Totem v/s Monitor Audio

[ken88]

Both manufacturers make great speakers. Which one, in your opinion, makes better speakers in the same price range in terms of clarity, sound stage, imaging, vocals, instrumentation reproduction, etc, etc. Thanks for all the input.

[JohnMichael]

Both manufacturers make great speakers. Which one, in your opinion, makes better speakers in the same price range in terms of clarity, sound stage, imaging, vocals, instrumentation reproduction, etc, etc. Thanks for all the input.

I have a pair of Monitor Audio RS6's but have not yet heard Totem speakers. Monitor Audio speakers are what I think of as leading edge transient speakers. Very good with the attack but not much decay. To my ears the music is not complete. It is like a note from a spinet piano as compared to a full note from a grand piano. I tried every position in the room but try as hard as I might I could not like them for very long.

They do have clarity and they are okay with imaging. They just do not make music for me. I have a smaller stand mount speaker the Mobile Fidelity OML1's which image better and their smaller more solid cabinet allow for better soundstaging. Opposite of the MA RS6's they have good note decay but less attack.

What size of room do you have for your new speakers? What is your budget? Are you interested in floor standers or stand mount?

Lately I have been enjoying a new speaker. I find it gives me the best of both speakers. The best imaging of the three. A good balance of attack and decay. Great clarity and excellent detail. Now I am ready to move the MA RS6's to someone else's home.

[ken88]

I am comparing, say, the floor standing Totem Sttaf v/s Monitor RX 8. Any opinions?? Thanks.

[Mr Peabody]

I personally would choose the Totem. MA can be system dependent, on the wrong gear I would find them a bit fatiguing, but that's my taste, the highs are very lively, they do have good bass. The Totem I've heard had a balanced frequency response, no one area drew attention to itself but nothing was lacking either, and excellent imaging.

What will you be driving them with? Just stereo or are you doing home theater?

[ken88]

I have the receiver Anthem MRX 700 to drive the 5.1 speakers system. I will be using the Totem /MA as front speakers and I listen mostly to music although I watch movies 25% of the time.

[Mr Peabody]

I'm not familiar with the Anthem receiver so not sure which would mate best. What are you using for center?