 18" from the long wall, the presence of small kids (ages 7 & 4), and that I live in an apartment. I don't generally blast my music, but do listen to "lively" music, so I want more "punch." I am still pleased with my Vandy's, but think that I can do better match-wise.

My concern with the Hawks relate to ease of being driven by the I-5's 70 wpc (I've read mixed things here), and my concern with the VR2s is the apparent need for them to be placed 2-3 feet from the wall (not possible for me). I am not interested in bookshelf speakers, and my reading has led me to these two speakers because of perceived quality, match with my music/equipment, size (smaller compared to my vandy's), value/price, and sonic characteristics. Any insights or suggestions would be greatly appreciated. Thanks, - Steve
walkman
eslaudio
118 posts
 
I have a pair of Hawks in a room approximately your same size with the speakers about 18" out from the back wall. My listening area is actually a bit far from the speakers (around 15'). Despite the less than ideal listening set up, the Hawks still impress me with their large holographic soundstage. Though they have good bass for their size, I wouldn't call them full-range. You eventually may want to augment with a sub for bass-heavy music like trip hop.
mechans
2,999 posts
 
I own the VR2s, for the best soundstaging and to accomodate the rear firing ambient sound tweeter, I do have them pulled out from the wall about 2 feet. They are very very good speakers for the money good WAF as well. You can get them from a great Agon dealer "Quest for Sound", I would give him a call (trust me you would be happy you did). They don't sound bad without all that space behind them if your not looking for finest detail. My concern is that they are not really "headbanger" speakers, but coming from little vandys they may do the trick with double 6.5 woofers. The totems I have heard are widely variable in terms of a house sound. Some have a lot of definition and presence others sound dead to me. I don't know if the Hawks fall into the flatter sounding group. I agree that volume is key here.
walkman OP
50 posts
 
Thanks all for the prompt and informed responses. Much appreciated.

Interesting thoughts on the "volume" issue for the Hawks and the Forests. I contacted Totem, and they said that the Hawks would be a better fit with the I-5 than the Forests -- that the Forests would not be as dynamic sounding as they could be due to the (lack of high) power output from the I-5 -- even though the specs of the Hawks and Forests would suggest that the Forests would be easier to drive.

All in all, my concerns with the Hawks are driveability from my I-5, and my concerns with the VR2s are proximity to the rear wall. If others have heard both and can comment on preferred suitability to my music (which is not going to be blaring, but "is what it is"), then those thoughts would also be greatly appreciated.

In terms of my music, I'm not routinely playing heavy metal or thrash, but often listen to stuff like the Stones, Alice in Chains, Queens of the Stoneage, A Perfect Circle, REM, Morphine, Beck, Doors, Aimee Mann, Coldplay, Dandy Warhols, etc. and various Acid Jazz.

thx, - steve
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drubin
3,240 posts
 
Did you consider moving up the Vandersteen line to the 2c or perhaps the 3A?
mimberman
299 posts
 
I'll chime in here since I'm both a Totem owner, and listen to similar tunes.

I think the Hawks will ultimately work better in your room and with your gear. It's not that the Vandys aren't great speakers, because they are, but I find the Hawks particularly adept at integrating into difficult environments, while still preserving their uncanny imaging. Furthermore, I've done a good deal of listening to Sim and Totem gear, and find that the i-5 and Nova with the Hawks sounds great (and the i-5 is ideally suited to drive the Hawks). The bass, while not gut rattling, is indeed punchy and articulated, and you can always augment the low frequencies (of any speaker, within reason) by adding a sub. The imaging/soundstaging is pretty uncanny, and these are great looking speakers (I have the Forests in Maple, and love the light colored wood vs. the sleek chrome legs and dark drivers).

Ultimately, if you're buying the Hawks used, you could probably resell them with little to no loss, because they are fairly popular. I'm sure the same goes for the Vandys. It seems like you're just trying to see what the next step would be compared to your speakers now, and if you wanted earth shaking volume capabilities and low frequency extension, then you'd most likely end up replacing your i-5 anyway. At this point I think the Hawks represent a great purchase, IMHO.

Enjoy,

Matt
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