Totem "Fire" Element series monitors


I see in a article from CEPro magazine (online) that Totem unveiled their new "Element" speaker line up, featuring speakers that utilize "crossoverless" woofers (full range) in their array.
I'm curious to know if anyone has had a chance to hear/audition these speakers yet? I guess they had a demo room set up at CES this year?
I believe some of the speakers in this line are available currently. Wondering if they are as successful sounding as other attemps offered over the years, using similar design methodology. If I'm not mistaken, I belive higher end pieces offered by Sonus Faber in the past - Electa and Minima Amators, as well as the Extremas - and the more budget minded Triangle loud speakers, all were mostly using basically full range woofer designs, with simple crossover network for the tweeter, to much success. Couild be a little off here.
Anyway, I'm interested to hear these and perhaps give em a go. I like the idea of having better dynamic control over the drivers, with the least amount of passive crossover components to congest things.
Anyone get a go at these yet?
avgoround

Showing 1 response by ejr1953

I've been a long-time B&W fan and expected to upgrade from a pair of CM5's to the 805 diamonds. After a long audition, comparing the 805's to the Totem "Fire" monitors, I ordered a set of the Totems. Let's face it, both speakers are just plain outstanding! I'm not sure I'd say one was "better" than the other, though I preferred the more "forward" bass & midrange and the less "bright" highs, as well as the "depth" of the stereo image from the Totems. Though both speakers were technically very accurate, I also thought the Totems were a little more "musical". As I have a Velodyne Optimum 10 subwoofer, the low bass wasn't really an issue. I suspect, at this level, it's really a matter of personal preference, more than "objective" differences.