I first heard the Totem Acoustic Tab&#249; loudspeakers at HI-FI '96, <I>Stereophile</I>'s Home Theater & Specialty Audio Show at the Waldorf=Astoria in New York City last June. A startlingly realistic vocal recording drew me to Totem's sixth-floor demo room. Vincent Bruzzese, the speaker's designer, was playing Michael Jonasz singing "Si si si le ciel" from <I>la fabuleuse histoire de Mister Swing</I> (WEA 2292-42338-2, imported by May Audio Marketing). The small, two-way Tab&#249; cast a holographic, palpable musical image with clear highs and sizzling dynamic pace. I was bitten, and set things in motion for this review. And two other things drew me to the Tab&#249;: its capacitor-less crossover and its similarity to Totem's <A HREF="http://www.stereophile.com/standloudspeakers/820">Model 1</A>.

I first heard the Totem Acoustic Tab&#249; loudspeakers at HI-FI '96, <I>Stereophile</I>'s Home Theater & Specialty Audio Show at the Waldorf=Astoria in New York City last June. A startlingly realistic vocal recording drew me to Totem's sixth-floor demo room. Vincent Bruzzese, the speaker's designer, was playing Michael Jonasz singing "Si si si le ciel" from <I>la fabuleuse histoire de Mister Swing</I> (WEA 2292-42338-2, imported by May Audio Marketing). The small, two-way Tab&#249; cast a holographic, palpable musical image with clear highs and sizzling dynamic pace. I was bitten, and set things in motion for this review. And two other things drew me to the Tab&#249;: its capacitor-less crossover and its similarity to Totem's <A HREF="http://www.stereophile.com/standloudspeakers/820">Model 1</A>.

I have a theory about "showing off" systems. I call it <I>Zen and the Art of Keeping Your Yap Shut</I>. Think about it: what's the first thing that pops into your head when someone tells you how great their system sounds? "Yeah, <I>right!</I>"

I have a theory about "showing off" systems. I call it <I>Zen and the Art of Keeping Your Yap Shut</I>. Think about it: what's the first thing that pops into your head when someone tells you how great their system sounds? "Yeah, <I>right!</I>"

I have a theory about "showing off" systems. I call it <I>Zen and the Art of Keeping Your Yap Shut</I>. Think about it: what's the first thing that pops into your head when someone tells you how great their system sounds? "Yeah, <I>right!</I>"

I have a theory about "showing off" systems. I call it <I>Zen and the Art of Keeping Your Yap Shut</I>. Think about it: what's the first thing that pops into your head when someone tells you how great their system sounds? "Yeah, <I>right!</I>"

I have a theory about "showing off" systems. I call it <I>Zen and the Art of Keeping Your Yap Shut</I>. Think about it: what's the first thing that pops into your head when someone tells you how great their system sounds? "Yeah, <I>right!</I>"

Most <I>Stereophile</I> readers are aware by now of why the full-range electrostatic should, in theory, be the ideal transducer. (If you aren't aware, see the accompanying sidebar.) Acoustat was the first manufacturer to design a full-range electrostatic that was so indestructible it came with a lifetime warranty. (MartinLogan is now offering a three-year warranty on their speakers, and is considering going to a lifetime warranty). But Acoustat was never able to solve another problem that has plagued all flat-panel speakers: treble beaming.

Most <I>Stereophile</I> readers are aware by now of why the full-range electrostatic should, in theory, be the ideal transducer. (If you aren't aware, see the accompanying sidebar.) Acoustat was the first manufacturer to design a full-range electrostatic that was so indestructible it came with a lifetime warranty. (MartinLogan is now offering a three-year warranty on their speakers, and is considering going to a lifetime warranty). But Acoustat was never able to solve another problem that has plagued all flat-panel speakers: treble beaming.

Most <I>Stereophile</I> readers are aware by now of why the full-range electrostatic should, in theory, be the ideal transducer. (If you aren't aware, see the accompanying sidebar.) Acoustat was the first manufacturer to design a full-range electrostatic that was so indestructible it came with a lifetime warranty. (MartinLogan is now offering a three-year warranty on their speakers, and is considering going to a lifetime warranty). But Acoustat was never able to solve another problem that has plagued all flat-panel speakers: treble beaming.