1. Home
  2. speakers
  3. 1085950938

Can the Totem Hawk Rock?

I was told by a dealer, who distributes both Totem and B&W that the Hawks are superior in every way to the B&W 704 except for volume (Note: the 704 is an excellent speaker). This particular dealer does not stock the Hawk, because he stocks the Staff and claims the two are so close in sound. I already know from second-hand research that I would prefer the Hawk over the Staff. However, I hate to ask the dealer to bring in the Hawk specially for me if there’s a chance I might not like their sound - thus my thread. I appreciate quick detail, image and clarity, a good soundstage, etc., but I do like to crank up the volume when the wife and kids are away. I'm from the old-school and like to "feel" the music right in my chest. When the dealer said the Totem's wouldn’t play as loud as the B&W's I thought I should ask you Agoners before I drive 3 hrs to listen to a pair of speakers that the dealer would have to bring in specially for me to demo. I've demo'd the 704's and was impressed with their ability to play loud, but I was not that happy with their overall sound.
Note: My listening room is small (12 x 15) - due to layout, I'm forced set up and listen between the shorter distance (12 feet). I can bring the speakers out 18 - 20 inches without freaking the wife out too much (that is the max though!)

Thanks in advance to your responses. Keep in mind, my budget is only $2,200.00 max. so no need to remind me of all the really great, but pricey, speaker choices.
2chnlben
spacekadet
63 posts
 
I'd again recommend the Totem Hawk for your situation. They certainly can't play as loud as the B&Ws, but in your small room, 100dB (which they can definitely play without compromising sound quality @ about 2m away) will cause serious ear damage if you listen for more than couple of hours.

If you're a party animal and need to blast windows and shake walls, look elsewhere. But I think the Totems will serve you right. I have not demoed any Thiel speakers, so I can't quite comment on those, but I hear they're excellent as well.

I've demoed the B&W 704s and the Totem Hawks with less than 2 minute break between them (in Singapore's Adelphi building) and I liked the Hawks better. It was quicker, had extremely good imaging (didn't try too much off-axis) and awesome soundstage. Plus they're significantly smaller than the B&Ws so it'll be nice for your small room.

As for the lack of bass extension mentioned by Exertfluffer, I dissagree. The Totem Hawks were certainly missing the very bottom octave, but they weren't designed to reproduce the very low 20Hz-35Hz frequencies. But they had very good bass response when I demoed them in a room about your size. It was nicely detailed, quick and loud enough. If you are obsessed like many of my friends are, you'll need a sub-woofer, even for the B&Ws. The bass does go a little mushy if you really turn up the volume (again, probably an uncomfortable level for your room).

I'd recommend that you actually do take a day or a weekend off to demo the Hawks and the Thiel speakers. It'll be worth it and see which one YOUR ears prefer before you spend $2200.

Good luck,

Seong
2chnlben OP
595 posts
 
Thanks Spacekadet. I look forward to auditioning that speaker. Rbstehno has peaked my curiousity about the Mani 2's. I've been reading about them. I learned something new - that a small bookshelf can actually produce good deep bass. The Mani's are expensive though. I might be interested in used.
nrchy's avatar
nrchy
2,111 posts
 
No, but I tipped one over once and you should have seen it roll!
2chnlben OP
595 posts
 
Nrchy. VERY nice system!! I would love it. But, I am asking people to comment on "real-world" budget speakers! What I wanted to know, is, FOR THE MONEY (approx. $2,200) what are the best performing speakers. I think Totem, Thiel, Green Mountain, the little Von Schweikerts and even B&W are "good" speakers in that budget range. If I won the lottery, I would opt for your speakers!

Thanks anyway.

2chnlben
rbstehno
916 posts
 
i have auditioned many different brands and types of speakers before deciding on the totems. the thiels were too bright for me and did not have any bottom end what so ever. b&w speakers, just so-so, nothing stood out. joseph, from their bookshelf to the pearls, audio physic, all very nice. revel studios and salons, wilson watt puppy 7's, wilson maxx, vandersteen 5a, all very nice and if i had a HUGE room to play them in. with the totem's, they just produce a musical sound that i can listen to for very long periods of time without fatigue and they cost quite a bit less compared to the revels, vandersteens, wilsons, etc. i have had 3 pairs of totems so far and have been very pleased up to this point.
totem also does some amazing things to get a big sound from such a small speaker. read the reviews on the totem arros (i also have a pair of these). reviewers are amazed on the big sound coming from a 4" woofer. (before i get blasted from somebody, i would not recommend this speaker if the listener wants to rattle the windows in a 30' x 15' room).
the only way to audition a pair of speakers is to install them in your home, using your own equipment, in your own room. that is going to be the only way you will know if they will sound the way you want them to. there are many decent deals on audiogon and other places for used totem speakers right now. go to the different audio sights and read the different reviews on the speakers you're interested in. then make a good deal with an audiogon'r on a newer used pair and
listen to them in your environment. if you don't like them, sell them for what you paid for them and do it again until you find what you are looking for. for $2200, there are a lot of choices.
good luck!
More to discover