Anyone running Totem Forests w/Dreamcatcher subs?


Thinking about a sub (a pair, ideally) to round out the lower octave from the Forests. Only need a bit more low end and the Dreamcatcher is sized right to fit my small listening area. Ideally, I won't know they are there. Hoping to hear from anyone with experience - especially regarding how these subs blend in. Comments and guidance welcome. Thanks very much.
128x128ghosthouse

Showing 5 responses by ghosthouse

Folks -
Thanks for the input...
I'm mainly IN LOVE with the sound from the Forests. Just that every once in a while I'm thinking bass ought to be a little stronger (very recording specific too). Not so much deeper, just a tad bit louder (and I do mean just a little). Maybe need to move more air. Does that make sense?

Mickeyf - do you run a PASS X250? You might be on to something...but this H-1 seems to have plenty of grunt (though probably not like the Pass). I can overdrive the Forests (e.g., Medeski Martin & Wood Combustication, "Latin Shuffle"), so I think it is them and not the amp. But you know what they say...there's no substitute for horsepower.

JM & DG - what amps are you using.

Thanks again to all.
DG - Thanks. Folks at Totem replied to an email I sent and recommended the Storm (little bro. of Thunder) and not the Dreamcatcher. I'd appreciate any info about how you placed the sub. Thanks.
JJM -
Thanks for the reply...I have heard GREAT stuff about Plinius (esp. 9100/9200?) with Forests. I'm driving mine now with a JAS H-1 hybrid tube amp (EL34 power tubes; transistor pre-amp) Mainly I get great bass from the Forests...much more than you'd expect looking at the size of the drivers. 95% or more of the time I'm very happy. Maybe I'm chasing something I shouldn't? Was seeking to address comments from visitors that the Forests "aren't full range".
Forgot I'd posted this question. An update (especially for others running Totem Forests and wondering about low freq output). Some months back I replaced the JAS H-1 hybrid w/Consonance Cyber 800SEs and Cyber Ref 50 pre-amp. No longer thinking about sub-woofers. It wasn't the speakers. It was the amp, or, probably more correctly, not enough watts (and/or "damping"???) Interesting to also find that on some recordings with bass that I initially thought "over drove" the Forests (certain passages where bass was not well controlled)...these now sound just fine(e.g. Latin Shuffle on MMW "Combustication"; "(Kiss the Frog?)" on P.Gabriel's "US". It has been an education.
Mickey and Bj -
Thanks for your input. Bj - I'm sure you are right about the Forest freq. response but honestly, right now, for what I listen to, the Forests are fine. I really don't feel like I'm missing anything BUT that is a function of education and it is entirely possible that if I heard my favorite music on other lower bass capable speakers, I'd get the yen for something more. That's unlikely to happen in the near term, however. Right now trying to optimize stage depth in a less than ideal listening area. Thanks again for your commments. (btw - any recommendations for CD/SACD recordings w/great stage depth?)

Ciao