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Best speaker match suggestions for ARCAM FMJ S/S

I am currently running Totem Arros with
* all ARCAM FMJ S/S gear (A-32integrated / CD-23 CDP / T-21 tuner);
* pair of 24ft runs of single (non-biwired)Totem Tress speaker cable & matched jumpers (I used to have Atlantis bi-wires in a shorter configuration); and
* ATLAS Navigator ICs
* entry-level power cords: Virtual Dynamics / Cardas /
* electronics sitting on a Mapleshade Samson audio equipment rack with Mapleshade Surefoot & Heavyfoot component footers.


After the house renos, the WAF dynamics now require that I set up the speakers lengthwise shooting in a LR (17'L x 13'W) that open in turn through partial walls into a DR of (13'L x 13'W)

THE PROBLEM: The sound is getting lost and probably I need to upgrade; probably starting with the speakers.

My Questions:

I do want to upfrade into better speakers in the $2000 -$3000 Audiogon range. I very much like Totem but would I do better for system synergies with British speakers? (e.g: Spendor, Neat, Harbeth, Linn, PMC/ others)

Can anyone comment on their personal ARCAM FMJ experiences with Totem or any of the above?

many thanks,
akg_ca
calgarian5355
148 posts
 
Great choice of speaker with the Totem Forests! Yes, power cords do make a HUGE difference, especially with sources. Perhaps you should consider upgrading power cords on your other equipment as well. I, personally, would not change the atlas speaker cables for silver ones (for the tweeters). Atlas makes a good product, and copper works very well with the Arcam equipment you have....but you can certainly give it a try and report back. As I mentioned in my previous post, I really like your choice of interconnect as well; the Navigator All-Cu's are smooth!

calgarian
Post removed 
rbstehno
1,645 posts
 
for music listening, the forest speakers do not need a sub. if your sound is anemic sounding thru the forests, either you are not driving the speaker with the correct amount of power, or your source equipment is at fault. starting with the hawks on up, totem provides ample bass for 2 channel listening. for example, i now use totem mani 2's in my different rooms. when i first got them, i used a yamaha dsp receiver (140 claimed watts) to power a set of mani's for my ht setup. the sound was terrible. anemic, dull, etc... i had a pair of good quality monoblocks (around 150 watts) that i used to power another set of mani's for my 2 channel setup and the sound was totally different: very musical, big bottom end, and much faster sounding. with the other totems speakers i have owned in the past (model 1's, arros, in-walls), they thrived on a good quality amp with lots of power.
akg_ca OP
2,479 posts
 
update:

I sold my Totem Forests and swapped in Rega R9 speakers biamped with the same kit ....and WHOA ... what a HUGE step up in performance in every way.

I was stunned (pleasantly) along with my audiophile buddy witnesses.

THE POINT: system synergies are achieved ad-hoc through a podantic experimentation process.

Cheers
akg_ca OP
2,479 posts
 
2011 UPDATE: Finally sold the Totems (both the Forest and Arros) and replaced them with Rega R9s
- no regrets and in fact it was a welcome and significant upgrade
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